Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 for Windows

Modern Warfare 3 marks the final chapter of this Call of Duty series, bringing an engaging single-player campaign filled with nonstop action and a polished multiplayer experience.

Pros

Polished campaign: Modern Warfare 3 holds nothing back as a mind-numbing, blockbuster, single-player experience. The game places you in the shoes of several protagonist soldiers from the previous two games and takes you around the world, chasing terrorists in the middle of an all-out war. Modern Warfare 3 may not have the most advanced game engine, but it excels at demonstrating destruction of cities, intense firefights, and uncomfortable, cinematic situations.

Satisfying multiplayer: Despite the mom-insulting, dirty-mouthed teens that occasionally plague the online multiplayer world, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 satisfies. It maintains the tried-and-true formula of incremental achievements, weapons upgrades, and hectic combat mechanics that have defined the series. In addition to competitive multiplayer death matches, Modern Warfare 3 also adds enhancements to Spec Ops and Survival modes to diversify its multiplayer options. There's so much to the multiplayer experience that it could potentially exist as its own standalone product; it's no wonder both modes were developed independently.

Cons

Formulaic: Depending on whether you're a newcomer or a seasoned veteran, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 can come off as either extremely exciting or as a predictable experience. While Modern Warfare 3 hits all the marks of a standard shooter, those who are familiar with the series may find few striking changes. Modern Warfare 3 is the same great first-person shooter, but it's been more or less the same for some time. It's only a matter of time before seasoned players will find the mechanics dated, recycled, and unfulfilling.

Bottom Line

The game follows a standard recipe for success. But for many players, playing what's arguably the same game for three years straight will start to feel stale. As such, Modern Warfare 3's greatest strength is also its greatest weakness. Its reception will ultimately depend on whether you're new to the series or coming back for one last encore.