Summary
Fans of old schoolCall of Dutyhave several criticisms of modern releases, some of which are highly unlikely to be fixed. Longtime players have called for an end, or at least restructuring, of SBMM, though Activision has been unwilling to budge on the concept. Lovers of the serious military aesthetic have also pushed for moreMil-SimCall of Dutyskinsand less silly designs, but given the sales for more outrageous bundles, that is unlikely. However, one area where there is hope is map design, as some big lessons can be learned from the maps in theCall of Duty: Modern Warfare 3beta.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3is set to feature all the launch maps from 2009’sModern Warfare 2, and during the beta, players had a chance to play on five of these locations. Cult classics like Estate, Favela, and Skid Row were accompanied by the iconic Rust and Highrise, with the latter two maps in particular highlighting something thatCall of Duty’s many developers should make note of. While the maps play as good as ever, the even bigger takeaway from the remakes is that fans love hidden spots, something that the newer maps tend to forget.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3’s Maps Prove Secret Spots Need a Comeback
Starting with something simple like Rust, many will likely be familiar with all the power positions on the map. The various levels on the structure in the center of the map make it a useful high ground position that someone will always be trying to secure, while players can battle on the outskirts of the map or attempt to sneak under the center structure. However, there are a few sneaky spots for players to shoot at their foes from, like aiming through the pipes under the central structure or crawling into the gap near the pipe spawn. Climbing onto the glass roof of the Estate greenhouse is another example, something that fans may have spotted others doing while playing theCall of Duty: Modern Warfare 3beta.
Highrise offers the most hidden spots out of anyCall of Dutymapever, and - alongside its infamous sniping matches - this is why it has become so unforgettable. Sledgehammer Games did not attempt to remove any of the spots, instead encouraging players to go for them. For example, though it is still difficult to reach without being gunned down, the rooftop position is well telegraphed since the broken scaffolding now has a proper ladder attached. The scaffolding on the sides of the map is still present, as is the path to the second floor spot in the building opposite the roof, encouraging players to get creative with how they play.
While players will soon be revisiting other spots in maps like Karachi and Rundown, it is important to note that hidden spots were not limited toModern Warfare 2, as the originalBlack Opsoffered some as well. Thehidden RC-XD trackis undoubtedly something that will come to mind, but so too should the ski lift on Summit and the outside platform that could be reached through some clever platforming on the indoor terminals. Other examples exist after these two games, but they have become few-and-far between, which is disappointing.
Hopefully,Call of Dutywill consider returning to creative maps going forward. While many aspects of the beta were divisive, such as sound design, graphics, andCall of Duty: Modern Warfare 3’s TTK, nearly everyone seems to be in agreement that the old maps still feel great. While part of the reason for this could be nostalgia, new fans seem to be loving these maps as well, secret spots included. Though part of the reason that newer maps feel less iconic could be that the best design ideas were used inCall of Duty’s golden era, that logic does not apply to hidden spots. With so many talented developers working on the series, there is no reason that similarly fun spots like the Highrise rooftop cannot return in modern maps. Hopefully, withCall of Duty2024, Treyarch sneaks in some platforming tasks that reward curious players with a powerful position. Without them, maps just do not hit as hard as they used to.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3launches on November 10 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.
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