Is Modern Warfare a Sequel to Call of Duty 4?
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The short answer is: No, the 2019 game Call of Duty: Modern Warfare is not a direct sequel to Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007). Instead, it’s considered a soft reboot of the Modern Warfare sub-series. This means it revisits familiar themes, characters, and settings but presents them within a completely new narrative framework. While the titles share names and some iconic elements, they exist within separate continuities. It’s crucial to understand this distinction to appreciate each game fully.
Understanding the Modern Warfare Timeline
The Call of Duty franchise can be confusing due to its numerous installments, reboots, and remasters. To understand the relationship (or lack thereof) between the different Modern Warfare titles, let’s break down the key games:
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Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007): This is the original game that launched the Modern Warfare sub-series, setting it apart from the World War II-era titles. It introduced iconic characters like Captain Price and Soap MacTavish, and a thrilling narrative focused on international conflict.
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Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009): A direct sequel to Call of Duty 4, continuing the story with the same characters and setting. It advanced the narrative with more intense gameplay and a global scope.
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Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2011): The final chapter of the original Modern Warfare trilogy, concluding the overarching storyline established in the first two games.
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Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered (2016): A faithful remaster of the original 2007 Call of Duty 4, bringing updated graphics and enhanced visuals to the classic game while retaining its original gameplay and narrative.
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Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019): The soft reboot, sharing a title with the original game but featuring a brand new story, characters (although some are reimagined versions of older ones), and gameplay mechanics. It’s designed to stand alone.
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Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II (2022): A direct sequel to the 2019 reboot, carrying forward its characters and narrative.
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Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III (2023): The most recent entry, directly continuing the story of the 2022 game.
Why Not Call It Modern Warfare 4?
The decision to call the 2019 game Call of Duty: Modern Warfare instead of Modern Warfare 4 was deliberate. Infinity Ward, the game’s developers, wanted to start fresh, to create a new storyline, and to avoid the baggage of the previous trilogy. They wanted to deliver a Modern Warfare experience that resonated with both longtime fans and newcomers, without being bound to the established narrative. This allowed them to explore new themes and introduce fresh perspectives while retaining the core elements that made the Modern Warfare series so popular.
The creators felt it was time to move on and create new narratives using the name “Modern Warfare”. As they put it, they had to “put to bed that old storyline.”
The Reboot vs. The Original
It is important to emphasize that the 2019 Call of Duty: Modern Warfare is a reboot, not a remake or a simple remaster. While it shares the name and some character elements with the 2007 game, it exists in a different narrative universe. The game introduces new characters and storylines while reimagining familiar elements from the original trilogy.
Key Differences Between the Original and Reboot:
- Story: The reboot features a completely new story with different plots and conflicts.
- Characters: While characters like Captain Price make an appearance, they are presented in a slightly altered way, with different motivations and backstories. The overall cast is largely new with different characters taking important roles.
- Setting: Though maintaining the modern military setting, the specific locations and geopolitical scenarios are different.
- Gameplay: While retaining the core first-person shooter mechanics, the gameplay has been updated with modern elements.
The 2016 Modern Warfare Remastered, on the other hand, is a direct graphical upgrade of the original 2007 game. It contains the same story, characters, and missions, only with modern graphical improvements.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the correct chronological order of the Modern Warfare games?
The original trilogy is: Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007), Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009), and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2011). The rebooted trilogy is: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019), Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II (2022), and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III (2023). Both trilogies should be played in their release order to understand the stories correctly.
2. Is Modern Warfare (2019) a prequel to the original Modern Warfare trilogy?
No, it is not. The 2019 Modern Warfare is a soft reboot of the series and exists in a separate continuity. It does not precede the events of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare.
3. Does the 2019 Modern Warfare share any characters with the original trilogy?
Yes, the reboot features reimagined versions of characters like Captain Price. These characters have new backstories and motivations within the reboot’s narrative, but will be familiar to fans of the original trilogy.
4. What is the difference between a soft reboot and a remake?
A soft reboot, like the 2019 Modern Warfare, reinterprets a franchise, keeping core elements but creating a new narrative. A remake, like Modern Warfare Remastered, recreates the original game with updated visuals and mechanics but maintains the original story.
5. Why did they remaster Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare?
Modern Warfare Remastered was created to provide a faithful experience for fans of the original game, with enhanced graphics and visuals, and introduce a new generation of players to the classic experience.
6. Are the storylines of the original and rebooted Modern Warfare series connected?
No, the storylines are not connected. They exist in separate continuities.
7. What year does the original Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare take place in?
The original game’s story takes place in the year 2011.
8. Does Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare have a single-player campaign?
Yes, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare has a single-player campaign where players control multiple characters throughout the game’s narrative.
9. Is the gameplay of the 2019 Modern Warfare similar to the original?
Yes, the core first-person shooter gameplay is similar. However, the 2019 game features updated mechanics, graphics, and more modern gameplay features.
10. Is Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III (2023) a sequel to the original trilogy?
No, it’s a direct sequel to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II (2022) and part of the rebooted series.
11. How many characters do you play as in the campaign of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare?
In Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, players control five different characters from a first-person perspective during the single-player campaign.
12. What is the main conflict in Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare?
The main conflict involves a radical leader executing the president of a Middle Eastern country, and an ultranationalist movement causing a civil war in Russia.
13. Is the new Modern Warfare a modern reboot, or a modern remaster?
The Modern Warfare (2019) is a modern reboot, while Modern Warfare Remastered is the remaster.
14. Are all Call of Duty games connected?
Not all Call of Duty games are connected. There are several different timelines and narratives within the franchise. The original Modern Warfare trilogy is connected, the Black Ops series has its own storyline, and the rebooted Modern Warfare games have their own story. The WWII-era games are largely connected as well.
15. What was the setting that inspired Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare?
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare drew inspiration from real-world conflicts. One mission, the one in Pripyat, Ukraine, was inspired by the Chernobyl disaster site.
By understanding these distinctions, players can fully enjoy each Call of Duty game for what it is, without getting caught up in trying to reconcile different storylines. The Modern Warfare series offers two unique experiences, with the original trilogy providing a classic and gritty story, and the reboot offering a modern take on familiar themes with a fresh perspective.