Modern Warfare 4 represents a significant course correction for the Call of Duty franchise, offering a return to form that blends familiar elements with innovative new approaches. The game successfully navigates the series' complex legacy, which includes its deep integration with the military-industrial complex and narratives that have sometimes veered into absurdity.
A More Humanized Campaign
The campaign in Modern Warfare 4 distinguishes itself with a more humanitarian slant, a departure from some of the series' more jingoistic or outlandish storylines. While still set against a backdrop of global conflict, the narrative occasionally places players in the shoes of opposing forces, prompting reflection on the moral ambiguities of war. One notable mission sees players as a North Korean militiaman who refuses orders and is summarily executed, a stark depiction of the regime's ruthlessness that leaves the mission to unfold without player intervention. This approach, while perhaps rudimentary in its messaging, aims to make a point about the horrors of war.
The campaign weaves together the perspectives of veteran operative John Price and a group of South Korean soldiers and US Marines caught in a brutal North Korean invasion. This dual narrative allows for diverse gameplay scenarios, including a John Wick-inspired shootout culminating in a parkour sequence across Manhattan rooftops, a cinematic trainyard encounter reminiscent of arcade lightgun games, an open-world segment blending stealth and sniping, a Parisian car chase, and a climactic beachhead assault.
A standout mission, "Stranded," places the South Korean team deep in enemy territory and introduces a crafting system. This mechanic is integrated thoughtfully, forcing players to prioritize resources like thermal scopes over ammunition or explosives, thereby highlighting the importance of each tool in their arsenal and the interconnectedness of the game's systems. The Paris chase sequence, "Traffic," showcases the sophisticated enemy AI and the capabilities of the game's engine, featuring extensive destruction, complex cover mechanics, and numerous visual effects.
While the campaign offers engaging set pieces and moments of reflection, its pacing and conclusion are somewhat uneven. Price's storyline concludes with a degree of ambiguity, with his actions against a villainous figure left understated as the focus shifts to the South Korean recruits. This narrative choice suggests an intention to emphasize the overlooked bravery of frontline soldiers and the messy reality of war, where not everyone emerges a clear victor.
Despite these narrative complexities, the eight-hour campaign is a tightly designed experience, featuring moments that rival the series' best. It introduces fresh ideas without overstaying its welcome, and its hardest difficulty presents a challenging puzzle box of encounter design that balances spectacle with intricate detail.
Refined Multiplayer and Innovative Modes
Following the campaign, the multiplayer mode has been refined into what is described as near-perfect form, characterized by fast-paced action. Infinity Ward's map design remains a strong point, and the gunplay continues the high standard set by previous Modern Warfare titles. The sound design is particularly noteworthy, with distinct audio cues for weapon actions and environmental effects that enhance immersion and require the use of good audio equipment for full appreciation.
Minor issues persist, including some vexing respawn mechanics, particularly on small, chaotic maps like Shipment. Weapon balancing is still being addressed, with a recent change to time-to-kill (TTK) extending engagement times beyond the usual fare. This adjustment, however, is seen as an experiment by Infinity Ward to explore the depth of Modern Warfare's gameplay beyond its weapon selection, suggesting a nuanced approach to balancing.
The weapon customization system is effective, with attachments capable of significantly altering weapon performance. Some weapons, such as the ISO Nightshade SMG and the Type 73 LMG, are currently quite powerful, while others like the Oris 8.6 with a thermal scope are favored for long-range engagements. The game's weapon economy and balance are actively being tweaked, even in the launch week, indicating Infinity Ward's commitment to ongoing refinement.
Kill Block, an experimental rotating map and mode, offers a unique experience by dynamically generating over 500 unique map combinations. This feature challenges players to adapt their strategies, moving away from ingrained map knowledge and encouraging engagement with the game's systems rather than relying on established tactics. The potential for incorporating fan-favorite maps in the future suggests Kill Block could become a staple.
DMZ: A Bold New Direction
The introduction of DMZ, an extraction shooter mode, was initially met with skepticism but has proven to be an ambitious and successful addition. The mode leverages the Hajin city map, repurposed from the campaign, offering an expansive and nuanced environment. Tasks within the city are designed to be quick and manageable, with persistent cash rewards and a 'down-but-not-out' revive mechanic contributing to a more accessible extraction shooter experience compared to other titles in the genre.
DMZ emulates Activision's approach with Warzone by adapting a complex formula to the Call of Duty ecosystem. It successfully balances player-versus-environment (PvE) and player-versus-player (PvP) elements, carving out a distinct niche between PvE-focused games like Arc Raiders and PvP-heavy titles like Marathon and Tarkov. Early signs of ongoing development and adjustments based on player engagement suggest a promising future for DMZ.
Modern Warfare 4 marks a high point for the Call of Duty series in recent years. Despite the challenges of balancing established conventions with innovation, Infinity Ward has delivered a game that revitalizes the franchise, offering a compelling campaign, a polished multiplayer, and a forward-thinking extraction mode.