Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare®

Call of Duty Modern Warfare delivers a unique military experience. The campaign follows an alliance between the CIA, the SAS, and the rebels of Urzikstan as they attempt to stop attacks carried out by Al-Qatala in Europe and russians in Urzikstan. This campaign is not afraid to show the horrors of war and everything that happens around you: hostages being used as human shields, prisoners strapped with explosive vests, civilians of all ages executed in the public, and every other type of war crime imaginable. We are introduced to three characters whom the player controls throughout the campaign, alongside several familiar faces from the original MW series, such as Captain Price, Nikolai, Sergeant Griggs, and others. CIA Agent Alex is deployed to take part in the gradual liberation of Urzikstan from Russian control. The operation he is sent on forces him into an internal conflict between his loyalty to his superiors and his moral right to choose who he considers an ally or an enemy. Kyle Garrick's perspective presents a moral conflict between what is right and what is necessary to accomplish the mission. His conversations with Captain Price perfectly illustrate his desire to take his "gloves off" when it comes to getting the job done. But just how dirty is he willing to get his hands in order to complete the mission? Farah's perspective shows the horrors inflicted upon the people of Urzikstan since the beginning of their civil war. Her hope, determination, and willingness to take risks as the leader of the resistance make Farah a strong representation of a modern, powerful female character. The gameplay of this Call of Duty, thanks to its engine, truly shines when it comes to its tactical elements. Throughout the campaign, you will find yourself in situations where the way you execute a mission can have immediate consequences, such as reactions from your allies or civilians, while also determining just how far you are willing to take the idea of having your "gloves off." The gunplay mechanics have also been improved with the addition of sliding and the ability to mount your weapon on walls and other obstacles, while the slower sprinting speed and reduced jump height help balance the overall flow of combat. However, what truly makes this campaign shine and remain memorable for players is the variety of locations and atmospheres offered by its missions. Whether you're fighting on a battlefield alongside the American Demon Dogs, raiding a terrorist safehouse at night as SAS while equipped with NVGs, or holding off Al-Qatala at the American Embassy in Urzikstan with limited firepower, you never know what change of circumstances the next mission will bring. A small detail that further enhances the game's immersion is the "Realism" difficulty, which can be selected at the beginning of missions. With no HUD or aiming reticle, the player is challenged to keep track of the ammunition in their magazine so they don't find themselves empty in the middle of a firefight, conserve their grenades because they never know when they might run out, and carefully distinguish between civilians, enemies, and allies. All of this comes together while allowing you to quickly appreciate the atmosphere and visual design of each map. The game's multiplayer and co-op modes also introduce both improvements and drawbacks compared to previous titles. When it comes to the maps, most of them are fairly decent, while others leave something to be desired due to their level design and how it interacts with the game's overall flow. The loadout system offers a wide range of attachments for every weapon, and the fact that attachments have a significant impact on weapon performance and can define a particular playstyle further reinforces the game's sense of "realism." This is especially noticeable in the weapon audio, with gunfire sounding remarkably close to real-life firearms. At the end of the day, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019) is a major refresh not only for the Modern Warfare series, but for the Call of Duty franchise as a whole.