Call Of Duty returns for its yearly iteration, this time with the return of the Modern Warfare series. Can this fourth entry in the rebooted timeline capture the attention of fans new and old? Or is this another misstep in this franchise?
A Muddled Path
Call Of Duty has been a staple of gaming for the past 23 years, but recently, in my opinion it has lost its way. The last three releases of Modern Warfare 3 and Black Ops 6 & 7 have been hugely disappointing. Lacklustre campaigns, unspectacular multiplayer and forgettable cooperative modes have caused fans to lose a lot of faith in this once stellar franchise. So, with the release of Modern Warfare 4, I was understandably sceptical on whether the teams at Activision and Infinity Ward could deliver a fresh and memorable new COD.
Whilst there are still some problems, I am pleased to say this is a positive step in the right direction for this franchise. An action packed and memorable campaign, exciting and refreshing multiplayer and a superb updated DMZ mode, all make this the best Call Of Duty game in quite some time. Strap in, it’s quite a ride!
A Brutal And Bleak Affair
Modern Warfare 4 campaign continues the events of the rebooted series timeline, taking place after the events of the most recent title, Modern Warfare 3. Having witnessed terrorist and series villain Vladmir Makarov murder his close friend and colleague John “Soap” Mactavish, Captain John Price is hell bent on revenge. Alongside the revenge arc for Price, the campaign also shifts perspective to an impending war breaking out between North and South Korea. It’s a brilliant setting for both Price and the player, as it immediately raises the stakes for the narrative attempting to close out this series.
Both Price’s journey and the conflict between North and South Korea play out wonderfully, as events to continue to spiral out of control. This is a very different Price from the previous three games. Gone is the dedicated soldier who knew how to tow the line; in his place is a man who has lost virtually everything. He is disillusioned, but determined to honour his fallen comrades. It’s compelling but it is very bleak and one of the darkest COD campaigns to date. The vast amount of set pieces and cinematic moments remain a staple of a Call Of Duty campaign, but the developers have done a great job of focusing on the characters and trying to make the player empathise with their plight.
Don’t Mess With The Formula
Whilst everything you expect from a campaign is here, it is refined and better than ever. Levels are varied, ranging from linear claustrophobic environments to semi open world levels. The campaign also gives both perspectives of the war, putting you in the shoes of both South and North Korean forces. At first this may seem quite controversial, but they have handled the missions with care and complexity.
A Satisfying If Not Flawed Conclusion
One final note for the campaign of Modern Warfare 4 is that this is the definitive conclusion to this rebooted timeline. They have pulled no punches here, with the level of heartbreak and sacrifice which occurs for these characters. The whole campaign is building up to a moment between Price and his former comrades, such as Simon “Ghost” Riley and Gaz. It does not disappoint. It’s bittersweet but a well executed end to seven years of storytelling in this series. On the other hand, you have the conflict occurring between North And South Korea which is well told, but frightening realistic, and all too close to reality.
There are some missteps however. Some newly introduced characters are underutilised or one dimensional. Mads Mikkelsen is as expected – superb as new villain, The Archer, but there’s not much for him to work with. This is a fairly simple character who is seeking revenge like Price, but as we have not been with this character for years, it feels shallow and undeserved. Whilst the game does a good job at tying up most ends for this series ,it does leave some characters and plot points by the wayside. Perhaps DMZ can tie these up.
A Fully Realised Version
Following the conclusion of the campaign, there is a short cutscene to introduce you to the second main mode of this game: DMZ (demilitarized zone). Billed as an extraction shooter mode, DMZ first appeared in 2022’s Modern Warfare 2, although it felt very surface level and more of a concept than a fully fledged idea. This changes in MW4. This version of DMZ comes with its own dedicated progression, missions tied to the campaign, home bases and great amounts of player choice. At its core, this is a PVE mode with some PvP elements but these are few and far between. It’s gripping and intense, but it won’t be for everyone.
Much like popular extraction shooters such as ARC Raiders, this can be a challenging and brutal experience. Hours and hours of progression and equipment can be lost upon one death. Some players will always find comfort in the fast paced multiplayer, but if you can sink your teeth into this mode there is fun to be had! The importance of a well equipped team, along with strong communication, will make this mode more rewarding. As mentioned, the level of player choice is superb with multiple operators, lots of weapons and a player base that is similar to the tower from Destiny 2. It may not have a huge player base in the grand scheme, but the players who love this mode will find hundreds of hours of unique moments awaiting them.
Fast and Furious Warfare
Finally, the third and most important mode for most COD players is, of course, the multiplayer. Call Of Duty games often live and die on the basis of how the fans enjoy the multiplayer. Personally, the most recent Black Ops titles along with MW3 have been so disappointing that I quickly lost interest in them. I suspect this time I might stick around longer. This version is fast, brutal and a streamlined version of the Modern Warfare series that feels so damn good. The teams at Call Of Duty love to use the term ‘boots on the ground’ but this year, it actually feels warranted.
Gone is the wall jumping from Black Ops, instead replaced by a more realistic movement experience. Players who are sick of feeling cheated by crazy manoeuvres will feel a little more at ease with this traversal scheme. Mantling, sliding and jump shotting remains if you are trying to pull off kill cam worthy moments. Then there’s gunplay, which feels solid and fun. It isn’t anything that will have players shouting from the rooftops, but equally it isn’t anything egregious.
Expanded Arsenal
One thing which is undeniable is the level of customisation on offer in Modern Warfare 4 multiplayer. The sheer amount of guns, attachments, killstreaks and perks is wonderful. Add in tons of calling cards and emblems, and you have the complete multiplayer package. The amount of challenges for players to complete will take you hundreds and hundreds of hours to master! Add in a great variety of game modes and you have a very robust package on offer for players.
A Continual Problem
Although the gameplay and combat for Modern Warfare 4 feels the best it has in years, I have issues when it comes to maps and design. Maps have been so hit and miss over the past few years and this game falls victim to the same problem. Sure, some maps are serviceable, such as Lithium and Silkworm, but most of the other maps feel forgettable and poorly utilised. The obsession with a three lane system in Call Of Duty sometimes seems to take precedent over making the maps flow properly.
Similarly, the debate around skill based matchmaking once again rears its ugly head. Last year, Treyarch paved the way for the future when they added the open matchmaking into the Black Ops 7 launch. In MW4, however, it is nowhere to be seen. This is a huge disappointment as a great number of fans welcomed this new matchmaking model last year. Hopefully, this can be added post launch.
Staggering Realism
The Call Of Duty franchise has had its flaws, but not with its visuals. Modern Warfare 4 continues this trend with a superb effort in visual presentation and performance. All the countries and locations you visit in the campaign and multiplayer look astoundingly realistic. Character design and facial animations are once again top notch. The level of realism in the violence and bloodshed is alarmingly on point. This is a bold, bloody, often grim, but downright beautiful looking game.
Similarly, the audio design and soundtrack are of a high level. Every gun sounds brutal and powerful; footsteps alert you to enemies and explosions sound utterly bombastic. The superb effort by the voice cast should not go unnoticed, with special mention to Barry Sloane, who brings a new level of humanity and emotion to his performance as Captain Price. Finally, the soundtrack by composer Stephen Barton (who worked on the original Modern Warfare 2007 title) and Jason Graves, is pitch perfect. Clearly taking inspiration from the original title, the score sounds tense and cinematic and hits at just the right moments.
Verdict
Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 is a positive step in the right direction for the franchise. A solid campaign that is more emotional than expected, great improvements on DMZ and superb gameplay in multiplayer, make this the best COD in the last few years. Whilst there are some missteps with map design, skill based matchmaking and surface level characters in the campaign, there is still a lot more good than bad. Ultimately, with stellar graphics and a killer audio design and soundtrack, Call Of Duty finally feels back on track. Stay frosty!
