For many, it has almost become second nature to immediately commence eye-rolling at the news of the next Call of Duty release. After all, not much changes between each annual release. I admit that I was part of that eye-rolling group following 2013’s Call of Duty: Ghosts, refusing to buy another game in the long-standing franchise that got me through my college years. I also admit that thanks to Call of Duty: Black Ops 4’s Blackout mode, I was sucked back into the world of one of gaming’s most popular first-person shooters. Now, as the October release of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare looms over gamers’ wallets once again, they can at least take solace in knowing that based on this past weekend’s PlayStation 4-exclusive beta, Activision’s next entry into the franchise is one that fans won’t want to miss.
The beta featured game modes that Call of Duty fans have come to expect, such as Team Deathmatch, Headquarters, and Domination, all of which feel as fast-paced and fun as ever. A few new modes have also made their way to the game, including NVG mode, which puts players on a map in the dead of night, requiring the use of night-vision goggles and laser sights. A strategy of knowing when to equip and unequip the goggles comes into play, which is a fun new dynamic to the series. Realism mode is also a new mode that plays exactly as it sounds. Noticeable features are missing in this mode - essentially the next step up from Hardcore mode - such as hit markers missing; if the desperation grenade you lobbed-up manages to tag an enemy, you’ll never know it.
Call of Duty’s deep customization options return with custom classes, attachments, perks, and killstreak rewards. Overall gameplay mechanics are also the same as prior games, but Modern Warfare has implemented a slew of small details that surprisingly add a lot of value to the quality (and fun) of gameplay.
It’s easier than ever to switch guns from fully-automatic to single-shot. Players can select exactly which ammunition types they want to use with their weapons, such as more powerful rounds that come with a slower firing rate, or less powerful rounds that fire faster. Weapons can be mounted on window sills, door frames, and the ground for improved accuracy. Door-opening strategy also comes into play in full-force in Modern Warfare. Players can decide whether to crack the door open to quietly toss in a grenade, or bash through the door guns a-blazin’. These minor details provide new ways to navigate online gameplay and are welcomed addtitions.
If you missed out on the open beta, fear not. The Weekend 2 beta featuring crossplay will be available for PlayStation 4, Xbox One Early Access, and PC on Blizzard Battle.net from September 19th to September 20th. The beta will then open up for everyone from September 21st to September 23rd.
Stay tuned to TheGamer for our review of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare when it releases on October 25th.
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