With Call of Duty: MW3 now on Xbox Game Pass, we wanted to share our earlier coverage to help you know what to expect. This includes our “hands-on” review of the MW3 campaign from last November, which focuses on the single-player mode. We also have a full review at Pure Xbox, but keep in mind that the multiplayer has changed since then, so our initial review might be a bit outdated.
In our original preview from November 2023, we highlighted the game’s early access campaign. The single-player component, which is a direct sequel to last year’s Modern Warfare 2, offers a mix of “open fire” missions and more traditional, scripted levels. However, this combination makes MW3 feel somewhat less ‘premium’ than its predecessor. The campaign’s shorter length compared to previous titles is also noticeable.
Despite these issues, the quality of the campaign remains high. It continues the story of the familiar team—Soap, Ghost, Price, and Company—with Makarov returning as the main antagonist. His presence is a highlight, giving the storyline a strong focus. The “open fire” missions, although less scripted, add a refreshing change of pace and include Warzone-like features such as weapon crates and loadouts, which we found enjoyable.
The more cinematic levels of MW3, while functional, do show the series’ age. These levels include the typical stealth missions, repetitive gunship levels, and breach-and-clear sequences. While these elements are essential for a properly scripted story, they might feel repetitive to long-time players. However, the core mechanics and gunplay remain top-notch, maintaining the high standards set by Infinity Ward’s new MW engine.
We played MW3 on the Xbox Series X with 120FPS enabled, and the game looks great, despite some technical issues like crashes. MW3’s campaign delivers a solid Call of Duty experience but doesn’t introduce much new for veterans of the series.
Given its shorter length and less scripted feel, we suggest waiting for a price drop if you’re primarily interested in the campaign. Nevertheless, as part of the overall MW3 package, it provides an enjoyable, albeit brief, single-player experience.
