If you hadn’t already guessed it, Modern Warfare III is the direct sequel to last year’s Modern Warfare II. You’ll slip into the boots of elite Task Force 141 operators under the command of the grizzled Captain Price. The objective? To locate and capture ultranationalist war criminal, Vladimir Makarov, as he spreads carnage and terror across the globe.
To get you prepped for your mission, we’ve put together a small guide containing everything you need to know. From the release date, price and pre-order info to the combat gameplay, factions and more.
How much will Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III cost?
That all comes down to which version you decide to add to your arsenal. The standard edition will cost £69.99, while the Vault Edition is a bit more expensive, but includes some extra bang for your buck. If you go for it, you’ll get 2 Weapon Vaults, the Nemesis Operator Pack, and more multiplayer goodies straight out of the box.
Can I pre-order Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III?
Absolutely. You can hit the battlefield on the day of release when you pre-order with us. Or, if you want to add to your digital library of games instead, you can bag your copy on the PlayStation and Microsoft stores, or Steam (if you’re playing on PC).
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III platforms and crossplay
Modern Warfare III will release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/Series S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC. And through Crossplay, you’ll be able to squad up with your mates, no matter what platform you’re using. So, if you’re on Xbox, but your friends are all on PlayStation, you can still join the fight together.
How to play Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III is your classic first-person shooter. With more explosions than a Michael Bay film, you’ll shoot, drive, and sprint your way across realistic battlegrounds. You’ll use authentic weapons – from punchy assault rifles to rapid fire sub machine guns – to complete your missions.
And if you’ve got a competitive side, you can take the battle online and work your way up from a lowly private to an experienced colonel. Moving up the ranks will unlock better gear, quickly turning your rookie operator into a powerful super soldier.
How many hours of gameplay will Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III have?
This’ll vary depending on the mode. Battling your way through the single-player campaign will probably take you about eight hours, with tightly scripted set pieces and cinematic action.
But multiplayer and Zombies are really where you’ll get your money’s worth. With literally endless replayability, you can play both modes for as long as you want - with dozens of hours of online content to get stuck into.
Who are the main characters and factions?
Here are some of the major players in Modern Warfare III’s upcoming campaign:
Task Force 141 – Made up of experienced special forces soldiers from around the world (think SAS, Delta Force etc) this shadowy unit combats terrorist threats from the Middle East to the UK.
Captain John Price – With a moustache that’d make even Freddy Mercury jealous, Price heads up Task Force 141 in the hunt for Makarov.
Sergeant John ‘Soap’ MacTavish – A foul-mouthed Scotsman with a vocabulary his mum definitely wouldn’t be proud of, Soap is a key part of Price’s squad.
Simon ‘Ghost’ Riley – As his name suggests, Ghost is a mysterious and deadly member of the team. Wearing a creepy skeleton mask, he strikes fear into the hearts of friend and foe alike.
Kyle ‘Gaz’ Garrick – One of the most reliable operatives in Task Force 141, Gaz can always be relied on to get the mission done. With a sarcastic comment or two thrown in for good measure.
Vladimir Makarov – Public enemy number one. Makarov leads a dangerous terrorist cell, attacking military and civilian targets whenever it takes his fancy. Task Force 141 are going to have their work cut down trying to track him and his cronies down.
What are the different Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III game mode options?
Campaign
Following straight on from the events of Modern Warfare II, Task Force 141 are back to take down the bad guys. And this time, your mission is to find and eliminate Vladimir Makarov – a crazed ultranationalist who’ll stop at nothing to cause as much havoc and destruction as he can.
As part of the thrilling campaign, you’ll experience the same bombastic, cinematic moments the series has become known for. But with one big new addition to the tried and tested formula - Open Combat Missions.
These are exactly what they sound like. You’ll carry out your objectives exactly how you want to. So, if you prefer a stealthy approach, you could equip yourself with night vision goggles and supressed weapons to take out the guards without raising the alarm. Or, if a full-on frontal assault is more your cup of tea, strap on some armoured plates, grab a grenade launcher and make things go boom!
Military precision is the name of the game here. Or not. The choice is really up to you.
Multiplayer
With tons of different game modes to try out, you’ll fight in large and small-scale shootouts – from 3v3 firefights, to massive 64 player battles. So, if you prefer some squad-on-squad action or want to get behind the wheel of a tank and bulldoze your way to victory, there’s a mode here for you.
And if you’re an old-school veteran COD player, you’re in for a treat. To celebrate the 20th anniversary of Call of Duty, MW3 includes all 16 maps from the legendary Modern Warfare 2 (2009). Rust. Terminal. Karachi. They’re all here. Plus, they’ve been updated with a fresh lick of paint so that they’re looking their absolute best.
Zombies
The fan favourite mode is back, but better than ever. And there’s plenty here for you to sink your teeth into. For the first time in Zombies, you’ll drive back the shambling hordes with other squads - instead of just the one. That’s one way to level the playing field. And you’ll be gunning down the undead on the biggest Call of Duty Zombies map ever made. Facing off against some of the biggest nasties in the series too. Uh oh.
You’ll have to survive for as long as you can across an open-world area. And with missions increasing in difficulty the longer you hold out for, things are going to get hectic, very, very quickly.
Will Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III have a multiplayer mode?
It’s got a bunch of them. The multiplayer mode and Zombies (that we’ve mentioned above) can be played with your mates or other operators across the world. So, if you want to experience some fast-paced competitive combat, jump online, and engage in some deadly firefights.
What Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III features are player customisable?
When it comes to the multiplayer, you can customise almost everything. And that customisation starts with your loadout. You’ll unlock and pick from an armoury of perks, killstreaks, and weapons to bring to the battlefield. Whether that’s faster sprint speed, helicopter gunship support, or a heavy machine gun.
Speaking of guns, Gunsmith is your workshop for all things weaponry. While there, you can personalise every single part of your gun to suit your playstyle. So, you could take an assault rifle, shorten the barrel, and whack a grip on the front to make it perfect for clearing rooms quickly. Or, add a scope and a bipod to your sniper and pick off your targets from the rooftops.
The look of your soldier can even be changed up too. And this’ll have a practical impact on gameplay. Chunky tactical vests will let you tank more damage, while special boots help you to move quietly to sneak up on your enemies.
Previous Call of Duty Modern Warfare releases in chronological order
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019)
A reboot of the original Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2007), Task Force 141 join a group of freedom fighters to retrieve stolen chemical weapons. But can they stop a full-scale global war from breaking out?
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2022)
Task Force 141 and Mexican special forces unit Los Vaqueros team up to track down Hassan Zyani. The terrorist leader has somehow got his hands on American-made ballistic missiles. And he needs to be found before he hits the launch button.
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