Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (Wii) Review

As with the rest of the series that has featured on Nintendo's home console, Modern Warfare 3 was adapted from the HD versions by Treyarch who developed Black Ops and World at War. Whilst one might think that this could be a bad thing and there would be severe losses in the transformation, it is actually quite the opposite and it is impressive how much it managed to retain from the original. As expected, the campaign is an adrenaline junkie fuelled experience -- you can’t go more than a few minutes without something exploding, a chase scene occurring, or other impressive set pieces taking place. Modern Warfare 3 feels like the first in the series to hit the nail on the head in terms of pacing. Whereas previous iterations saw you taking on different ‘styles’ of levels, this time they are a much more varied affair. You will start off by stealthily creeping behind enemy lines before blasting out all guns blazing. It gives the player a chance to catch up on the direction the story is taking as they can focus more on the surrounding environments and conversations between their crew.

The title also opens up with a huge video recap of the past games, which is brilliant considering the Wii is still missing Modern Warfare 2. Making a return to help the experience prove to be even more enjoyable is Treyarch’s exemplary controls. Moving, firing, and camera controls all feel sharp and accurate due to customisable sensitivities and dead zones for pin-point accuracy. The team has also thrown in Classic Controller Pro support for those who don't feel comfortable with the Wii Remote, though with a healthy dose of aim assist for good measure.

Unfortunately, though, the campaign does stumble slightly due to limitations of the Wii console’s hardware capabilities. Certain set pieces lack the graphical 'oomph' they deserve; the Eiffel Tower being taken down in a flurry of explosions is a notable one to this end. Further to this, Modern Warfare misses the buttery smooth frame-rate that is to be expected from the series, with it being cut by half from its brethren, running at a lacklustre 30fps. Whilst this isn't a major problem per se, when the action gets tough it is noticeable as it drops below, breaking the tense atmosphere somewhat. Overall, Treyarch has pulled off some good visuals for the Wii, and whilst the developer may not have applied the same spark and or instilled the impact of titles like Mario Galaxy or Metroid, it has done a sterling job with the tools at hand. Sadly, sometimes the action can be a little on the dark side, thus making certain scenes awkward to see.

Thankfully, the multiplayer options remain mostly intact, which many fans will admit is actually the main draw of these games. Here the Wii's graphical ability is actually more of a blessing, with levels being a little more sparse -- one of the main complaints of the HD versions -- making it easier on the eye and, therefore, easier to play. Whilst there have been some cuts in the amount of players, a couple of maps and a few point streaks, the main meat of what makes competitive online multiplayer rip-roaring fun is still there. Many of the annoying previous perks have been removed, such as commando, stopping power and last stand. Explosives have been nerfed, and overall weapon damage has been buffed up significantly. The result: a faster and more fluid multiplayer experience that cuts out most problems that hindered its predecessors. A new game mode also makes it into the frame called 'Kill Confirmed,' a twist on the classic team death match where players drop dog tags when killed and it is up to your team to pick them up to earn the kill.

The last part of the Call of Duty package is the Spec Ops mode that brings players together to challenge the newly coined ‘Survival Mode’ -- survive for as long as possible against increasingly difficult waves of enemies on one of the multiplayer maps. Or attempt to take on missions and earn all three stars in each to brag against your friends’ scores and times. Sadly, split-screen mode didn't make it to the Wii version, most likely due to the 30fps, but it is still fun with strangers, nonetheless, though it is harder to communicate (Wii Speak is not compatible, for reference).

On the whole, Treyarch has done a valiant job at sticking to Infinity Ward's formula. Whilst there have been a few cuts, the core of the gameplay remains as strong as ever. The story's pacing is better than it has been in past games, the multiplayer is fast and responsive and, most importantly, addictive. Spec Ops extends the campaign missions allowing you to take them on with a friend, or random players online, and will pose a good challenge for veteran players. As always, whether it is for ten minutes or several hours, this title will see players through the dark patches in the Wii system's twilight line-up. Modern Warfare 3 maintains all its quirks and the charm of old, all with the added benefit of being more streamlined than ever. Whilst the game may not be for some, and there is little in the way of 'new' innovations that would warrant a purchase for apprehensive buyers, there is still enough content here to keep gamers on their toes.