Activision is preparing to roll out the new Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 on November 10, more than ten years after the original title with the same name hit the shelves.
The repeat naming convention has led to a mix-up that’s as unprecedented as it is comical, with the 2011 game bearing the brunt of a modern-day critique.
The conundrum began with Activision’s decision to reboot the Modern Warfare series, reusing names from the past. Misdirected frustration has led to a slew of negative reviews on Metacritic, all intended for the yet-to-be-released 2023 version, mistakenly targeting the classic 2011 release.
Review bombing, though a notorious part of gamer culture, has rarely taken such a misaimed turn, unintentionally casting shadows on a beloved ten-year-old game. The new Modern Warfare 3 is already under fire for what’s been reported as a disappointing campaign, with criticisms surfacing even in advance of the game’s release.
Familiar faces like Makarov return in the reboot, yet their presence hasn’t been enough to shield the game from early negative feedback. Ralph’s analysis indicates that the campaign could be facing one of the lowest ratings in the franchise’s storied history.
Compounding the issue is the discontent with the game’s multiplayer offering. By rehashing maps from the earlier Modern Warfare 2, and not the 2022 version, Activision has raised eyebrows over the justification of the reboot’s $70 price tag.
Irony colors the situation as the decade-old version of “Modern Warfare 3” receives a barrage of misplaced negative reviews. This mix-up, while unintentional, has not escaped a light-hearted acknowledgment from observers for its sheer absurdity.
Looking ahead to next week’s launch, the rebooted “Modern Warfare 3” is set to offer players three comprehensive game modes, marking the debut of zombies in the Modern Warfare line-up. Yet, if current reactions are anything to go by, these novel elements might not be enough to salvage the game’s reputation among its toughest critics – the players themselves.