Don't believe the reviews.
User Rating: 5 | Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 X360
(note: I apologize for the lack of small paragraphs. Believe it or not, Gamespot forums make it harder than it seems. As soon as I figure out how to do this properly, I'll update) I have a relative who has bought every single COD game from COD4 to present. I have to say that I've grown tired of the series considering it's been ongoing every year for half a decade (not to mention the obnoxious 12-year olds as with any other game). Despite my tired state, I decided to try the game out.....and I have to say that my disappointing expectations were met. When people say it's Modern Warfare 2.5, it's not an exaggeration; this game, if not for the maps and guns, is just copy and paste from the previous one. As such, it had the same fatal flaw for online users: frustrating and unfair multiplayer, The multiplayer was almost completely untouched except for a few changes, which actually made it worse. One such example is the weapon damage and health. To try and 'balance' the game, they lowered the damage that the weapons could deliver. However, they got skeptical, and thought that dropping the health even lower than how much the weapon damage was dropped was a good idea. What resulted from this is that the game has even less margin for strategy; you get spotted by the enemy, you die. Almost no way to defend yourself. While the previous games were a bit milked, they atleast had a bit of strategy in that you could combat an attacker with some bit of strategy. Here, however, that is not present. You'll die over and over again in this, even when it seems like you fill your opponent up with thousands of bullets. While I can usually have fun in any multiplayer with little frustration, I can't play this game without having the urge to throw the controller at the screen. People say that the game series has lots of guns that make the game enticing (HA). While that is true, you only need to look into the weapons to figure out that it is too good to be true; most weapons are just copies of others. Sure, the stats are a bit different, but several assault riffles are like the others, the striker is like the AA-12, etc. etc. What 'variety' they have is just window dressing to make it seem like your gaming experience is deeper than it really is. I have to say one last issue, though not really intentional by the developers, is the 'quickscopes' 'trickscopes' and several other trends that developed from this game and the rest. These trends make games frustrating for any normal player. If one is just playing the game for fun, they would not want to be held up in spectator mode for fifteen minutes while other players jump around and shoot while spinning, trying to get a headshot. Alright, one; those kinds of things are only really epic when they happen unintentionally, or during a tense moment. It is NOT epic if you're intentionally trying to do this. If anything, it's annoying. Two; how would anyone find this fun? All you're doing is wasting time spinning around. Wouldn't it be more fun to actually try and win for your team? If you want to do that, do it in a private game, NOT on a matchmade game. Now, multiplayer aside, the campaign is 'meh' in my opinion. I'm honestly tired of the whole WW3 thing myself, but it's just me. It's better than the multiplayer, and isn't really bad in any way, but is completely unremarkable.....except that one section where you are a white person killing several Africans.....didn't Resident Evil 5 get heat for that? If they got heat, why not this game? I guess it just shows that the COD community is more accepting and forgiving of Infinity Ward, as this is a story-based section. That maybe someone else's opinion, though mine personally is different. (cough)Hyprocrisy(cough) The spec ops is probably the most notable feature of this title, though up to this point that isn't saying much. Still, I have to say that this is the one thing I find enjoyable of this game, especially when I team up with my relative complete some missions. And atleast (unlike MW2) they update the system with more missions (provided, typically, if you pay for them). Aside from that, they have survival mode which, while it is another good factor of the game, isn't really speaking much since several other games have used this feature, especially years before this title. You're able to buy and upgrade equipment, weapons, etc., basic stuff. Nothing new. Lastly is the chaos mode, which I would comment on IF ACTIVISION DIDN'T CHARGE YOU TO GET IT. Atleast with games with Mass Effect 3 and Team Fortress 2 they update the multiplayer with new modes and touches for free for the enjoyment and convenience of the player. And please, no one use the 'Activision needs money' excuse. They have PLENTY of money from the previous yearly titles. They can give off more free stuff than they are. All-in-all, if you're someone looking for a good change in a game, best to look somewhere else: Frustrating and outdated multiplayer and unremarkable campaign with spec ops that, while fun, isn't worth the listed price. Buy at your own risk. If you want a TRUE COD experience, buy COD4, which is (in my opinion) the best in the series. Killermaverick out.
