First Call of Duty: Modern Warfare gameplay channels Battlefield, Rainbow Six
Steady.
We've finally got Call of Duty: Modern Warfare gameplay - and it looks like the game is more grounded than previous entries in the series.
Infinity Ward's soft reboot of the famous FPS franchise had its 2v2 mode, called Gunfight, streamed by YouTubers last night on Twitch - and it offered us our first look at gameplay.
In this mode two teams of two battle against each on specially designed maps other using pre-set loadouts that change every two rounds. We see a loadout that includes a shotgun and a pistol change for a sniper rifle loadout, for example. Each player has 100 health, and you don't heal.
Gunfight is certainly a stripped back competitive Call of Duty experience compared to the specialist-fuelled modes we saw at the launch of Call of Duty: Black Ops 4. But away from the rules of engagement, it looks like Infinity Ward has created a more considered FPS all round.
Modern Warfare retains the series' trademark responsive controls and lethal aim-down sights shooting, but it looks like players are more grounded than ever before, move slower and fire with weapons that pack more of a punch. It looks to me like a more tactical game than previous Call of Duty titles, with animations and visual effects new to the franchise. You can angle weapons slightly when behind cover, barrels will smoke after you've fired your weapon, you can double-tap to mount and the user interface looks a lot cleaner.
The reaction has certainly been interesting. I've seen the gameplay compared to the likes of Rainbow Six: Siege and Battlefield. I'm sure the traditional multiplayer modes will feel faster-paced by default, but it's clear Infinity Ward wanted to get back to basics here while adding animation and audio work that brings Call of Duty more in-line with its competitors.
Also of interest is confirmation from Infinity Ward's co-design director of multiplayer, Joe Cecot that Modern Warfare will feature two options to toggle motion blur: one for the gun and one for the world, which is nice.
The full reveal of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare multiplayer is set for 6pm UK time on 1st August 2019.