It has become almost a fait accompli that the end of another year brings certain things – the festive season, holiday plans, a respite from work – and another instalment in the Call of Duty franchise.

Superlative action; Silky smooth controls; Bountiful multiplayer and Special Ops extends its longevity

Pacing issues in campaign; Little connection to characters,

When the Modern Warfare scion of the venerable Call of Duty franchise branched out four years ago, the electrifying campaign and addictive multiplayer cast a new mold for first-person shooters.

Climactic campaign; Lots of varied and challenging Spec Ops action; Exciting and entertaining competitive multiplayer; Spec Ops profile spreads the satisfaction of leveling up

Multiplayer sticks closely to familiar formula

Good game at a great price

The campaign is bombastic bordering on bewildering, but the rest of the (gargantuan) package is typically life-consuming stuff.

Intelligently expands multiplayer while trimming obnoxious excess; Enough content to last until the inevitable Modern Warfare 4; An eye for a blockbuster setpiece few games possess

Campaign fails to keep momentum; even in a slim six hours; Spec Ops survival feels a little 'me too

The game has introduced a new Face Off mode which is a neat variation on the usual team-based action.The game surely becomes more interesting now.

Modern Warfare 3 is, in some ways, a bit like buying a Spice Girls album, in that, no matter how cool you think you are, it's impossible not to sing along. This is what Call of Duty is, gaming fun in its purest form.

Everything you want from a Call of Duty game and just that little bit more; well worth the asking price; insane fun

At times feels like it is playing it safe; engine is getting a tiny bit tired; multiplayer still slightly too hard for beginners

Awesome product

Beautiful looking game on Xbox 360. The controls are spot on. The game play is immersive. Many people have averted to the idea of purchasing COD MW3; they have surely made a mistake here due to negative paid reviews created by many on YouTube.

A week or two ago, Activision invited us to Palm Springs for the opportunity of playing through Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 's Single Player Campaign, plus the chance to play as much multiplayer and Spec Ops as we could possibly handle. Does Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 live up to the hype?

The first Modern Warfare 3 map pack as arrived, courtesy of Call Of Duty Elite - but are maps Liberation and Piazza worth subscribing for? Find out in our review.