Is Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III just a simple DLC of the previous game? We'll have to wait for the final version to give a verdict, but the multiplayer Beta gave us an idea of what to expect in this new installment.
Thanks to the trial session, we discovered that there are novelties and changes compared to the 2022 game, but will they be enough to justify the existence of this proposal? Below, we'll look at the new additions and elements that remain the same.
Related Video: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III - Multiplayer Reveal Trailer
CoD: Modern Warfare III has some surprises up its sleeve
1. - Improved Movement
The first thing we noticed when playing the Beta is that we are more agile. Scaling structures and jumping through windows have ceased to be clunky actions, and now we move more quickly across the stage.
Overall, movement is faster and more fluid compared to the 2022 installment, which will please players who prefer a more aggressive playstyle. We are also confident that fans will love the return of Slide Cancel, a mechanic that involves sliding and quickly getting up to surprise opponents.
In a similar vein, Modern Warfare III allows us to aim while sliding. This is useful for attacking an unsuspecting enemy camping in a corner or for entering a Hardpoint or building with momentum, to name a couple of examples. We can also cancel the reload animation, as in the old times.
The changes in mobility are subtle but make the game feel more dynamic and agile. We are sure these innovations will be crucial in high-level matches, although the methodical style of play is still reliable.
2. - A New Way to Aim
Although movement is crucial for victory, it all boils down to the moment when we aim and shoot. In this regard, the most striking addition we found in the Beta is that CoD: Modern Warfare III introduces Tac-Stance, a new way to aim that we can activate at any time with the D-Pad. This tactical position represents a middle ground between hip-fire and aiming down sights. It sounds interesting, but what is it for?
It is common, for example, to use an assault rifle with a zoom scope. That setup is very useful for medium and long-distance shootouts but puts us at a disadvantage in close-quarters combat. Tac-Stance remedies this by allowing us to aim faster and see the entire scene at the cost of precision and control.
After a couple of hours, we alternated between the traditional and tactical ways of aiming when entering buildings and expecting close-range combat. It will be interesting to discover the uses the community will give to this mechanic.
3. - New Equipment
Although CoD: Modern Warfare III will bring back the arsenal from the previous installment, it will also introduce new weaponry to keep the experience fresh.
In the Beta, there are a total of 16 new weapons, although we could only play with a handful of them due to the level cap. We believe none of them are particularly powerful, although pro players have probably already found one that stands out for its stats. Our favorite was the MCW, an assault rifle that reminded us of the legendary ACR from MW3.
On the other hand, the Battle Rage is no longer a field upgrade and is now part of tactical equipment alongside the dispersal mine, the other major addition in this category. Regarding lethal tools, the only novelty in the Beta is the Breacher Drone, which explodes upon contact.
Of course, no Call of Duty is complete without killstreaks. The first surprise is the Mosquito Drone, which functions very similarly to the Hunter from Black Ops 2. Next, we have the Guardian, a turret that stuns enemies. Finally, there's the Recon Juggernaut, which provides us with a super-resistant suit and a riot shield.
4. - Small Improvements That Have a Big Impact
The classic perks system is back, meaning we now start with all the advantages. This title also introduces vests that offer additional benefits, such as increasing the duration of tactical sprint or detecting enemy equipment through walls.
The classic minimap has also returned! In the 2022 title, red dots only appeared when there was an active UAV, a decision that angered fans. The developers listened to the complaints and brought back the classic system, so now we must use a suppressor or be more careful to avoid appearing on the radar. This subtle change had a significant impact on our playstyle.
Finally, we can now vote for the map in the lobby! It's a feature that returns after a long time, and we are sure it will help prevent the same scenarios from repeating over and over, as was the case in the last few titles.
CoD: Modern Warfare III is a very familiar territory
Despite the novelties, this proposal shares many similarities with last year's game. To some extent, it feels like an expansion.
1. - Repetitive Visuals
Firstly, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III looks identical to the previous title. The similarities go beyond the obvious modern setting, as even the menus and HUD are the same or show minor differences. While this is an aesthetic matter, these repeated elements reinforce the feeling of monotony.
Although this happened with previous games due to Activision's insistence on unifying the franchise, here it is more noticeable because a subseries installment, Modern Warfare, debuted last year.
2. - The Same Ways to Play
Activision confirmed that this title will introduce a new game mode: Cutthroat, featuring 3v3v3 matchups. Unfortunately,this mode was notably absent in the first round of the Beta, and we had to settle for the usual suspects.
Specifically, Team Deathmatch, Kill Confirmed, Domination, and Hardpoint are back. Ground War, which offers massive battles on a large map, also returned without significant changes. We would have liked to experience the new game mode in the trial session.
3. - Nostalgic Maps
Instead of creating new battlefields, as is the case in all franchise titles, Sledgehammer Games chose to appeal to nostalgia and brought back classic maps from Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 from 2009. We confess this decision left us with a bittersweet feeling.
It's always very enjoyable to revisit some of the most iconic and beloved settings in the saga, such as Favela, Skidrow, Rush, and Estate. The developers did a commendable job of reinterpreting them without losing their essence. That said, it's an uninspired move, and we always had the feeling of playing recycled content.
4. - The Same Foundation
Each Call of Duty installment was characterized by introducing a feature or mechanic that made it different and unique: from Black Ops 2's Pick Ten System to Advanced Warfare's exosuits. CoD: Modern Warfare III refrains from presenting a differentiating element and chooses to follow the same path as the recent games in the series in their multiplayer aspects.
The Gunsmith system, which allows changing weapon attachments and customizing their appearance, returns with minor differences, while field upgrades are also back without substantial modifications. Overall, almost all mechanics were seen in the 2019 and 2022 predecessors. We miss a significant innovation that truly changes the way we play.
Is CoD: Modern Warfare III a rehash of CoD: MWII? Yes, and a very fun one
It seems like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III wants to make amends with the community and fix the things that disappointed in the previous installment. Improvements in mobility, the new arsenal, the addition of Tac-Stance, and other novelties make the experience smoother and, overall, satisfying.
We enjoyed our time in the Beta, and in a few hours, we remembered why Call of Duty is one of the most important series in the industry. That said, it's undeniable that this installment is unambitious and unassertive, as the foundation is the same as last year's game. The small novelties were unable to surprise us, and at all times, we had a déjà vu feeling.
We are facing a very fun yet extremely familiar experience. Is it worth giving it a shot? We'll have to wait until the official release to find out.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III will be available for Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC starting from November 10th.
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