Modern Warfare 4 Is Call of Duty's Best-Reviewed Entry Since 2011, Report Says

Modern Warfare 4's launch reviews put it at the top of Call of Duty's recent history, according to PlayStation LifeStyle's October 23 report. Mintu Kumar Tomar reported a Metascore of 86 from 17 critic reviews, called it "the best since 2011's Modern Warfare 3," and noted that the score was subject to change. The report does not name a platform for its historical comparison.

Separately, as of October 24, Metacritic listed a PC Metascore of 86 and a PS5 Metascore of 91 from nine critic reviews. These scores and the review count are subject to change. They are separate platform scores; neither is an overall cross-platform Metascore. The PS5 result does not establish PlayStation LifeStyle's historical comparison, which leaves the platform unspecified.

The Campaign and DMZ Make the Strongest Impression

GamesRadar+'s review praises the campaign and DMZ. It describes multiplayer as iterative but ranks Modern Warfare 4 as the best arena shooter available for its smoothness and engaging play.

Reviewer Jake Tucker credits the campaign with strong performances and a satisfying conclusion, and praises the gunplay and responsive traversal. These are his assessments, rather than an LTG hands-on verdict.

The verdict box lists a lackluster Price storyline, limited campaign freedom, and killstreaks as drawbacks. Tucker praises Stranded's freedom but finds other sequences restrictive.

Tucker finds DMZ's equipment gathering, objectives, and extraction cycle rewarding. He expects Call of Duty players' aggressive playstyle to carry into DMZ, while leaving open how the mode will evolve overall. Read the full GamesRadar+ review.

What Is Available at Launch?

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 is live worldwide, according to Activision's October 23 launch announcement. The package includes a new campaign, a multiplayer lineup advertised as 20 maps, and the DMZ extraction mode. Activision breaks down the launch content as follows:

Mode	Launch content
Campaign	A conflict on the Korean Peninsula, with Price on the run
Multiplayer	12 new 6v6 maps, four Gunfight maps, three Ground War maps, and the Kill Block modular training facility
DMZ	Extraction gameplay in Hajin, built around which objectives to pursue, what to secure, and when to get out

The map breakdown matters: Activision's total of 20 includes several formats and a training facility. Players interested mainly in standard 6v6 should look at that specific pool when judging the launch offering.

Modern Warfare 4 Is Outside Game Pass at Launch

There is also a practical purchase detail. Activision's October 15 notice says Modern Warfare 4 requires a separate purchase at launch and will not be included with Game Pass until Holiday 2027. The same notice says Game Pass Ultimate subscribers retain access to Black Ops 7, Black Ops 6, and Modern Warfare III.

For returning players, the useful question is which mode makes that purchase worthwhile. GamesRadar+'s campaign and DMZ praise offers a starting point. Read its reservations alongside the enthusiasm, then judge the package against the part you actually plan to play.

Sources & References

• Call of Duty: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 is Live Worldwide — Play Now! (Published October 23, 2026; accessed October 24, 2026)
• GamesRadar+: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 review: "Delivers a spectacular campaign, all while DMZ mode's tight loop makes it my favorite multiplayer game released this year" (Last updated October 23, 2026; accessed October 24, 2026)
• PlayStation LifeStyle: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 Breaks Metacritic Record After 15 Years (Published October 23, 2026; accessed October 24, 2026)
• Metacritic: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 Reviews (Accessed October 24, 2026)
• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 Launches October 23 as a Standalone Release (Published October 15, 2026; accessed October 24, 2026)