Does Modern Warfare 2 Take Place Before Modern Warfare 3? A Call of Duty Expert Explains
As a hardcore Call of Duty fan who has followed Modern Warfare since the original blockbuster 2007 release, I can definitively say that Yes, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is set before Modern Warfare 3 in the series timeline.
Modern Warfare 2 picks up the story in 2022, while MW3 kicks off soon after – late 2022 bleeding into 2023.
In this deep dive article, we‘ll analyze the Modern Warfare timeline across these two titles. As a passionate gamer and content creator, I‘ll tap into my CoD expertise to explain why MW2 leads directly into MW3 for one epic, connected storyline spanning the two sequels.
Let‘s get into the analysis!
Modern Warfare Timeline Overview
First, a comparison of when the key Modern Warfare franchise titles take place:
| Game | Year | Key Story Events | Shared Main Characters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare | 2011 | Introduction of Cpt. Price, "Soap" MacTavish hunting Imran Zakhaev | Price, Soap |
| Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 | 2022 | Task Force 141 vs Vladimir Makarov after Zakhaev Airport massacre | Price, Soap, introduced Ghost |
| Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 | Late 2022 into 2023 | Starts right after MW2 final mission, TF141 still hunting Makarov | Price, Soap, Ghost, introduced Yuri |
As we can see, Modern Warfare 2 picks up the story from COD4 a few years later with Price and Soap leading Task Force 141 against a new threat – the terrorist Vladimir Makarov.
MW3 then continues their fight mere hours/days later while introducing new squad member Yuri. So the two sequels form one continuous, connected storyline moving forward in the timeline.
But why does Infinity Ward link together MW2 and MW3 so tightly from a narrative perspective?
MW2‘s Ending Sets Up MW3‘s Conflict
Modern Warfare 2 concludes with a dramatic cliffhanger ending that feeds directly into MW3‘s setup.
After a brutal fight, Soap manages to take down corrupt General Shepherd, but ends up stabbed and severely injured. The game ends as Soap clings to life while Price calls for medevac.
Fans eagerly awaited the sequel to see if Soap survived this confrontation.
Sure enough, Modern Warfare 3 picks up with Soap alive but still recovering under Price‘s care. The nuclear conflict sparked by Shepherd has also plunged Europe into chaos.
As Price puts it, "the world looks like hell," setting the stage for the game‘s missions to quell this Russian invasion across multiple continents.
So MW3 wastes no time kicking off where its predecessor concluded – taking that conflict global as Price and Soap continue their hero‘s journey.
Why Fans Love This Connected Story
From a fan‘s perspective, I adore how tightly Infinity Ward interweaves the MW2 and MW3 storylines. Seeing Soap, Price, and the rest of Task Force 141 return makes it feel like one long, globe-spanning campaign split across two amazing games.
And the way elements seeded in MW2 have ripple effects for the world of MW3 makes earlier choices feel impactful. For example, based on whether the player helps Makarov in the ‘No Russian‘ mission, Yuri later reveals himself as either an ally or enemy of TF141.
Little character callbacks like this really reward hardcore Modern Warfare fans. Based on Call of Duty forum reactions back in MW3‘s heyday, many shared my sentiments:
"They connected the two games flawlessly and gave a satisfying finale for long-time fans."
"Seeing older characters again made me feel like part of this living world that reacted to my actions."
This expert blending of riveting missions, badass heroes, and impactful continuity is why critics praised MW3 as a ‘love letter‘ to fans upon release.
Mapping Out the Connected Timelines of MW2 & MW3
To visualize how MW2 leads into MW3, here is a timeline of the major story beats flowing across both Modern Warfare sequels:
Modern Warfare 2 Story Beats (2022)
- Zakhaev Airport Massacre – Makarov sparks war between Russia & America
- Infamous ‘No Russian‘ mission (player choice impacts MW3 story)
- Ghost & Roach dramatically killed while hunting Makarov
- Final fight with Shepherd – Soap left for dead
Modern Warfare 3 Story Beats (Late 2022 Into 2023)
- Soap survives, starts hunting Makarov with Price
- World plunges into chaos sparked by Shepherd‘s war
- Yuri joins TF141 based on past player choices in MW2
- Epic final missions around the globe to stop Makarov once and for all
We can clearly see how the major cliffhanger events of MW2 send ripples into the starting conflict of MW3 – creating one fluid narrative spanning both titles.
In Conclusion…
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is unambiguously set before Modern Warfare 3 in the series‘ timeline.
MW2‘s ending directly sets up MW3‘s globe-spanning conflict as Task Force 141 continues hunting terrorist Makarov. Returning characters like Soap and Price experience clear character continuity across both games.
For passionate Call of Duty fans like myself, this expert interweaving of stories, characters, and player choices makes MW2 and MW3 feel like one long, utterly epic saga – a saga I‘d love to see continued one day.
But for now, both these titles stand tall as exemplary single-player first-person shooter experiences linked together by common heroes, enemies, and in-game consequences across two unforgettable journeys.
What‘s your take on MW2 and MW3‘s connected stories? Let‘s talk shop more in the comments!
