Modern Warfare 4 Introduces Exciting Changes, Yet May Fall Short of Expectations

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 is gearing up to be the next big entry in the beloved FPS series, set to drop on October 23rd for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, and making its debut on the Nintendo Switch 2.

I recently attended a digital preview of the game, and while I was impressed by some of the innovations from developer Infinity Ward, I’m still on the fence about whether Modern Warfare 4 is truly the “new chapter” that’s been promised.

During the digital briefing, the atmosphere felt a bit mixed. The developers were clearly excited to showcase their hard work, but there was an underlying awareness of the lukewarm reception to last year’s Black Ops 7. It’s evident that while game development takes years, Infinity Ward is eager to highlight how Modern Warfare 4 diverges from the sci-fi elements and odd boss battles of its predecessor.

This installment takes players to South Korea, featuring a campaign with three interconnected storylines across about a dozen missions. Players will primarily step into the shoes of Private Park, a “young Korean grunt soldier” who teams up with a mix of Korean and American troops. The narrative kicks off with North Korea launching an invasion, prompting Park and his squad to fight back and reclaim their city with the help of allied forces.

Captain Price also returns, leading some missions as he navigates the fallout from Modern Warfare 3. He’s a wanted man, evading former allies while trying to save the world, and his storyline will intertwine with Park’s as the game unfolds.

Additionally, players will experience missions from the perspective of a North Korean soldier, providing a glimpse into their side of the conflict. While details were sparse, it seems a female North Korean general will play a significant role in this narrative.

From the gameplay and footage presented, it’s clear that Infinity Ward aims to recapture the essence of earlier Call of Duty campaigns, focusing on ground-level combat rather than the super-soldier antics seen in recent titles. Expect intense firefights as you and your squad battle for every inch of territory.

However, I’m not entirely convinced that the studio can balance a gritty, realistic war story with Price’s more action-oriented escapades. Crafting a narrative around North Korea’s invasion of South Korea presents its own challenges, and while it could succeed, it also risks becoming a controversial misstep.

Multiplayer is a cornerstone of the Call of Duty experience, so it’s no surprise that much of the digital event centered on this aspect of Modern Warfare 4. The game will launch with 12 new 6v6 maps set in various global locations. Additionally, it will feature dedicated Gunfight maps, expansive “Big War” maps designed for vehicle combat, and an intriguing new map called Kill Block.

Kill Block is unique in that it consists of three sections that can change between rounds and matches. Some areas are inspired by classic Call of Duty maps, while others are more generic. With over 500 possible configurations, players will need to adapt quickly as the environment shifts mid-match. It’s a fresh concept that feels reminiscent of a different, less serious gaming experience.

Expect to see familiar modes at launch, including deathmatch, Hardpoint, Kill Confirmed, Search and Destroy, and Gun Game, with more to come in future updates. Classic Prestige returns, allowing players to level up without losing their unlocked weapons and gear, though this choice comes with some trade-offs. Loadouts will also see improvements, such as the ability to assign specific kill streaks to different setups.

Infinity Ward shared a list of features to anticipate in Modern Warfare 4, including Theater Mode, campaign pause options for offline play, map voting, red dots on the minimap, and classic perks. While these additions sound solid, I still feel uncertain about what will truly set MW4’s multiplayer apart beyond its “realistic” approach.

What really piqued my interest were the details about how Infinity Ward is revamping gunplay and movement in Modern Warfare 4.

The studio is rethinking how bloom and hip-firing mechanics work. Traditionally, when firing without aiming, bullets would scatter randomly, simulating a spray-and-pray style. Infinity Ward demonstrated this by comparing it to other major FPS titles, including Battlefield 6 and Apex Legends, highlighting that this has been a common approach in the genre.

In MW4, the game tracks the gun’s muzzle at all times, rendering bullets directly from the barrel even when not aimed down sights. Enhanced animations introduce more sway and movement while running or turning, making it challenging to hit targets without aiming. I’m curious to see how this more precise firing system plays out in actual matches.

Movement mechanics are also getting a significant upgrade. Players will be able to climb, hang, and shimmy along edges and pipes. The developers showcased a character leaping onto a truck, hanging off the side while firing, and then smoothly maneuvering around corners. These new movement options, combined with sliding and mantling, promise a fluid and engaging traversal experience. However, I suspect these enhancements might complicate hitting targets as players exploit their newfound agility.

Infinity Ward seems to draw inspiration from the recent trend of bodycam shooters, adjusting the field of view and rendering the gun differently for a more “realistic” feel. The result resembles the aesthetics of various bodycam shooters available on Steam, enhanced by new animations for interactions with walls and corners. This could lead to some of the most authentic gunplay seen in a game, but whether it will significantly impact multiplayer remains to be seen.

Lastly, Infinity Ward introduced the game’s third mode: DMZ. This extraction shooter mode appears to offer a more grounded and challenging experience compared to other titles in the genre. However, due to embargo restrictions, I can’t share too much about it until it’s fully revealed later.

Overall, Modern Warfare 4 doesn’t quite feel like a groundbreaking new chapter for Call of Duty. Instead, it seems like Infinity Ward is refining elements that have worked in recent games to create a grittier, more realistic experience. It has the potential to succeed, but I’ll need to see more and get hands-on with the game in October to form a solid opinion. And just a heads up, MW4 won’t be available on Game Pass at launch.