The Ultimate Tribute: Why Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3's Classic Maps Outshine the Newer Ones!

Highlights

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 beta highlights the importance of hidden spots in map design, which newer maps tend to forget.

Maps such as Highrise offer a great deal of excitement due to the concealed roof spot, alongside other enjoyable secrets like the greenhouse roof on Estate and the crawl space in Rust. The reintroduction of imaginative maps featuring hidden areas has the potential to greatly enhance the gameplay experience for both seasoned and novice Call of Duty enthusiasts.

Old school Call of Duty fans have raised several concerns about the modern releases, some of which are unlikely to be addressed. They have been calling for an end, or at least a restructure, of SBMM, but Activision has shown a lack of willingness to make any changes. Fans who appreciate the serious military aesthetic have also expressed a desire for more Mil-Sim Call of Duty skins and less whimsical designs, but the sales of more eccentric bundles suggest that this is unlikely to happen. However, there is still hope for improvement in map design, as valuable lessons can be learned from the maps in the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 beta.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 will include all the initial maps from Modern Warfare 2, released in 2009. During the beta phase, players had the opportunity to play in five of these locations. Beloved maps such as Estate, Favela, and Skid Row were accompanied by the iconic Rust and Highrise. The latter two maps, in particular, revealed an important aspect that all of Call of Duty’s numerous developers should take note of. While the maps themselves are as enjoyable as ever, the true revelation from these remakes is that fans adore discovering hidden spots, something the newer maps often overlook.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3’s Maps Prove Secret Spots Need a Comeback

Beginning with something as straightforward as Rust, many individuals will likely be acquainted with the advantageous positions on the map. The diverse levels on the structure located in the center of the map make it a valuable elevated position that someone will always attempt to secure. Meanwhile, players can engage in battles on the outskirts of the map or attempt to stealthily maneuver beneath the central structure. However, there are a few clever spots where players can strategically shoot at their enemies, such as aiming through the pipes under the central structure or squeezing into the gap near the pipe spawn. Another notable example is climbing onto the glass roof of the Estate greenhouse, an activity that dedicated fans may have observed others doing during their gameplay in the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 beta.

Highrise boasts the largest number of hidden spots among any Call of Duty map to date, and this contributes to its enduring popularity, in addition to its well-known sniping encounters. Sledgehammer Games made the deliberate decision not to remove any of these spots, opting instead to encourage players to utilize them. To illustrate, although it remains challenging to reach without being gunned down, the rooftop position now features a proper ladder attached to the broken scaffolding, making it more apparent and accessible. The scaffolding on the sides of the map and the pathway to the second floor location in the building opposite the roof are still intact, serving as an encouragement for players to adopt a creative approach in their gameplay.

Hidden spots were not exclusive to Modern Warfare 2; the original Black Ops had its fair share as well. Examples include the hidden RC-XD track, the ski lift on Summit, and the outdoor platform accessible through clever platforming on the indoor terminals. However, such hidden spots have become few and far between in recent games, which is disappointing. It is hoped that Call of Duty will return to creating creative maps in the future. While the beta had divisive aspects like sound design, graphics, and Time to Kill in Modern Warfare 3, everyone seems to agree that the old maps still feel great. This may be due to nostalgia, but new fans also seem to enjoy these maps, including the secret spots. While the best design ideas may have been used in Call of Duty's golden era, this does not apply to hidden spots. With talented developers working on the series, there's no reason why enjoyable spots like the Highrise rooftop cannot return in modern maps. It is hoped that Treyarch will incorporate platforming tasks in Call of Duty 2024 to reward curious players with advantageous positions. Without them, maps just don't have the same impact as they used to.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 launches on November 10 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.