Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3: Defiance stands as a notable entry in the history of handheld gaming, bringing the intense first-person shooter action of the popular franchise to the Nintendo DS. Released on November 8, 2011, this title was developed by n-Space and published by Activision. As a portable adaptation of the massive console phenomenon, it attempts to translate the scale of a global conflict to a limited hardware environment. While it serves as a faithful companion to the home console releases, players should approach it with the understanding that it offers a scaled-back version of the "full meal deal" found on larger systems.

Story and Setting Overview

The narrative of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3: Defiance acts as a companion piece to the main console storyline. The plot kicks off with a massive Russian invasion, forcing Britain and the United States to join forces in an all-out effort to prevent global chaos and destruction. While the game features a bare-bones version of the home console's plotline, the story is perfectly suited for the handheld machine, allowing players to engage with the action without getting bogged down by complex narrative exposition. The game includes 14 levels that drive this conflict forward, mixing up the standard shooter formula with various mission types.

Gameplay Mechanics and Modes

The single-player experience offers three distinct modes:

  • Campaign: The main story mode featuring 14 levels that mix up gameplay through diverse environments.
  • Quick Play: Allows you to replay missions from the campaign.
  • Challenge Mode: Utilizes campaign locales for tasks requiring specific weapon kills.

The campaign allows players to follow squad mates across snow-packed terrain or snipe enemies from mountain tops. The game also introduces stealth sequences where players must sneak up behind enemies to shank them, as well as vehicle missions where you command a tank and direct your forces. While the campaign can feel somewhat directed and padded, the game's multiplayer mode makes up for these faults. It features six-player online matches (historically) and local multiplayer, packed with six different modes. The multiplayer experience strips away the padding of the campaign, offering a simple yet fun shooter experience with a great sense of reward upon dispatching opponents.

Controls and Technical Features

Developed by n-Space, the game is noted for being graphically impressive for the DS hardware, though it does suffer from frame rate issues. The control scheme offers flexibility; players can use the touchscreen, though it requires adjusting the sensitivity to find a comfortable level, or they can opt for button controls. While the button controls feel better to many, they may sacrifice a bit of precision.

It is important to note that as of May 20, 2014, the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service for Nintendo DSi and Wii systems was retired. Consequently, the online features of this game are no longer available, though the game still provides an entertaining experience in offline mode.

Who It Appeals To

This title is ideal for fans of the series who want a portable shooter experience. While it does not win awards for innovation and is sometimes described as a chore in its campaign, it remains a decent job of making the franchise portable for DS owners looking for familiar action on the go.