Review - Sanctuary and Foundation CoD: MW3
After an impressive first batch of DLC for Modern Warfare 3, Activision has rolled out the next content drop for Elite subscribers in the form of two new multiplayer maps. We’ve been playing around with them for the last couple of weeks - i.e. getting repeatedly murdered in the face by quickscoping teenagers – and it’s fair to say developers Sledgehammer and Infinity Ward have offered up a couple of interesting new playgrounds.
The first, Sanctuary, is set in a Greek mountainside monastery and, having undergone quite the tonal shift, this once-tranquil haven of spiritual contemplation is now a bullet-ridden hive of moral depravity. A change for the better, I’m sure you’ll agree. Whereas previous DLC offerings reached out to our inner sniper (see Liberation and Black Box), Sanctuary is very much a map about balance. It centres around a long corridor and bridge, which run parallel to each other across a large chasm.
The former, in particular, serves as a vicious choke point thanks to its multiple entrances - quick draw run and gunners can pick up some easy kills here, with the tight corners proving perfect for a crafty super-flank (yes, I have trademarked this). Unless that is they attract the attention of snipers from the adjacent graveyard or the parallel bridge. The considerable perimeter route offers some long sightlines for you dirty snipers (or cowards) but, while useful in the objective modes, sticking to the circumference of the map can leave you isolated from the flashpoints in free-for-all, TDM and Kill Confirmed modes. However, sneaky types will definitely want to take advantage of a secret path running underneath the monastery which offers you the chance to quickly outflank your enemy and, at least for now, goes criminally under-used.
The second new map, Foundation, feels a little out of place - at least initially. After the bright, colourful design we’ve seen in the other recent DLC offerings, Foundation’s extensive range of greys and browns is a little disappointing. Set in a South Korean concrete factory (yes, it’s about time!), the map feels more like it belongs in Black Ops due to its large size and overwhelming industrial blandness. However, after sinking more than a few hours into Foundation, I have to concede that I’m a fan and that’s largely due its fiendishly clever layout which is most evident in Domination mode. Verticality plays a large part in Foundation with raised sections at both ends of the map and a gantry running above the mixing facility in the centre (home to flag B). This central section is a clever chokepoint and becomes a haven for all manner of explosive devices. With a couple of well-placed enemies on the gantry above, flag B can prove very, very difficult to secure.
The raised sections at either end of the map provide some very long sightlines but, while it’s worth taking advantage of these on occasion, you also make yourself more visible to enemies. Stick around too long, and you’ll soon find yourself with a sniper round where your face used to be. Assault rifle classes tend to fare the best on Foundation, thanks to their versatility – SMG/shottie classes will likely be outranged by smart players and can easily fall into that patience-crushing cycle of death/despair that all Call of Duty fans have endured at some point.
Both new maps offer a larger playground than the average MW3 map and, although I appreciate the tight, almost claustrophobic environs of the game’s multiplayer, it’s nice to see the developers introducing a bit of variety, while maintaining the quality of MW3’s post-release content. Stay tuned to Arabic Gamers for more on MW3 soon – four more maps have been scheduled to drop this month and we’ll be taking a look as soon as they hit Elite.