Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 Review
It never fails: if there is one franchise people love to hate, it’s Call of Duty. Despite being one of the most successful and profitable video game franchises of all time, it rarely gets the recognition when Game of the Year awards roll around. For all the resources, talent, and technical expertise behind these games, Call of Duty is almost never in the conversation for Game of the Year, let alone best-looking game of the year. Modern Warfare 4 probably won’t change that, but make no mistake. This is a thrilling experience with something for just about everyone.
So what’s in the box? There’s a gorgeous full-length campaign that takes around eight hours to complete, a robust multiplayer mode that feels as good as ever, and a massive DMZ mode that makes it a little too easy to say, “Just one more game.” On the surface, Modern Warfare 4 feels like a return to what made the franchise such a juggernaut in the first place. There are no wild experiments, giant risks, or crazy boss fights. Instead, it leans into the series’ roots, delivering a more grounded, serious Call of Duty experience that feels like a welcome palate cleanser after that lingering disappointment of Black Ops 7.
Everyone Hates Call of Duty (Until They Play It)
Modern Warfare 4’s three distinct experiences offer an impressive amount of content. Whether you prefer a cinematic solo adventure, competitive online matches, or high-stakes extraction gameplay, shooter fans will absolutely find something they’ll love. All three modes are packed with content and give you plenty of reasons to keep playing. For your money, it’s a fantastic package.
I shared my impressions of the single-player campaign last week, which you can check out HERE. Rather than rehash everything I covered there, I’ll give you a quick summary of my experience before diving into what the other modes have to offer.
The campaign is a welcome return to Call of Duty’s roots. It delivers a darker, more grounded campaign after some of that silliness from Black Ops 7. Its roughly six-to-nine-hour (depending on how long you spend in the open world ‘Stranded’ mission) story blends large-scale warfare, stealth, open-ended missions, vehicle sequences, and cinematic set pieces across locations around the world. A compelling dual narrative featuring Captain John Price, surprising twists, strong performances, and a satisfying conclusion keeps things moving. While jaw-dropping visuals and exceptional sound design make this one of the most technically impressive campaigns in the franchise.
Less Hollywood Nonsense, More Hollywood Blockbuster
It’s not without flaws. Dialogue choices feel inconsequential, Mads Mikkelsen deserves more screen time (as does Shawn Hatosy), and repetitive quick-time events undermine the hand-to-hand combat. The absence of a co-op campaign may also disappoint some players. Still, varied missions, satisfying gunplay, excellent pacing, outstanding visuals, intense story, gruesome deaths and immersive presentation make Modern Warfare 4 a compelling single-player experience. It doesn’t reinvent the franchise, but it proves that returning to what Call of Duty does best can still deliver an outstanding campaign.
Next up is DMZ, Modern Warfare 4’s extraction mode. I shared my detailed impressions HERE, so I won’t rehash everything in this section. I encourage you to check out the full write-up for a deeper look. For now, here’s a quick summary of my thoughts on DMZ.
DMZ is arguably one of the most compelling additions to Modern Warfare 4. It offers a massive exclusion zone packed with exploration, missions, dynamic events, enemy factions, and valuable loot. Its satisfying combat and high-stakes extractions create an addictive gameplay loop that constantly gives you another reason to jump back in. Between deployments, players can upgrade their Forward Operating Base, craft equipment, manage resources, and develop Operators through a trait system. There’s an impressive amount of depth here, and the interconnected progression systems make every successful run feel meaningful.
Just One More Run
However, DMZ has some rough edges. Traversal across the enormous map can feel tedious without a wingsuit, while the sheer number of systems can overwhelm newcomers. Progression sometimes feels too slow, losing gear on death can be excessively punishing, and relentless enemy encounters can make solo play especially frustrating. Technical issues also need attention. Still, the foundation is excellent, and DMZ has that rare quality that keeps you coming back for one more run. With some refinements to traversal, onboarding, and balancing, it could become one of the most compelling modes in Modern Warfare 4.
If there’s one thing Infinity Ward knows how to do, it’s deliver a satisfying Call of Duty multiplayer experience. Even with 3-4 years of development time, the studio clearly did not try to reinvent the wheel. Instead, it focused on refining what makes the series so addictive in the first place: tight gunplay, great maps, layers of progression, and consistently entertaining matches. After spending time with the multiplayer, I can confidently say that Infinity Ward has nailed the fundamentals.
The first thing that stood out to me was just how good the game feels. The combat is buttery smooth, the gunplay is as tight as ever, and every firefight feels responsive and satisfying. However, there is one notable adjustment for folks coming from Black Ops 7: Modern Warfare 4 has a slower pace. The movement and overall flow of combat feel more deliberate. This might take some getting used to if you prefer the faster, more aggressive action of Black Ops 7. This more grounded approach still feels unmistakably like Call of Duty, but there’s a greater emphasis on positioning, weapon handling, and making smart decisions during engagements. It strikes a nice balance between tactical gameplay and the fast-paced action that makes CoD so enjoyable.
The maps are another highlight. They’re diverse, entertaining, and offer plenty of opportunities for memorable firefights. Transit and Rooftops are probably my favorite maps. But really, all the maps keep the matches engaging. There’s a good sense of flow to the action, and I rarely felt like I was fighting against the maps rather than the opposing team.
The Map Has Decided to Move the Goalposts
One standout is Kill Block, featuring dynamically changing layouts. Its shifting battlefield gives matches an unpredictable quality, forcing folks to adapt as the environment changes around them. It’s a slick concept that adds variety without feeling like a gimmick. I can especially see Search and Destroy fans having a blast here, as the changing layout adds another layer of tension to an already strategic mode.
The equipment also feels great. Lethal grenades and explosives pack a serious punch, while tactical equipment has a greater impact than it has in previous CoDs. These tools complement the gunplay rather than overshadowing it, which is precisely how they should work.
Weapon customization gets some welcome additions, too. Apex Attachments introduce special modifications that can significantly change how a weapon functions. This just opens up new possibilities for different playstyles. These aren’t just minor stat adjustments; they can fundamentally alter how you approach combat with a particular gun.
Meet Gunny, Your Personal Gun Nerd
I’m also a big fan of Gunny, the new Gunsmith assistant. Building the perfect loadout can be a time-consuming process, especially for players who don’t want to spend ages tweaking individual attachments. My time is limited, so Gunny helps simplify that process by generating weapon builds based on your preferred playstyle, whether that’s long-range engagements, close-quarters combat, or something in between. It’s a welcome quality-of-life addition.
Progression is another area where Modern Warfare 4 gets things right. There’s a rich progression system that continually gives you something to work toward, whether that’s unlocking new weapons, experimenting with attachments, or developing loadouts that suit your playstyle. That steady stream of rewards makes it easy to jump into another match, and then another, as you work toward your next unlock. It’s the familiar Call of Duty gameplay loop, and it remains as addictive as ever.
The slower pace might not appeal to everyone, particularly those who prefer the breakneck action of Black Ops 7, and it takes a little time to adjust to the different rhythm. But once everything clicks, there’s a tremendous amount of fun to be had here. Modern Warfare 4’s multiplayer feels polished, responsive, and consistently entertaining.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 is a reminder that sometimes the best way forward is to look back. Rather than chasing trends, gimmicks or trying to reinvent the franchise, Infinity Ward has focused on what Call of Duty does best. That is delivering a memorable cinematic single-player campaign, polished multiplayer, and an ambitious extraction mode with the potential to keep players hooked for months. Each mode has its own strengths, and together they make for a remarkably complete package.
Of course, it isn’t perfect. The campaign has a few shortcomings, while DMZ needs some refinement. The slower pace of multiplayer might also take some getting used to for those coming from Black Ops 7. But these are relatively minor blemishes on an otherwise outstanding experience. Modern Warfare 4 leans into its strengths without feeling the need to do something outrageous. It’s a graphical powerhouse, content-packed, and enjoyable return to form. Call of Duty might not always get the critical recognition it deserves, but with Modern Warfare 4, Infinity Ward has delivered an experience that’s easy to recommend.
***Modern Warfare 4 was played on PC at a Call of Duty Review event in California***
The Good
A Return to Call of Duty’s Roots
Excellent Combat and Mission Variety
Stunning Graphics and Sound Design
Addictive DMZ Experience
Deep Progression and Replayability
88
The Bad
Repetitive Quick-Time Events
Inconsequential Dialogue Choices
No co-op campaign
Tedious DMZ Traversal
Overwhelming and Punishing DMZ Progression