Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® Remastered (2017) Review
A remastered classic invites players back into its war-torn world, but can it withstand the test of time—or does it suffer from battle fatigue?
last updated Aug 14, 2024
While Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered promises a nostalgic return... players are met with a labyrinth of technical issues that hinder enjoyment.
Ground Control: Gameplay Mechanics
At its core, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered channels the beloved gameplay of the original title, delivering the thrilling shooting mechanics and quick-paced levels that defined early franchise entries. The remaster stays true to its roots with classic multiplayer modes and mission structure, while the addition of some DLC weapons introduces fresh dynamics for those familiar with the original. However, the glory days of multiplayer resilience feel somewhat diminished, as many players report a dwindling online community. That said, the excitement surrounding upcoming community mods, especially the anticipated H2M mod, injects a much-needed dose of hope for rekindled multiplayer chaos. Yet, players must be prepared to navigate through a minefield of bugs that could turn this nostalgic trip into a real pain, with crashes and performance hiccups lurking around every corner.
Symphony of War: Audio Experience
The audio in Modern Warfare Remastered is as explosive and immersive as you'd expect from a game set on the frontlines. Sound effects resonate, from the crisp crackle of gunfire to the thundering explosions, effectively pulling players into the heat of battle. The voice acting retains its compelling quality, bringing characters to life, albeit with a recharged nostalgia for veterans of the original. Unfortunately, like a well-placed grenade, the audio experience can be inconsistent; some players have found the cutscene volume levels to be excessively loud compared to in-game audio. A minor quibble perhaps, but when you need the game’s sound design to be consistent for optimal situational awareness, this becomes an annoyance that can’t be easily ignored.
Visual Shock & Awe: Graphics and Performance
From a visual standpoint, Modern Warfare Remastered serves a feast of eye-candy, repurposing the original's iconic settings with stunning high-definition textures and improved lighting effects. The graphics breathe fresh life into familiar arenas, making even seasoned veterans feel like they’re seeing the battlefield with new eyes. Unfortunately, this visual rejuvenation is paired with a nagging technical hangover—numerous reports highlight frequent crashes, especially during specific missions like 'The Bog,' making you question if you’ve wandered into a battlefield of glitches instead. Coupled with the frustrating lack of quality-of-life options such as a field-of-view slider, it’s evident that this port has not been optimized for modern gaming standards, leaving high-end rigs grappling with performance issues that shouldn't exist in a remaster.
Community and Modding: A Ray of Hope
Although many multiplayer matches may feel eerily empty, the revival of interest surrounding projects like the H2M mod offers a flicker of hope and a reminder of the community's power. Shifting gears from official support, this community-driven initiative aims to breathe new life into multiplayer modes that often feel overshadowed by a lack of matchmaking. As anticipation grows for the mod's upcoming release, it brings together old and new players alike, uniting them under the banner of nostalgic chaos. However, relying on community modding indicates that Activision's post-launch support can sometimes feel like a distant memory, leaving devoted fans at the mercy of unofficial solutions. In this sense, while players may dive back into beloved maps and modes, they must first navigate a gauntlet of performance instability that serves as a reminder of how difficult it can be to keep a classic alive.
STEAM RATING
Developer
Raven Software, Beenox
Publisher
Activision
Release Date
July 27, 2017
A Remaster with Potential—If You Can Get It to Run
While Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered promises a nostalgic return to an iconic experience with stunning graphics and compelling gameplay, players are met with a labyrinth of technical issues that hinder enjoyment. Absent a robust multiplayer community and riddled with bugs, it’s a challenge to recommend this remaster without a cautionary tale attached. However, glimmers of hope emerge from the community-driven H2M mod, indicating that true potential might yet exist for this storied franchise. Buy at your own risk, and be prepared to roll up your sleeves for a bit of troubleshooting.
