The curtain lifted on the gameplay reveal of Modern Warfare 3, showcasing a sequence of action set pieces, yet leaving a taste of subtle excitement lingering in the air.
As the scenes unfolded, the preview offered glimpses of familiar elements that have become synonymous with the Call of Duty franchise, yet beneath the surface, hints of potentially thrilling features emerged.
The gameplay footage painted a picture of Modern Warfare 3’s campaign, revealing scenes that echoed the beats of past Call of Duty titles. A stealthy infiltration amidst a dark storm, a squad executing quiet takedowns, and explosive breaches all played out on screen. While these moments appeared all too familiar, there was a subtle undercurrent of intrigue hinting at more beneath the surface.
A Familiar Tune: Déjà Vu?
Comparisons to the previous year’s Modern Warfare 2 campaign reveal were inescapable. Remarkably, many checkboxes were ticked off in a similar fashion, right down to the final smash cut. These déjà vu moments led to a sense of skepticism—was Modern Warfare 3’s campaign going down a similar path, adhering to a formula that might stifle its potential?
Despite initial skepticism, Modern Warfare 2’s campaign surprised many with its engaging gameplay and innovative missions. Notable segments, such as the point-and-click stealth mission controlling security cameras or the survival phase featuring an intricate crafting system, breathed life into the experience. Yet, these intriguing elements were notably absent from the teasers leading up to Modern Warfare 3’s reveal.
While Infinity Ward isn’t at the helm this time, Sledgehammer Games is steering the ship, and they’ve teased something intriguing—Open Combat Missions. These side missions, cleverly interwoven with the main campaign, offer a distinct departure from the standard narrative path.
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Open Combat Missions occur in expansive settings, encouraging varied approaches with a range of loadouts, vehicles, and even killstreaks. The creative director, David Swenson, highlighted the versatility: “You can go in quiet, equip suppressed weapons, and complete all the objectives without the enemy ever knowing you’re there… or you can go in loud.”
Curious Choices in Presentation
Oddly, the gameplay presentation seemed to bypass these promising Open Combat Missions, leaving the viewer to ponder why the spotlight wasn’t cast upon them. These missions resonate with the captivating co-op mode from Modern Warfare 2, sparking curiosity about whether they’ll extend to multiplayer gameplay.
The Modern Warfare 3 campaign, while starting on a familiar note, is poised to reveal more depths as Sledgehammer Games sets its course.
In #MW3, we're introducing a new innovation to the Call of Duty Campaign that allows players to interact with the story like never before.
Open Combat Missions are player-directed, allowing the audience to play the game the way they want to play it. pic.twitter.com/ngpgvc3fsw
— Sledgehammer Games (@SHGames) August 22, 2023
While fans might reserve their thorough assessments for the multiplayer reveal, scheduled for the Call of Duty Next live stream on October 5, there’s a palpable sense of excitement in the air.
The upcoming multiplayer beta on October 6, with PlayStation players enjoying a headstart, heightens the anticipation for what Modern Warfare 3’s full experience holds.
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