Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 launches this week, and more!
November has arrived, but we’re not in the thick of the holiday season just yet. Right in between Christmas and Halloween, there’s a little sweet spot in the release calendar that the games industry tends to take advantage of, releasing new consoles, games and accessories in anticipation of the big holiday season. While this month isn’t as packed as usual, there’s still a lot to look forward to.
What we’re playing this week
If you’re looking for something new to play, there’s one big game coming out this week that you've probably heard about: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (Nov 10). Activision’s first-person shooter franchise returns for another go with no small amount of controversy this year, as early access players are reporting that Modern Warfare 3’s campaign is one of the shortest and most underwhelming experiences the franchise has ever put out. It’s no secret that this year’s Call of Duty was originally meant to serve as an expansion to Modern Warfare 2, but it looks like retooling it into a fully-fledged game has not done Activision any favours.
Still, worth looking at if you’re a big Call of Duty fan. Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2 also launches this week (Nov 7), delivering a fun little dose of nostalgia to anyone who grew up playing Smash Bros. and watching cartoons like Avatar: The Last Airbender and Jimmy Neutron. Lastly, Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name launches on November 9 for fans of the Yakuza franchise and its longtime protagonist Kazuma Kiryu. Kiryu returns in this spin-off under the codename ‘Joryu’, having gone into hiding to protect his family.
Fortnite OG also launched last weekend, if you’re nostalgic for the battle royale game’s golden age.
What are we watching?
There’s some stuff to look forward to this week outside of the gaming sphere. If you’re a fan of Marvel’s superhero flicks, The Marvels hits theatres this week on November 9, featuring a body-switching team-up between Captain Marvel, Ms. Marvel and Monica Rambeau from WandaVision. Personally, I really enjoyed Ms. Marvel’s solo adventure, so I’ve got my fingers crossed for this one!
Much more exciting is the Season 2 finale of Loki, which sees the Nordic god of mischief’s time-hopping quest to save the universe come to a conclusive end this Friday. Season 2 of Loki has been nothing short of enthralling, but if we get another two-year cliffhanger, I’m going to lose my mind.
There’s been some talk about the Marvel Cinematic Universe rapidly approaching the end of its rope, and it’s difficult to deny that when Marvel Studios continues to churn out lackluster media that lacks charm and staying power. Superheroes are fun and can still be fun, as evidenced by projects like Loki and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. What crossroads demon must I strike a deal with in order to have Daredevil fall into the former category of quality, and far away from Eternals-level fare?
