Developer Infinity Ward attempted to create something unique withCall of Duty: Modern Warfare’s multiplayer modes by offering the traditional 6v6 multiplayer experience as well as the intimate 2v2 Gunfight mode and larger-scale warfare in the 64-player reworked version of Ground War. Unfortunately, it’s led to pretty significant outrage and frustration from fans of the series who feel that the lack of6v6 maps inModern Warfareand overall design isn’t on par with what longtime players expect from the series.
Remaking old content shouldn’t be the default option when things are going wrong, but with a number of classic maps already available inCall of Duty: Modern Warfare, here’s a list of 10 classic maps that Infinity Ward could bring back while it works on the next season of content and updates.
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Invasion
MW2’s Invasionis easily the most likely map following Scrapyard as it’s already inModern Warfare. While none of the detail has been added, the landscape and layout of Invasion is completely intact in the surrounding area of the map Euphrates Bridge, and it lines up perfectly with the boundaries of the original map. Whether Infinity Ward planned it as an Easter egg or a tease for what’s to come, the inclusion of Invasion was absolutely intentional and it would be a welcome addition if it came back.
Rundown
Modern Warfare 2’s multiplayer map offering was one of the best in the series and had a strong variety of map sizes that could comfortably fit all modes from Free For All to Ground War. Rundown is a medium-large scale map that takes place in a rundown village in Brazil, late in the afternoon during sundown. Like some of the upcoming maps, Rundown isn’t necessarily the first map people think of fromMW2but it does provideCall of Duty’siconic three-lane map design with plenty of vertically, jump spots, and strong variety between long-range and close quarters.
Favela
On the other side of the spectrum, there’s the bright and sunny, Favela. Set in the slums of Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro, Favela is a medium-sized map with a strong focus on levels and verticality and close-quarters combat. Easily one of the most iconic maps to be released withCall of Duty: Modern Warfare 2,the map is so popular that it wasrecreated by a fan inOverwatch, and received an update in 2012 to change an offensive image, three years afterMW2had been all but abandoned by both Infinity Ward and Activision.
Skidrow
Another brilliant medium-sized map fromModern Warfare 2is the urban map, Skidrow. Set in the infamous streets of LA’s Skid row, Skidrow is an ideal map for fast-paced team-based game modes like Domination or Team Deathmatch. Using the traditional three-lane design, combat is entirely close-quarters with small rooms, a lot of different entrances to the central building, and tight corners scattered throughout the map. It’s chaotic fun, just asCall of Dutyshould be.
Arkaden
There’s a reason that Infinity Ward and Activision made the decision to reboot theModern Warfareseries for a new generationrather than attempt making another new sub-genre following poor reception to bothGhostsandInfinite Warfare. The originalModern Warfareset the bar for the next generation of first-person shooters andModern Warfare 3remains the highest-selling game in the franchise to date. With how successfulMW3’s multiplayer ended up being, fan-favorite Arkaden is one of those maps that deserves another shot in the limelight and would help solve the ongoing issue ofModern Warfaremaps being too large.
Warhawk
Call of Duty: Ghostswas the first truly polarizing entry in the franchise, and unfortunately when it comes to multiplayer maps, it’s clear why fans weren’t happy with the game. Most of the maps inGhostswere far too large for 6v6 multiplayer and the rest of the roster was asymmetrical or overly cluttered. One map that managed to stand out above the rest and was featured prominently in the competitive scene is Warhawk, a medium-sized urban map that’s perfect for S&D and supports all playstyles. If there’s one map fromCall of Duty: Ghoststhat should come back, it’s Warhawk.
Fallen
Another fan-favorite map fromCall of Duty: Modern Warfare 3that deserves a fresh coat of paint is Fallen. Set in an abandoned town near Pripyat, Ukraine, Fallen’s setting is based on the fallout of the1986 Chernobyl disasterthat inspired the famous single-player mission, All Ghillied Up. Fallen has the perfect mixture of close-quarters to long-range combat that makes it perfect for all most from Free For All to Domination or Search and Destroy.
Quarry
Quarry is one of those maps that feels like it was made for modes like Search and Destroy: Three lane design, plenty of verticality, long sightlines, and close-quarters combat. Quarry managed to be suitable for almost any game mode and playstyle making it one of the most underrated maps on this list.Rather than another remake of Terminal, why not try out maps that would suit the needs ofModern Warfarewhile offering fans something they haven’t gotten before (at least in terms of remakes).
Estate
The final map fromCall of Duty: Modern Warfare 2is Estate. Infinity Ward managed to strike a unique balance with their map design inMW2by featuring a number of small-medium sized maps alongside medium-large maps that never felt too big for 6v6 multiplayer (excluding the infamous Fuel). Where Quarry was full of close-quarters combat, Estate is a sniper’s dream full of long sightlines and a central estate at its peak,creating a tug-of-war dynamicto hold the high ground that Anakin never understood.
Genesis
When Infinity Ward releasedCall of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, it unknowinglyreleased one of the franchises most popular mapsof all time, Dome. Infinity Ward went on to remake Dome inCall of Duty: Ghostsin the form of the DLC map Unearthed and used it’s general layout and size for anotherCall of Duty: Ghostsmap called Strikezone, and theInfinite Warfaremap, Genesis. Adding either Dome or Strikezone would be a great idea and they both fit the visual aesthetic ofModern Warfare,but Genesis is a little more spaced out and would be a nice change of pace that acknowledges the developer’s last game at least once.
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Or New Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Maps
Crash being added toModern Warfarewas a huge deal that had a lot of long-term fans very excited, but while remakes are great and help expand the roster, they can’t be the only maps in the game. Infinity Ward does need to continue to offer a variety of new maps to the game, particularly in the 6v6 and 2v2 Gunfight multiplayer modes as Ground War already shares locations use in both Spec Ops and the long-rumored Battle Royale.
Modern WarfareSeason 2is expected to release in a couple of weeks and is rumored to add new weapons, a new Battle Pass, the return of popular game modes such as One in the Chamber and All or Nothing, and much more. One major portion of the rumors includes a number of new and returning maps for 6v6 Multiplayer which is exactly the kind of thing that Infinity Ward needs to be focused on right now. Bringing back classic maps from older games can help the developer pad out the content offering and these are some fantastic choices that move away from the obvious Terminal remake we also get.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfareis available on PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
