Gamer Unit

 

Sledgehammer Games and Infinity Ward have brought the COD fans another reason to live for – Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3. The most recent edition to the Modern Warfare series lives up to its name – in most ways. 

The COD series is famous for a reason. People love to hate it, but you’ve gotta admit, infinity ward has managed to develop a lively and action – packed game. Let’s start with what’s new. 

The introduction of strike packages to MW3 multiplayer has improved a dynamic element of each and every FPS – teamwork. With the option of choosing between assault, support and specialist strike packages, team members and clan mates can designate roles to players, and can seamlessly work together as a team; some players on the offensive, some supporting the offensive players, and some tacticians. Strike packages give the player the freedom of choice to choose his/her game plan, and how he/she will contribute to the battle. 

Next up, the new game modes. Kill Confirmed is an awesome addition to the already varied roster of game modes, and it adds a new element of teamwork to the old and familiar team deathmatch. Now, once you kill an enemy, you must pick up the dog tags they drop; only then will your efforts count as a kill to the score meter. You can also collect your dead teammate’s dog tags and prevent the enemy from getting them. Team Defender is personally one of my favourite game modes. It involves two teams fighting over one flag, and the team holding the flag gets double points for each kill. Teamwork is one of the most essential elements to a successful shooter, and Call of Duty had to increase their teamwork factor if they wanted to be compared to tactical games of the likes of Battlefield or Halo. And oh boy did it deliver. It definitely cranked up the strategy level by a notch, overall increasing the game’s replay value. This is definitely better than putting up with the smart – alec one man armies in previous COD’s.

The maps and backdrops of both the multiplayer and campaign alike have been well designed. Infinity ward has efficiently designed the settings of the campaign missions , all the more increasing the ‘epic’ factor that is necessary when playing a FPS War game.  Infinity ward has made the campaign feel fun to play through large scale battles in New York, Germany, and even at the base of the Eiffel Tower!  The emotional factor in the campaign is present,  but it just isn’t enough. Sure, I did feel a little disappointed when one of the main characters died, but it didn’t leave an everlasting impression on me. From one point of view, my teammate who died was just another of the thousands killed in the war, except I just conversed with him more than the rest. There was also another element that I felt was missing from the story – the ‘oomph’ factor. The storyline wasn’t as hard –hitting as it should have been, and it didn’t impact me greatly. I’m pretty sure I’ll forget half the story in a few months. I just didn’t feel rejoiced after killing Makarov. Yes I was satisfied, but satisfaction isn’t enough. The story didn’t blow me away and make me fall to the feet of the developers like Uncharted did. But on the bright side, the story was not short of action in any way whatsoever. There was literally action around every corner, and the AC – 130 and Predator Missile missions did spice up the generic run and gun style of FPS. The stealth missions (More than I thought there would be) were generally well designed and fun to play. The gameplay was action packed and lively, with the havoc of war everywhere.

The final verdict on the story: Great settings such as Germany and the Eiffel Tower, Very action packed – doesn’t get boring. Story should have been more influential. 

Now, hold your horses COD fanboys cause I’m getting to the multiplayer.

The COD multiplayer delivered in almost every way. The maps were strategically created, allowing for certain chokepoints of intense action, and slightly lower populated vantage points for snipers and tacticians. In my opinion, the environments should have been more dynamic, and should have played more of a role in the battle than just exploding barrels, but what can I say; Large scale destruction isn’t exactly COD’s suit *cough cough*. Yes, the game was pretty similar to MW2, ok very similar, but the maps were better and the gameplay mechanics more well designed. The modes were decent too, and Infected was an absolute show stopper. The guns were great, but I can’t help but point out that they sounded more like toys than weapons of mass destruction, especially the UMP 45. Which brings me to the sound score. A little less rock and guitar would have been nice. The campaign soundtrack was pretty dramatic overall, and definitely suited the action and carnage. If the campaign was action packed, then the multiplayer is action – overloaded. The multiplayer never gets boring, and can be played for years on end. The best part about the multiplayer is that every game makes me feel like I’ve accomplished something – whether it’s a perk upgrade or a new attachment.  The strike packages are just awesome. They allow the less skilled players to still contribute to the battle, since the kills in the support package stack even after you die. Getting assault killstreaks and obliterating the enemy is the MOST satisfying thing to do in multiplayer. This helps the replay value by loads. Each kill is also extremely satisfying, and motivates you to keep playing. All in all, the multiplayer is a well thought out and planned process, and infinity ward got it spot on. 

We all know the next COD is going to be out soon, but let us enjoy this excellent game while we can.

GAME HARBOR SCORE – 9.0