Modern Warfare 3 Campaign Difficulty Levels Explained

Modern Warfare 3's Campaign went live in Early Access on November 2, and players who had pre-ordered the game got their first shot at taking on the continuation of MW2's story. Aside from high-stakes missions to undertake and rewards to earn, this Campaign this time around comes with some brand new features, including Open Combat Missions.

But if you're after a certain challenge during MW3's Campaign, you'll be pleased to know there are four different difficulties for you to undertake. Below, we'll go over each one, and what they'll mean for your Campaign playthrough.

All MW3 Campaign Difficulties

Modern Warfare 3 features four different difficulties to choose from when taking on the Campaign, these are:

• Recruit
• Regular
• Hardened
• Veteran

For those looking for an easier time when tackling the Campaign, perhaps with a focus on story rather than stressful combat, then Recruit is where you should begin your playthrough. If you're looking for the more standard experience, where your encounters will be fairly measured, then select Regular. 

For the more CoD savvy among players, an increased difficulty might be the perfect challenge. Hardened promises that your "skills will be strained," according to the Call of Duty blog. For the ultimate challenge, however, look no further than Veteran. Here, players can expect to have the most punishing situations thrown at them, designed so that no-one emerged unscathed. In fact, the Call of Duty blog describes this difficulty by simply saying, "You will not survive."

No matter which difficulty you select, you'll still be able to earn all Campaign rewards.

Modern Warfare 3 is a direct sequel to Modern Warfare 2, and the story will pick up immediately where the past game left off. This time, Captain Price and Task Force 141will be facing off against ultranationalist Vladimir Makarov. Aside from a challenge, players will also be able to earn themselves rewards during the Campaign which can be used in Multiplayer, Zombies and Warzone.