Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Still Has One Massive Question to Answer About Makarov

Though it's often taken a backseat in most franchise entries, Call of Duty's campaign mode has really had a resurgence in recent years. After Black Ops 4 completely axed the mode, 2019's Modern Warfare delivered a campaign that's still considered one of the best in franchise history, and though it wasn't quite as revered as the first game, last year's Modern Warfare 2 also had a solid campaign mode. And now, heading into Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, expectations are higher than ever for its own story mode to be something truly special, and Sledgehammer is promising big things.

Along with a bold new mission structure that's introducing open-ended levels, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3's campaign mode seems to be going all-out with its story as well. Teased at the end of Modern Warfare 2, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3's campaign will revolve around Vladimir Makarov, a Russian Ultranationalist leader and terrorist that fans will remember very well from the original Modern Warfare series. But aside from his general appearance in Modern Warfare 3, not much is known about this new version of the character, and there's one question in particular that needs to be answered concerning both Makarov himself and Captain Price.

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Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Needs to Confirm Price and Makarov's Relationship

In the original Call of Duty: Modern Warfare series, it was heavily implied that Captain Price and Makarov had a long-standing feud with one another. Though Makarov isn't introduced until Modern Warfare 2, it's suggested that he's run into Captain Price quite a few times during his life, and the two have become natural enemies locked in a never-ending battle. It's also suggested that one of the biggest reasons behind Makarov's resentment of Price is that the latter killed his mentor, Imran Zakhaev. In the lead-up to the events of Modern Warfare 2's campaign, Price is meant to have spent a few years specifically trying to hunt down Makarov, and that's led to the two sharing a mutual hatred for one another.

In the Modern Warfare reboot continuity, it's currently unclear just how much of a relationship Captain Price and Makarov have at this point in time. At the end of Modern Warfare 2's campaign, Laswell hands around a photo of Makarov, claiming him to be a new threat. As Price looks at the photo with recognition, he states "He's not new," seemingly suggesting that Price is already well aware of Makarov. Not only that, but the rest of Task Force 141 also seems to show some signs of recognition, with Ghost, in particular, making a solemn expression directly at the camera upon seeing the photo, implying that all of the team has come across him before.

It's not currently clear just how Captain Price or the rest of Task Force 141 know Makarov. If Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 is going to follow a similar continuity as the original series, then it seems likely that Price will have run into Makarov at some point during his lengthy career, or at least heard rumors about him rising to power in Russia from his fellow Spec Ops, CIA, or SAS buddies. Alternatively, Modern Warfare 3 could reveal that Price and Makarov have actually known each other for a long time, and have frequently faced off against one another.

This latter option would definitely be the most interesting, as it would immediately give Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3's campaign some high emotional stakes. This would also end up mirroring the player's own pre-established feelings about Makarov as a long-time Call of Duty villain, with Captain Price knowing that Makarov poses a great threat, and the player knowing that too from past games in the series.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 launches on November 10 on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.

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