Activision‘s biggest game of the year is officially available now, and alongside its retail availability, review embargos across the globe have been lifted.

Dozens of reviews are streaming in, and the game has made a solid impression on Metacritic with its 90/100 (Xbox 360) review aggregate.

The PS3 version’s review score is slightly lower, sitting on 88/100 – but Activision will be thrilled to see that both versions have beaten out Battlefield 3, which currently sits on 84/100 for Xbox 360, and 86/100 for PS3.

Reviews of the PC version of Modern Warfare 3 have yet to published online.

We are reviewing the PC version of Modern Warfare 3, which only unlocked via Steam a few hours ago, so you can expect our single player review up later this week and a multiplayer review sometime next week.

In the meantime, here is what some of the big dogs have had to say about the latest CoD:

Destructoid 9.5/10

Modern Warfare 3 treads familiar ground and focuses on tweaking rather than reinventing, and that’s just fine. While there are no major revelations or surprises, this is still a gorgeously produced package that gives military shooter fans exactly what they want. There’s a reason why Call of Duty is the most powerful videogame franchise of the modern era, and Modern Warfare 3 serves as a reminder — it’s just that damn good at what it does. Read more

Gametrailers 9.3/10

If you’re looking for a lot of ways to kill and be killed, Modern Warfare 3 is exhaustive. With almost 20 modes available there’s something for just about everyone. Read more

1UP A-

I’m glad to say the multiplayer remains addicting and is more balanced than ever. Read more

Videogamer 9/10

Modern Warfare 3 doesn’t do anything new, but it also doesn’t do anything wrong. For better or worse, this is a slick and well-metered trio of modes that make an entertaining package, but Sledgehammer Games and Infinity Ward are simply looking to augment previous games rather than expand the series into pastures new. Read more

Computer and Video Games 9/10

Modern Warfare has always relied on smoke and mirrors. What surprises us is how ably the conjurers perform despite the much publicised Infinity Ward departures. After many months of doom-mongering it’s great to find a game as confident and capable as those that preceded it. Read more

Joystiq 4.5/5

Modern Warfare 3’s multiplayer is some of the series’ strongest, and the co-op offerings have been expanded tenfold. But the campaign will leave you yearning, wishing that the characters were differentiated by more than thick accents, or that the gameplay tried something more than aim, shoot, take cover, reload, rinse and repeat. Read more

IGN 9/10

The multiplayer is hands-down the best it has ever been, with more features, more modes and a ton of new levels and ways to interact via Call of Duty Elite. The singleplayer campaign and Spec Ops mode add value to the overall package, creating something that may not be perfect, but is too damn addicting to pass up. Read more

EDGE Magazine 9/10

An emphatic, feature-packed and sometimes stunning final act.  Read more

Game Informer 9/10

Modern Warfare 3 meets expectations. The core elements of multiplayer and the campaign remain fundamentally unchanged, but the game serves as a great example of how many subtle tweaks can add up to an improved overall product. Read more

Gamespot  8.5/10

This is an exciting and rewarding game, but the series’ signature thrills have lost some of their luster. Modern Warfare 3 iterates rather than innovates, so the fun you have is familiar. Fortunately, it’s also utterly engrossing and immensely satisfying, giving fans another reason to rejoice in this busy shooter season. Read more

Eurogamer 8/10

Feels like a complete package from the start; the three gameplay areas – solo, co-op and multiplayer – all feeling like parts of a cohesive whole, driven by a clear and honed declaration of intent. Read more

 

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