Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 Review: DMZ and Multiplayer Lead a Strong Return
Modern Warfare 4 pairs a uneven story with versatile multiplayer and a standout DMZ mode, though technical hiccups interrupt some campaign scenes.
Reviewed on: PC
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Publisher: Activision
Developer: Infinity Ward
Release:
Rating: Mature
Modern Warfare 4 finds its footing in the parts of Call of Duty built for replay: a wide-ranging multiplayer lineup, flexible weapon customization and a new DMZ mode that gives the package a compelling extraction-shooter centerpiece. Its story has memorable performances and a welcome focus on character, but uneven pacing keeps the rebooted series’ finale from landing as cleanly as its strongest matches do.
A finale with uneven pacing
The story picks up after 2023’s Modern Warfare 3. Captain Price is determined to stop Makarov and the people above him, while the plot shifts between familiar faces such as Gaz and a new group of South Korean soldiers. That change in perspective brings a welcome variation in tone. The grounded missions with Park’s unit, played by Beef actor Young Mazino, carry some of the character-focused energy associated with the original trilogy.
That focus gives key story moments room to breathe, a useful change for a series that has often put spectacle first. The result doesn’t hold that rhythm throughout, though. Several character arcs and plot developments move too quickly, leaving some of the attempted resolutions less satisfying than they could be. Mads Mikkelsen’s Archer and Prisca Kim’s Ri Ju-Young make strong impressions, yet both get less screen time than their performances deserve.
The campaign also pulls back from some of the stealth and modernized elements seen in recent entries. Given the story’s direction, that shift makes sense, though it means the missions don’t always deliver the same mix of approaches. The overall plot does much of the work needed to close out the rebooted series, but the rushed moments leave the ending feeling less complete than the ambition behind it.
Multiplayer thrives on variety
Multiplayer is the game’s steadiest draw. Its movement doesn’t have the fluidity found in newer Black Ops entries, but weapon design, customization and a broad map selection give matches their own appeal. Mumbai and Nautical offer compact arenas that bring encounters close together, while Coal and Reactor U92 open up room for larger free-for-alls. That range keeps the rotation lively, even if the familiar match structure can start to wear thin over time.
Returning modes like Team Deathmatch and Kill Confirmed still make a strong case for straightforward competitive play. New additions Combat Outpost and Hijack broaden the mix without feeling out of place. Combat Outpost is the biggest format change: it raises the usual 6v6 count to 24v24, with tanks and outposts adding objectives to the larger battles. Riding with a teammate, attacking from range and helping reclaim a position can make for a thrilling push. The same fight can turn in an instant when an RPG lands.
Weapon tuning gives players another reason to stay in the menus between matches. Scopes, ammunition, stocks and muzzles all offer choices with trade-offs, so building a gun becomes a way to shape a preferred playstyle. Gunny, a tool for optimizing a weapon for a particular approach, offers help when those choices become daunting. It didn’t see much use in this review, but its presence makes the customization suite feel especially broad.
DMZ makes a strong first impression
DMZ is the multiplayer suite’s most distinctive addition. Set in the open world of Hajin, it sends players in with what they have and asks them to gather resources and extract. Solo players can head out alone, while duos and trios can tackle the same unpredictable environment together. The familiar extraction-shooter loop will appeal to fans of Arc Raiders and Marathon, but Modern Warfare 4’s gunplay and level design give its version a confident identity.
Risk shapes each run. A successful extraction feels earned, while a bad encounter can cost a team dearly. Thoughtful loadouts and traits help, but they don’t make Hajin safe; players still need to read situations and decide when to push or leave. Few live players appeared during the review, yet the mode remained challenging. Its combination of open-ended choices, tense fights and consequences makes it easy to understand why a win or a loss can send a squad back for another run.
DMZ also expands the game’s appeal beyond its traditional match formats. The change in pace gives players room to approach objectives on their own terms, while the danger of losing a run keeps decisions meaningful. That structure could give the multiplayer lineup staying power, especially for players who want an alternative to repeated team matches.
Strong visuals, visible technical problems
Across its modes, Modern Warfare 4 is among the series’ best-looking entries. New York and Paris feel lifelike, and the presentation delivers the grounded modern look the franchise has long pursued. The visual detail helps give its environments a strong sense of place, from campaign scenes to the open spaces of DMZ.
That polish is interrupted by technical issues, most noticeably during the campaign. Framerate drops affect some high-action sequences, and textures load slowly throughout the game. Neither problem makes the experience unplayable, but both are conspicuous in a release whose visuals otherwise stand out.
A strong multiplayer sendoff
Modern Warfare 4’s story has enough compelling performances and character moments to support its role as the rebooted series’ conclusion, but rushed arcs blunt the impact. Multiplayer makes a stronger impression, with its variety of maps and modes, detailed weapon building and a DMZ experience that gives the package a fresh center of gravity. For players drawn to Call of Duty’s competitive matches or extraction play, that breadth makes this a strong return to form, even with a campaign that doesn’t fully deliver on its promise.
