Modern Warfare 3 Review

Is the new Call of Duty instalment the greatest action gaming has ever seen, or just another one of Activision's overrated best-sellers?

With major critics and the general public screaming the game is 'overrated', 'boring' and 'an upgrade version of MW2', is MW3 actually worth buying?

Is it worth shelling out money for this game; if there is more competition in the action game market then ever before?

Would it not be better purchasing Battlefield 3, Gears of War 3, Saints Row 3 and other games that many say are 'better' than MW3?

Ever since the Xbox 360 has made, hundreds of millions have played Call of Duty. It's been, as the promotions have stated, "the largest franchise in gaming". While this may be the case in sales, millions doubt that MW3 is worthy of being the largest game to hit the Xbox, with Metacritic's user score for the game being at a very low 3.2 out of 10.

Are we seeing a bad case of "this is too mainstream for me" or have Activision really let us down with the new product? Many professional journalists on this subject state that the latter is wrong, and users are just annoyed MW3 isn't unbelievably good. Take away the fact that everyone on the internet likes to rant about stuff, are we in the mist of a new blockbuster, or a capital punishment on action games?

In many ways, Modern Warfare 3 delivers what we wanted. A clean crisp game, with new cool features and the best of the old Call of Duty, that being said - in others areas, it falls short of great, or even good for that matter.

On the campaign you follow the path of Soap and Price, as they endlessly try to hunt down the well hidden terrorist, Makerov. The game starts where you left off on MW2, you being chased by every authority on the planet, due to the murder of General Shepard. Russia have invaded America in force, with bombs and troopers flying everywhere – America is in a state of lockdown, trying vigorously to defeat the Soviets.

So, you can already tell this campaign is going to be jam packed with crazy, kick-ass missions. You're not wrong. MW3 definitely does give you a good ride for your money - with even better explosive, teeth clenching battles. The producers have really tried to push the game to the next level, by creating more wild experiences on boats; planes and robot machines.

But with the brilliant action packed scenes and new experiences, there are typical faults in the game; which have been there since Call of Duty 4. The biggest bad point for me was the size of the campaign, with the average gamer completing it within a measly six hours. Another let down was the plot, with a lot of 'chess type moves' - you're so close to winning, then they take away your Queen.

Overall, a decent campaign, not great; which is what Call of Duty stated.

Come on though, we've never really been bothered about the campaign. If you're a true gamer, you're only in it for the multiplayer.

Where the campaign was decent, the multiplayer excels. Unlike many of the reviews you'll read, the multiplayer provides everything we could have wanted from the new Call of Duty. New, well developed and cleverly created maps; crazier killstreaks; larger attachments and more new features that enhance the gaming performance.

Some will say "it's just recycled version", but what more do you want out of an action game? This game is Modern Warfare, it's bound to just have Modern guns and a differentiation of maps - you're asking for more then the game can create, without losing it's point and becoming tedious.

The producers of the multiplayer have removed some of our most hated parts of the experience and replaced them with new, fresh ideas. Although they're not as creative as some would want, on a whole they do their job.

Other than a fair campaign and a great multiplayer, Modern Warfare 3 has a hefty amount of spec-ops missions to do, if you ever feel frustrated by the multiplayer.

There is also a new type of gaming mode - Survival Mode. While this may be copied off Black Ops' Combat Training, where you take on advancing units of computer-ran infantry, it has been re-drafted and made into a game type to be proud of. With killstreaks, Delta-squads and endlessly stronger waves of enemies, you're bound to enjoy this experience.

It may be a touch tiring trying to level up, to unlock the various achievements - but it's worth the satisfaction when you take on five juggernauts; marauders dogs; snipers; assault troopers; AH-6 over-watches and suicide bombers and succeed.

Well, that is up to you. I bought it, I still enjoy it. I'm not going to pretend it's the perfect game, Saints Row 3, Gears of War 3 and Battlefield 3 may be equally as enjoyable, but it is most certainly an addictive action game. A game where you're endlessly enthralled in new situations and amazing experiences; where one moment you’re in America battling the antagonising Russians, and the next your in France defending against the Spetnaz who torment Europe. It's up to you, either you can believe what the haters say, or try it out for yourself.

My overall rating of the game is: 8/10. It's a plain, average game with better than average experiences, coveted in a lossy, tedious showcase of how great it should be. For the next Call of Duty I think we can all hope it's less promoted and delivers more; without being too mad.