Modern Warfare 4: Infinity Ward's Return to Form?

Infinity Ward has returned to the helm with Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, delivering a package that resonates with the franchise's roots. The single-player campaign, often a secondary focus, has garnered praise for hooking players from the start. It features two interwoven storylines, one following Captain Price and another involving a Korean invasion, culminating in a narrative that successfully ties up loose ends.

While the DMZ mode, an extraction shooter, is considered the weakest of the three main components, it still offers a fun experience. The core gameplay loop of finding loot and extracting is satisfying, though player interactions tend to be hostile. The multiplayer suite is the franchise's main event, featuring enjoyable gunplay, progression systems, and new modes like Collateral. Despite minor launch issues like spawn points and matchmaking, the overall multiplayer experience is strong.

The game is priced at $69 for the standard edition and $99 for the Vault Edition. Infinity Ward, known for its foundational work on the series, has delivered a title that reviewer expects to play well into 2027. Modern Warfare 4 is seen as a high point for the franchise, successfully pleasing both lapsed and hardcore fans.