MW3 vs. BF3

Spend a few hours playing either BF3 or MW3 online, and the discussion is bound to arise.  Will Battlefield 3 surpass Modern Warfare 3? Or vice versa? Which game is “better?” At the surface, the recently-released games seem eerily similar: futuristic, military-based, first-person shooters, with fun-looking guns, intricate multiplayer maps, and a plethora of explosions. Take a deeper look into the individual games and their predecessors, and the differences between the two are plainly evident. Still, from casual to professional, gamers everywhere are arguing about which shooter has come out on top.

It’s a rivalry, to be sure.  But is it warranted?

Apple and Oranges

Call of Duty has arguably one of the largest fan-bases for console gaming, is a leader among entertainment franchises, and has sold over three times as many units as Battlefield. In contrast, Battlefield has recently been added to the GameBattles lineup and broke pre-order sales records. The hype about both games is colossal, and they both have very distinct, very loyal fan-bases.

Call of Duty multiplayer modes have always been about the action. The games are fast paced, the maps compact, and an enemy is always lurking nearby. Modern Warfare 3 has brought more advanced weapon customizations, point-streaks in lieu of killstreaks, and the all-new Elite system that – despite earlier malfunctioning -- has fanboys giggling.

Battlefield is famous for its gigantic multiplayer maps, squad-spawning system, and a wide range of vehicles that can be operated at one’s own leisure. The series has lived in the shadows of Call of Duty over the years but slowly gained popularity, with the catalyst for its take-off being Battlefield: Bad Company. DICE boasts that the latest installment includes in-depth vehicle customization, the refined Frostbite 2 game engine, and overall polished gameplay.

Boil It Down

The simple fact of the matter is that Battlefied 3 and Modern Warfare 3 are two distinct entities. They were not intended to compete, nor does EA’s own Chief Financial Officer, Eric Brown, “expect to surpass them [Call of Duty franchise] with this year’s Battlefield 3.” In the end, sales dollars are ultimately the measure of success to the developers; from a player’s perspective, however, do the numbers really determine how successful or enjoyable a game is?  Not at all.

Both games have their merits, their quirks, their perks and their shortcomings. Both are enjoyable in their own way, and should have their distinct benefits recognized. Battlefield 3 and Modern Warfare 3 are completely separate animals – they are not comparable, equivalent, or similar in any other fashion than the sole fact that they are first-person shooters.

Nevertheless, the lines have been drawn, and fans of both series’ are ready to hash it out.

Give us your feedback!

Which game is your favorite? Do you play both? Let us know!