How Long Does It Take to Complete the Call of Duty Modern Warfare Campaign?
The question of how long it takes to beat a Call of Duty (CoD) campaign is often on the minds of gamers. When it comes to the Modern Warfare series, the answer varies across the different titles. Specifically, the Modern Warfare (2019) campaign clocks in around 5-7 hours for most players, while the Modern Warfare II (2022) campaign stretches to approximately 7-9 hours. However, the recent Modern Warfare III (2023) campaign has garnered significant attention for its notably shorter length. Depending on your playstyle and skill level, it takes most gamers just 3-5 hours to complete the CoD MW3 campaign. This is considerably shorter than many previous installments and even other games in the same genre. Let’s delve deeper into the specifics of each title and other related queries.
Modern Warfare Campaign Lengths: A Comparison
The Call of Duty franchise is known for its high-octane action and compelling storylines, and the campaign modes are a core part of this experience. However, the length of these campaigns has fluctuated over the years. Let’s take a closer look at the recent Modern Warfare entries:
Modern Warfare (2019)
The 2019 reboot of Modern Warfare offered a gritty and realistic take on modern warfare. Its campaign, with 14 missions, typically takes between 5-7 hours to complete for the average player. While not the longest in the franchise, it was a satisfying experience for many fans, balancing engaging narrative with intense combat.
Modern Warfare II (2022)
Modern Warfare II increased the mission count to 17 and offered a lengthier campaign experience. The average playtime for this title’s story mode is around 7-9 hours. Some players might take longer, especially on harder difficulties or if they choose to explore thoroughly. The campaign in MWII aimed to provide a deeper and more immersive experience with a wider array of scenarios.
Modern Warfare III (2023)
The latest installment, Modern Warfare III, has received significant attention for its considerably shorter campaign. Most players can complete the story in 3-5 hours. Some individuals, especially those who are highly skilled or have previous experience with the series, might even manage to complete it in 3-4 hours. This shorter duration has been a point of discussion among players, with some appreciating the fast-paced experience while others find it lacking in comparison to past titles. Notably, it was reported that some YouTubers with early access finished the campaign in this time.
Factors Affecting Playtime
Several factors can influence how long it takes to complete a Call of Duty campaign:
- Skill Level: Players who are more experienced with first-person shooters or specifically Call of Duty games will naturally progress through the campaign faster.
- Difficulty Setting: Playing on higher difficulty settings like Veteran can significantly increase playtime due to frequent deaths and the need for more tactical approaches.
- Exploration and Collectibles: Some players like to thoroughly explore the environments in search of collectibles and secrets, which can add additional playtime.
- Cutscene Skipping: Players who skip cutscenes will complete the campaign faster than those who watch them, however, this is not recommended as you will miss essential plot points.
- Playstyle: Some players prefer a slower, more methodical approach, while others adopt a more aggressive, run-and-gun style, both affecting the overall playtime.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the shortest Call of Duty campaign?
The Modern Warfare III (2023) campaign is one of the shortest in the franchise, with a typical completion time of 3-5 hours. Other short campaigns include the original Modern Warfare 3 which also offered a completion time in the 4-6 hour range.
2. What Call of Duty game has the longest campaign?
While opinions vary, Call of Duty: Black Ops III is often cited as having one of the longest campaigns, with most players reporting a completion time of around 9 hours.
3. How many missions are in the Modern Warfare (2019) campaign?
The Modern Warfare (2019) campaign has 14 high-action missions.
4. How many missions are in the Modern Warfare II (2022) campaign?
The Modern Warfare II (2022) campaign has 17 missions.
5. What rewards do you get for completing the Modern Warfare campaigns?
Completing the campaigns for Modern Warfare (2019), Modern Warfare II (2022), and Modern Warfare III (2023) will get you a variety of in-game rewards, including Calling Cards, Operators, Double XP Tokens, and special Multiplayer Weapon Blueprints. These rewards are designed to encourage players to finish the single-player modes.
6. Which Call of Duty game is considered the hardest?
Call of Duty: World at War is often considered the hardest game in the series, particularly on Veteran difficulty, due to its aggressive enemy AI and constant grenade spam.
7. Which Call of Duty campaign is the easiest?
Call of Duty: Ghosts is often regarded as one of the easiest campaigns, even on higher difficulties, thanks to gameplay mechanics that make it easier to move around enemies. Modern Warfare 2 is also considered an easy campaign on Veteran.
8. Is there a Zombies mode in Modern Warfare II?
While there isn’t a traditional Zombies mode, Modern Warfare II featured a variety of themed game modes with zombie-like elements during the Halloween season, which included jump scares and skulls. A proper zombie mode is a core part of MW3
9. Does Modern Warfare III have a campaign?
Yes, Modern Warfare III has a full single-player campaign that is a direct sequel to the events of Modern Warfare II.
10. When was the MW3 campaign released?
The Modern Warfare III campaign was released on November 2, 2023, ahead of the full multiplayer launch.
11. What is the primary setting in Modern Warfare III?
Urzikstan is a major setting in Modern Warfare III, which also serves as the basis for the next Warzone map.
12. Why are Modern Warfare campaigns so short?
Developers often allocate significant resources to the visuals and multiplayer aspects, which may impact campaign length. Modern developers also believe that a shorter campaign provides a higher replay ability.
13. What Call of Duty game has the best campaign?
Call of Duty: Black Ops is frequently cited as having the best campaign, known for its gripping story, diverse settings, and Cold War espionage themes.
14. Is the MW3 campaign good?
Opinions on the MW3 campaign vary, with many finding it shorter than expected. Its narrative is described as thrilling yet often frustrating and underwhelming. Overall, it’s a subjective question.
15. Does Black Ops 4 have a campaign?
Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 is the first entry in the franchise not to feature a traditional single-player campaign. It focuses entirely on Multiplayer, Zombies, and a battle royale mode called Blackout.
Conclusion
The length of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare campaigns varies depending on the title. While the Modern Warfare (2019) and Modern Warfare II (2022) campaigns offered more substantial experiences, the Modern Warfare III (2023) campaign is notably shorter, clocking in at approximately 3-5 hours. Understanding these differences helps players manage their expectations and plan their gameplay accordingly. Whether you prefer a short, fast-paced story or a longer, more immersive one, the Modern Warfare series has something to offer for every Call of Duty fan.