Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2

Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 Overview

For years, Call of Duty has set the pace for engaging, action-packed, and immersive FPS gaming. And whether you're a die hard fan, or a Battlefield crusader, you can't deny the impact the franchise has had on the industry. As you can imagine, Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 does away with the franchise's focus on history, instead opting for its own "what if"?"alternate reality take of the near future.

Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 Campaign

Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 campaign continues the story of Call of Duty Modern Warfare. In a word, the campaign is intense. Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 sports an improved engine, taking full advantage of the visuals and gameplay as the campaign takes the player from Rio de Janeiro to Kazakhstan with guns blazing the whole way. The set pieces have more complex environments, improved weather effects, some destructible objects within the levels, and, of course, the heart-pounding sense of action and chaos on the battlefield. The sound design is absolutely fantastic. But be warned. If you crank up the volume on your T.V. your neighbors might think World War 3 broke out next door. For each situation, whether lighting up wave after wave of your Russian adversaries, or stealthfully infiltrating behind enemy lines, or the surprisingly emotional interactions between your comrades, Hans Zimmer strikes the perfect balance of engaging the player in the game while not distracting from what's happening. The AI has seen some improvement and there are parts of the game in which the player, especially casual players, will die time and again before they come up with an effective strategy to overcome the seemingly very convenient placement of some of the enemies. But hey, if the game's not challenging, what the point in playing? If you like a challenge, give this game a shot.

Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 Trailer

Modern Warfare 2 Drawbacks

Now let's backtrack a bit. Even having said all that in praise of Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2, there is one shortcoming I must address. The campaign, though packed with adrenaline-punching-reflex-snapping gameplay, can feel short. Even on the hardest difficulties, experienced Call of Duty vets can expect to beat the game within 7-10 hours. There has been some discussion about the death-indicator in Modern Warfare 2. As the player is shot, there is "Blood splatter" that obstructs the player's view. The closer you are to death, the more blood there is. Some say it's a fine addition, others found it annoying. I personally found it irritating at first, but soon adapted to it. Really, it's not so bad as people say, trust me. Friendlies can get in the way at times, which can be annoying when you're bogged down and a few grenades, courtesy of a Russian soldier are lobbed right next to you. You try to bug out, but there's a wall to you're left and a comrade to you're right and you can't move.

Modern Warfare 2 Fixes

Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 has seen some significant fixes that plagued its predecessor. There are only a few instances of unlimited enemy spawn areas, one of the major complaints of Call of Duty Modern Warfare. In Modern Warfare 2, I only ran into this problem perhaps two or three times in a couple levels. Thankfully, in most cases it was a simple matter of advancing to a certain point. Don't let the game deceive you, there are some areas that might seem like it's an "endless enemy spawn" area. I've tested them out personally and there is actually a limit so long as you're willing to actually take the time to shoot everything that moves. Typically these are areas with specific objectives and the player is given a specific task. There is a limit, you'll just have to take my word for it. You're comrades are amazingly smart and interactive, not so much in their accuracy with a gun, I mean when it comes to communication. In the middle of a fight, you'll hear one of your brothers shout "Tango on the second floor balcony!" or "Two tangos behind the yellow station wagon!", you look over, and they're actually there. Dispatch them, and move up. 

Modern Warfare 2 Gameplay

Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 Story

The story of Modern Warfare 2 is a bit far-fetched and may give some players pause. Let's just get this out of the way now and be done with it. It's far-fetched in that Russia invades the United States and brings the heat. Now, all ethnocentrism aside, and speaking from a purely logical and objective mind, there is no way Russia, or any county for that matter, could ever take on the collective might of the United States Military. People seem to have this bloated assumption as to the power of other countries, which, although substantial in their own right, do not compare to the U.S. It's as if they're so eager to prove they're not biased and prejudiced against other countries, they ignore the facts. And the fact is, Russia could never invade the U.S. with the success it does in this game. There's just no way. And this works against the story of the game. It's just not believable. For me, and I'm not the only one as several gamers I know have mentioned this, we experienced this perpetual state, this ongoing thought of "This could never happen." But take this game for what it is, pure entertainment. Not much fun if it feels like team U.S.A is laying waste to their Russian foes, creating a complete lack of suspense. I also recommend potential buyers simply check out the story online as much is explained through conversation during loading screens and even while you're dodging bullets. I doubt our troops overseas are reading a text while they're engaged, and frankly, it's poor game design on the developer's part for thinking players would actual prioritize reading subtitles and listening to your comrades speak over surviving the battle. Also, for an all-out war, Modern Warfare's campaign could have focused more on fighting for more strategic positions, military bases, industries, and big cities such as New York City, La, Chicago, Dallas, Seattle, Miami, and so on. At least you fight for Washington D.C.

Modern Warfare 2 Multiplayer

Let's be frank. I know why most people play Call of Duty. The multiplayer, especially online. The class system is back, but players can essentially create their own through selecting returning and new weapons, perks, and killstreaks. Modern Warfare 2 is, perhaps, the most balanced multiplayer game I've ever played. Even newcomers can contribute to the team in their own way. Some may employ their sniper abilities, others will rack up kills with quick reflexes and blaze a trail with an assault rifle, and others will engage in stealth and assassinate enemies. No strategy is perfect, and the levels are designed to give no one strategy or play style an advantage over others. I'd argue that playing online is even more enjoyable and chaotic than single player. And that's just fine with me. If you have online access, chances are you'll play through the campaign until you beat it on every difficulty, or the hardest, and then spend the rest of the time playing online.

Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 Online




Modern Warfare 2 Spec Ops

SpecOps will keep gamers playing Modern Warfare 2 for a very long time. It's entertaining and extremely addictive. One of my favorites is the co-op AC-130 mission in which one player fights ground side while the second player controlling the AC-130 provides cover fire. Team work is essential as the player fighting on foot must sneak behind enemy lines alone with only the second player for backup. Another mission has one player controlling the gunship while to collect the stranded second player. You must work together to as the player on the ground moves from point to point. I suggest you play with a buddy of yours online as its fun to rip on each other's failings.

Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 Spec Ops: Sniper Fi




Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 Final Verdict

For it's spectacular campaign gameplay, and addictive online modes, with relatively few and small shortcomings, Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 earns a well deserved 9 out of 10. Buy this game!

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