Modern Warfare 3: Sledgehammer Games Reveals Open Combat Campaign Missions

This new feature will change the established campaign format in Modern Warfare 3 .

The official reveal of Modern Warfare 3, which started a new campaign storyline that sees Task Force 141 versus notorious Call of Duty antagonist Makarov.

Open Combat missions in Modern Warfare 3 are  semi-open world levels  set in a large area where  players have free rein to complete the mission in any way they choose  .

According to Robert Pitts, Associate Director of Level Design at SHG, Open Combat missions are deliberately spread out throughout the campaign to “create a seamlessly interwoven experience” between them and the traditional cinematic missions.

These missions take players to open areas such as the countryside, housing estate, and industrial park, including certain areas of Verdansk.

Following the non-linear structure, players can choose different angles to approach them. Here is a list of some examples where players can complete missions based on their preferred play style:

• Stealth  : Stay out of sight and avoid drawing the attention of enemies by firing weapons without a silencer or by approaching them directly.
• Guns a-Blazing  : Engage in full-blown, unstoppable assault with a multiplayer approach and a “no guns” mentality.
• Using Your Equipment  : For the first time, additional equipment such as Field Upgrades, Self-Repair Kits, and Equipment Parts will be available in campaign missions, allowing you to create a personalized strategy.
• Enemy ammo pickup  : Use all kinds of weapons, including weapons and equipment dropped by enemies.
• Finding More  : In campaign missions, players can now find loose items, gear boxes, or even the ability to switch to other gear mid-mission via a dedicated gear box.
• On foot  : Use a traditional movement strategy that involves combat on the ground.
• Skydiving, parkour and more  : use a more dynamic mode to complete missions with many options for verticality and unconventional movements.
• In The Water Game  : A continuation of what was introduced in MW2, players are free to dive and swim using this as a stealth strategy or alternate path to an objective.
• Vehicles  : Players will have different vehicle options, both for transportation from one location to another without putting themselves in harm’s way, and as a noisy strategy to attract enemies.
• Killstreaks and Interactive Items  : Various killstreaks will be available to players, as well as items that can be thrown at enemies, such as flammable gas canisters.

Since SHG has confirmed that half of the campaign levels  will be open combat missions  , here are some of the ones we know about so far.

Gora Dam

This open combat mission takes place atop the Gora Dam in Verdansk, where players will have to take control of Simon “Ghost” Riley in order to defuse several bomb sites scattered around the area. Armed with a fully equipped AR, a silenced pistol and binoculars, as well as deadly and tactical grenades, players will be given a wide range of options to solve and successfully complete the mission.

downed airliner

Another open combat mission takes place after a downed plane, where Task Force 141 rushes to stop Makarov’s forces from placing the blame on another country. There are patrols and obstacles to dodge (or overcome), and it uses a Groundhog Day-style mechanic where failure rewinds time, allowing you to take advantage of the information once again.

Replayability should also be an important factor in these missions, as you can try again and approach them in a completely different way.