Summary
WhenCall of Duty: Modern Warfare 3releases in November, it will be launching with all 16 base maps from the classicCall of Dutytitle that many credit for ushering the series into mainstream popularity,Modern Warfare 2 (2009). Many longtime fans look back on the originalModern Warfare 2fondly, and for many of them, it was the very first time they got to experience this fast-paced arcade shooter for the very first time. Therefore, when it was announced that the next game in thisimmensely popular serieswas going to be remastering the memorable and iconic roster of maps fromModern Warfare 2, it most certainly grabbed people’s attention, and for good reason.
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The truth is though, while there was certainly a lot of variety in terms of the original game’s maps, not all of them were met with praise by fans, especially some that were a little too big and favored those who enjoyed camping with snipers. Still, though, these shouldn’t overshadow the majority of maps that are among some of the best-designed in the entire series which players can’t wait to see make a triumphant return inModern Warfare 3.
7Sub Base
Sub Base is quite traditional in the way it’s designed, featuring the classic 3-lanes that have become synonymous with the series, but it’s theamount of verticalitythat really helps the map stand out. Players have the option to run through into the middle of the map to try and engage in some fierce gunfights on the ground, or they can take a detour to pick enemies off from high up if they’re using a weapon that’s a little more ideal for long range.
The map did admittedly fall a little flat on objective game modes, especially Domination where it was all too easy to spawn-trap the other team, but hopefully, Sledgehammer introduce a few new shortcuts or pieces of debris and cover in certain spots to solve this. Sub Base is also one of 2 maps featured in the classicModern Warfare 2that was based ina snowy environment, so the upgraded visuals and effects will no doubt make it a standout.
6Skidrow
While there are one or two areas in Skidrow that allow for some mid-range gunfights, the map is primarily all aboutclose-range encounterswhich really encourages players to pull out their SMGs and shotguns if they want any chance of racking up kills. Most of the fighting in this urban city area will take place through the apartment buildings which are at the center of the map, but since there’s a plethora of ways to actually enter the buildings, it presents some great opportunities for flanks and back door tactics.
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Considering that the movement inModern Warfare 3has been sped up tremendously, with climbing and sliding beingthe fastest it’s ever been, it’s exciting to just think about how frantic and chaotic this map is going to be this time around. Skidrow is definitely one of the more intense and competitive maps to come out ofModern Warfare 2, so players will need to be on their A-game from start to finish if they want to make an impression on the leaderboards.
5Scrapyard
Scrapyard has become such an iconic map that it even made an appearance in theWarzone battle royale mode, but since it was only a tiny part of a much bigger map in that mode, it made the area feel a little empty. Luckily, this most certainly won’t be the case when it returns in all its glory forModern Warfare 3, with this fairly small map encouraging all kinds of playstyles, thanks to the variation in terrain.
With two buildings situated on each side of the map, anyone who feels like completing some challenges with amarksman rifle or sniperwill have a field day picking off enemies from a distance. However, this isn’t to say that those who love getting up close and personal also won’t enjoy this map as they will be able to duke it out for control over the airplane capsules scattered around the middle. It’s hard to imagine this map being more fast-paced than it was in the original, but thanks toModern Warfare 3’senhanced movement and emphasis on high-speed combat, it’s guaranteed to be just as, if not more, fun than it’s always been.
4Afghan
Afghan has always been known as being quitea difficult map to playfor anyone who hasn’t taken the time to learn it. It’s all too easy to run straight into the center next to the crashed plane without realizing that the area is wide open and essentially a hunting ground for everyone else perched upon the cliffs. This does also make it incredibly satisfying to learn though since there are plenty of small hidden shortcuts players can take to quickly navigate their way around the map.
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What also made Afghan such a highlight though was the spawns which is alwaysa matter of contentionwhen it comes toCall of Dutymaps. Because each team has plenty of cover protecting them when spawning in, alongside a long runway, that gives them a clear sightline of any enemies, it allows players to breathe a little easier and makes it one of the most fun maps for objective modes.
3Estate
A map that anyone who has completed the story ofModern Warfare 2 (2009)will know all too well, Estate is actuallyquite big in size, but the action always centers on one small area of the map, and that’s the cabin. Any team who manages to hunker down in the cabin will make themselves prime targets, but they’ll also have a great vantage point that they can make use of to have an overview of the entire map.
There was actually somewhat of a modern-day remake of Estate in the latestModern Warfare 2 (2022)in the form of Pelayo’s Lighthouse, but it didn’t quite have the same feeling as the original due to how spaced out it was, andthe night-time setting. Luckily, the original Estate really doesn’t need to be changed much at all for it to be perfect, so simply giving it a visual revamp and launching it with the game is more than enough to have longtime fans excited.
2Favela
Definitely the most vertical map to come from the original game, Favela has gone on to become one of the most iconic maps inCall of Dutyhistory which actually made a brief return inCall of Duty Ghoststhanks to its enormous popularity. Aside from the bright and eye-catching aesthetic ofthe Brazilian slumswhich, no doubt, are going to look absolutely stunning inModern Warfare 3, Favela is also well known for its unpredictability, in the sense that it’s basically impossible for any single player to control the map.
Because of the sheer amount of buildings featured in the map, there’s always going to be someone peeking out of a window or running across a rooftop which keeps all players on their toes, since they know they’re never going to be fully safe. Favela is a map that has become so iconic among the fanbase that even if this was the only map making a return, it would, undoubtedly, bring many fans back who had a blast playing through it years ago.
1Terminal
It’s hard to define Terminal as being one single type of map because of just how varied it is in design. While it definitely grants opportunities for close encounter skirmishes, such as in the plane or the gift shop, for example, there are also plenty ofopen-ended areaswhere those rocking with assault rifles and snipers can pick up a few kills too. Because the map is essentially split in half in terms of being outdoors and indoors, it also makesairstrike killstreakseffective, but not too overpowered.
The map is also just a feast for the eyes in how it looks, with it being much more colorful than some of the darker and more dreary maps which can often become a little bland in their design. Terminal is as far away from bland as a map can get though, with it being one of the most well-known maps inFPS historyand one that many fans are itching to jump back into.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3is set to release on July 08, 2025 for PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S and X, and PC.
