Is Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered Worth Playing in 2024?
Yes, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered is still worth buying and playing in 2024 for first-person shooter fans thanks to its major graphical overhaul, silky smooth gameplay, iconic campaign levels, and classic multiplayer map lineup.
However, with no new content added, some players may find the fundamentals dated or lack enough modes and maps to stay invested long term when compared to newer franchise entries and support.
Let‘s break down where MW Remastered shines brightest and where it shows its age over 15 years later.
The Foundation Still Delivers Thrilling Gameplay
Released originally in 2007 as Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, the inaugural title for Infinity Ward‘s hit sub-series received universal acclaim for its dramatic, exceptionally-paced campaign, addictive multiplayer suite, and poignant contemporary setting.
MW1 executions staples like squad combat, vehicle sequences, and environmental interaction that raised the bar for FPS gameplay and production values. Its smaller-scale, boots-on-the-ground gameplay focused on tight mechanics rather than spectacle.
Remastered retains this entire exemplary core framework, avoiding the temptation to reinvent wheels that weren‘t broken. The nuanced gunplay, movement, and map designs that defined a generation hold up remarkably well.
Meanwhile, the Campaign‘s diverse locales, alliance characters, terrorist threats, and the rise of Vladimir Makarov still deliver an engrossing plot full of memorable moments worth reliving.
From tense covert ops to desperate last stands, classified missions in Russia, the Middle East, and Azerbaijan pack plenty of thrills across 18 levels with satisfying difficulty curves for all skill levels.
Jaw-Dropping Visual Makeover Powers Next-Gen Immersion
On a base technical level, MW Remastered impresses mightily by rendering up to 5 times the number of on-screen polygons compared to the original release. Weapons, characters, environments, particles, lighting, textures – everything has been polished to a sheen.
This powers crisper image quality, farther draw distances, richer details, upgraded animations, and a rock-solid 60 frames per second framerate even during the most heated firefights.
Environments ooze an authentic sense of place thanks to accurate architecture, layered destructibility, ambient effects, and scenic backdrops that outclass later dated franchise entries.
Upgrades really shine bringing iconic stages like Crew Expendable‘s cargo ship raid, All Ghillied Up‘s tense Chernobyl sneak mission, and the final desperate dash in Mile High Club to life. Their atmosphere and cinematic intensity becomes palpable.
Squad banter, weapon effects, explosions, etc. all mix into a thrilling and disturbingly realistic soundscape. The action still exhilarates thanks to enhanced feedback.
Enjoy 10 Classic Multiplayer Maps Faithfully Remade
Beyond the stellar campaign, MW Remastered includes a "best hits" selection of 10 fan-favorite maps to battle friends and foes online in. These layouts defined early Call of Duty map design ethos: modest size, clean aesthetics, intelligent flow.
Maps like small-scale Shipment, labyrinthine Office map Broadcast, the exposed sniper haven Bog, and maze-like Middle Eastern village Vacant play just as well as they did in 2007. Their restraint focuses gameplay on smart positioning and gunskill.
Each environment has been visually touched up significantly while retaining their simple charming appeal. Little gameplay tweaks provide some Quality of Life improvements but avoid tampering with proven formulas.
Unfortunately, as a standalone release rather than integrated into 2019‘s Modern Warfare ecosystem, MW Remastered suffers from a smaller, fragmented player base. Queue times can drag on certain platforms. But when matches fill up, the gratifying action still addictively entertains.
Still An Exceptional Package – But Showing Some Age
Make no mistake – the foundation of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare deservedly sits on the shortlist for peak FPS experiences. Even 15 years later, MW Remastered plays fabulously well, tells an impactful war story, and captures lighting in a bottle multiplayer.
However, some antiquated design elements bear the unavoidable crinkle of age. Simplified weapon customization, limited attachment options, an utter lack of weapon balancing patches, and missing quality of life enhancements standard in recent franchise entries sticks out.
The package undoubtedly deserves praise for retaining incredible core systems rather than altering them. But with zero new modes, maps, or content added in, some players will find Remastered doesn‘t warrant extended playtime compared to fuller modern offerings.
Ultimately, at budget pricing, MW Remastered earns an enthusiastic recommendation for FPS fans interested in a gorgeous graphical makeover and nostalgia trip. Revisit an all-time classic presented better than ever before.
Just don‘t expect fireworks or freshness on par with today‘s installments. Appreciate Remastered more as a museum showcase immortalizing pioneer greatness than a live service ecosystem. Its foundational brilliance still dazzles…if you glance back through the appropriate lens.
