The Value Verdict
Modern Warfare 4 is a confident, well-rounded Call of Duty package, but at the $109.95 launch RRP it is a game to buy with a discount in hand. The campaign is a grounded war story with strong set pieces, the multiplayer is deep and well supported, and DMZ finally gives the series a credible extraction shooter. The catches are a story that rushes its biggest moments, a multiplayer suite that plays it safe, and no Game Pass at launch. Grab it at retail for $85 to $99 and it is a solid buy. Pay full price on day one and you are paying a premium for a game that is very good rather than essential.
The Gist
Modern Warfare 4 wraps up the rebooted Modern Warfare storyline from where Modern Warfare 3 left off. Captain Price is still hunting Makarov, but the story spreads its focus across several perspectives, including a new South Korean squad on the ground. The war spills across the Korean Peninsula, Paris, New York and Mumbai over 16 missions. The tone is darker and more grounded than recent entries, leaning away from the stealthier approach of earlier games in favour of straighter, harder-hitting combat.
The Gameplay Loop
- ›Campaign: 16 linear missions that swing between squad-level ground combat and bigger set pieces. The cast is strong, but several characters are underused and a few arcs feel rushed.
- ›Multiplayer: Familiar staples like Team Deathmatch and Kill Confirmed sit alongside newer modes such as Hijack and Combat Outpost, which scales up to 24v24 with tanks and RPGs in the mix. Maps range from tight spaces like Mumbai and Nautical to wide-open ones like Coal and Reactor U92. Movement is a touch less fluid than the recent Black Ops games.
- ›Gunsmithing: A deep attachment system (scopes, ammo, stocks, muzzles) where every choice has a trade-off. A feature called Gunny suggests builds for your playstyle if you would rather skip the decision paralysis.
- ›DMZ: A new extraction mode set in the open world of Hajin, playable solo, in duos or in trios. You drop in, scavenge, then try to extract with your loot. Loadouts and traits matter, and the risk is real.
- ›No Zombies: The package at launch is Campaign, Multiplayer and DMZ only.
Hardware & Performance
The PS5 version is current-gen only (no PS4 release) and has native PS5 Pro support with upgraded PSSR and 4K output. Base PS5 players get a 120Hz mode, and the game also supports VRR, HDR, 3D Audio, and DualSense haptics and adaptive triggers. One practical tip: Activision says Performance Mode in the Campaign and DMZ requires VRR to be enabled, so if you are stuck at 60Hz on a 120Hz TV, check VRR in your PS5 display settings first.
Visually it is one of the best-looking games in the series, with realistic New York and Paris environments. Launch reviews flagged occasional frame rate dips in busy campaign scenes and noticeable texture loading, so expect a few rough edges rather than anything game-breaking.
Is It Worth the Money?
The campaign runs for roughly 8 to 9 hours on a first playthrough, so most of the long-term value sits in multiplayer and DMZ. DMZ is included with the base game at no extra cost, and seasonal content and battle passes will keep both modes moving. If you live in multiplayer, replayability is high. If you only want the campaign, you are paying a lot per hour.
The standard edition has a $109.95 RRP on the PlayStation Store and at EB Games, and the Vault Edition at $149.95 mostly adds cosmetics and a battle pass season, so it is hard to justify for most players. Retail is where the savings are: at the time of writing, Target and Big W sat around $85 to $89, Amazon AU at $89 and JB Hi-Fi at $99. That makes the PS5 disc the clear value pick over the digital download, with a saving of $10 to $25.
This one suits players who want to finish the Modern Warfare story, multiplayer regulars, and anyone keen on a new extraction shooter. Buy the disc at retail if you will play online. Wait for a sale if you are mainly here for the campaign. Game Pass is not an option at launch, with the game slated to arrive on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass in holiday 2027, and that does not help PS5 players anyway.