Modern Warfare 4 launches with the best Call of Duty reviews since 2011
Infinity Ward's sequel opened at 86 on Metacritic — the series' highest debut since Modern Warfare 3 fifteen years ago.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 launched on October 23, 2026 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC and Nintendo Switch 2.
A return to form
On launch day the game held an 86 on Metacritic, the best score for a Call of Duty since 2011's Modern Warfare 3 (88). For comparison, last year's Black Ops 7 sits at 65. Critics singled out the campaign and the DMZ mode, with matchmaking the main complaint.
Players agree: the campaign, which pre-order owners could play from October 16, had already earned 'Very Positive' Steam reviews during early access.
Not on Game Pass at launch
Unlike Black Ops 6 and Black Ops 7, Modern Warfare 4 did not launch on Xbox Game Pass on day one.