User Score
3.4

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 5387 Ratings

User score distribution:
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this game

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
  1. Nov 27, 2011
    0
    i will add more ... it seems everyone has the same problems ... MAJOR connection lag issues ... THEE most annoying way to die is to pump 7 bullets straight into someones chest and then just get killed ... watch their killcam and you don't even raise your gun. it seems that if you don't walk around with your gun permanently fixed to your eye then you don't have much hope of getting kills,i will add more ... it seems everyone has the same problems ... MAJOR connection lag issues ... THEE most annoying way to die is to pump 7 bullets straight into someones chest and then just get killed ... watch their killcam and you don't even raise your gun. it seems that if you don't walk around with your gun permanently fixed to your eye then you don't have much hope of getting kills, you can also knife someone, going through the whole knife motion, die, watch the killcam and see you didn't even take your knife out .. what the **** the respawns are stupidly placed, you get killed, spawn, first corner you turn you get killed by the SAME GAY SAD CAMPER that just killed you 2 seconds ago, only he's in a different corner. why spawn so close? can't have a grenade and a claymore at same time .. lame ... aiming down sights isn't nearly as quick as Black Ops ... i'll say it again though there's MAJOR MAJOR problems with lag, i don't know if they can fix it or not but i'm getting sick of watching killcams of enemys i had an amazing shot at, a full second of bullet pumping right on them, kill me to see me still running having not even raised my weapon ... LAME .... **** THIS **** GAME. it really is a load of WANK. people know it look at EVERYONE elses reviews ... Expand
  2. Nov 29, 2011
    2
    Quality, or the lack of it is my reaction to MW3. Whereas MW2 was just oozing it from the graphics, to the sound to the excellent multiplayer level design. Black ops (different dev team) as well this immediately struck me as terrible. The detail put into both cod 4 and its successor MW2 were incredible and represented the pinnacle of the shooter as we know it but greed and disloyalty haveQuality, or the lack of it is my reaction to MW3. Whereas MW2 was just oozing it from the graphics, to the sound to the excellent multiplayer level design. Black ops (different dev team) as well this immediately struck me as terrible. The detail put into both cod 4 and its successor MW2 were incredible and represented the pinnacle of the shooter as we know it but greed and disloyalty have pushed them sadly downward. I only hope that people still play continue to play MW2. I'm very dissapointed especially when I feel that a company is taking advantage of me by selling me junk. Wherever the core team of IW is please make a game that blows this out of the water you have been used and abused and now its time for payback. Another thing, the critics should be ashamed of themselves, this is a conspiracy. Expand
  3. Nov 29, 2011
    0
    If I was looking for some expansion map pack I didn´t needed to pay for a "brand new COD"... This is a lack of any kind of respect with the consumer, and clearly, Activision doesn´t give a damn... they are making HUGE money on this garbage, thanks to the respect they earn with the other titles, next time I´ll rent it first, to make shure it´s not just anotherIf I was looking for some expansion map pack I didn´t needed to pay for a "brand new COD"... This is a lack of any kind of respect with the consumer, and clearly, Activision doesn´t give a damn... they are making HUGE money on this garbage, thanks to the respect they earn with the other titles, next time I´ll rent it first, to make shure it´s not just another deception... #notafanboy Expand
  4. Nov 29, 2011
    0
    Same game as COD4. I so want my money and the time back from my life. If you own any of the CODs don't buy this it's the same game we have been playing for 5 years now. FAIL
  5. Nov 30, 2011
    0
    Such a bad game...Words cannot describe it. How people could actually be blinded so much by infinity ward's marketing that they would actually buy this trash game.. Honestly, I'd even consider Little Big Planet over this game. That would be a better use of the $60... No improvements from a game that was already bad enough.
  6. Dec 1, 2011
    1
    PRO: Good weapon balance

    CONS: - Worst maps - Worst spawns by far - Worst camping by far (somehow) - Leaderboards don't work after prestige (somehow) This series makes millions of dollars and each game they put less and less effort into it. I truly don't understand how they can't correct the mistakes made in previous games, I don't care about the graphics and I don't care about making
    PRO: Good weapon balance

    CONS: - Worst maps - Worst spawns by far - Worst camping by far (somehow) - Leaderboards don't work after prestige (somehow)

    This series makes millions of dollars and each game they put less and less effort into it. I truly don't understand how they can't correct the mistakes made in previous games, I don't care about the graphics and I don't care about making leaps and bounds changes to the game itself... just fix the glitches and mistakes from previous games and most people will be happy.

    The problems is they don't fix anything... most times they make it worse. How can a simple thing like leaderboards not work? they are in every game and they have had years to figure this out. Come on Activision.... seriously. STEP UP

    In conclusion this game has somehow again gotten worse.
    Expand
  7. Dec 1, 2011
    2
    The single player game is way too short. The maps are small and MW2 had many more hiding spots, climbable areas, or areas to jump onto. The graphics and game play overall is exactly the same as MW2. They should have just made this an expansion pack instead of a whole new game. You can't hide under tanks, climb on water towers, climb up cranes, or the roofs of most buildings. There is aThe single player game is way too short. The maps are small and MW2 had many more hiding spots, climbable areas, or areas to jump onto. The graphics and game play overall is exactly the same as MW2. They should have just made this an expansion pack instead of a whole new game. You can't hide under tanks, climb on water towers, climb up cranes, or the roofs of most buildings. There is a ballistic vest, but you die just as fast wearing it. Why can't we customize our clothing/gear layout? MW3 is really MW2.1. I'm glad I wasted my money. Expand
  8. Dec 2, 2011
    0
    This game is junk. The graphics are terrible, I mean it looks just like Cod 4. Enemies spawn behind you like every 2 seconds then kills you, the only way to get a kill is to find a cozy corner and camp the maps are also extremely small. You run like a spaz and it's super unrealistic, I mean the guns sound like paintball guns and everyone's in one small space camping and t-baging eachThis game is junk. The graphics are terrible, I mean it looks just like Cod 4. Enemies spawn behind you like every 2 seconds then kills you, the only way to get a kill is to find a cozy corner and camp the maps are also extremely small. You run like a spaz and it's super unrealistic, I mean the guns sound like paintball guns and everyone's in one small space camping and t-baging each other while an army of 8 year old boys smack talk you. And MW3 stole the point system from homefront and the dog tags from crysis 2. I would not recommend this game to anyone. It's basically MW2.5. Compliments on the campaign though. And the A.I is really stupid. I like Battlefield 3 so much better. Expand
  9. Dec 4, 2011
    1
    Very disappointing to dedicated fans, it is modern warfare 2 with more lag and still little offline support such as bots in black ops. It is also very frustrating that the Devs are always making empty promises. (Second chance, Bots, etc) The game will likely only appeal to first time players of the CoD series.
  10. Jan 1, 2012
    2
    I have Black Ops for PS3 as my first COD game, and this as my second, and frankly, this game SUCKS. At first, you think, hey this stuff is really cool, what with all the titles, pointstreaks, and survival mode. However, the more you play this game, the more you realize how good Black Ops really was. Lowdown: Survival mode was fun with friends, but was limited by two players and wasI have Black Ops for PS3 as my first COD game, and this as my second, and frankly, this game SUCKS. At first, you think, hey this stuff is really cool, what with all the titles, pointstreaks, and survival mode. However, the more you play this game, the more you realize how good Black Ops really was. Lowdown: Survival mode was fun with friends, but was limited by two players and was extremely laggy the times I tried it online. The mics sound quality sucks because of MW3, and constantly gets cut off. Theater was copy and paste from BO and had one control set-up(really, IW?). Hit detection allows you to get one shot kills one game and makes you use your entire clip to injure someone the next.(Not to mention throwing knives!) Elite makes you quit MW3 and start up a seperate program. Switching lobbies is slow and not smooth, especially for Theater mode. Spawn killing is horrible, as is knifing, which is doubly worse from BO. Maps are pretty small, and have a bunch of random crap on them so when you are rushing through the field you get shot at by a bunch of people hiding around that crap. You can't join other people's parties without an invite, and matchmaking just plain makes IW look bad against Treyarch. The only thing that kept me playing it was that I wanted to see if I could beat my friends to 10th prestige. Also, there are no Combat records like in BO, unless you get elite, and even then you can't compare it with your friends.However, I do have to admit that the Campaign was a blast to play. So for all you out there who are on the fence, I wouldn't say "goodbye Black Ops" just yet. Expand
  11. Mar 12, 2013
    5
    I've never really been a big fan of recent first person shooter games and very rarely will i truly enjoy one. I had a friend of mine let me borrow this game for about a week. After trying this game out, it still did not change my opinion of recent FPS games. The single player campaign was pretty bad, while the online multiplayer was a mess. The storyline was (in my opinion) filled withI've never really been a big fan of recent first person shooter games and very rarely will i truly enjoy one. I had a friend of mine let me borrow this game for about a week. After trying this game out, it still did not change my opinion of recent FPS games. The single player campaign was pretty bad, while the online multiplayer was a mess. The storyline was (in my opinion) filled with boring characters, and average set pieces (the Eiffel Tower faling down was good, i'll admit, but there were just too many explosions throughout the whole campaign) and dull, grey environments (I know it's a war game, but even the cities in which the story takes place in aren't grey and dull).It was just a forgettable campaign. The multiplayer was the worst experience I had with the game, since most of the games I had joined were either extremely laggy, filled with screaming little kids, or the game not letting me in the match at all. The maps were also really forgettable. Seeing that i'm not a big fan of recent FPS', this review might seem a bit biased. Honestly, if nearly all gaming magazines and websites didn't constantly advertise it, I would even say it was rushed. So thats my opinion, thats its just a forgettable, mediocre game. Expand
  12. Sep 26, 2013
    7
    The predecessor to this game has influenced the metascore of this one. The question is: Does it improve on MW2? In my opinion, it does so in MANY WAYS! First of all, the campaign is more spectacular. It feels bigger, and there are a few scenes so beautifully modelled that I think they're worth seeking out! (Hint: think about sailing on the river of a major city, with lots of activity andThe predecessor to this game has influenced the metascore of this one. The question is: Does it improve on MW2? In my opinion, it does so in MANY WAYS! First of all, the campaign is more spectacular. It feels bigger, and there are a few scenes so beautifully modelled that I think they're worth seeking out! (Hint: think about sailing on the river of a major city, with lots of activity and effects around you it looks grand!). I think the story is more sober. It continues on MW2, but the motivations are more exposed to the player. For example, there are high-importance hostages involved and the player is closer to the centre of the story. The multiplayer has at least one new game mode that makes it more interesting than MW2. 'Kill Confirmed' is a team deathmatch where kills only count if someone gets to the killed enemy and collects a 'proof' that the kill happened. This introduces an element of strategy and intelligence, because the bodies could be protected by enemies, and there's a payoff if you get hit right after you collected a proof or maybe two. You can also cancel enemy kills by reaching team member bodies. I thought this game was a cool improvement on MW2, but only as long as you're looking for more of the same, and EXACTLY that. Expand
  13. Apr 1, 2012
    0
    This game is awful. JUST like Modern Warfare 2 except a couple of slight changes. It's just boring and not worth the money that they charge for it. Do us all a favor and don't buy this piece of crap.
  14. Feb 13, 2012
    0
    This game is just unplayable. It's basically a DLC for MW2 that costs $60. The maps, guns, killstreaks are all just terrible, everyone camps online just to get killstreaks. Nobody plays the objective and every gun has Instakill built in, it's just so stupid. Black ops is much better, MW3 belongs in the trash.
  15. Feb 14, 2012
    1
    For those who think that MW3 will bring you fun and entertainment then look away. This game is so disappointing that you would just wonder "why the hell am I playing this game?" Not only that this game fails to deliver the excitement but it also puts you on an self inducing rage that would go on for hours and hours. I agree that it may have had potential but looking back on previous CODFor those who think that MW3 will bring you fun and entertainment then look away. This game is so disappointing that you would just wonder "why the hell am I playing this game?" Not only that this game fails to deliver the excitement but it also puts you on an self inducing rage that would go on for hours and hours. I agree that it may have had potential but looking back on previous COD games this game rarely puts on something worthwhile. MULTIPLAYER is the biggest let down of all, this game isn't really based on experience and skill but it looks like it's based on HOW GOOD your connection is, Note to ISP providers out there, this game will just ruin your day after playing it and is not recommended.

    Note to self: rent any COD game first.
    Expand
  16. Feb 22, 2012
    0
    This game is a REAL big disappointment. I have played every COD game that's ever made, and this game sits next to MW2 as the worst games I've ever played in my life. I would of gave this game a negative if I could. IW employees, if you are still trying to boost your score for this game, on metacritic (very sad btw) please merge with Treyarch and learn how to make a REAL multiplayer game.This game is a REAL big disappointment. I have played every COD game that's ever made, and this game sits next to MW2 as the worst games I've ever played in my life. I would of gave this game a negative if I could. IW employees, if you are still trying to boost your score for this game, on metacritic (very sad btw) please merge with Treyarch and learn how to make a REAL multiplayer game. It's sad that a company that copied your idea, made it better than the creators itself. For anyone thinking about buying this game, DON'T. Save your money for a better game like Battlefield 3. Everyone I've talked to said it was way better than MW3. Also it's more of a complete game rather than a rip off of MW2. If you want to play a COD games, stick with Treyarchs COD games. This game has way too many problems with it. First the spawning is outrageous. The spawn in this game goes by Revenge Spawning. Probably to stop camping, but it rather gives free deaths and free kills for your opponent. After you kill someone, don't be surprised that you meet the same person 2 seconds later. Online is way too laggy. Every patch they release makes the lag even worst. Their are also bad clipping issues. You get stuck onto items from the map like railings, boxes and rocks. This game is a money grabber. IW does not care about their fans. They have really lost their touch. All the good employees left. Thanks IW for making a really **** game. This game looks like you spent 2 minutes on it. That 2 minutes consists of copying MW2 and putting a new picture on it. There's a reason why the user score is the worst out of all COD games (check it out if you don't believe me). Anyone who thinks this game is a 5 and above, clearly has not even played the other COD games (which you should to understand). I don't know how you take a million steps back from MW1. IW you guys suck, and you need to know it. PLEASE DON'T MAKE ANOTHER COD GAME AGAIN, LEAVE IT TO TREYARCH. Expand
  17. Feb 29, 2012
    2
    MW3 is terrible and here is why
    1 survival uses mulitplayer maps
    2 spawning is aweful so there is no battle for territory. just people you killed spawning behind you 3 weapon balance is completaly rubbish 4 campaign is a giant movie in 1st person 5 splitscreen is complete rubbish (how can i be expected to unlock everything if i just come round to a friends house for a quick game?) 5
    MW3 is terrible and here is why
    1 survival uses mulitplayer maps
    2 spawning is aweful so there is no battle for territory. just people you killed spawning behind you
    3 weapon balance is completaly rubbish
    4 campaign is a giant movie in 1st person
    5 splitscreen is complete rubbish (how can i be expected to unlock everything if i just come round to a friends house for a quick game?)
    5 LAAAG
    6 all the snipers are overpowered. Thats right, the horror known as quickscoping is back. Enjoy the kids with no lifes thinking they are pro cuz they did some stupid spin before killing somebody
    7 Graphics are really bad
    8 completaly stupid animations
    9 ITS THE SAME ITS THE SAME ITS THE SAME
    10 assassin/blindeye
    11 UAV spam
    12 almost nothing from Blops makes a return
    Good things
    1 Poinstreak system. thats it
    Expand
  18. Mar 6, 2012
    0
    MW3 is MW2 with new maps. This is a utter disappointment to say the least. The guns sound like crap and everyone looks like a cartoon. I don't understand how anyone can enjoy to play this. It's baffles me. I bought it as soon as it came out, played it twice, then put it away. It's literally been sitting sense 2 days after it came out. What a Joke. This will be that last Call of DutyMW3 is MW2 with new maps. This is a utter disappointment to say the least. The guns sound like crap and everyone looks like a cartoon. I don't understand how anyone can enjoy to play this. It's baffles me. I bought it as soon as it came out, played it twice, then put it away. It's literally been sitting sense 2 days after it came out. What a Joke. This will be that last Call of Duty Series I buy until they totally retry everything. Expand
  19. Mar 7, 2012
    0
    The sound on mw3 is appaling, and next to bf3 its just embarresing!....the call of dutys have been in decline since mw2, and when they inevitably release mw4, it will not be able to stand against bf3 in terms of story, sound and graphics.
  20. Mar 18, 2012
    5
    I have friends that literally buy each coming COD for the sole reason that the next one will have new guns, perks, and maps. No care for plot or anything other than the multiplayer. Not that this isn't a good game since I've played a good chunk with friends...but it is a huge step down from Black Ops. The only thing 'fun' here is Survival Mode.
  21. Jun 25, 2012
    5
    Modern Warfare was lityerally the exact same game as MW2 in the multip[ayer, but not in the singleplayer, i think that the campaign is good but not as good as the MW2 campaign (Going to complete my review later.)
  22. Nov 24, 2012
    6
    The worst Modern Warfare game with difference. The first was something so new, the second has made the best multiplayer of FPS since 2009, but this one... This game doesn´t offer something new, something with the power of make it different. His multiplayer mode doesn´t have any evolution from the second Modern Warfare, the campaing mode is exciting but unreal, and the Spec OpsThe worst Modern Warfare game with difference. The first was something so new, the second has made the best multiplayer of FPS since 2009, but this one... This game doesn´t offer something new, something with the power of make it different. His multiplayer mode doesn´t have any evolution from the second Modern Warfare, the campaing mode is exciting but unreal, and the Spec Ops are bored than the ones in the modern warfare 2. This game was made for sell a lot of copies, and it can´t sell as much as Black Ops. This was also the Call of duty I played less. I only reached 3 prestiges modes, with the 6 I made in Black Ops. One of the most dissapointing games I have played in my life... Expand
  23. Jul 13, 2013
    7
    What seems to be a massive add on despite having a great story which you see a many memorable scenes from killing. cough..... and yea. the game was only purchased because i needed more guns and maps but ended up using this mainly to play infected and spec ops with my family and friends. seems to me a bit over priced to pay a game they didn't even refine
  24. Jun 19, 2014
    5
    Modern Warfare 3 is the biggest example that I can give of a Copy-Paste game. The Campaign continues the story of MW2 and it was still pretty good but didn't have the addicting factor that the other campaigns had (atleast not with me) but it still featured a great satisfying ending. The muliplayer is basically MW2 but with horrible maps, bad killstreaks, and a handfull of campingModern Warfare 3 is the biggest example that I can give of a Copy-Paste game. The Campaign continues the story of MW2 and it was still pretty good but didn't have the addicting factor that the other campaigns had (atleast not with me) but it still featured a great satisfying ending. The muliplayer is basically MW2 but with horrible maps, bad killstreaks, and a handfull of camping mp7,assassin tryhards. The game provides less fun and you get bored of it after a week. Expand
  25. Jan 6, 2013
    7
    good last year

    playing this now the gameplay is not that smooth good campaign

    rly fun survival mode soild spec ops missions

    and very fun multiplayer black ops 2 feels smoother but this game is more memorable and betetr if ur not a massive cod fan
  26. Jan 14, 2013
    7
    Modern Warfare 3 ended in a most satisfying, and comforting way. After seeing the death of some of my favorite characters, I am very glad to see the ending work out the way it did. I did not figure this game to be as good or better than Modern Warfare 2, considering it was better than Modern Warfare 3. The campaign of this game did not add as much as Modern Warfare 2 had in it, but it wasModern Warfare 3 ended in a most satisfying, and comforting way. After seeing the death of some of my favorite characters, I am very glad to see the ending work out the way it did. I did not figure this game to be as good or better than Modern Warfare 2, considering it was better than Modern Warfare 3. The campaign of this game did not add as much as Modern Warfare 2 had in it, but it was a most satisfying way to end the trilogy. It went beyond my expectations, but not nearly as close as any other Call of Duty game did. The multiplayer of the game is a different story. I generally hated the multiplayer which is why I did not get far in the online ranks of the game. This here was the turning point to my thoughts about Modern Warfare 3. To me, there were simply too many people that took the game more serious than it needed to be, especially for a war game. If they were playing Battlefield 3, I could see why they would be taking it seriously, it has much more fast paced action to it, a breath taking view of modern and urban war, and the detail to the game is tremendous. Especially the jets they put in it, but I am not here to review Battlefield 3, and this is not a comparison and contrast essay. I am here to review a game that did not amuse me in the multiplayer field as much as any other Call of Duty game did. I don't recommend the game that much to people who can't stand others who whine entirely like the game is real, and start using foul language, especially kids that should not be cussing at their age. - Collin

    My Rating: 7/10
    Trenton's Rating: 7/10
    Expand
  27. Jul 8, 2013
    5
    So many people love to hate on the Call of Duty series, and I'm starting to understand why! I mean don't get me wrong the campaigns are like playing your own action movie and who doesn't love that crazy addictive multiplayer? but when that is all that you bring to the table year after year, its gonna start to show the developement teams lack of idea's and the overall age of the games andSo many people love to hate on the Call of Duty series, and I'm starting to understand why! I mean don't get me wrong the campaigns are like playing your own action movie and who doesn't love that crazy addictive multiplayer? but when that is all that you bring to the table year after year, its gonna start to show the developement teams lack of idea's and the overall age of the games and mecahnics. Expand
  28. May 1, 2013
    6
    Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 is by no means a bad game in fact it is good but the problem is it is let down in some places that make it seem less fun then previous COD's. The campaign is good with great action moments and combat but its been done before. Spec Ops stages for some reason feel less fun then in MW2 and survival has huge potential but isn't as fun as zombies can be. TheCall of Duty Modern Warfare 3 is by no means a bad game in fact it is good but the problem is it is let down in some places that make it seem less fun then previous COD's. The campaign is good with great action moments and combat but its been done before. Spec Ops stages for some reason feel less fun then in MW2 and survival has huge potential but isn't as fun as zombies can be. The multiplayer to, arguably the selling point of COD just feels worse then BLOP's. The maps arent as fun and neither are the guns. I feel sorry for it in a way, it tries to innovate but it just isn't fun or exciting. Still good in many familiar places but just isn't there Expand
  29. Jan 2, 2014
    8
    MW3 brought back some of the missing details from MW2. As MW2 fell into the deep end, MW3 ended bringing back up some of the missing detail from MW2. The campaign was a bit better, but still not the best in the franchise. The multiplayer was altered some but still brought the same Call of Duty experience. The only applauding part is the new Special Ops mode. With new survival techniquesMW3 brought back some of the missing details from MW2. As MW2 fell into the deep end, MW3 ended bringing back up some of the missing detail from MW2. The campaign was a bit better, but still not the best in the franchise. The multiplayer was altered some but still brought the same Call of Duty experience. The only applauding part is the new Special Ops mode. With new survival techniques and much more tactical responses, the Co-op mode is the outstanding part. MW3 brought back some of Modern Warfare's former glory, but most of it seeped away with the downfall of the franchise. Expand
  30. Mar 29, 2014
    7
    This game was good, but the campaign was not that fun for me, whereas the Call of Duty: Black Ops campaign i enjoyed quite a bit more. But the multiplayer was the good part of the game.
Metascore
88

Generally favorable reviews - based on 39 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 38 out of 39
  2. Negative: 0 out of 39
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Playstation: The Official Magazine (US)
    Jan 4, 2012
    90
    As a complete package, Modern Warfare 3 takes the cake. [Jan 2012, p.67]