Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 launched October 23, 2026 to the franchise’s best critical reception in years — an 84 on Metacritic across 19 critics and a "Mighty"-rated 85 on OpenCritic, a sharp turnaround from last year’s Black Ops 7, which closed at 65.
No embargo review copy or early access was provided to this desk for Modern Warfare 4; every score, quote, and critique below is drawn from and credited to the outlets that reviewed it, cross-checked across Destructoid, DayOne, Game Informer, GameSpot, IGN, GameRant, Digital Chumps and GamingTrend rather than taken from any single one.
What Are Critics Saying About Modern Warfare 4?
The consensus is the strongest the rebooted Modern Warfare line has had since it returned in 2022: reviewers are calling the campaign one of the series’ best in years and praising a steadier, more confident multiplayer package than 2025’s Black Ops 7 shipped with. IGN’s reviewer put it plainly: "Modern Warfare 4 made me feel something for the series again."
| Outlet | Score | Critic |
|---|---|---|
| GameRant | 10/10 | Dalton Cooper |
| DayOne | 9/10 | — |
| Destructoid | 9/10 | — |
| Digital Chumps | 9.5/10 | Ben Sheene |
| Game Informer | 8/10 | — |
| GameSpot | 8/10 | — |
| GamingTrend | 87/100 | David Burdette |
What the Reviews Praise
The campaign’s finale and the reworked DMZ extraction mode are the two most consistently praised elements. Destructoid highlighted the game’s "three distinct and fleshed-out modes," while DayOne called it "one of the most rock solid Call of Duty games ever made." GameSpot’s review singled out "a strong and engaging multiplayer experience" paired with "an epic campaign conclusion."
What the Reviews Criticize
The complaints are narrower than the praise. Game Informer’s 8/10 review flagged that "plot execution is a bit shaky" despite calling the overall package "a strong return to form," and multiple outlets note the campaign runs shorter than past entries and leans on familiar beats rather than new ones. None of the reviews surveyed scored the game below an 8/10 equivalent.
How Does It Compare to Black Ops 7?
The gap is the real story here: Black Ops 7 closed out 2025 at a 65 on Metacritic, and Modern Warfare 4 is landing at 84 less than a year later — a roughly 29% jump in critical score. That’s not a marginal bounce-back — it’s Infinity Ward posting the series’ healthiest critical reception since Modern Warfare II in 2022, and it comes specifically from the campaign finale and DMZ mode critics single out by name, not a vague ‘overall improvement.’
Platforms and Release Details
Modern Warfare 4 is out now on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC and Nintendo Switch 2 — it skipped PS4 and Xbox One entirely, the first mainline Call of Duty to drop last-gen consoles. Campaign early access went live before the October 23 launch, and the game supports full crossplay and cross-progression across every platform it ships on. Unlike past entries, it’s not included in Xbox Game Pass on day one; Microsoft now holds new Call of Duty games back from the subscription until the following holiday.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Modern Warfare 4’s Metacritic score?
84 across 19 critic reviews, as of its October 23, 2026 launch.
Is Modern Warfare 4 better reviewed than Black Ops 7?
Yes, by a wide margin. Black Ops 7 closed at 65 on Metacritic; Modern Warfare 4 is 19 points higher at 84.
What do critics like most about Modern Warfare 4?
The campaign’s finale and the reworked DMZ extraction mode are the two most consistently praised elements, alongside multiplayer that several outlets call a return to the series’ classic feel.
What platforms is Modern Warfare 4 on?
PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2. It is not available on PS4 or Xbox One.
The Shortcut’s full review roundup has the complete critic breakdown. OpenCritic’s aggregate page tracks the live score as more reviews land.
