Average score for the latest entry in the Call of Duty franchise, Modern Warfare III, on the Open Critical portal lands at 53 out of 100. The overall reception is tepid, and the majority of critics do not recommend a purchase. The central critique centers on the campaign narrative, which remains one of three main modes alongside multiplayer and a zombie mode. Reviewers describe the story as brief, poorly paced, predictable, and lacking the kind of memorable moments that elevate a campaign beyond a straightforward action showcase.
Even established gaming outlets weigh in with similarly reserved judgments. A well-known review site assigned a score of 4 out of 10 to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III, underscoring a sense that the game misses the spark that defined earlier entries in the series. The verdict echoes across the critic community, emphasizing that the campaign does not live up to the expectations set by both the franchise’s legacy and contemporary competitive titles.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III represents the third installment in the Modern Warfare subseries that saw a re-release in 2019. The two predecessors enjoyed stronger critical reception at the times of their respective launches, helped by stronger writing, more ambitious level design, and higher-impact moments. In contrast, reviewers note that the current release feels like a step back, with less innovation and fewer standout sequences that would make a lasting impression on players who crave a memorable narrative alongside the familiar gunplay and multiplayer competition.
Public perception among players and media alike suggests the new title functions more as a continuation than as a full departure from what fans already know. Some observers interpret the release as arriving with the footprint of an expansion rather than a standalone experience, a perception reinforced by the game’s price point. At a proposed seventy dollars, the entry faces scrutiny for delivering content that does not appear to justify the premium cost when measured against other contemporary shooters that offer richer storytelling and more diverse gameplay options at similar or lower price points.
Meticulous attention is still given to the core gameplay pillars that define Call of Duty. The violence, pacing, and gunplay mechanics attract praise for their polish and reliability, which maintain the series’ reputation for responsive controls and intense firefights. Yet this strength does not translate into a compelling single-player arc, according to critics who point to a narrative that feels underdeveloped, with a lack of surprising turns or inventive scenarios that could elevate the experience beyond a standard action campaign. The result is a mixed verdict among veterans and newcomers who might hope for a campaign that mirrors the emotional weight and narrative ambition of the most acclaimed entries from the franchise.
Multiplayer and zombie modes remain integral components, but their reception is not enough to rescue the package from a cooler critical climate. In the eyes of many reviewers, multiplayer continues to deliver the fast, competitive pulse that fans expect, yet it alone cannot compensate for shortcomings in the campaign. The zombie mode, while offering a familiar cooperative experience, fails to redefine the genre or present enough novelty to shift perceptions about value or impact. Taken together, critics describe a product that satisfies basic performance standards while failing to surpass the bar set by the best entries in the series or by other major releases in the same window.
Looking ahead to the release schedule, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III is slated to launch on November 10 for PC, PlayStation 4.5, Xbox One, and Series X/S. The staggered availability across platforms will shape early impressions, as technical performance and cross-generation play often influence initial reception. Observers in North America, including Canada and the United States, will watch closely to see whether any platform-specific optimizations or graphical improvements help the game stand out in a crowded fall lineup. Industry commentators remind audiences that the price point and perceived value will likely color opinions as the week of launch unfolds, particularly among players weighing the cost against ongoing content updates and potential post-release additions.
Suggestions from insiders and analysts have intersected with broader market chatter, including notes that the wider landscape for major series announcements tends to compact into shorter windows around major event periods. Although rumors circulated that a larger blockbuster would be announced before the launch date, such speculation did not translate into concrete details within this report. The focus remains on how Modern Warfare III performs in practice rather than on speculative announcements, and players are encouraged to evaluate the campaign, multiplayer balance, and post-launch support when forming their own opinions about the game.