After Not Having Played A Call Of Duty Game Since Modern Warfare 2, I Tried The Recent Open Beta For The New One

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 is set to launch on November 10. However, us gamers were able to get an early taste of the action through the free multiplayer open beta test across all platforms between October 14 and 16. So I decided to jump in after not having played a Call of Duty game since Modern Warfare 2.

Why? Pretty much solely because there’s remastered classic maps from that very game: Favela, Estate, Rust, Highrise, and Skidrow. And it’s free. I was curious if I could capture that feeling I had when I was younger; coming home every day after high school and sinking hours upon hours into Modern Warfare 2. Also, I played the hell out of Modern Warfare and World at War.

Right off the bat, I was obviously extremely impressed with the graphics. Gaming really has come a long way since 2009, huh? Color me impressed. I even enjoyed the improved gameplay features, such as the addition of sniper glints and loud footsteps. The advanced weapon and class customization is cool too…it’s overwhelming at first, but fairly simple once you tinker around with it. You still have Loadouts anyways.

Overall, besides the atrocious menu interface and microtransactions for dumbass cosmetics being shoved down your throat, things felt familiar. I didn't recognize any of the guns and tools available in your arsenal, but the foundation is the same. You have Assault Rifles, Submachine Guns, Sniper Rifles, Shotguns, Handguns, Light Machine Guns, Grenades, Killstreaks, Perks, etc. I especially liked how everything sounds as well; listening to gunfire is morbidly soothing in Call of Duty, and the controls were smooth as heck.

It’s weird though. Even though Call of Duty is still a good ole fashioned first person shooter today, the game is different than I remember. Maybe it’s because you’re able to slide and dive now, whereas in the past you could only sprint and jump. Or maybe nostalgia is a liar, and it’s not the old Call of Duty I miss, but rather my youth; how alive I felt not having any of these adult responsibilities. I just can’t stop reminiscing about running around with my red and black camouflage skinned Intervention in Derail trying to quick scope the bad guys without a care in the world.

Those times are dead though, and that’s fine. In the present though, I can confidently tell you guys that these new Call of Duty games are actually fun. I’m not going to drop $70 for that enjoyment, mind you, but I am looking forward to the day Call of Duty comes to Game Pass. Even right now I am shaking my fist at my screen in frustration as to why Microsoft didn’t announce that Modern Warfare III will be available on Game Pass day one following the news of the Activision Blizzard King merger. Because dang, I’m kind of itching to play.