Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 is generating the most positive buzz the series has seen in years ahead of its October 23 release. According to ScreenRant's review roundup, the game is on track to become the most well-received Call of Duty since the original Black Ops in 2010.

What do the numbers say?

The story mode, which opened for early access on October 16, received a 93% positive rating from players on Steam. This is a pleasant surprise for a community that often criticizes the series for "selling the same game every year." Initial critic scores paint a similar picture:

Most major sites are still reviewing the game, as they want to wait for multiplayer and DMZ servers to go live before giving a final score. So the full picture isn't set yet, but the praise for the story mode is a big turnaround for Infinity Ward after the underwhelming Modern Warfare III campaign.

What did they get right this time?

Reviews consistently highlight strong presentation, noticeable mechanical improvements, and a return to the roots of the series with handcrafted missions. Instead of open-world experiments, the classic, guided Modern Warfare missions are back.

• New front: The story focuses on a renewed conflict between North and South Korea, marking the series' first large-scale foray into this region. There are also missions set in New York, Paris, and Mumbai.
• Familiar cast: Captain Price, Ghost, and Gaz return, joined by the Sierra-1 team led by Park Hyun-Jun.
• Strong villain: The main antagonist "Archer" is played by Mads Mikkelsen.
• Modes: Story mode, 6v6 multiplayer (12 maps at launch), and DMZ extraction mode.

In short, Infinity Ward is aiming to close out the new Modern Warfare saga that began in 2019 with a bold finale. Judging by the first reactions, it looks like they've succeeded.

Release date, platforms, and early access

The game launches on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2. There is no support for PS4 or Xbox One; MW4 is the first Call of Duty made exclusively for next-gen consoles. The Switch 2 version supports crossplay and offers mouse-style controls with Joy-Con 2.

There's a downside for Game Pass subscribers: Unlike Black Ops 6 and Black Ops 7, MW4 will not be available on Game Pass at launch. It's expected to join the catalog at the earliest a year later, so you'll need to purchase the game to play on release.

How to buy on your platform

To buy the game digitally, just top up your store funds in advance. If you're playing on PC via Steam, you can load your US account instantly with a Steam Wallet Code. For PS5, use a PlayStation Store Gift Card. For Xbox, get an Xbox Gift Card, and for Switch 2, use a Nintendo eShop Gift Card. Check out the latest prices on Lotkeys.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does Modern Warfare 4 launch?

Full release is on October 23, 2026. Digital pre-orders get early access to story mode on October 16 and DMZ on October 20.

Is Modern Warfare 4 on Game Pass?

No, the game won't be available on Game Pass at launch and is expected to join the catalog after at least a year.

Can I play on PS4 or Xbox One?

No, MW4 is only available for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2.

Is there a Zombies mode?

The announced modes so far are story, multiplayer, and DMZ. There is no official announcement for a Zombies mode yet.