Our author Sven has been a big “Call of Duty” fan from the start, but has been continuously disappointed by the game series since 2011. Why the new Call of Duty: Modern Warfare has rekindled his hopes for the first time.
After years of disappointment from numerous spin-offs of arguably the biggest shooter franchise, I am now genuinely looking forward to a Call of Duty for the first time since 2011. The reason: the new Modern Warfare 2019. Read here why.
This is how I see the “Call of Duty” games of recent years
Since the first installment of the series in 2003, I have been a loyal fan of the “Call of Duty” games. The Modern Warfare series, with all three previous titles and Black Ops 1, still represents my personal highlights of the franchise.
But as much as I loved Modern Warfare 1-3 and Black Ops, I have been disappointed by essentially all other “Call of Duty” titles since 2011, since Modern Warfare 3. I gave each of these games a fair chance. But none of them could hold a candle to my favorites. Until now.
This is what I loved about Call of Duty
When Modern Warfare first brought its namesake modern setting to CoD, I fell in love immediately. That was exactly what I had missed in most shooters back then. Modern weapons, contemporary gear, and the current setting truly captivated me and have not let me go since – especially since I could no longer endure World War II and futuristic scenarios.
Although I probably belong to a minority, I loved and devoured the story of the Modern Warfare series. Yes, a lot of it was scripted. Yes, there were linear levels. Yes, the AI wasn’t the best, and the story wasn’t particularly profound.
But the protagonists were distinctive, the story was genuinely captivating due to my own involvement, and many missions, like being a gunner in a gunship or at the Polar Base, were executed spectacularly. I always felt like I was in a thrilling action movie and was always thoroughly entertained. I could hardly wait to find out how things would continue with the operators of Task Force 141.
Additionally, the gameplay in multiplayer has remained unmatched for me in the CoD franchise since Modern Warfare 2/3. Since then, I have never had as much fun in multiplayer in a Call of Duty – with the exception of Black Ops 1.
It was back then the slow, grounded gameplay that truly made you feel like a human soldier – that was the appeal for me. You were primarily dependent on your weapons and your individual skills in handling them. The relatively fresh killstreaks at that time were well-balanced and not overly exaggerated. Most maps were asymmetrically designed and offered exciting combat.
This is what disappointed me about Call of Duty
Since 2011, the franchise and the gameplay have evolved. But in my view, it has consistently deteriorated. Many of the “innovations” rather spoiled the series for me than pushed it forward.
The speed has increased, the matches have become more chaotic, and the equipment has become increasingly futuristic. Eventually, specialists came along, whose sometimes outrageous weapons and abilities almost ruined any fun for me. The maps offered nothing special anymore and almost completely resembled each other in their structure.
When meter-high jumps with exoskeletons and wall runs were introduced, the air was completely out for me. That was no longer a Call of Duty that I knew and loved. Destiny or Titanfall could do that better, and it fit there far better.
In short: After Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, the series completely lost its character for me. Everything since then has felt like a carelessly thrown-together homogeneous mix that has been hurriedly put on the market just because obviously a CoD title needs to be released every year or to attract a broader (and younger) audience.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t make anything of this development. Although I played every Call of Duty title extensively after 2011, none of the spin-offs have convinced me since then. These games disappeared from my hard drive surprisingly quickly.
For me, the negative highlight was Black Ops 4 with all its controversial and, in my opinion, aggressive microtransaction policies and the lack of a single-player campaign. Personally, I had concluded with Call of Duty and told myself – with Call of Duty 2019, you will for the first time skip a title in the series. Because I was sure that this trend would continue with the new Call of Duty.
That’s why the new Modern Warfare gives me hope
First of all, I became alert when it became clear that Call of Duty 2019 is a reboot of the Modern Warfare series and that Infinity Ward is behind the development.
Because Modern Warfare and Infinity Ward represent for me the coolest and most entertaining single-player experiences that this franchise has had besides the original Black Ops. For example, to this day I know every single main character from all Modern Warfare installments by name and nickname and can easily recount the plot down to the smallest detail.
However, I can hardly remember any of the protagonists after 2011. Honestly, I don’t even remember what the individual stories were about – although I played them all.
Even though it is a reboot with a completely reimagined story, I am sure that the story of Modern Warfare will entertain me just as much. And what I have seen so far supports my hope.
Additionally, I have high hopes that perhaps multiplayer with Modern Warfare will return to its roots and can capture me again as it did in 2011. And after experiencing the alpha and beta, I was not disappointed.
What speaks for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare
Overall, the 2019 reboot of Modern Warfare has improved almost everything that has bothered me about Call of Duty in recent years and also brings innovations that I finally find appropriate and consistent instead of annoying.
Here are some arguments that make me have new hope in Call of Duty with the new Modern Warfare:
Setting
- Finally a contemporary scenario again
- Modern Warfare comes with a single-player campaign – and what I have seen so far has been really entertaining. That it’s a reboot, I see more as an opportunity and I’m excited about the cool new stories I’ll experience with Captain Price and Co this time.
Gameplay
- The gameplay in multiplayer actually returns to its roots. Anyone who liked the pace and game flow of Modern Warfare 2 and 3 or Black Ops in multiplayer will feel right at home here.
- There are no more specialists, exoskeletons, exaggerated equipment, or super abilities. The focus is finally back on map knowledge and individual weapon handling skills.
- Large, modern arsenal of common real weapons that can now be better tailored to your individual play style through the gunsmith feature
- Excellent gunplay
- The gameplay is significantly calmer, more grounded, and no longer as frantic as in the spin-offs of recent years
- Equipment for multiplayer can also be earned through the campaign. Progress I make in multiplayer is also valid in co-op, etc. I can play where and what I want – progress is cross-genre
Modes
- Battle Royale and Zombies are omitted. Instead, co-op missions from the old Modern Warfare and some other fun formats for traditional multiplayer like 2vs2 gunfight or ground war for up to 64 players (32vs32) are being introduced.
Miscellaneous
- Loot boxes are completely disappearing. Instead, a battle pass system is being introduced, where you can earn or purchase rewards directly and without randomness.
- There is cross-play between PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
- There is no annual pass and no paid map DLCs anymore. All new maps and modes are available to all players for free.
These are just a few of the most important changes. I could easily expand this list to double its size now.
My conclusion on Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2019
Actually, I was sure that I would skip Call of Duty in 2019. But the more I heard, read, saw, and experienced about Modern Warfare, the more convinced I am that I will not be disappointed by Call of Duty for the first time in 8 years. The more I am looking forward to finally diving into the campaign and multiplayer of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare.
How do you view the new Modern Warfare so far? Does it excite you for more, or is the new Call of Duty completely indifferent to you?
