When it comes to the video game industry, the Call of Duty franchise reigns supreme, specifically the Modern Warfare series. How many other games can say they’ve sold millions of copies in a single day or had the biggest launch in entertainment history? Yeah, not many.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 continues to hunt for Russian Ultranationalist Vladimir Makarov in its main single-player campaign and further enhances its already top-notch multiplayer experience. Has the gameplay changed enough over the last iteration, or does the old “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” saying still ring true?

Modern Warfare 3 is split into three main categories; Single-player, Multiplayer, and Special Ops. The single-player campaign continues the story from where Modern Warfare 2 concluded as Captain Price and John “Soap” MacTavish attempt to put an end to Makarov’s destructive reign of terror. As most gamers are now familiar with, Multiplayer pits you against the world as you level up your soldier and unlock numerous weapons, equipment, and other enhancements. Special Ops returns with more challenges, as well as a new Survival mode that pits you against waves of enemy soldiers. With three distinct methods of gameplay, Modern Warfare 3 ensures there is something for every FPS enthusiast.

The storyline of the Modern Warfare franchise has mostly been a forgettable one, with larger than life set pieces taking precedence over dialogue and plot development. Unfortunately, not much has changed with the third installment. You’ll traverse the entire globe, from the United States to Germany, Paris, London, and even Sierra Leone. The environments are varied, and you can’t help but take it all in, visually speaking. There are plenty of fantastic looking landscape moments such as the New York skyline and the Eiffel Tower. Main characters Soap and Price return as well as multiple new additions, including ex-Spetsnaz Yuri and Delta Force agent Frost. Over the course of the single-player campaign, you’ll play as all of these characters and more over various chapters.

The problem with this is that you never really feel an attachment with any of the characters. Since you’re only with them for a mission or two before you switch to someone else, you don’t know the man behind the gun. For us, it’s just another soldier. The story itself doesn’t help much either. With so much going on all at once, it’s difficult to fully understand the confusing plot.

READ THE REST OF THE REVIEW AT PS3 ATTITUDE