Highlights

  • Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 may face criticism for relying on older content, including reusing maps from Modern Warfare 2 and potentially borrowing weapons from older titles.
  • While some fans may appreciate the nostalgia of using classic weapons from Modern Warfare 2 , relying too heavily on old content could be seen as repetitive and lacking innovation.
  • Introducing Modern Warfare 2 's weapons could be a positive move for MW3 , as it could capture the fast-paced gameplay and arcade-like feel that made MW2 popular.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 is already facing a bit of an identity crisis, seemingly taking from a lot of beloved older titles while trying to stamp out its own identity. This is best evidenced in the recent news that the upcoming release will be using all the original Modern Warfare 2's launch maps for its own multiplayer roster, with the game potentially borrowing other elements from older games.

Like any new addition to the franchise, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 will be looking to introduce its own unique content in the way of operators, game modes, and especially guns. With this in mind, there is a high likelihood that MW3 may controversially borrow its weapons from older titles, and there is a wide range of firearms for the game to choose from.

RELATED: Why a Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 No Russian Mission Could Be More Controversial Than The Original

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3's Potential Use of MW2 Weapons

call of duty modern warfare 3 captain price

Since Modern Warfare 3 is already slated to reuse a lot of assets from the original Modern Warfare 2, there is no reason for the title to not borrow gameplay elements of the 2009 title. As players are going to be able to relive the classic maps of MW2 on modern hardware, it only seems right that they should be able to use the same weapons from the iconic game.

It is true that many weapons from Modern Warfare 2 have already been reintroduced in the reboot of the franchise, but there are still plenty recognizable weapons that have yet to feature. There are a range of classic weapon types that could appear in MW3, such as the UMP45 and the ACR. Modern Warfare 2's classic shotguns like the Model 1887 and pistols like the M93 Raffica would also be perfect for a revival in MW3; a wide arsenal of weapons could be brought back to build a nostalgic arsenal.

The Pros and Cons of Modern Warfare 3 Using MW2 Weapons

Price in campaign mission

It is important to note that Modern Warfare 3 has already faced some criticism for its reliance on older content. MW3 was the subject of a lot of conflicting reports earlier on in its development, with many originally believing that the title was an expansion for 2022's Modern Warfare 2. Despite Activision later clarifying that MW3 will be a standalone premium release, aspects such as its complete reliance on MW2's multiplayer maps have raised a lot of question marks within the community.

If Activision was to double down on this by introducing Modern Warfare 2's weapons to the release, then these criticisms about repetitive design could be significantly heightened. With this in mind, it could be best for MW3 to rely more on its own fresh content for other aspects of its core multiplayer.

Despite this, Activision has clear reason to look toward Modern Warfare 2 so heavily in the development of MW3. The first MW2 is widely considering to be one of the best Call of Duty titles of all time; fans have long demanded a faithful remaster of its multiplayer. With MW3 sharing the same maps as the older release, the title could be the closest fans get to re-experiencing Modern Warfare 2.

It has also been reported that MW3 will possess a faster pace of multiplayer gameplay, being more in-line with the more arcade-like feel of Modern Warfare 2. In this way, reintroducing the weapons of MW2 could be a net positive for the upcoming game.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 launches November 10 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.

MORE: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3's Carry Forward System Could Lead to a Different Content Problem