( CNN ) -- `` Call of Duty : Modern Warfare 3 '' continues the franchise 's tradition of high action , detailed fighting and a highly competitive multiplayer mode while still trying to let players play the way they want . The latest in the wildly successful series hits all the right notes in both its cinematic single-player campaign and its intense multiplayer mode . They also bring back the `` Special Ops '' mode from `` Modern Warfare 2 , '' combining the best of both . The single-player campaign , while short , takes you hopping around the globe to major cities in the world 's most powerful countries . Instead of battling in traditional hotspots ( i.e. , locales like Afghanistan ) , the story puts the player in Manhattan , London and Berlin to name a few . Each city is richly detailed and the combat , against opponents run by a smart artificial-intelligence program , is intense . The pacing from city to city varies based on mission and storyline presented in each location . One city will be frantic while another city might be a bit slower . But all are engaging . There are some unexpected , and tragic , moments played out in the single-player campaign 's story . But they combine to bring the `` Modern Warfare '' story to a satisfying end . I wish it would have lasted longer , but the plot flowed nicely . The `` Special Ops '' mode takes the intense AI from the single-player game and adds elements that are usually found in multiplayer action . Creative strategist Robert Bowling said the development team wanted to give people who normally only tackle the single-player campaign the opportunity to experience some of the rewards only found during online multiplayer play . `` We noticed there were a lot of experiences that you were missing out on if you only played single player or , vice versa , you only played multiplayer , '' Bowling said . `` We wanted to find a platform that allowed the type of player from each of those to have those shared experiences rather than missing out because it was n't their style of play . '' Sixteen missions tie in to the campaign . Along the way , players earn credit for achievements like kill streaks and customizing weapons . There 's a progressive ranking system that lets even the most `` lone wolf '' player climb up the leaderboard . The Survival mode is particularly grueling , with wave after wave of opponents coming after you . The core of the multiplayer action stays pretty true to the franchise 's roots . Huge battles , lots of action and an experience-point system keep players involved and interested . Most of the modes remain the same with one new additional mode . Collecting tags from dead bodies adds a cool twist to straightforward killing of an opponent and actually promotes teamwork , something that 's lacking from time to time in multiplayer action . There are 16 new maps to set the scene of your victories . Bowling said there are 30 million players who have played `` Call of Duty '' online and a new Elite program will help provide stats , tips and bring together the franchise community without dividing them among consoles . He also tweeted on Day One that the game 's makers have already had to ban gamers from leaderboards -- and from playing altogether -- for trying to play unfairly or artificially boost their rankings . While the multiplayer mode has n't changed much , it never really needed to . The `` Modern Warfare '' franchise has a great track record of addictive online play that remains enjoyable and exciting . Fast and furious multiplayer action , a cinematic single-player campaign and a Special Ops mode offering the experience of both takes `` Call of Duty : Modern Warfare 3 '' to the top of the class . At least until the next one comes out . `` Call of Duty : Modern Warfare 3 '' is available now for the PC , PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 . It is rated M for mature due to blood and gore , drug references , intense violence and strong language . This review was done using the Xbox 360 version .
The single player campaign puts you in places such as Manhattan , London and Berlin . You can play through the story with a friend or even against them! There are 16 new maps to set the scene during multipayer action .