Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 launched on October 23, 2026, and critics are calling it the series’ best-reviewed entry in years. It opened at 84 on Metacritic, and some outlets tracked it climbing to 86 or 87 as more reviews landed, which would make it the highest-scoring Call of Duty since Modern Warfare 3 in 2011. Here is what reviewers liked, what they did not, and whether it is worth $69.99.
The scores at a glance
| Outlet | Score |
|---|---|
| Metacritic (PC, launch day) | 84, later reported at 86 to 87 |
| OpenCritic (launch day) | 77, with every critic recommending it |
| Destructoid | 9/10 |
| DayOne | 9/10 |
| GameSpot | 8/10 |
| Hardcore Gamer | 80/100 |
| The Guardian | 80/100 |
Aggregate scores move for days after launch as console and Switch 2 reviews arrive, so check Metacritic for the latest number.
How it compares with recent Call of Duty games
| Game | Metacritic |
|---|---|
| Modern Warfare 4 (2026) | 84 to 87 |
| Black Ops 7 (2025) | 65 |
| Black Ops 6 (2024) | 82 |
| Modern Warfare III (2023) | 56 |
| Modern Warfare II (2022) | 75 |
| Modern Warfare (2019) | 80 |
After Black Ops 7’s 65 last year, the jump is the main story: Infinity Ward had a longer development cycle, and critics broadly agree it shows.
What reviewers liked
- The campaign’s final stretch. Several reviews single out the ending as one of the strongest in the series.
- DMZ. The rebuilt extraction mode is the most praised part of the package, and some critics call it the reason to keep playing.
- Gunplay and movement. Reviewers describe shooting and movement as refined rather than reinvented.
- Open-world campaign sections. Mechanics like foraging, crafting and rebuilding outposts are folded into missions without stalling the pace, according to the critical consensus.
What reviewers criticised
- Matchmaking drew the most complaints in multiplayer.
- A safe formula. Some critics wanted Infinity Ward to take bigger risks.
- Uneven stealth and melee sections in the campaign.
- Story: Hardcore Gamer liked the missions but found the plot unsatisfying, and The Guardian questioned how the game portrays the military.
- PC performance: some players reported stuttering at launch, so check patch notes if you play on PC.
Is Modern Warfare 4 worth buying?
If you skipped the last couple of Call of Duty games, reviews suggest this is the one to come back for, especially for the campaign and DMZ. It costs $69.99 for the Standard Edition and is not on Game Pass until holiday 2027, so subscribers have to buy it. If multiplayer is your focus, it may be worth waiting for Season 1 on November 6, when the first Battle Pass and new content arrive. Our Season 1 and Warzone guide covers the details.
Related
- Modern Warfare 4 Season 1: date, Warzone integration and what changes
- Modern Warfare 4 editions, early access and launch details
- How to choose a PC game controller
- More gaming news
Sources: GameDaily review roundup, PlayStation LifeStyle, The Shortcut, GameDev.net, Call of Duty blog. Last updated October 25, 2026.
Featured image: Photo by Alexey Savchenko on Unsplash.
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