Modern Warfare 3 is on the horizon, and if it’s even half as good as the developers are boasting, we’re all in for a treat. 2023 has been an intriguing year for Call of Duty, and the game feels very different from how it did at launch. If you’re on CoD hiatus until MW3 comes out, it’s easy to fall behind the competition. Still, you don’t have to force yourself to play, and if you’re looking for alternatives, I’ve got you covered. Here are 5 Warzone alternatives to prepare you for Modern Warfare 3.
5 Warzone alternatives to prepare you for Modern Warfare 3
If you’re keen to branch out from Call of Duty and try other shooters on the market, try these on for size:
Apex Legends
Image: Respawn Entertainment
Apex Legends is a juggernaut in the Battle Royale space and offers some of the tightest shooting mechanics in the industry. If you’re new to the game, you’ll have to learn which heroes do what, but once you’ve got that base knowledge, there’s a lot to enjoy.
Movement plays a big part in Apex Legends, and it sounds like the next iteration of Warzone will have improved mobility. I doubt we’ll be sliding around the entire map on our knees in CoD any time soon, but it’s good practice.
Apex Legends can be downright miserable if you go in alone. If you’re hoping to dive in, I recommend doing so with friends if you can.
PUBG
Image: PUBG Corp
Player Unknowns Battle Grounds is much slower-paced than Warzone, but it’s a great place to start if you want to get back into Battle Royales.
There’s more ‘busy work’ in PUBG than in Warzone, but the shooting mechanics are solid, and sniping feels sublime.
If you enjoy knocking your opponent’s head off with Sniper Rifles in Warzone, you’ll have a field day in PUBG. There are several maps to learn and an almost overwhelming amount of content.
PUBG has been free since 2022 and pulls in ludicrous player numbers daily. Competition is fierce, and there’s quite a learning curve. If that’s not a problem, there’s a lot to love in the title that put Battle Royales on the map.
Halo Infinite
Image: PC Invasion
Before you attack me with your Energy Swords, let me explain this one. I think most of us can agree that Halo Infinite dropped the Oddball at launch. Many of the most ardent fans moved back to the Master Chief Collection, and that’s a sorry state of affairs even the Prophets couldn’t spin.
To my surprise, Halo Infinite has come leaps and bounds through 2023 and boasts a solid selection of game modes. Classic maps like Water Works and Zanzibar have returned and are a sight for sore eyes. Halo isn’t Call of Duty, and it never will be, but it’s an option if you want to get back into the arena shooter mindset. Halo Infinite is also free to play; if your trigger finger is rusty, it’s a great way to change that.
Counterstrike 2
Image: Valve Corporation
Counterstrike 2 is a great place to hone your shooter skills if you’re a PC gamer, but there’s a steep learning curve. Still, if you’re into ‘initiation by fire,’ you’ll learn skills playing CS2 you can use in every shooter.
CS2 has replaced Counterstrike: Global Offensive and given the aging shooter a well-deserved lick of paint. Gameplay-wise, it’s very similar and just as competitive as ever.
Coming into the series for the first time, it’s humbling getting your head blown off the moment you peek around a corner. Still, if you stick with it, you can take that sharpened aim into MW3 and (hopefully) dominate the competition.
Destiny 2
Image: PC Invasion
Destiny 2 is known for its Sci-Fi PvE content, but firefights are fierce in Crucible, the PvP mode. Since the old Halo days, Bungie has earned a reputation for masterful shooting mechanics. Destiny 2 proves the studio can still craft a shooter that feels phenomenal whether you prefer a Controller or Keyboard and Mouse.
Combat feels quite different from Call of Duty, but pulling off crazy plays is as satisfying as ever. Destiny 2 teaches the value of staying with the team, and each weapon type has clear pros and cons.
The core of Destiny 2 is free to play, although most of the PvE content is locked behind paywalls if you want to explore the title further.
Those are my picks for games to prepare you for Modern Warfare 3. Nothing feels exactly the same as Call of Duty, and Modern Warfare 2 is the best game to play if you want a like-for-like experience. If you want to experiment with other franchises, the titles above are a great place to start.
