Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (MW3): Is It Worth Your Time? Let’s Dive In.
Alright gamers, let’s talk Call of Duty. Specifically, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (MW3). Released on November 10, 2023, this game is on PS4, Xbox One, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S. No one is left behind. Even your dusty PS4 s the party. Sledgehammer Games developed MW3. It uses a revamped IW Engine. Yes, the same engine powering CoD for years. If it ain’t broke, tweak it, right?
MW3 – The Basics You Need to Know (Before You Yell at Your Monitor)
Thinking about jumping into MW3? Let’s get you up to speed. First off, it’s available on PS4, Xbox One, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S. Doesn’t matter if you have the latest console or an older one. Sledgehammer Games is at the helm. They made some other Call of Duty games. Under the hood is the IW Engine, a reliable workhorse. It’s like that trusty car that always gets you where you need to go.
Dive into the Solo Campaign: Short but… Sweet? (Spoiler Alert: Maybe Not So Sweet)
Campaign mode is where you play as a super soldier saving the world. MW3’s campaign lasts around 5 hours across 15 missions. You can binge-watch a movie trilogy in that time. But hey, quality or quantity, right? Opinions differ. They added “open combat missions.” Six of them. Instead of narrow corridors, roam slightly bigger maps. Progress!
Now, the ending. Without spoilers, Makarov’s end is abrupt with a fall and a hanging situation. The hero gets roughed up too. The grand finale? Price smokes a cigar, staring at Makarov’s body. Deep stuff. Or maybe that’s what they intended.
Sadly, the campaign didn’t impress critics. IGN called it “the worst single-player campaign in Call of Duty“. Ouch. Kotaku described it as “rather bad“. Double ouch. If you want a gripping narrative, lower your expectations. This campaign feels less like “Saving Private Ryan” and more like “Saving Private… Disappointment.”
Multiplayer Mayhem: Weapons, SBMM, and More (Strap in, It’s Gonna Be a Ride)
Multiplayer is the heart of Call of Duty. You’ll likely spend time screaming at your screen blaming lag for problems. MW3’s multiplayer is chaotic, filled with explosions and close combat. Let’s break down some key areas.
Gearing Up: Best Weapon for Beginners (And Maybe Pros Too?)
New to MW3 multiplayer and feel like you’re shooting peas? It happens to everyone. The Holger 556 assault rifle is your friend. This weapon is strong for beginners. It has great range too. You can actually hit targets not standing right in front of you! Imagine that! It’s an all-rounder, easy to control. Grab the Holger 556, add some attachments, and get ready for kills.
SBMM Shenanigans: How to (Maybe) Get Easier Lobbies (The VPN Gambit)
Ah, SBMM – Skill Based MatchMaking. It frustrates many CoD players. Want to relax and stomp noobs? SBMM says “Not so fast! Here’s a lobby full of sweaty tryhards!” But there may be a trick… a VPN-shaped trick.
The idea? Use a VPN to by SBMM. You trick the game into thinking you’re in another location with fewer players. Connect to servers in Turkey or Egypt. Call of Duty isn’t popular there, so fewer players might mean a lower skill level. It’s like using the shallow end of the pool to avoid Olympic swimmers. Will it work? Your mileage may vary. Activision doesn’t like players bying their matchmaking. But if you’re tired of losing, it might be worth a shot.
Troubleshooting Time: Common Multiplayer Issues and Fixes (Tech 101)
Experiencing some… *technical difficulties* in MW3 multiplayer? You’re not alone. Let’s tackle common problems with possible solutions.
Error Code 14515: This error is annoying. First, check for updates. Many times, this error is due to a pending update. Make sure your game is fully patched. If everything’s current and you see this error, at least you can rule out updates.
Packet Burst: This is a network error folks. “Packet burst” happens due to issues with your network or Activision’s servers. It could be your fault or theirs—perhaps even gremlins! Troubleshooting steps? Restart your router (classic fix). Check your internet connection or make sacrifices to server gods.
Packet Loss: Similar to packet burst but involves lost data packets. This can result from faulty network hardware. Old routers or firewalls might need upgrades. Think of it as trying to run a modern car on ancient tires. Not gonna work well.
Lag: Lag is the universal gaming enemy. “Lag” in MW3 often ties to server issues. Overloaded servers or distant servers might cause lag. Not much you can do about server distance unless you move closer to Activision HQ. Server load issues are theirs though. Generally, lag combines your connection and server conditions.
Zombies? Oh, Wait for Black Ops 6! (Patience, Grasshopper)
Zombie fans should wait. MW3 doesn’t feature zombies heavily. Fear not! Black Ops 6 will bring back classic round-based Zombies mode. Yes, the mode we know and love where you slay hordes of undead with friends. Black Ops 6 will launch with two new Zombies maps. So, if zombie-slaying action calls you, Black Ops 6 is your destination.
Critical Verdict: How Does MW3 Stack Up? (Spoiler: Not Great, Bob!)
Let’s discuss scores. Metacritic shows MW3 at 53/100 (PC even worse at 45/100). Ouch again. That’s not good news. It’s lower than any other Call of Duty game, even Call of Duty: Vanguard (2021). Vanguard had a score of 73 which now seems good by comparison.
Critically, MW3 struggles for praise. Maybe stick to multiplayer and ignore the campaign? Just a thought.
Tech Troubles: Navigating MW3’s Technical Issues (Déjà Vu?)
We mentioned technical issues in multiplayer but let’s summarize and expand a bit more. Technical problems can occur in any game, and MW3 faces similar challenges.
Packet Burst (again!): Yes, it’s back! “Packet burst” remains a network error related to connection hiccups.
Issues can arise from your setup or from Activision’s servers. The fix? It remains unchanged. Check your network, restart your router, and hope for the best. This problem is all too common.
Network Issues: It’s broad, but “network issues” are typical. The fix? Restart your router. It’s similar to the advice: “have you tried turning it off and on?” Surprisingly, it often works. Try it before frustration sets in.
Packet Loss Still Exists: Yes, “packet loss” is still an issue. It relates to aged network hardware. Old routers and switches may cause it. If your router is older than some players, consider an upgrade. It could change your experience.
Lag (The Constant Foe): And then there’s “lag”. Caused by overloaded servers or those too far away. It’s frustrating. Often unavoidable. This is part of online gaming. Lag occurs.
MW3 in the Call of Duty Universe: Evaluations and Comparisons
How does MW3 compare with other Call of Duty games? Here are some quick comparisons.
Black Ops 6: “Black Ops 6 provides the best single-player campaign in recent years.” So say early reviews. Strong claims, especially compared to MW3’s… less favorite campaign reception. For a quality single-player journey, Black Ops 6 might be the one.
Modern Warfare 2 (2009): Ah, nostalgia! “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009)”. A beloved classic. Often ranked as one of the top CoDs ever. MW3 (2023) doesn’t quite reach its heights. It attempts to capture that MW2 allure, but nostalgia can’t always be replicated.
Call of Duty: Ghosts (2013): “Call of Duty: Ghosts (2013)”? Probably not fondly. It was fine, yes. Competent perhaps. Yet it wasn’t remarkable. MW3 at least sparks more… *dialogue* than Ghosts did. Whether that dialogue is positive varies.
More Call of Duty Games: An Overview (Expanding the CoD Universe)
MW3 isn’t the sole CoD game out there. Let’s glance at others relevant to MW3.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6: Launching on October 25, 2024. The sixth iteration of Black Ops, following Black Ops Cold War. And reportedly, the single-player campaign might indeed be strong! Watch this one.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2022): “Modern Warfare II (2022)”. The direct predecessor to MW3. Strange naming conventions, isn’t it? Welcome to Call of Duty!
Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War: Released on November 13, 2020. The game preceding Black Ops 6. Cold War was decent. It had its highlights.
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare: Released in Europe on November 9, 2007. This is the original Modern Warfare. A game that changed everything. “Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare” is legendary. MW3? Well, it’s MW3.
MW3 Beta – Reflecting on the Earlier Days
Let’s the MW3 Beta. Ah, the beta, a sneak peek ahead. For PlayStation s, ing the beta was simple at the PlayStation Store. Easy.
If you pre-ordered a digital copy, you enjoyed early access without a code. Pre-ordering can be helpful! It gets you in the beta first. Whether it mirrored the final game is debatable. But betas are often enjoyable. A preview before reviews dampen excitement.
