Call of Duty is a peculiar series, a cultural juggernaut that, for all its success, has struggled to generate much enthusiasm in recent years. Modern Warfare, the newest release in the franchise, manages to breathe some life into the proceedings by going back to basics, ditching advanced movement mechanics and futuristic settings for something more grounded in reality. It is a move that will undoubtedly alienate some existing fans but will be equally effective at capturing the attention of those who have grown tired of the series.
Prior to its release, Modern Warfare was touted as a grittier, more realistic Call of Duty. This referred to its gameplay, which is markedly slower than recent entries in the series, but also to its story. Is Modern Warfare more grounded than its predecessors? Perhaps, but only in the way that Law & Order is more grounded than Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law. Compared to previous Call of Duty stories, Modern Warfare is slightly less bombastic and slightly more concerned with presenting an ethical gray area. It also has some memorable characters, a rarity for the series. The game stops short of attempting to say anything meaningful about the complex nature of war, however, devolving into the usual action movie schlock by its conclusion. While that is still enjoyable in its own way, it is disappointing that Modern Warfare comes closer than usual to saying something of value only to back away at the last minute.
Multiplayer, the main attraction of any Call of Duty game, will likely prove divisive. Gone are the wall-running super soldiers of recent series entries; Modern Warfare rewards slightly more thoughtful play, with success coming to those who check their corners, utilize cover and generally do not rush headlong into a firefight. It is slower, but not slow, with the run-and-gun soul of the series remaining mostly intact. Maps are dense, but only occasionally cluttered. Some balancing issues persist, but for those who were frustrated with the increasingly frenetic pace required to play Call of Duty effectively, Modern Warfare should be a breath of fresh air.
While the campaign and multiplayer are mostly successful, co-op in Modern Warfare is disastrous. The new, larger Special Operations are poorly-balanced exercises in frustration and the familiar Spec Ops missions from previous games are nowhere to be found, with only a single survival mission available at launch. More content has been promised for the future, but that does not excuse the mode’s current state. What was once a third pillar of the series seems to now be a mere afterthought.
Modern Warfare is the epitome of a mixed bag. The campaign is a well-crafted experience, but the slower pace will put some people off. Multiplayer is enjoyable and the gunplay is the best it has ever been, but niggling issues persist. Co-op is in an unquestionably bad state. Your enjoyment of Modern Warfare will depend almost entirely on what you want out of Call of Duty. The game is generally good enough overall to warrant a recommendation, but those not primarily interested in multiplayer should exercise caution.
