Introduction
Released in October 2019, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (often referred to simply as "Modern Warfare") for Xbox One marked a bold new direction for the long-running and beloved Call of Duty franchise. This game is a reboot of the 2007 classic Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, which revolutionized first-person shooters (FPS) with its compelling single-player narrative and multiplayer innovations. Infinity Ward, the developer behind the original, once again took the reins, promising a more realistic, gritty, and immersive experience that would resonate with both longtime fans and newcomers. But did it live up to the hype?
In this review, we will dive deep into the key elements of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare for the Xbox One, from its campaign to its multiplayer offerings, visual fidelity, and technical performance.
Campaign: A Dark and Gritty Reinterpretation
One of the most notable changes in Modern Warfare is its approach to the single-player campaign. Gone are the grandiose and over-the-top action set pieces of previous titles. Instead, this reboot offers a grounded, intense narrative that reflects the darker, more morally ambiguous aspects of modern warfare.
Story and Themes:
Set in a fictional conflict in the Middle East and Eastern Europe, the story revolves around an international struggle between Western forces and a militant group called Al-Qatala. Players take control of several characters, including CIA operative Alex, British SAS soldier Captain Price, and a local freedom fighter named Farah Karim. The game tackles real-world themes like terrorism, political manipulation, and the cost of war, all while focusing on the human impact of conflict.
The plot is tense, fast-paced, and often uncomfortable, with moments designed to push players to question their own role in the events unfolding. The game doesn’t shy away from portraying the morally gray areas of modern warfare, where the lines between good and evil are often blurred. Missions are designed to be more tactical and thoughtful, with an emphasis on stealth and realism over traditional "run-and-gun" gameplay.
Gameplay:
The gameplay in Modern Warfare’s campaign leans heavily into tactical realism. The player is often encouraged to think before acting, especially in situations where civilian lives are at stake. For example, there are sequences where players must identify targets amidst a crowd and avoid collateral damage, creating a sense of real-world pressure.
Stealth mechanics are more prominent than in previous entries, with some levels offering the option to silently infiltrate areas without alerting enemies. There are also several sections where players must navigate environments carefully to avoid detection. The use of modern military tools—such as night-vision goggles and drones—adds to the immersive and tactical atmosphere of the campaign.
Graphics and Sound:
Visually, the game impresses on the Xbox One, leveraging the console’s capabilities to deliver highly detailed environments, character models, and animations. The lighting effects, especially during night operations and in dark environments, are exceptional. The realistic lighting and weather effects create a sense of atmosphere that enhances the gritty tone of the game.
The sound design is equally impressive. The game features high-quality voice acting and sound effects, and the score is appropriately tense and cinematic, heightening the emotional impact of key moments. The use of realistic weapon sounds, explosions, and environmental audio further immerses players in the setting.
Length and Replayability:
The campaign is relatively short by modern standards, lasting around 6-8 hours, depending on difficulty and exploration. While some may view this as a negative, it serves the narrative well, ensuring that it doesn't overstay its welcome. Additionally, the game offers several difficulty levels, including a Hardcore mode that increases the challenge by limiting the HUD and reducing player health.
Multiplayer: Polished and Refined but Familiar
The multiplayer component of Modern Warfare is where the game truly shines. It retains the core elements of the Call of Duty formula—fast-paced combat, weapon customization, and rewarding progression—while introducing several key innovations that set it apart from past entries.
Modes and Maps:
The game’s multiplayer suite includes a variety of modes, including classics like Team Deathmatch, Domination, and Search and Destroy, as well as new additions such as Ground War (a massive 32v32 mode with vehicles) and Gunfight, a small-scale, high-stakes 2v2 mode. The inclusion of Warzone (the battle royale mode) is another major selling point, though it was released as a free-to-play standalone game shortly after the main title’s release.
Ground War is a particular highlight, offering large-scale battles with a more tactical feel than the traditional Call of Duty modes. Players can engage in vehicle combat, capture objectives, and participate in expansive firefights, making it a fresh and exciting addition to the franchise.
The map design is varied, with some excellent urban environments, dense forests, and wide-open battlefields. The level design feels tight and strategic, with plenty of opportunities for players to use cover, flank enemies, and make use of the environment.
Customization and Progression:
The gunsmith system is one of the most compelling aspects of Modern Warfare’s multiplayer. It offers a deep and highly customizable weapon modification system, where players can attach various optics, barrels, stocks, and grips to tailor their weapons to their playstyle. This allows for a much greater degree of personalization and strategy, as players can modify their loadouts for specific ranges or combat situations.
The progression system is also rewarding, with players unlocking new weapons, attachments, perks, and killstreaks as they level up. The ranking system is fluid, with a prestige system that encourages long-term engagement and provides a sense of accomplishment for dedicated players.
Matchmaking and Performance:
The matchmaking system is generally robust, with fast match times and a solid balance between casual and competitive players. The servers have been stable for most of the game’s life cycle, although the occasional lag or server issue can arise during peak times.
In terms of performance, the Xbox One version of Modern Warfare runs smoothly most of the time, with a stable 60 FPS frame rate. However, during intense firefights or large-scale modes like Ground War, the game can experience occasional dips in performance. Nonetheless, the overall stability of the game is commendable on the Xbox One hardware.
Technical Aspects and Visuals
Graphics:
The visuals in Modern Warfare are nothing short of stunning, especially for a game running on the Xbox One. The game boasts highly detailed character models, realistic textures, and impressive lighting effects. The environments are richly designed, with great attention to detail, from the ruined streets of a Middle Eastern city to the snow-capped mountains in the background of certain missions.
Performance on Xbox One:
While the Xbox One version does not reach the visual fidelity of the Xbox One X or Series X versions, it still holds up impressively well. The frame rate typically remains stable, with only slight dips during chaotic multiplayer moments. Load times are also relatively quick, and the overall experience is smooth and enjoyable for most of the game's content.
Verdict
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (Xbox One) is a resounding success. It takes the best elements of the Call of Duty franchise—fast-paced combat, rewarding progression, and deep multiplayer—and refines them with modern technological advancements and a more realistic, mature approach to storytelling. The campaign is a thought-provoking, gritty take on contemporary warfare, while the multiplayer modes offer a wide variety of playstyles and plenty of customization options.
Although the game is not without its occasional technical hiccups, its gameplay is highly polished, and the stunning visuals and immersive sound design make it one of the best-looking and best-playing shooters on the Xbox One. Whether you're in it for the single-player experience, the multiplayer chaos, or the battle royale mode in Warzone, Modern Warfare delivers an exceptional package that will appeal to a wide range of players.
For those looking for a well-rounded, action-packed shooter that also dares to tackle more serious, contemporary themes, Modern Warfare is a must-play.
