The arrival of 'Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3' was met with a mix of anticipation and apprehension, with fans eager to see the direction of this year's installment. However, the campaign mode has left many players feeling underwhelmed, leading to a wave of criticism within the gaming community.
The discontent centers on the surprisingly short duration of the Modern Warfare 3 campaign, wrapping up in roughly four hours—a notable decrease from the expected six to eight hours for a typical Call of Duty experience. Additionally, players are criticizing the game's heavy reliance on 'Open Combat Missions,' which many believe signals a rushed development cycle compared to previous titles in the franchise.
Pretty much half of the campaign consists of open combat missions - a new level of lazy
byu/Drahcir9000 inModernWarfareIII
An outpouring of disappointment has overtaken the game's official subreddit, with players voicing their disillusionment through memes and commentary. A prominent post from a Reddit user blames the influence of 'Warzone,' the franchise's battle royale component, for the campaign's perceived downgrade, suggesting it has led to a diluted and unrecognizable Call of Duty game.
These 'Open Combat Missions,' often likened to pared-down 'Warzone' tasks, have been highlighted as a deviation from the series' hallmark on-rails action setpieces. While some find enjoyment in these missions, there's a consensus that their prevalence within the campaign is at odds with the core Call of Duty experience.
Further complicating matters is the confusion around the game's marketing and release strategy. Reports by Bloomberg in 2022 suggested that there would be no new Call of Duty game in 2023, only for Activision to later announce Modern Warfare 3 as a full-priced title. Yet, features such as the carryover of weapons and cosmetics from Modern Warfare 2, the inclusion of remade maps at launch, and the installation process akin to DLC have led to confusion and the perception of Modern Warfare 3 being more of an expansion than a standalone title.
As the community reacts and the full release of Modern Warfare 3 approaches, it's clear that the campaign has set a controversial tone for the latest chapter in the Call of Duty saga. With multiplayer set to drop on November 10, it remains to be seen how the rest of the game will be received and whether it can redeem the rocky start of Modern Warfare 3's campaign.