Review: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 (PS5) - Same Old Multiplayer Drags Down Stellar Package

Review: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 (PS5) – Same Old Multiplayer Drags Down Stellar Package

by

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 arrives across major consoles and PC for $69.99, pairing Infinity Ward’s strongest campaign in a decade with a grounded multiplayer suite and an extraction-focused DMZ mode that draws mixed reviews from critics.

Another autumn means another multi-platform military shooter roll-out, but Infinity Ward’s latest release lands at a complicated moment for the franchise. The rebooted Modern Warfare series concludes with a sweeping narrative that takes players straight into a geopolitical flashpoint on the Korean Peninsula. While the single-player campaign has earned broad praise as a genuine return to form for the studio, the accompanying multiplayer package and overhauled extraction mode face sharp questions about innovation, bugs, and value in a crowded market.

Campaign Tributes and Korean Peninsula Conflict

Shifting away from familiar antagonists, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 centers on a large-scale war sparked by a North Korean invasion of South Korea. Outlets noted that the plot tackles contentious real-world tensions through a blockbuster lens. The narrative deploys a quiet-quiet-loud pacing structure, moving perspectives between a South Korean national service member, a North Korean soldier ordered to crack down on civilians, and the returning Captain Price.

Critics compared the single-player offering favorably against recent franchise misfires, particularly the widely criticized 2023 release. Reviewers noted that the campaign avoids recycled multiplayer maps and instead delivers a confident 16-mission runtime spanning roughly six to nine hours across diverse international backdrops like Paris, Mumbai, New York, and Korea.

Not every creative choice landed smoothly. Mads Mikkelsen’s villainous character, The Archer, drew criticism for lacking enough screen time to fully establish his presence, occasionally resembling a caricature. Even so, the campaign’s standout open snow mission—dubbed Stranded—won praise for offering multiple objectives and genuine exploration routes reminiscent of extraction gameplay.

Multiplayer Movement and Launch Map Constraints

Away from the campaign, the competitive multiplayer suite takes a deliberate step back from recent iterations. Following two years shaped by Black Ops titles, players accustomed to rapid omnimovement mechanics found Modern Warfare 4 to be noticeably slower and heavier.

While some critics welcomed the return to a grounded, tactical flow where gun skill and positioning take priority, others argued that the mode plays it too safe. Reviewers pointed out that the launch rotation offers a small map pool that quickly feels ordinary. The package launched with 20 total multiplayer maps, including 12 core maps, four Gunfight maps, three Ground War maps, and the modular Kill Block arena.

DMZ Extraction Mode Progression and Launch Bugs

Positioned as a major pillar alongside traditional PvP, the newly revised DMZ extraction mode transports players into Hajin, a fictional region spanning the North and South Korean border. The mode introduces deep operator progression, crafting resources, and faction tasks, but it has also proven to be a lightning rod for debate.

Modern warfare review
Photo: modernwarfare.wiki

While some reviewers highlighted DMZ as the most engaging and substantial third mode in the package—surpassing past Zombies offerings—others argued it fell short of early tactical trailers. Outlets reported that while stealth is initially encouraged, heavy enemy AI density and mandatory puzzle elements frequently force players into loud, chaotic firefights.

  • Operators can be leveled up to increase Dog Tag Ranks and earn Trait Points across three distinct specializations, capped at 18 total points with permanent choices.
  • Resources such as valuables, manuals, 3D printer ingredients, and crafting materials are required to unlock high-end gear behind secured doors and vaults.

Player Counts, Pricing, and Market Reception

Economic realities and platform strategies have also shadowed the launch. With Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 player counts, data obtained via TrueAchievements and SteamDB indicates a notable dip compared to past entries. Xbox engagement figures reportedly sit down 32% from the previous year’s Black Ops release, while concurrent player peaks on Steam reached roughly 215,000—marking a roughly 30% drop from earlier franchise launch weekends.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 Review (Campaign and Multiplayer)

Analysts attribute part of the player count divergence to Microsoft’s subscription ecosystem. Unlike prior titles that arrived via Game Pass on day one, Modern Warfare 4 requires an outright purchase at a standard price of $69.99, with a Game Pass release not expected until Holiday 2027. Despite the softer initial user numbers on specific platforms, Xbox CEO Asha Sharma recently noted that the broader franchise has surpassed $40 billion in lifetime revenue, adding $10 billion since 2022.

More on North Korean: Outcry after Call of Duty maker uses real footage of deadly Seoul crowd crush in new video game

Keep reading

Read next