I've played all COD versions since the very first. Each release has generally been slightly better than the last--especially since Treyarch has been forced to use the Infinity Ward gameplay engine. Prior to that the Treyarch releases weren't all that great.
Multiplayer
First the PROs:
1. Graphics moderately improved over prior versions particularly in attention to detail and apparent rendering speed.
2. Gameplay is very smooth--this has obviously been a design goal of the IW CoD team from the beginning and it shows.
3. New perks and for the most part the perks are chosen to maximize competition--no set of perks is overpowering in all theaters.
4. Host migration has worked every time--no drops back to the lobby--so far, at least.
5. New and in my opinion improved kill streak rewards--especially the break into two sections, Assault and Support with Assault being very similar to prior versions and Support totally new.
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Now the 'nits'--those things that aren't really a CON but are definitely something that can be improved upon.
1. Gameplay smoothness too much of a priority over "What You See Is What You Get". By this I mean that the programmers seem to have sacrificed accuracy of the simulation for smoothness. This results in minor "He isn't where I see him" situations.
2. The 'run' button, by default a press of the left stick (LS) joystick, is not always checked when changing the position of the joystick. This can result in dropping out of sprint with the button still pressed or not going into sprint when you begin a movement with the button already pressed. I don't know if this is a limitation of the XBox controller system or an inattention to detail by the programmers. If possible the status of the sprint button should be checked anytime a movement is initiated with the joystick and it apparently isn't.
3. No individual audio level controls. I would really like to have the special effects, i.e. explosions, game generated audio (not the chat channel), gunfire, etc. separated out. With my Astro 40s the explosions are far too loud in relation to other sounds. I would like the ability to lower FX volume without lowering the sound of footsteps for example.
4. The times one gets 'stuck' on something in the area without seeing it in their 'peripheral vision'. For example, I sometimes get stuck on a small piece of debris--one that would normally slide out of the way if hit by your foot. Some things are designed to be moved out of the way by player movement, but a lot aren't when they should be. This has improved from prior versions, but I still think there is room for improvement.
5. Pulling the internet connection still results in a drop back to the lobby. It is really frustrating to be playing well in a match and have the host 'pull the plug' causing the game to immediately exit to the lobby. It would be great if Microsoft/Game developers could find a way to rectify or at least reduce this.
6. The amount of time needed to level up to the max level before prestige keeps increasing. Eighty levels! Don't be ridiculous--65 is plenty.
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Now the CON--the only thing I really don't like about CoD:MW3:
As in Black Ops the network bandwidth leveling code, i.e. that code that attempts to level the playing field with respect to ping times often (but not always) greatly favors those with a slow internet connection. I had a 50M down and 30M up fiber connection and in 90% of my games the enemy was always a second or two ahead of me, .e. I died from their gunfire before I actually saw them come around the corner. In 10% of my games the situation was reversed. I would come around the corner and have up to two seconds to fire before the 'enemy' began firing and this was against players that I know are quicker than I.
I had my ISP lower my internet speed to 15M down and 5M up and the situation is slightly better. I would say that in 75% of my games I am at a disadvantage. That still leaves a quarter of my matches being 'fun' rather than frustrating--enough to keep me playing MW3 online.
I know that part of the problem is geographic--i.e. it is not all internet speed related--so the situation will never be perfect with today's internet topography but those with faster internet should not be hobbled by game code as they apparently are.
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