Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3

 PlayStation 3
User Score
3.4

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 5387 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,362 out of 5387
  2. Mixed: 595 out of 5387
  3. Negative: 3,430 out of 5387
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  1. Magemasher
    Nov 10, 2011
    3
    The most accurate way I can describe Modern Warfare 3 is "competent, but dull." The game tries very, very hard to be exciting, edgy, and shocking, but it fails on every level. While the set pieces are bombastic and loud, they carry no weight and have no emotional attachment to them, making them fall flat. What worsens this problem is that the game has absolutely no sense of pacingThe most accurate way I can describe Modern Warfare 3 is "competent, but dull." The game tries very, very hard to be exciting, edgy, and shocking, but it fails on every level. While the set pieces are bombastic and loud, they carry no weight and have no emotional attachment to them, making them fall flat. What worsens this problem is that the game has absolutely no sense of pacing whatsoever. My playthrough took exactly 4 hours and 33 minutes and frankly the game would have greatly benefited from some slow moving filler to balance out the explosions. Good pacing requires valleys to go with the peaks, otherwise it all feels like one long, incredibly boring plain, which describes MW3 in a nutshell. There are no moments in the game that get ones blood pumping, no moments that evoke any particular emotion, and the script is bad on top of it. All of this is exasperated by the fact that the graphics and sound design are bad to the point of laughable. The gun models look barely better than some PS2 games, the explosions lack volume, the textures are muddy and low-res, the character models are just bad, no easy way to put it, and worst of all the sound design is compressed and unimpressive. I played on a 5.1 surround sound setup and while games like Killzone push the limits of graphical and audio fidelity and action in the genre, MW3 has felt content to go witht the absolute barest minimum of effort and it shows, and the game suffers because of it. The multiplayer offers no solace either. Simply put this is one of the shallowest, most vapid multiplayer games I have ever played. There is absolutely zero depth to the gameplay and no thought has been put into higher level play tactics, in fact, through its egregious killstreak system it actively discourages higher level techniques and play, and instead works to recreate the constant explosions of the single player game, and everything suffers because of it. Unavoidable deaths are a constant, both from getting hit by overhead killstreaks as soon as you spawn, and then from the laughably bad spawn system that often has players spawning in the middle of groups of enemies giving them free kills. Its broken to the point of worrisome. Did anybody actually play this tripe before release? All of this games depth has been put into the loadout system, which boils down to finding the most overpowered weapon and using that, negating any depth that could have arisen. Since there is no teamwork, no teammate reliance, and no interdependence the game is as shallow online as a teaspoon in death valley. The lack of distinct classes and good team modes really hurts the online's replayability and the hardcore gamer will find its lowering everything to the lowest common denominator nothing short of insulting. This is not a game for you if you like shooters. This is not a game for you if like new things. This is not a game for you if you like innovation. And this is certainly not a game for you if you like balance and good gameplay. This is also not the game for you if you're looking for good graphics, sound, and story. If you want any of those things I suggest getting a better game, like Killzone 3. I cannot recomment MW3 on any level, as if miserably fails on ALL OF THEM. However it gets +2 points on my review for at least working without glitches, bravo sledgehammer, your bugtesters are the most talented people on your staff.… Expand
  2. Seals-
    Nov 10, 2011
    0
    the same sh!t... mw2.5. NO THANKS!! the same the same the same the same the same the same the same the same the same the same the same the same the same the same the same the same sh!t!!
  3. Mysterym3At
    Nov 10, 2011
    10
    Lots of unfair reviews and ratings. MW3 is a great game with tons of new features. Great multiplayer experience, fun new game modes, point streaks, etc. survival mode is excellent and the single player is a nice wrap up to MW2.
  4. Soopas
    Nov 10, 2011
    0
    the game is equal to the lower version, it seems hard, but with the faults they have. Above all they will then try to collect DLC will not be invented, but always the same as emblems, logos copies of the game other versions
  5. MatheusVictor96
    Nov 10, 2011
    0
    Terrible game

    this game is sucks

    activision is a sick, killed cod This game is a copy and past of COD4

    The worst game ever, this game is a very, mega, super, hyper terrible-worst-bad game ever
  6. Shijinko
    Nov 10, 2011
    0
    There is two things i hate the most:

    1- Rehashed generic shooter
    2- Activision

    and that's exactly what we have here, another rehashed generic shooter by Activision.
  7. markrobinson89
    Nov 10, 2011
    2
    GOO GRAPHICS! Thats all. PISSED OFF. Thousands of people pay a fee for Elite and we dont get what we pay for!!! DISGRACEFUL. nothing new except a few perks and bouncing betty etc!! Halo have a similar system to Elite and its FREE with benifits too!!!! Still going to be playing with HACKERS and these wont be monitored to improve online gaming. MOMEY MONEY MONEY. IF THERE WAS NO CHEATERS ANDGOO GRAPHICS! Thats all. PISSED OFF. Thousands of people pay a fee for Elite and we dont get what we pay for!!! DISGRACEFUL. nothing new except a few perks and bouncing betty etc!! Halo have a similar system to Elite and its FREE with benifits too!!!! Still going to be playing with HACKERS and these wont be monitored to improve online gaming. MOMEY MONEY MONEY. IF THERE WAS NO CHEATERS AND HACKERS WOULD BE AN AWESOME GAME!!!… Expand
  8. RAWFODOG
    Nov 10, 2011
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. So it's an expensive map-pack? Correct. However you won't find more people online playing a game with a more solid foundation and set of mechanics. Shame? Yes. Could they have done more? Yes x2. Is it still going to keep you hooked for months? Yes x3.… Expand
  9. Maul84
    Nov 10, 2011
    2
    I had a feeling this would happen again after black ops, another 60 dollar map pack. Very disapointed with the "profesional" critics giving this game such high marks. Will not spend any more money on Cod until they finally do some real innovation and not just tweaks.
  10. JOSHUACO
    Nov 10, 2011
    3
    I have the Blacks Ops and MW2, MW3 fan.el'm almost excellent but unfortunately this is more of the same, it would be better than Activision have released a new game DLC. Unfortunately I buy it and not worth it (I'm disappointed: (. I think I'll change the BF3. Activision is seen that only wants to make money and ignores the players: (
  11. Mischaonline
    Nov 10, 2011
    10
    Simply Great. This is the final product with all the tweaks the community has been asking for since CoD4.
    The tempo is very high, sometimes it is soo quiet and the next second the air is filled with enemy crafts which I this early in the game can´t take on (unless with a SAM Turret). BLack Ops is like a walk in a park and with the change of a disc you will be thrown into a    Simply Great. This is the final product with all the tweaks the community has been asking for since CoD4.
    The tempo is very high, sometimes it is soo quiet and the next second the air is filled with enemy crafts which I this early in the game can´t take on (unless with a SAM Turret). BLack Ops is like a walk in a park and with the change of a disc you will be thrown into a marathon race, bullets coming from everywhere. There are a few places to hide -to few - u can´t really hide, maybe catch your breath and reload and if you are a camper shoot one or two enemies and that is if your lucky. The n00btube is a bit stronger than in BLOPS but far from annoying, rather perfect for this environment and tempo. The pointstreak system makes ppl finally go for objectives. The reasonable thing to buy for prestigetokens is Custom slots it seems, you have quite the arsenal to begin with and I have already gotten the Scar-L and Spas-12 thrown at me and gotten to choose from a vast amount of streaks once. And I am at lvl 10 now.

    Dunno what else to say, I am really happy I went with this one (cause I had my doubts about repeating the same old formula again). I hope I will still be at lvl 80. But so far this looks good - almost too good.    … Expand
  12. Dennievan
    Nov 10, 2011
    10
    It is dissapointed in MW3, I mean I dont feel the experience like when I play MW2 or Black Ops, Black Ops is my first choice tho.. WHERE HAVE YOU PUT THE SOUND???? the sound seems so low and quiet, you cant even hear your footstep nor when u reload, and pretty much almost all guns sounds like silencer, I mean I need some rock action man!! multiplayer is almost the same like black ops withIt is dissapointed in MW3, I mean I dont feel the experience like when I play MW2 or Black Ops, Black Ops is my first choice tho.. WHERE HAVE YOU PUT THE SOUND???? the sound seems so low and quiet, you cant even hear your footstep nor when u reload, and pretty much almost all guns sounds like silencer, I mean I need some rock action man!! multiplayer is almost the same like black ops with different maps.. However the only thing that get me going is some of the campaign storyline and the spec ops.. Other than that I have no idea. They should at least put the sound back on like black ops where you can hear footstep and all.. I would go for 8.5 but 9 would be fair.… Expand
  13. sync214
    Nov 10, 2011
    10
    Still as fun as ever. Campaign kept me up all night and it jumps right in from the end of modern warfare 2. Spec Ops a welcome addition back from modern warfare 2.
  14. MrFused
    Nov 10, 2011
    3
    I honestly don't know why I bought this or why I was expecting something different from MW3, but I did and I was. It's basically an expansion pack for MW2.
  15. omnilegacy
    Nov 10, 2011
    2
    Looks like the lost of the original staff of Infinity Ward was a devastating blow to the series. Battlefield 3 is a lot more intriguing and refreshing. It feels like the same old game as in the previous series. When you play this it is like Déjà vu. The hype does not live up to the game-play.
  16. qulix187
    Nov 10, 2011
    0
    Games like the call of duty franchise shouldn't be allowed to just get away with the same **** game every year and there lazy ass development team is making so much money off you dumbass idiots who call your self gamers! A true gamer would see through there cash cow ass and boycott this damn franchise. **** THEY ALREADY ANNOUNCED THE NEXT CALL OF DUTY FOR NEXT YEAR WHAT THE **** NOO JUST NO!
  17. g_ferrett
    Nov 10, 2011
    4
    Let me say this: I'm not complaining about graphics or game play or animation or anything technical like that. It's a well-polished & smooth game and is pretty much what I expected; and still fun.

    I'm just a bit disappointed with the lack of 'smarts' which could have been built into the range of gaming options. Multiplayer is great - always is. Special Ops is great. Single Player is    Let me say this: I'm not complaining about graphics or game play or animation or anything technical like that. It's a well-polished & smooth game and is pretty much what I expected; and still fun.

    I'm just a bit disappointed with the lack of 'smarts' which could have been built into the range of gaming options. Multiplayer is great - always is. Special Ops is great. Single Player is great. But why oh why didn't they include some more tactical features from Black Ops!?

    e.g.1. There's no 'Combat Training' or 'Private / Multiplayer' like in Black Ops - where you just invite a few of your mates and play an on-line level, in an on-line environment, but just against a dozen or so bots. This scenario lends it self so easily to players making their own custom games with their mates - you can take it seriously or stuff around by only playing with pistols for example - just for nothing more than a laugh.

    e.g.2 In the Special Ops - they could have easily extended the number of players to 4 (or 6) where you can invite more than one friend to play Survival mode with. They should have. Again, like Zombie mode in Black Ops. It makes for a very fun night when you just grab a couple of mates & play strategically in the Survival / Wave modes of Special Ops.

    Both of those examples could have added a LOT of flexibility to the times when you don't want to play on-line with (let's face it, you do get them...) idiots abusing each other from around the world. Thus, increasing enjoyment.

    Why they didn't include these as playable options is beyond me. And, a bit of disappointment really at how easy that would have been to implement compared with the rest of the game.

    That's why I'm giving a low score - the game runs very well and has plenty of good features. But it's simply not as versatile at it could and should have been.

    Activision & Infinity Award; if you read this then take note and see if you can add it as an upgrade, or include this in your next MW5....

    And for the record, yes I have half a dozen mates who think the same thing.... so I know I'm not alone in writing this.    … Expand
  18. vurbs
    Nov 10, 2011
    0
    This is just a reskin of Modern Warfare 2, you're better off sticking with the second one. It lacks any shred of innovation over previous games and even though they reused 90% of the content from the last game they didn't make any effort to add more content like a longer single player or more multiplayer maps.
  19. RMHANSEN
    Nov 10, 2011
    10
    I honestly think it's the fanboy of Battlefield 3 that's writing the crappy reviews. First off I think the game is fun I just got done beating the campaign which i think is amazing. Multiplayer it's fun but challanging which if you love a good challange then i would recommend it. Let me be honest Everyone on here giving a poor review isn't giving the game a chance if so I garenteedI honestly think it's the fanboy of Battlefield 3 that's writing the crappy reviews. First off I think the game is fun I just got done beating the campaign which i think is amazing. Multiplayer it's fun but challanging which if you love a good challange then i would recommend it. Let me be honest Everyone on here giving a poor review isn't giving the game a chance if so I garenteed either they have never played Modern Warfare 3 or is still playing Modern Warfare 3 i can honestly see flaws but why would anyone want a perfect game. at this moment Sledgehammer and infinity ward Thank you for making a great game and keep it up… Expand
  20. cosmafx
    Nov 10, 2011
    10
    Under the circumstances I think this game came out very well. I'm just waiting until the franchise moves over to the experienced and fully devolved company, Sledgehammer.
  21. dpac007
    Nov 10, 2011
    0
    this video-game is the biggest waste of money, i haven't enjoyed a COD game since MW1. Activation just pumps these things out with out any thought to make mad bank off high-schooler's parent's dime. it seems the reason a huge chuck of infinity ward's staff left is because they couldn't bare the continued commercialization and pipe line that produces the same old game year after year.this video-game is the biggest waste of money, i haven't enjoyed a COD game since MW1. Activation just pumps these things out with out any thought to make mad bank off high-schooler's parent's dime. it seems the reason a huge chuck of infinity ward's staff left is because they couldn't bare the continued commercialization and pipe line that produces the same old game year after year. also, the fact that Schofield has asked gamers to come to metacritic to boost MW3's score is absolutely amoral and pathetic. maybe he'd ought to design a game that changes and improves itself as Battlefield 3 has done. The professional critics who favor this game are obviously not in touch with what real gamers want and are most likely in Activision's pocket. Not trolling, but I went back to playing BF3 the same day I bought MW3 and have already sold it back to GameStop. Pathetic… Expand
  22. TheStyg
    Nov 10, 2011
    0
    It's a sad state of affairs when the video game industry hands out review scores of 9-9.5/10 for any big name title. Modern Warfare 3 is completely undeserving of the fanfare which has greeted it. It completely lacks innovation. Graphically underwhelming, ridiculous story with hold-my-hand linear gameplay, and multiplayer which is overpopulated by 12 years olds on a caffeine high, or theIt's a sad state of affairs when the video game industry hands out review scores of 9-9.5/10 for any big name title. Modern Warfare 3 is completely undeserving of the fanfare which has greeted it. It completely lacks innovation. Graphically underwhelming, ridiculous story with hold-my-hand linear gameplay, and multiplayer which is overpopulated by 12 years olds on a caffeine high, or the more "elite" who hide in a corner of the map and wait for you to run by. If this had been my first exposure to the COD franchise, I may have considered an average score. However, this game does nothing to improve on an already successful franchise. Complete waste of time and a backwards step for the industry.… Expand
  23. braveman1907
    Nov 10, 2011
    10
    Great game. I can say that because I actually played it. I like the new point/killstreak system. It really benefits the objective based game type player.
  24. ecstaticpunk
    Nov 10, 2011
    2
    What a let down, a full blown map pack with new weapons is what this should've been. Campaign was pretty awesome but sadly the multiplayer aspect is let down by a lack of innovation and continues to use the now aging COD4 engine. The only good thing about this game is the Kill Confirmed mode the rest is a rehashed mess.

    Pros + Awesome campaign + Kill confirmed Cons - Same old game and    What a let down, a full blown map pack with new weapons is what this should've been. Campaign was pretty awesome but sadly the multiplayer aspect is let down by a lack of innovation and continues to use the now aging COD4 engine. The only good thing about this game is the Kill Confirmed mode the rest is a rehashed mess.

    Pros
    + Awesome campaign
    + Kill confirmed

    Cons
    - Same old game and lack of innovation
    - Poor hit detection online
    - Doesn't offer anything new    … Expand
  25. bhealy16
    Nov 10, 2011
    9
    It's actually pathetic that people are wasting their times writing bad reviews just to lower the user scores. Ok this game is nothing different to what the Call of Duty games already are, but to sit there and say it's rubbish and that little effort has gone into it is pathetic. It's a case of don't fix what isn't broken, it simply is an update of the most incredibly addictive game. YouIt's actually pathetic that people are wasting their times writing bad reviews just to lower the user scores. Ok this game is nothing different to what the Call of Duty games already are, but to sit there and say it's rubbish and that little effort has gone into it is pathetic. It's a case of don't fix what isn't broken, it simply is an update of the most incredibly addictive game. You don't see this when FIFA do nothing more than update transfers, improve the graphics slightly and change the kits every year? There are better games out there, but criticizing someone for paying for a game that gives them hours upon hours of enjoyment? Get off this website and do something better with your life, and let people enjoy it.… Expand
  26. CODKICKSBFASS
    Nov 10, 2011
    10
    Short and sweet.....Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 is an AMAZING game. Both the single player and multiplayer are so much better than Battlefield 3 will ever be............ The game is very well done and is a BLAST to play.....LONG LIVE CALL OF DUTY!!!!!!!
  27. rogeer3
    Nov 10, 2011
    1
    Activision makes the same game, every year. The same 2007 engine that make us all bored. The multiplayer still the same crap as ever. But the single player really shocked me, its a really good conclusion to the series with all the makarov story telling and the third world war. To the people wondering if this game worth it i tell you: No, just rent the game and play the single playerActivision makes the same game, every year. The same 2007 engine that make us all bored. The multiplayer still the same crap as ever. But the single player really shocked me, its a really good conclusion to the series with all the makarov story telling and the third world war. To the people wondering if this game worth it i tell you: No, just rent the game and play the single player campaing instead of buying for the multiplayer.… Expand
  28. nanashi-
    Nov 10, 2011
    0
    $60 map pack, Elite is just an extension of Activision's ego as if we don't have anything else to spend our money on this november. This franchise either needs to: take a few years off or just die slowly in a fire.
  29. stock_bandit
    Nov 10, 2011
    7
    First, for those that rate the game a 0 or 1, it's by far not that bad. I haven't played the single campaign yet, and most likely never will because it has never been that great, it's a waste of a day, and COD is built for online multiplayer experience. I will agree that the multiplayer online is a lot like MW2. I mean the map selection is different, but you can tell almost every map wasFirst, for those that rate the game a 0 or 1, it's by far not that bad. I haven't played the single campaign yet, and most likely never will because it has never been that great, it's a waste of a day, and COD is built for online multiplayer experience. I will agree that the multiplayer online is a lot like MW2. I mean the map selection is different, but you can tell almost every map was taken from MW2 and changed around a bit. The gun selection is the same. A gun added here and there but nothing major like a complete weapon overhaul. I must say I like the new option you have online as far as the way you customize classes. I must say my review is geared my toward users looking to play online as I do not play this game in campain mode so my review is 85% online play. There are a few new death streaks which are pretty neat, and also killstreak rewards. Prestige is now level 80 so that's the highest yet of a COD game so far I believe. Modern Warfare was 55 I believe. All controls are the same, and gameplay is the same (speed, graphics, sound, etc.) Overall I give it a 7.0 because 1. there is always room for improvement. 2. a point deducted for lack of map variation and graphic enhancements and 3. not much better than MW2 and dissapointing, I was expecting more. Well there you have it. If you want an multiplayer online game to play with a friend, make time go by fast, buy MW3. If you're looking for good solo campaign go out and buy Battlefield 3. Just sayin'.… Expand
  30. Modsoul17
    Nov 10, 2011
    9
    The Game is GREAT, Especially the story mode. Full of action..simply amazing. The multiplayer is VERY balanced over mw2, still kind of laggy. Spec ops is very fun as well as survival mode. Also graphics are slightly improved over the last game, lighting effects are better as well as smoke effects.
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Awards & Rankings

17
#17 Best PS3 Game of 2011
1
#1 Most Discussed PS3 Game of 2011
16
#16 Most Shared PS3 Game of 2011

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
88

Generally favorable reviews - based on 39 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 38 out of 39
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 39
  3. Negative: 0 out of 39
  1. Push Square
    Feb 10, 2012
    90
    There's a tangible insistence from gamers that this series needs to evolve, but it seems unwarranted when it still leads the FPS class. The engine's definitely in need of an overhaul, but when it comes to thumping set-pieces and addictive multiplayer design, Modern Warfare 3 is still in a league of its own.
    Read full review
  2. GameSpot
    Feb 1, 2012
    85
    By sticking to the series' strengths, Modern Warfare 3 delivers some of the best competitive, cooperate, and single-player shooting in the business.
    Read full review
  3. Playstation: The Official Magazine (US)
    Jan 4, 2012
    90
    As a complete package, Modern Warfare 3 takes the cake. [Jan 2012, p.67]
See all critic reviews »