Metascore
82 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 71 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 59 out of 71
  2. Negative: 0 out of 71
  1. 100
    With a single player campaign that lasts a good eight hours, with loads of replay value in the form of higher difficulty levels and places to explore or do differently, plus the multiplayer mode that supports 24 players online and a thriving community that love war games as much as you should, Call of Duty 3 is one hell of an experience.
  2. The graphics are top-notch and the sound helps immerse you in the wonderfully rendered action.
  3. 100
    Combined with the single player campaign, Call of Duty's online play rounds out a very impressive package, one that throttles the senses and shakes the soul.
  4. The best thing I can say about Call of Duty 3 is that after playing I actually felt like I had been through a war. There were moments when I would catch myself physically ducking or leaning my body as I tried to look around a corner.
  5. The campaign is the most intense ten hours I’ve ever had the pleasure of experiencing in videogame. Online the game has been vastly improved.
  6. Although the singleplayer campaign only lasts for 8 hours or so, this is a game that you will probably want to replay in the different difficulty setting and play for countless hours online.
  7. Featuring improved multiplayer and spiffed-up graphics, Call of Duty 3 is arguably the best game in the series to date.
  8. One of the few games that have glaring holes in the gameplay, and gets away with it scot-free. Why? Atmosphere.
  9. Now in its third installment, this FPS franchise continues to impress us with some pretty realistic battles, enhanced online multiplayer and much expanded gameplay.
  10. From a top notch graphics engine to some really fun multiplayer, FPS gamers will enjoy this just as much as last year. The only knock I can say on the game is that it is maybe a little too much like "COD2."
  11. Incredible visuals, super sound design and music, varied missions, and engaging multiplayer make this game a definite buy.
  12. 90
    But there's something I can quite put my finger on, some intangible quality that's missing from this version. Simply put, Call of Duty 3 is less epic. I know that sounds trite, but it's the truth.
  13. Take one part classic Call of Duty scripted FPS action, add in two parts improved level design, another one part updated graphics, and just about four parts upgraded multiplayer and you’ve got the ultimate Call of Duty stew.
  14. 90
    Treyarch has done an amazing job with this game and has quite possibly constructed on of the best online experiences currently available anywhere.
  15. While the [single-player] combat is still brilliant and it looks a lot better, the unskippable cutscenes, unvaried locations, irritating characters and mini-games all really grate. However, adding in the much improved multiplayer with a variety of cool vehicles, Treyarch has really rounded off Infinity Ward's vision. [Dec 2006, p.90]
  16. The addition of two new armies as well as vehicles and the multiplayer “class system” polish off the full package.
  17. 88
    Amazingly, the online environments look nearly as good as the single player experience and the maps seem to be well balanced and heavily tested. The frame rate was excellent and the architecture of the levels is nearly just as detailed as in the campaign.
  18. Call of Duty 3 plays every bit as good as its predecessor, and it has improved multiplayer and visuals, too.
  19. CoD3 does what is expected, in many ways. It delivers the CoD experience with the next-generation console touch. There are some welcomed additions, and the game is a visceral treat. The improvements are minor.
  20. Call of Duty 3 may not be vastly different to Call of Duty 2, but it is quantifiably better.
  21. If you've played one Call of Duty game, you know exactly what to expect from this one. Of course, that's not necessarily a bad thing.
  22. A breathtaking experience but lacking the spark and guile to turn it into a classic. [Christmas 2006, p.68]
User Score

Mixed or average reviews- based on 146 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 33 out of 59
  2. Negative: 15 out of 59
  1. Decent game all and all but there are some major problems that hold this game back. For example, all of the quick time events are really repetitive never really that interesting. Once again, this shooter is good but brings nothing new to the table. Full Review »
  2. Daniel
    4
    If it aint broke don't fix it! COD2 was probably my favorite game of all time; but this is a buggy, soulless version of it. A lot of the same guns are back but they just feel really different. It's hard to describe, but they're harder to use effectively (especially the snipers) and some are just plain stupidly annoying. Vehicles handle like crap and reek of gimmicky-ness. Multiplayer (which was insanely addictive in COD2) is a major disappointment. 24 player matches sound cool in theory, until you realize you get shot and killed about every three seconds and have to wait ages to get back in a game where you will probably get killed again really soon. Levels are too damn big and lifeless. Just a major disappointment. Full Review »
  3. An overall decent FPS, that brings little more to the genre than more beautiful graphics and the grappling encounters. Worth getting if you like WWII shooters. Full Review »