User Score
3.5

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 8685 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 11, 2011
    0
    Campaign is ok, but who buys this game for the campaign? Once you've played a FPS campaign, you've played them all.

    Multiplayer is TERRIBLE. I'm coming from MW2 and I was surprised to see that they got rid of "lightweight" and "marathon." Now they just have "extreme conditioning," ion which you can only run for a short amount of time...I think they just took this from COD 4. The maps are
    Campaign is ok, but who buys this game for the campaign? Once you've played a FPS campaign, you've played them all.

    Multiplayer is TERRIBLE. I'm coming from MW2 and I was surprised to see that they got rid of "lightweight" and "marathon." Now they just have "extreme conditioning," ion which you can only run for a short amount of time...I think they just took this from COD 4.

    The maps are TERRIBLE. very very small and always located around and within buildings. What happened to the OPEN maps like MW2!!!! And lastly, what did they change the "mute" option in the lobby. Instead of just being able to mute people really fast by clicking "A" and then "A". Now you have to select the person and scroll down to mute.

    **** this game...I'm buying BF3
    Expand
  2. Nov 11, 2011
    2
    To laggy, nothing but running around, spawning close to enemy too frequently. I went back to playing MW2 and will checkout BF3 ....uh...when is MW4 coming out
  3. Nov 13, 2011
    0
    Is a terrible game, I hate when the camera moves when you shoot, also the multiplayer has enough errors as bugs that help one to cheat, and in campaign mode also has many bugs. This game is pure hype, the game sucks
  4. Nov 12, 2011
    1
    I've Follow the Call of Duty franchise since CoD4, and i was majorly impressed by the smarts of that game, Then they released the next game, which came with many new things to explore, like killstreaks, advanced amount of camo weapon and attachments. Then after much success with MW2 They Relase MW3, and i have to say that online multiplayer sucks majorly, and i dont say this throughI've Follow the Call of Duty franchise since CoD4, and i was majorly impressed by the smarts of that game, Then they released the next game, which came with many new things to explore, like killstreaks, advanced amount of camo weapon and attachments. Then after much success with MW2 They Relase MW3, and i have to say that online multiplayer sucks majorly, and i dont say this through personal skills and scores, Im not perticularly sure if this game is played on a server or on a host connection, but whatever it is, doesnt work, if you have a slightyly less effective connection than the host, then thats it, your buggared, expect a Low K/D difference. A MAJOR example of this falls on one weapon, the type 95 assult rifle, if you are host, its one hit kill, if you are on a good connection, its one burst kill, and for the rest of us, it takes two bursts IF your able to hit them. Another issue i feel with the maps are that they are majorly small, in comparison with MW2 which had a wide variety, MW3 seems to be all small maps, with the addition of stupid spawn placements due to lack off space, its like Wetwork of Cod4 but shapeshifted to differnt shapes and levels, and this doesnt work, and no doubt map packs are to be released at a stupid amount of MS points. and the hype surrounding this game definatly doesnt live up to the reputation, if anything its been let down from lazyness.

    YES the setout for CoD works but NO we dont wanna pay £40 (or respected amounts in other currency) for something that could be relased as DLC with additional maps, guns, kill streaks, and attachments, because other than the Tweaks to the graphics, MW2 feels alot smoother gameplay wise. Recently ive seen people with hacked clan tags too, which shows how lazy they have been at *steeping up security* on the game, yes right now its only a clan tag, but it could easily turn out to have hacked servers, like that period on MW2 where you had automated unlimited noob tubes, i dont feel that the people behind the game take care of us gamers, and that other companies like EA and DICE do listen to the community. the only decent thing which is the only reason why it gets a mark is survival, which is a fun game mode for up to 2 players with much potential to either get better with DLC or broing if its just new maps. overall, if you want a more fruitful online experience, then Battlefield 3 is the way to go. And if you want a predictable end to the franchise then get MW3. #*SPOILER ALERT!!!!!!!!!*# p.s everyone but Captain Price Die, which sucks.
    Expand
  5. Nov 12, 2011
    0
    I was expecting a lot of effort from Infinity Ward and Activision. The campaign was disappointing and was a horrible way to close off the story of Soap and Captain Price. I'm starting to wonder when they will create a new game engine, like Battlefield 3 did. I am starting to see that Activision is putting off the creation of a new engine, just to minimize cost and maximize profits. II was expecting a lot of effort from Infinity Ward and Activision. The campaign was disappointing and was a horrible way to close off the story of Soap and Captain Price. I'm starting to wonder when they will create a new game engine, like Battlefield 3 did. I am starting to see that Activision is putting off the creation of a new engine, just to minimize cost and maximize profits. I seriously think that they care more about making money instead of going for ground breaking innovation. Expand
  6. Nov 13, 2011
    0
    I generally don't post reviews, but Glenn Schofield's sad plea to boost user reviews here via Twitter is shocking. This game truly does deserve a zero. It isn't "suspiciously low" as Glenn suggests. This game is a $60 tweak of MW2. Schofield should be ashamed for attempting to manipulate the system. The game critic media should be ashamed for not having the guts to review this game forI generally don't post reviews, but Glenn Schofield's sad plea to boost user reviews here via Twitter is shocking. This game truly does deserve a zero. It isn't "suspiciously low" as Glenn suggests. This game is a $60 tweak of MW2. Schofield should be ashamed for attempting to manipulate the system. The game critic media should be ashamed for not having the guts to review this game for what it is. This game proves the game reviewing industry is corrupt. This game has already broken sales records, and this is a great success. But it's also monumentally sad. As I post this, 3.1 is the user score, and that is really too high. Really! I think I respect Duke Nukem Forever more. That's how astonishgly shameful this effort is. Expand
  7. Nov 15, 2011
    3
    I do not own/I have not played Battlefield 3. I used to be a huge fan of the Call of Duty Series. This was until I went and bought Modern Warfare 3. The Campaign is by far the most predictable story I have ever come across. It doesn't do anything other than make me want to finish the Campaign simply for the achievement. The Multiplayer does not flow at all. The maps are by far the worst toI do not own/I have not played Battlefield 3. I used to be a huge fan of the Call of Duty Series. This was until I went and bought Modern Warfare 3. The Campaign is by far the most predictable story I have ever come across. It doesn't do anything other than make me want to finish the Campaign simply for the achievement. The Multiplayer does not flow at all. The maps are by far the worst to feature in any of the Call Of Duty games. The Killstreaks just do not feel rewarding enough. The only thing that makes this game bareable for me is Survival Mode. Infinity Ward's take on the Zombies mode featured in Treyarch games. It's actually pretty fun. Other than that, this game isn't worth buying new. Get this game pre-owned or just rent it. Call of Duty 2 = Fantastic. Call of Duty 3 = Alright. Call of Duty 4 = Revolutionary. Call of Duty WaW: Brilliant. Call of Duty: MW2: Pretty good. Call of Duty Black Ops = Ok. Call of Duty MW3 = Not very good. The Franchise as a whole has begun to start taking steps back. Why rely on the same old formula year after year? With this HUGE fan-base, it's time to start trying something new. If not, Gamers will eventually realise they are buying the same game every year, then the fan-base will deteriorate. Expand
  8. Nov 15, 2011
    1
    I'm not giving this a one to be obnoxious. I'm simply stating a fact. I like many others bought modern warfare 1 and was blown away by the "revolution" . After a disappointment in world at war I bought modern warfare 2 in high hopes that it would be a worthy sequel, which it kind of was...it added many features tightened the multiplayer and continued the story. I was willing to overlookI'm not giving this a one to be obnoxious. I'm simply stating a fact. I like many others bought modern warfare 1 and was blown away by the "revolution" . After a disappointment in world at war I bought modern warfare 2 in high hopes that it would be a worthy sequel, which it kind of was...it added many features tightened the multiplayer and continued the story. I was willing to overlook the fact that it was ALMOST the same game, they were coming dangerously close to over saturating the series. Inevitably this happened a year later with black ops which was pretty much a clone of all that had been done before. After all this nonsense we hoped for a glimmer, modern warfare 3...a game which we all hoped would live up to the legacy. Unfortunately all modern warfare 3 really is is and exact replica of all that made up modern warfare 1 and 2. Nothing truly original was added to the experience. Activision has gotten all kinds of greedy. Forcing out games yearly at a full retail price knowing full well they are selling an unworthy product...not taking into account whether or not the consumer is getting what they paid for. The fact that the fans will buy it is apparently enough to justify tossing together some explosions and new maps and putting a new number on the end. All I ask is why? I am not a fan boy of one gaming device or the other, or one gaming series or another, just someone who doesn't understand why this is not only acceptable to you fans, but you will actually defend the games quality. Nothing is truly different about this game then the other major call of duty releases every year since 2007, nothing was stopping them from releasing small packages, more maps, more modes...nothing. Instead they put together not an inferior product, but a slap in the face. All of this has been done before. I've bought this before. You've bought this before. Before you think of buying this garbage and support these publishers who think it's ok to take advantage of loyal fans...think of what you could do to force them to make a modern warfare game that truly lives up to the standards of todays games. Was this much of a review? Not so much...not a rant either. I just want people to realize that the graphics are outdated, story still generic, game play rough, sound poor, and multiplayer virtually unchanged not because they can't but because they wont. Take a stand. Play your last call of duty if you have to a little longer until they see they can't treat people like dirt anymore. If you read this far I hope you see where I'm coming from and live up to my hopes that we will one day see a modern warfare 4 WORTH praising, not this thrown together mess, thank you. Expand
  9. Nov 15, 2011
    2
    Have been a big fan in the past; going to the midnight launch & taking a day off to play. As a real fan I believe this game really misses the mark. Activision and IW lost a lot of their credibility and trust from me. I have so many complaints but my biggest is that after purchasing my sons hardened edition and putting in his Elite code on xbox.com he gets an account not eligible toHave been a big fan in the past; going to the midnight launch & taking a day off to play. As a real fan I believe this game really misses the mark. Activision and IW lost a lot of their credibility and trust from me. I have so many complaints but my biggest is that after purchasing my sons hardened edition and putting in his Elite code on xbox.com he gets an account not eligible to register message on his Xbox when trying to use the Elite app. If there was going to be an age restriction why not reject the code so that we could then sell it or something. I am so pissed. We were beta testers for Elite and I never seen anything that couldnt be viewed by him. He and I already have an account created online under our profiles and that works but he doesnt get any of the benefits in game or access to the app and as a parent I am not being allowed to grant that permission. They have wasted my 50$ and seem to have no intent on fixing this. My other complaints center around the service not working for me. The maps are not great and not even as good as BLOPS, or MW2. Graphics are on par with MW2 which came out years ago. They just didnt seem to try on this one. Expand
  10. Nov 15, 2011
    0
    The beginning of the end for the Cod Franchise. Really really really really really really really really really really really really really sad that anyone would think that it was okay to sell this rehash/patch of MW2. Could have been dlc!
  11. Nov 15, 2011
    0
    Okay lets get this started if you want to talk about graphics play a game like BF3 or Skyrim I only say BF3 because it uses a newer and yes better engine. Then there is the same predictable campaign from every cod game think back to the other modern warfare's some rough voiced guy has a nuclear weapon then loses. Anyways same kind of multiplayer all they did was make a slight tweak fromOkay lets get this started if you want to talk about graphics play a game like BF3 or Skyrim I only say BF3 because it uses a newer and yes better engine. Then there is the same predictable campaign from every cod game think back to the other modern warfare's some rough voiced guy has a nuclear weapon then loses. Anyways same kind of multiplayer all they did was make a slight tweak from mw2 and no new engines that actually change the fundamentals of the gameplay enough to seem like a even remotely new game other than the more contrast added which people call new graphics, **if a games single player isn't good they should work on that before their multiplayer.** Expand
  12. Nov 18, 2011
    0
    Crap, Crap, Crap and Crap. This game is MW1.3. BF3 is a lot better, or even just get Skyrim. I thought this was going to be ok but i was worng..... It is stupid, same as CoD 4/MW2. Get a different shooter guys :)
  13. Nov 19, 2011
    0
    Have u seen how dated the graphics are. Everything is the exact same. Its a $60 map pack. Activison is just milking the Call of Duty series after all. People get ready for the next 6 map packs in a 2 months!
  14. Nov 19, 2011
    0
    Crap, this is buggy and terrible and should never have been released. The biggest waste of money I have ever spent. Shame on the company and shame on this game for bothering to release this waste of a game!
  15. Nov 20, 2011
    0
    This game is a copy and paste of last years version. There is no real new gameplay or add ons. Its just a new addition to the continued story. The story seems like it was called in. No real thought or creativity to it. With all the great games to come out this one isnt a must buy. Go play Arkham City or Uncharted 3 instead.
  16. Nov 21, 2011
    0
    Unfortunately, Activision has turned this franchise into a yearly sports series. The gameplay is almost completely unchanged, the maps are dull and uncreative, the weapons, perks and killstreaks are almost all recycled from the previous games and the campaign is a 3 hour explosion.
  17. Nov 21, 2011
    0
    My review is based solely on the multiplayer aspect alone on the XBOX360. I am sure the single player is going to be another well written short(10 hours) story. For me personally I get my enjoyment( or lack there of since MW2) from the MP side. What I do not understand is how arrogant a company can be with the lack of releasing the most complete game they can. There has not been a publicMy review is based solely on the multiplayer aspect alone on the XBOX360. I am sure the single player is going to be another well written short(10 hours) story. For me personally I get my enjoyment( or lack there of since MW2) from the MP side. What I do not understand is how arrogant a company can be with the lack of releasing the most complete game they can. There has not been a public beta for COD since WaW. When you possess the most played game on xbox and you do not tap your customer base for early feedback and testing you are foolish. Even if some of the people dont report bugs/glitches you could bet your ass there would be tons of youtube videos with step by step guides as presently. So that brings us to what I view as MAJOR problems for the multiplayer side of the game :

    1) Lag --> Between the last 2 releases of the series as of right now a low gross estimate on $$$ is 1.5billion dollars....Instead of being proactive with this monster of a earner. Activision and their studios repeatedly spit in the faces of the consumers by not having dedicated servers. God forbid they divert at most 50million of their profits(a one time budget cost factoring in equipment, employees to upkeep for 10years ) to make the best experience for their customers. 2) Glitches --> Numerous upon numerous glitches, map exploits, kill streak exploits....It drives me insane that these were out within just 3 days of release. I have to ask who the **** was doing QA for IW/Sledgehammer? If you dont want to have a beta for your game fine, that is your prerogative. But don't you feed me **** about "How proud you are of your company's job well done on the game" aka Glen Schofield. Your people should be ashamed of the **** that made it out and we are only 13days in. If you don't have a beta you damn sure should have had these things patched up before the product shipped. 3) Team Killing in Hardcore modes --> I have no qualms at all about friendly fire when it happens, as a SnD players it makes it even more strategist in my opinion. However when you afford these idiots the ability to pull a rocket out and kill the entire team round after round with no repercussion, are you f@#@##@@### kidding me?!?!!??!?!?!?!? This was an issue in 4...Once again what the hell were YOUR employees doing Glen????; how is this not know pre launch or let alone resolved 13 days later. Activision, Treyarch, Infinity Ward, and now Sledgehammer do their customers an enormous disservice year after year and I personally have had my fill of it.
    Expand
  18. Nov 22, 2011
    5
    the campain was ok, but way too short and pretty much relies on set pieces to keep people interested, i have only played spec ops 5 times but can honestly say iv never really enjoyed it. when i first played multiplayer i loved it but after a day it just got boring, should have just been a map pack for mw2
  19. Dec 1, 2011
    0
    This game is absolutely TERRIBLE. The standards for a mainstream FPS has gone down the drain. Treyarch, infinity ward have no standards, and some morons would buy whatever they released. i can't really find anything positive to say about this, so i shall get started on the bad. TERRIBLE graphics, TERRIBLE GENERIC story, TERRIBLE UNREALISTIC gameplay and TERRIBLE combat and weapons. SERIOUSThis game is absolutely TERRIBLE. The standards for a mainstream FPS has gone down the drain. Treyarch, infinity ward have no standards, and some morons would buy whatever they released. i can't really find anything positive to say about this, so i shall get started on the bad. TERRIBLE graphics, TERRIBLE GENERIC story, TERRIBLE UNREALISTIC gameplay and TERRIBLE combat and weapons. SERIOUS GAMERS like myself will be dissappointed and i would advise us SERIOUS GAMERS to steer clear of this unrealistic and terrible game. This game is for beginners and kids, and you can tell just by playing online, with some of the morons that are on voice chat. If you are a SERIOUS GAMER looking for a good FPS this is NOT reccommended for you. Expand
  20. Nov 11, 2011
    2
    What a bunch of monkey spunk..............

    A complete and utter let down, the game has made no games it physics, AI, game play, weoponry, maps anything. My god of all sequels this has got to be up there with the ones that blows the most. I loved.....and i do say loved the COD MW series, and now they have completely turned me off as they produced this crap that did nothing for the
    What a bunch of monkey spunk..............

    A complete and utter let down, the game has made no games it physics, AI, game play, weoponry, maps anything.

    My god of all sequels this has got to be up there with the ones that blows the most.

    I loved.....and i do say loved the COD MW series, and now they have completely turned me off as they produced this crap that did nothing for the genre of games in general.

    Infinity ward just another money grabbing bunch of stokers, hmmmm they have become another EA sports.
    Expand
  21. Nov 8, 2011
    0
    I played Modern Warfare 2. This means I played Modern Warfare 3 and am fully capable of reviewing this game. MW3 is a 70 dollar direct carbon copy of MW2 with a map pack and a new god awful campaign. I would not take this game for free. It insults my intelligence and its fans do as well. The only reason to ever even watch a video of this game (never a reason to even rent) is to laugh atI played Modern Warfare 2. This means I played Modern Warfare 3 and am fully capable of reviewing this game. MW3 is a 70 dollar direct carbon copy of MW2 with a map pack and a new god awful campaign. I would not take this game for free. It insults my intelligence and its fans do as well. The only reason to ever even watch a video of this game (never a reason to even rent) is to laugh at its idiotic 10 year old community during Christmas when the 10 year olds buy it. Expand
  22. Nov 8, 2011
    0
    This game makes me want to just curl up in a corner and die.

    Nothing if have ever played or done has brought me to this many tears, but the fact that this game got such a good score while games like counterstrike:source, a game that is not only way better then this game but uses it as a stick to scrape **** off its magnificent shoes. I have lost faith in humanity. We are doomed to die by
    This game makes me want to just curl up in a corner and die.

    Nothing if have ever played or done has brought me to this many tears, but the fact that this game got such a good score while games like counterstrike:source, a game that is not only way better then this game but uses it as a stick to scrape **** off its magnificent shoes.

    I have lost faith in humanity. We are doomed to die by drowning in our own stupidity. I hope we all die in nuclear war.
    Expand
  23. Nov 10, 2011
    0
    This game is the same as the one before nothing is different. The game should be called call of duty mw2.0 not 3. This series has killed squeals into improve on the one before it that used to accure.
  24. Nov 8, 2011
    3
    I had to make an account to add to this, this is AT BEST a poor expansion, i wasn't expecting much, but was still disappointed. what is weird about it? literally NO reason for sniper rifles to even be in multiplayer, not a single map is built to take advantage of range, and with the addition of the stalker perk allowing people to run and aim puts this game in more of a relationship toI had to make an account to add to this, this is AT BEST a poor expansion, i wasn't expecting much, but was still disappointed. what is weird about it? literally NO reason for sniper rifles to even be in multiplayer, not a single map is built to take advantage of range, and with the addition of the stalker perk allowing people to run and aim puts this game in more of a relationship to quake than any other MW game thus far. spec ops is cool, but my last cod let me play with 4 people in the other mode, this is 2? mmk. the guns sound neat and everything, but given that you can unlock more stuff for using the same one makes it hard for me to swap from my M4.
    With all of the maps being SO CLOSE QUARTERS, i know this game will turn into just people using SMGs. the precision guns like the M16 are worthless, all you need to do is spray. No innovation, all confusion. i am not a fan, this is the year to skip out on the COD franchise much like a bad madden game, its cheaper to just wait for the next. unfortunately i traded BO and MW2 in towards this... SO glad i didnt get elite membership though!
    Expand
  25. Nov 8, 2011
    0
    MW2 expansion pack is not worth full price. It's a decent game, there are still over powered weapons, there is still a bunch of annoying things to put up with online, the story is totally over the top, you character is defying death in every scene which becomes stale after the very first mission when you realize how many times you defied death in MW2. This is something you want to stayMW2 expansion pack is not worth full price. It's a decent game, there are still over powered weapons, there is still a bunch of annoying things to put up with online, the story is totally over the top, you character is defying death in every scene which becomes stale after the very first mission when you realize how many times you defied death in MW2. This is something you want to stay away from until the price goes down, or there is a sale. Not a bad game, at least not as bad as MW2, but not what I was expecting for a full priced game with over 2 years of development times. Expand
  26. Nov 8, 2011
    0
    Same terrible community, same content. This might as well have been an 60$ map pack. I do hope this series has the same fate as the guitar hero series.
  27. Nov 8, 2011
    0
    I expected it to be the same. It actually is worse than black ops. a lot worse. the biggest problem I had was that survival was suppose to rival zombies. i can say it does not do this. too much randomness involved.
  28. Nov 8, 2011
    0
    Issue no. 1, it's a shooter and the weapons are not interesting to use, and what's the deal with the one handed pistols? Also, juggernauts, and the weapon level ups kill the multiplayer for me, along with many other things like the gear unlocks in the prestige shop....too many day one players with 3 prestige tokens. Campaign, cool but where are the Americans? WTH do I want to play aIssue no. 1, it's a shooter and the weapons are not interesting to use, and what's the deal with the one handed pistols? Also, juggernauts, and the weapon level ups kill the multiplayer for me, along with many other things like the gear unlocks in the prestige shop....too many day one players with 3 prestige tokens. Campaign, cool but where are the Americans? WTH do I want to play a Russian for most of the game? This game will make alot of people happy, but not me. I'm getting my FPS fix elsewhere... Expand
  29. Nov 8, 2011
    0
    It's a nice social network but I'm still getting used to facebook. I thought many of the features created unnecessary hurdles to connect with friends. It will import your facebook friends.
  30. Nov 9, 2011
    2
    It is almost as if IW paid every single critic to give a positive review....what a joke that critics are rating this game so high. I wish they were right....I am so disappointed by this game after such a huge and exciting build-up
Metascore
88

Generally favorable reviews - based on 81 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 79 out of 81
  2. Negative: 0 out of 81
  1. Jan 11, 2012
    85
    Ultimately, Modern Warfare 3 feels similar to it's brethren, but that doesn't mean it isn't a great game. The single player element is still exciting, and multiplayer has more options than ever – if you're a fan of Call of Duty, Modern Warfare 3 is a no brainer.
  2. Dec 28, 2011
    84
    Modern Warfare 3, while still an excellent thrill ride in its own right, feels far too similar to MW2 or even Black Ops for my taste.
  3. I never expected Modern Warfare 3 to go toe-to-toe with EA's juggernaut this year, but it came out of the gates with a tour de force campaign and co-op mode. It loses points with a perhaps too-familiar multiplayer that caters to the juvenile on Xbox Live; though don't be mistaken, Modern Warfare 3 is one hell of a shooter and a highlight for a series that just won't die – no matter how much we wish it bloody would, at times.