November 18th 2023.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 has been met with criticism from both fans and critics alike. Activision is certainly partly to blame, but I have some sympathy for developer Sledgehammer Games. If the game was half the price, I believe the negativity wouldn't be as intense. I'm inclined to think that Activision and Microsoft wanted a Call of Duty title to be released regardless, likely to signify the end of their Sony marketing deal.
Despite this, there were aspects of the Modern Warfare 3 campaign that make me think of what could have been. I'm specifically referring to the Warzone-inspired levels, which could have been so much more if Sledgehammer had more time. I don't want to jump to the conclusion of a lazy development team, as I think they could have been on to something if given the chance to develop it further. This has got me pondering the idea of an open world campaign.
I'm admittedly a big fan of Warzone, so my bias should be taken with a grain of salt. Other than my own preference, I'm tired of the typical cinematic storytelling, with its scripted and bombastic sequences. This is a style that PlayStation games have mastered, but the moment I put down my controller, I no longer feel involved and lose all immersion. I want to play a video game, not watch it. A few button prompts don't make up for it, either. Naughty Dog is arguably the best at this, but even they can be prone to overindulgence with their cut scenes.
My point is that a less scripted Call of Duty game would be much better. Cut out all the copy-pasted elements from Warzone, and replace them with more realistic options that serve the story. I'm a big fan of games that allow player choice. To illustrate my point, I'll give an example scenario: you have to take out a target that is surrounded by a body of water. You have the option to approach stealthily through the water, parachute in from the air, or commandeer a supply vehicle and enter through the main gate. You can call in the equipment you need, be it silenced weapons, scuba gear, and so on, or wait until nightfall for a high-altitude insertion. You can choose the size of your team, go it alone, or play with friends in co-op.
This may sound a lot like Rainbow Six Wildlands, but that game lacked variety. I just feel that Call of Duty campaigns have become so stale and familiar, that a dramatic change is needed to keep people interested. Activision is aware that the majority of their fanbase don't even care about the story campaign, which is why they didn't bother with Black Ops 4. It's a shame that Sledgehammer's ideas for Modern Warfare 3's campaign were only half-baked and a blatant copy of Warzone. I can still see the potential of their ideas, so I hope they are given the chance to fully develop them for a future Call of Duty title.
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