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Is Modern Warfare a Trilogy? Understanding the Call of Duty Maze

Yes, the term “Modern Warfare trilogy” typically refers to the original Call of Duty sub-series consisting of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3. These games, released between 2007 and 2011, form a distinct narrative arc with interconnected characters and storylines. However, the landscape has become more complex with the release of the Modern Warfare reboot series starting in 2019. Let’s unpack this.

Diving Deep into the Modern Warfare Universe

The Call of Duty franchise has grown into a behemoth, encompassing numerous titles, storylines, and timelines. It’s understandable why gamers new and old might feel confused about the continuity and connections between different games. To understand whether “Modern Warfare” is a trilogy, we need to consider two distinct eras: the original Modern Warfare saga and the modern reboot.

The Original Modern Warfare Trilogy: A Groundbreaking Saga

The original trilogy, developed primarily by Infinity Ward, redefined the first-person shooter genre. It moved away from the traditional World War II setting, plunging players into a modern combat landscape with a focus on realism and intense storytelling.

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007): This game introduced iconic characters like Captain Price, Soap MacTavish, and the antagonist Imran Zakhaev. Its narrative centered around a global conflict involving Russian ultranationalists and a nuclear threat. Its revolutionary multiplayer is still fondly remembered today.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009): Continuing the storyline, this installment raised the stakes with betrayals, global terrorism, and memorable missions like “No Russian.” It further developed the characters and introduced new threats, culminating in a shocking climax. This entry also broke sales records at the time of release.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2011): The trilogy concluded with a global war against the terrorist mastermind Makarov, a direct follower of Imran Zakhaev. It brought closure to the characters’ arcs, delivering a high-octane finale. The game provided a fitting end to the story that began in 2007, though was not quite as revolutionary or well received as the prior entries.

These three games, closely linked by their narrative and characters, are often referred to as “the Modern Warfare trilogy.”

The Modern Warfare Reboot: A New Era

In 2019, Activision launched a reboot of the Modern Warfare series, starting with Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019). This wasn’t a simple remaster; it was a complete reimagining of the story, characters, and setting. The reboot aimed to ground the game in a more realistic and morally ambiguous world.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019): This game reintroduced Captain Price and other familiar characters but placed them in a new timeline with a different backstory. The narrative focused on modern warfare tactics, counter-terrorism, and geopolitical conflicts.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2022): Continuing the rebooted storyline, this installment expanded on the events of the 2019 game, bringing back fan-favorite characters like Ghost and Soap. It focused on global threats and tactical operations.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2023): As a direct sequel to Modern Warfare 2 (2022), this game concludes the current arc of the rebooted series, providing a fresh take on the classic storyline and characters, and reintroducing Makarov as the main antagonist.

It’s crucial to understand that while the reboot series shares the “Modern Warfare” title and includes familiar characters, it operates in a different continuity than the original trilogy. Some refer to this as the “New Modern Warfare Trilogy.”

What is Modern Warfare?

Modern Warfare is the name given to a collection of Call of Duty games that are set in a modern-day setting. It’s typically considered a sub-series within the wider Call of Duty franchise.

The modern games are a reboot of the original series, taking place in a new continuity with many of the same characters.

FAQs: Your Modern Warfare Questions Answered

Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) to further clarify the complexities of the Modern Warfare universe:

Is the new Modern Warfare connected to the old ones? No, the new Modern Warfare series (starting with the 2019 reboot) is set in a different timeline and continuity than the original trilogy. While characters like Captain Price appear in both, their backstories and the events they experience are different.
In what order should I play COD Modern Warfare? If you want to experience the original story arc, play Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 in that order. For the rebooted series, play Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019), Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2022), and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2023).
Is Modern Warfare a prequel or a sequel? The 2019 Modern Warfare is neither a direct prequel nor sequel to the original trilogy. It’s a soft reboot, meaning it restarts the story with familiar elements but in a different context. The Modern Warfare 2 (2022) and Modern Warfare 3 (2023) are sequels to the 2019 release, but not to the originals.
Is Modern Warfare 3 a sequel to Modern Warfare 2? Yes, the Modern Warfare 3 (2023) is a direct sequel to Modern Warfare 2 (2022), continuing the story of Task Force 141 and their fight against new threats. This is similar to how the original MW3 was a direct sequel to MW2.
Is the new Modern Warfare a remake of the original? The Modern Warfare games starting in 2019 are not direct remakes. While they share characters and some plot elements with the original series, they present a new storyline and updated gameplay mechanics. Many of the maps are remastered.
Is Ghosts a sequel to MW3? No, Call of Duty: Ghosts is not related to the Modern Warfare series. It features a completely different storyline, characters, and setting. This is not a common thought amongst gamers.
Why did they remake the Modern Warfare series? The reboot aimed to revitalize the franchise, introduce it to a new generation of players, and tell a more modern and relevant story with updated graphics and gameplay.
Is Cod Ghosts part of the modern warfare timeline? No, as described above, Call of Duty: Ghosts exists in its own timeline, separate from the Modern Warfare series.
Is the new Modern Warfare the same storyline? No, the new Modern Warfare is a reboot with a completely different storyline from the original games, although with many similar plot points.
How long does MW3 take place after MW2? Modern Warfare 3 (2023) directly picks up after the events of Modern Warfare 2 (2022), continuing the narrative seamlessly.
Are the new Modern Warfare games in the same universe? Yes, the Modern Warfare (2019), Modern Warfare 2 (2022), and Modern Warfare 3 (2023) games are all set within the same continuity.
What is the storyline of Call of Duty Modern Warfare? In the Modern Warfare reboot, you play as members of Task Force 141 in an effort to prevent World War 3.
Do I need to play anything before Modern Warfare? No, you don’t need to play any other Call of Duty games to understand the story in any of the Modern Warfare games.
Is the new Modern Warfare a prequel to the original? No, the Modern Warfare (2019) and subsequent games are a reboot that start a brand new story.
Is there a campaign in Modern Warfare 3? Yes, Modern Warfare 3 (2023) features a single-player campaign that continues the story from the previous game.

Games and Learning

The Call of Duty franchise, including the Modern Warfare series, is a significant cultural phenomenon. While primarily entertainment, these games can also offer insights into military strategy, teamwork, and historical contexts (albeit often fictionalized). Understanding the complex narratives and character relationships within these games can be a rewarding intellectual exercise.

To explore the educational aspects of gaming and learning further, visit the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Conclusion

So, is Modern Warfare a trilogy? Yes, the original Modern Warfare series consisting of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 forms a complete narrative arc and is often referred to as “the Modern Warfare trilogy.” However, it’s crucial to distinguish this from the modern reboot, which, while sharing the same name and characters, exists in a separate continuity. Understanding this distinction will help you navigate the ever-expanding Call of Duty universe with clarity and appreciation. The two trilogies are different, and in today’s gaming sphere, it’s important to differentiate between reboots and remakes!

Is Modern Warfare a trilogy?