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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
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The verdict on

Modern Combat 5

55
User verdict / 100 High confidence Divided

Modern Combat 5 is praised for its engaging campaign and solid FPS gameplay, but it is heavily criticized for an overwhelming number of ads, persistent bugs, and a 'pay-to-win' multiplayer experience.

4.7★ lifetime (197,578) Free + in-app purchases since 2014 by Gameloft updated 0.5 mo ago recent negative 36% 120 reviews across 4 regions
Ads Multiplayer Experience Bugs & Performance Nostalgia & Legacy Lack of Updates/Content
5★412
4★123
3★107
2★88
1★270
recent reviews across 4 regions, vs the 4.7★ lifetime average

Modern Combat 5 is a free-to-play first-person shooter that offers a campaign mode and multiplayer, with many players expressing nostalgia for its gameplay. However, recent reviews highlight significant issues with excessive ads, frequent disconnections, and an unbalanced multiplayer system that favors paying players. The game's lifetime rating is high, but recent sentiment indicates a negative trajectory due to these ongoing problems.

What users like

What users complain about

  • Excessive and intrusive ads, even for paid usersR12R16R38R61
  • Frequent server issues and disconnectionsR8R73
  • Unfair matchmaking and 'pay-to-win' elements in multiplayerR20R31R52R103
  • Persistent bugs, including control issues and sound problemsR28R56R65R245
  • Lack of new content and updates, leading to stagnationR2R155R50

Latest update · v6.0.5

What the developer says changed (the verdict above weighs this against what reviewers report):

Various bug fixes and improvements

Recurring themes

Ads negative
Many users report an overwhelming number of ads, appearing frequently between matches, during gameplay, and even after exiting screens. Some users who previously paid for the game are now seeing ads, and ads often cause sound issues or game freezes.R12R16R38R42
Multiplayer Experience negative
Reviewers frequently complain about unfair matchmaking, pitting low-level players against high-level or 'prestige' players, making it difficult for new players to compete. There are also accusations of hackers and 'pay-to-win' mechanics where purchased guns are significantly more powerful.R10R19R20R31
Bugs & Performance negative
Despite developer notes claiming 'bug fixes and improvements,' users report ongoing issues such as server errors, disconnections, game freezing, control loss (e.g., inability to move crosshair), and sound problems after ads. Some bugs, like shooting through walls, have been reported for years.R3R8R28R56
Nostalgia & Legacy mixed
Many players express deep nostalgia for Modern Combat 5 and previous installments, particularly Modern Combat 4. They appreciate the campaign and overall gameplay but often wish for remasters of older games or a new Modern Combat 6, indicating a desire for the franchise to evolve.R4R17R23R33
Lack of Updates/Content negative
Users feel the game has been abandoned by developers, with no new classes, weapons, maps, or significant content updates. This leads to a lack of motivation for long-term play and a desire for a sequel.R2R50R62R155

Who it's for

This game is for players who enjoy mobile first-person shooters with a campaign mode and are willing to tolerate frequent ads and potential multiplayer imbalances R4R22R43. It might appeal to those feeling nostalgic for older mobile FPS titles R33R245. It is not for players who expect a seamless, ad-free experience, fair multiplayer matchmaking, or consistent bug fixes R12R20R65.

Evidence note: The recent reviews skew heavily negative, which contrasts with the high lifetime rating. Many positive reviews are brief or express nostalgia rather than current satisfaction, while negative reviews are detailed and consistent across multiple issues. The developer's update notes are vague and do not address specific, recurring user complaints.

Frequently asked

Are there many ads in Modern Combat 5?
Yes, many players report an excessive number of ads, appearing frequently between matches, during gameplay, and even after exiting screens, often disrupting the experience and sometimes causing sound issues R12R38.
Is Modern Combat 5's multiplayer fair?
No, many players find the multiplayer unfair due to unbalanced matchmaking, frequently pitting lower-level players against much higher-level or 'prestige' opponents, and a 'pay-to-win' system where purchased weapons provide a significant advantage R20R31R103.
Does Modern Combat 5 have a good campaign?
Yes, many reviewers praise the game's campaign mode for its engaging storyline and overall fun gameplay, with some replaying it multiple times R2R4R22R19.
Are there many bugs in Modern Combat 5?
Yes, users report various persistent bugs, including server errors, frequent disconnections, control issues (like inability to aim), game freezing, and sound problems, with some issues reportedly existing for years despite recent 'bug fixes' R8R28R65.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R2] 4/5 · US Good: Alright I am getting bored of playing the same levels over and over after beating all 7 chapters so they really should add the next chapter like an a idea where we can actually get to play as a pilot and the thing no matter how much you shoot the helicopter in chapter 4 in the chase nothing happens
  2. [R4] 4/5 · US Childhood game: I loved this game as a kid I’d play it on any phone I could get my little hands on the story is just epic couldn’t tell you how many times I’ve replayed it. Graphics are pretty bunz considering it’s 2026 tho
  3. [R22] 3/5 · US Smh: Finally a game with a good story line and not just battle modes…but please include the auto aim feature,if that happens,then call of duty is going to start hating,the aiming is terrible,which is why I uninstalled,it’s not that hard,come on now
  4. [R19] 5/5 · US Nice game: I like the game and the campaign is great but short. But you let pay to win to kill the game
  5. [R40] 5/5 · US Wow nostalgic: I have bee playing this game since 2019 and honestly the graphics are good
  6. [R41] 5/5 · US MC5: Best fps I’ve played in years good control good graphics great game!! U gotta get it!
  7. [R43] 5/5 · US Nice Game: Awesome graphics, lots of things to do, not bombing with adds, lots of weapon selection, options of weapons and customization. I really like the game with story. As of now, it’s my number one game.
  8. [R122] 3/5 · US Video games: This graphic is of high caliber,no lag time the plays are smooth like Xbox or PlayStation.
  9. [R17] 5/5 · US very nice: My childhood is priceless
  10. [R33] 5/5 · US Nostalgia: Haven’t played this game since I was 11 I love this game I’m glad it’s still the good old classic it used to be a little rough with controls but other than that it’s still as amazing as I once knew.
  11. [R245] 3/5 · US I love this game but…: Ok so I love this game ever since I was a kid everything is still nostalgic and I feel like this would hold up on console if you adjust a couple things first and foremost the ads for adventure capitalist will pop up and when you clear them out the sound of the game also goes away with a proper update this game will be good again
  12. [R12] 1/5 · US Ads must stop: Great to experience great game but now the ads ruin everything 👎
  13. [R16] 1/5 · US Ads: Too much ads in this game Eish but it good
  14. [R38] 3/5 · US Way too many ads: Its a ad each game literally
  15. [R61] 1/5 · US Paid game with ads: Why i see ads now if i paid for this game years ago? This should be illegal in the apple store
  16. [R8] 2/5 · US Server error: Why does every time the game keep having server issues. Can’t play up to 3 matches keep disconnecting from servers why fix it. It’s annoying and make the game tiring
  17. [R73] 1/5 · US Horrible: My game just sits and the loading screen and never even lets me play the game
  18. [R20] 2/5 · US I'm giving it a 2 only because in multiplayer you don't fight against players of the same level as you, but much higher. For example, my level is 40, but I play against level 140 in multiplayer matches. Where is your much-touted multiplayer with equal levels? I've noticed cheating in your game; people kill through walls. The game is designed for insane, crazy pay-to-win and nothing else. · translated
  19. [R31] 1/5 · US Pay to win: Your guns will literally do No damage if you don’t buy any
  20. [R52] 1/5 · US Bad game: There’s too much ads popping up and if you can spend real money to pay for some things on the app like guns you won’t enjoy the online game because they’d just be killing anyhow the game is poor
  21. [R103] 3/5 · US Matchmaking is kinda unfair: I like this game but it has unfair matchmaking, I just download it, so I’m currently at level 10 but in match I meet players with diamond or gold league. I know most of Gun Games are like that but it’s totally unfair for new players. But still, it’s a good game and sorry for my English.
  22. [R28] 1/5 · US Bad optimization: Using control config 2, frequently loss control, the player cannot make turn or control the target, in right side(aiming and shooting) of the screen when playing online gaming. This problem happened several years ago but never being fixed.
  23. [R56] 1/5 · US The developers forgot about their game: I have a very good account on my old Android device. Why can't I transfer my android account to iOS? Is it so difficult to make cross-platform? It's only part of the trouble. I can't play normally because this game has sound problems on iOS. I just can't reduce the volume of the game. I have 0% volume, but the game works as if at all 60% of the volume. Such
  24. [R65] 1/5 · US Various Bugs and Improvements is such a lie and kick to the face: MAJOR bug (iPhone 15; iOS 18.0): - After spawning in multiplayer, I am unable to move my crosshair (look around), this happens throughout the game. Sometimes I even get into gun fights and I’m unable to turn towards the enemy, causing death, please fix this asap. This review has been up for over a year already and has just been edit
  25. [R155] 3/5 · US Stagnation: It feels like the developers have just abandoned the game. There are no new classes, no new weapons, and after level 140, there's simply no progression. Where do I find the motivation to play?????? And most importantly, where are the new maps in online modes?????? It's the same depressing thing day after day; I'm tired of it already!!!! · translated
  26. [R50] 3/5 · US Modern Combat 5: Previous installments were more interesting and memorable. Unfortunately, the 5th part of your game couldn't please me as much or give me the same emotions I felt in previous parts. The game has become more monotonous, boring, with similar tasks. · translated
  27. [R42] 4/5 · US ADS: LOVE IT- except for the CONSTANT ADS every time you EXIT A MULTIPLAYER OR STORYLINE BATTLE! It’s so ANNOYING! Otherwise, great game.
  28. [R10] 1/5 · US MC5 dissapointed I lag alot n there’s hackers: Nothing but Hackers n cheaters
  29. [R3] 1/5 · US Useless: Does not work
  30. [R23] 3/5 · US Hello Gameloft team: I hope you are doing well. I am writing as a long-time fan of your games, especially the Modern Combat series. In particular, Modern Combat 4: Zero Hour is still remembered by many players as one of the best mobile FPS experiences ever created. I would like to respectfully request a remake or remaster of Modern Combat 4 for modern devices. Many players still talk about it an
  31. [R62] 1/5 · US Rubbish game: Kindly update the game or sell it to people who care we need a 6 now and remove those stars
  32. [R35] 2/5 · US Full of adds: The app was amazing but with the latest update an add pops up after each game and the worst thing yet even that has an X to close the add, the add still there with no way to continue with the game. I paid for the app. Why I have to watch adds and now I’m not able to play without having to re open the app after each match. Sad because the game was really good. But if this is not fix I

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store