Now, I have been a fan of the Call of Duty series ever since Modern Warfare (Call of Duty 4). It took a lot to transform me from the Medal of Honour series but I really enjoy Call of Duty in general. Modern Warfare 3 had a lot to live up to for me as I preferred the Modern Warfare games to the World at War and Black ops versions. My first impressions were fantastic, as with all of the games in the series I started by playing online, I got straight into the action (and a head-start on other gamers as I saw it) and really loved this game.

Now, Modern Warfare 2 may have left us on a cliff-hanger during campaign, but Modern Warfare 3 continues this story. In my initial opinion, I really didn't know where Activision could go considering the previous games had racked up a long enough story. However, the plot is brilliant! The game really exploits so many different stories with so many different characters. One feature I liked was that you play alongside (and as, for that matter) Captain Price, and he has been in the Call of Duty series ever since the first Modern Warfare! The main character you play as is Soap McTavish, who, ironically is on the cover of the game case.

So, the campaign mode scores really high for me! However I found the game on the veteran difficulty relatively easy compared to the other games in the franchise. For all those people out there who look for a game with a great plot / storyline, this is the one. Total game time to complete for me (on veteran) was about 8 hours, give or take. Developing on the previous games, there is more to do than just run around shooting willy nilly, in this game you are often put into scenarios which are brilliant to play. For example controlling the gun whilst travelling in a helicopter!

Alongside the campaign, you have the renowned multiplayer. As Call of Duty is a game very known for its online play, Activision really needed to produce something fantastic to follow up the series. And they have done just that. With all the small additions and the parts which have followed the previous games, multiplayer is hours and hours of fun. With the new barracks system improved, you will have a brilliant time just going through and looking at your stats! Unlike the previous games, there is more to see in the main barracks screen which makes it quicker and easier to view your stats in between games.

The main objective of the online play is the same as the games predecessors, earn experience and level up. Call of Duty has gone back to the system of the higher rank you are, the better weapons / equipment you can access. I preferred this method as Black Ops used a system where you earn money in which you could spend on goodies. In Call of Duty it is not just shoot a person to gain experience. Experience can be collected by means of Capturing flags, destroying objectives and many more.

As with most games, a good experience comes with good software. And can I just say, the maps and equipment in this game are fabulous! There is so much more choice compared to the other games, this means that there is a gun out there for everybody! Even though my favourite is the G36C and you do not unlock this gun until level 37! The maps, although they are all huge, it is a slight improvement on Modern Warfare 2, where the maps were all ridiculously big!

Now, I've mentioned campaign and Multiplayer, but Modern Warfare 3 also offers a Special Ops game mode. I have spent most of my play time on multiplayer and campaign however the time I have spent on Special Ops has been very entertaining. As with the previous game you can complete Special Missions to earn stars, and there are so many missions! (15+ if I am correct!) The variety in missions is also brilliant; you can go from completing a mission racing snowmobiles to gunning down helicopters with an LMG in a slum.

The other game mode which has been added to Special Ops is called Survival. This is basically a wave game. You earn money from killing enemies and completing waves and you must purchase more equipment to aid you in surviving. You can play survival on all of the online maps, and even play co-op with friends online! The game mode sometimes proves tricky, especially on higher waves, but the game is very enjoyable to play in groups.

This paragraph goes out to the graphics, they are phenomenal! Another improvement on the previous games. The scenery in campaign is just unmatched! Even when playing multiplayer, the games graphics are very impressive. The one negative point I have to the graphics; when in campaign and shooting many enemies it just looks a little unrealistic! The sound effects though make up for this, explosions and all of the other effects sound brilliant!

The game play of Modern Warfare is also brilliant, with the same control set as the rest of the series; the game is very easy to pick up. Whilst playing through the campaign I noticed that there are many aspects which have been improved. In general, you are usually pushing and trying to progress however on some occasions, even online (i.e. Camping) you are forced to take some cover and really take your time in finishing off the enemies.

So, in conclusion, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 is a fantastic game. I would recommend it to any keen shooter / gamer. The possibilities in this game are truly endless (within reason) and I trust that anybody would thoroughly enjoy it! However my advice would be, if you have not played any of the previous call of duty's, then try out perhaps Black ops or World at War as they are produced by Infinity Ward as a pose to Activision. Thanks for reading!