Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 arrives at a crossroads for the series, thanks in large part to the inconsistent quality of recent entries. With a shaky predecessor, Infinity Ward had a lot to repair and conclude, especially with 4 set to bookend the rebooted Modern Warfare series. Fortunately, backed up by a fun campaign, thrilling multiplayer, and loads of new modes and content, Modern Warfare 4 makes up for the past and then some.
Modern Warfare 4 continues after the events of 2023’s Modern Warfare 3, with Captain Price hellbent on stopping Makarov and his higher-ups. The story features shifting perspectives, from a new group of ragtag Korean soldiers to familiar characters like Gaz. The character dynamics harken back to the original trilogy, especially in the boots-on-the-ground missions with the South Korean unit, led by Park (played by Beef actor Young Mazino).
For a series that, at least recently, has been more spectacle than story, giving the stakes the time they deserve is nice. While it moves away from the stealthy and modernized elements, it makes sense for the matters at hand. The majority of Modern Warfare 4’s attempts at wrapping up the overarching plot of the rebooted series works, but it rushes through some character arcs and story beats in uneven fashion. Furthermore, much of the game’s cast, especially Mads Mikkelson’s Archer and Prisca Kim’s Ri Ju-Young, are underutilized, which is a shame since they both deliver great performances.
Despite the shortcomings of the campaign, Call of Duty’s bread and butter, multiplayer, still delivers. While it doesn’t have the fluidity of Black Ops’ newer entries, the customization and design of weapons and maps make it worth digging into. From small, intimate shooting galleries with Mumbai and Nautical to wide free-for-alls like Coal and Reactor U92, the range helps maintain excitement, even if it gets repetitive over time.
The variety of multiplayer modes keeps things fresh on the battlefield. Returning modes like standard Team Deathmatch and Kill Confirmed continue that enjoyable competitive flair that made them the stars that they are. However, new modes like Combat Outpost and Hijack fit right into the already great lineup. In particular, Combat Outpost upscales your typical 6v6 player count to 24v24, leading to more action and teamwork. Hanging onto a team’s tank, shooting enemies from afar, and taking back outposts is exhilarating, even if it can all go bad moments later by a well-placed RPG shot.
Even after hours of gameplay, the variety of options to craft your perfect gun is impressive. Figuring out the best scope, ammo, stock, and muzzle, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of them, is a fun way of customizing your playstyle. Gunny, a mechanic that helps optimize your gun for certain styles, can help with decision paralysis, but I rarely used it. Not many FPSs go that far and Modern Warfare 4’s commitment to the feature makes it stand out.
The newest mode, DMZ, impresses out of the gate. After a few flat attempts in the past, this is the definitive Call of Duty extraction shooter, whether you play solo, or in duos or trios. Immediately, you’re thrust into the wide open world of Hajin and left to fend for yourselves with what you have and what you can gather and extract. Fans of Arc Raiders and Marathon should feel right at home as the gameplay borrows from the typical extraction shooter experience. Intense, action-packed moments keep you coming back after every win or loss. And the excellent gunplay and level design elevate it into something worthwhile, no matter how you play.
Despite not encountering many live players during my time in Hajin in DMZ, it still proves challenging, even for seasoned pros. The world is not your friend, and taking risks can come at a high cost. A good team, as well as a thoughtful loadout and traits, are required to survive. The unpredictability of it all keeps you on your toes, making for an exciting addition to the already strong multiplayer suite.
Regardless of the mode, Modern Warfare 4 is one of the best-looking Call of Duty titles to date. New York and Paris are lifelike, and it truly embodies the realistic, modern aesthetic the series has always aimed to achieve. However, I encountered a few technical hiccups, especially in the campaign. Slow framerate plagues some high-octane scenes and texture loading is frequent across the board. These distractions are far from game-breaking, but enough to be noticeable.
While the plot execution is a bit shaky, engaging multiplayer options, including DMZ, aptly demonstrate that Infinity Ward can still deliver compelling military-FPS experiences. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 is a strong return to form that serves as a solid sendoff for the rebooted subseries.