Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 follows on from two of the biggest video games in history. EAs' Battlefield series is now making serious claims to the FPS warfare crown. This game has a lot to live up to.

We've now seen single and multiplayer gameplay, and a raft of teaser trailers, so have a pretty good idea of what to expect. Whereas Battlefield 3 is promising frighteningly realistic urban warfare, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 is taking a very different approach.

World at war

Russia is invading the US as well as England, Germany and France. It's also fighting a dirty war, with terrorist attacks on major cities, setting the scene for some dramatic missions.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 see you battle across the globe, from New York to Europe and Africa, stepping into the shoes of different people along the way. It's very much Call of Duty, but is yet another stride away from reality. The single player campaign so far looks impressive, while being heavily scripted and very linear. However, the concentration on big set pieces really sets apart from Battlefield. This is the bombastic Hollywood action-movie game, which is not necessarily a bad thing, even if the plot seems far fetched.

More social multiplayer gaming

It's Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3's multiplayer that will attract most gamers' interest, and it's fair to say it's looking better than ever. There are plenty of new toys to get to grips with, and the usual CoD XP for players to earn, but it's the integration of the social CoD Elite service, connecting multiplayer achievements with things like Facebook that is really new. There are also new 'strike packages', which offer in game perks for achievements, each suited different types of player. Graphically the multiplayer is looking better too, we just have to wait to see if the balance of weapons and so on makes it as enjoyable as the last outing.

Conclusion

Who would bet against Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 being the biggest game of the year? Despite that, it looks like being more of the same tried and tested formula.