[360/PS3] Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Review

[AgtFox]

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Review

Title: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
Platform: 360/PS3 (also on PC)
Developer: Infinity Ward
Publisher: Activision
ESRB: Mature
MSRP: $59.99 (360/PS3/PC), $79.99 (360 Hardened/PS3 Hardened)
Editor: Loren 'AgtFox' Halek

What's Hot: Graphics; breathtaking set pieces; unparalleled multiplayer; Special Ops co-op is more engaging than hoped; voiceovers

What's Not: Story is unsurprisingly short; parts of the story make no logical sense; some sections are way too hectic; have to raise rank in order to unlock most of the multiplayer game types; question of whether the controversial section that you have the option to skip is the most controversial thing in the game; Special Ops only relegated to two players, but you can play Split-screen

Most of you have already gone out and purchased Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 or you’ve taken the high road in boycotting the game because of the controversial section or the fact that you are a PC gamer and dislike the changes Infinity Ward has made with this game (no dedicated servers, 18 player total for multiplayer, etc.). You could also be boycotting it because of the stupid video Infinity Ward put up that was not politically correct towards the homosexuals in the world. Yes, the company blew it off, but they had to have seen the double meaning behind the name of the group and the derogatory statement the first letters make.

With that out of the way, I’m proud to say that this game continues Infinity Ward’s Midas touch in regards to gaming. Starting with the Medal of Honor series as 2015 and splitting off to found Infinity Ward and make Call of Duty 1, 2, 4 and this one. The move from a PC-centric developer to one geared more toward consoles has allowed the series to explode in sales. Yes, it was very popular on the PC, but there is no doubt it has exploded on the consoles, especially with the new Modern Warfare subtitle.

The original was a very popular game, mostly for its multiplayer aspect. The single player story was relatively short, but the longevity of the game thrived because of its online play. There’s no doubt with the new iteration that multiplayer is still the focus, although there is an additional co-op component as well. The story mode lasted a little over six hours for me, roughly the same as the first game. As is common in the series, you play as several different characters from different divisions of the military or fringe groups in locations around the world. There are many characters that have come over from the first game and some new ones to fill out the story.

The story is set five years after the events of the first one. You will fight both abroad and in the United States. Yes, I’m sure you’ve seen the movies where they show Washington, D.C. under attack, so I don’t feel I am necessarily spoiling anything. You may also have seen the controversial section of the game lately, although some of you may have skipped the news about it. The developers were nice enough to ask you multiple times if you want to skip the mission. You are not penalized if you skip past it, you still get your achievements and I am guessing a trophy on the PS3. The only thing you will miss is the story contained in the mission. It is relatively important to the overall story, but the cutscene before the next mission certainly catches you up on what just happened and why a certain country is reacting in the way they are.

I played through the controversial mission. To be perfectly honest, I think there are other spots in the game that are just as, if not more, controversial. Killing a group that was once friendly over a misunderstanding stands right up there in my mind. Another example is the twist in the story, watching someone you trusted turn on you and kill another trusted person at the same time. Yeah, a lot of moral quandaries in this game and I don’t think the controversial mission is any more different than the others.

One thing that was a bit weird about the campaign was there were a bunch of spots that felt almost too hectic to the point where, although cool, it almost felt like I was just experiencing the section and not really affecting the section. This generally happened during the times where you take control of a vehicle, whether a snowmobile, boat or anything else. The only time where you are on foot where it felt hectic was when you are dropped into a shanty village and enemies are all around: on roofs, in buildings, etc. The areas are very claustrophobic since the alleys are so thin, but I didn’t feel I could strategize as much as I could in the other missions.

With the story out of the way, the other major component of this game is the online gameplay. Unlike the first game, there is a co-op section to the game called Special Ops. It allows you to play by yourself, play with someone split-screen or play online with another person. There are five different levels of difficulty with five missions in each one. You gain stars by finishing the tasks and when you reach a threshold you unlock the next level of missions. The problem here is that in order to get higher than one star in a mission you have to play on one of the higher difficulties: veteran or hardened. You can choose your difficulty before each mission and of course the higher the difficulty the more grand the tasks you must complete.

Then there is the multiplayer aspect. At the beginning there are only five game types available for you to play. In order to unlock the other X game types you have to reach levels by gaining experience playing with other people online. There are some that allow for Xbox Live Party Chat, but for the most part this is shut off. A lot of people have a problem with this, but I doubt it stopped them from picking this game up although maybe some did not. Infinity Ward has done a good job with making the multiplayer part of these games almost an extra full game in itself and obviously there will be DLC down the road that will expand the multiplayer aspects. One thing you will want to do is play with friends or people you know because there are a lot of immature people out there that don’t take this as seriously as you may.

Infinity Ward has done it again with Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. If there was just the story side present here it would still be a top notch game, but the length would put a serious dent in its overall enjoyment. You add in the Special Ops and multiplayer sections along with that you like to play games online and this simply becomes a game you can’t miss unless you only own a PC or have other problems with how the developer has treated its consumers over the last few weeks. The last question is whether this game can sit in Game of the Year contention or not. Although the single player story section is not as exciting as some other games out there, those same games simply can’t touch this game in the online arena. Not even Uncharted 2: Among Thieves’ online offerings can measure up to this in my opinion. That is a testament to the longevity and excellence Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 brings to the table.

Score: 4.5 out of 5 CoGs


Loren says, ”Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 continues the winning streak that Infnity Ward has had for years now. Although the single player campaign is relatively short, the various multiplayer game types and the need to level up in order to unlock them all will more than make up for the campaign’s shortness.”

*Note - Review based upon the Xbox 360 version of the game

[Dukefrukem]

You're well written review, high score and praise over Uncharted 2 still doesn't make me bat an eyelash.

[RandoM51]

Played through the campaign. It wasn't as good as the first Modern Warfare, but it was still fairly entertaining for 4-5 hours. Feels more like an expansion pack than a new game.

As far as game of the year goes, I would leave that spot empty before I'd give it to an FPS that only features p2p multiplayer. Think Batman:AA is the number one candidate for that award so far, but I haven't played Uncharted 2.

[AgtFox]

It most likely would not be my Game of the Year, however I was making the case as to why some other sites may give it Game of the Year. At this point I'd put Uncharted 2 on top and Batman second, however my thoughts may change.

[Wilkz07]

playing the PS3 version. multiplayer and special ops are fantastic, the story mode looks and sounds really good but i hate it. There are some levels where the fighting is intense and others where it is almost-controller-throwing frustrating (favela).

Other missions its like the 'this door is locked, you need the key' missions. Defending Burger Town is a good example. You have to kill waves of enemies but then you need the stinger launcher which is across the street. so you go pick it up and take out the heli. but then there is another heli that comes in but no, there's no more ammo for you launcher. Good news though, someone spotted another launcher BACK THE FUCK WHERE YOU WERE!

I will play the story mode to the end for closure. I have no interest in playing on hardened or veteran. I also enjoyed elements of the game when I watched thier movies "Red Dawn" and "The Rock", I'm on The Rock section now so i'm not sure what other hollywood movies COD takes liberties from.

I got the game for multiplayer, so that's what I'll be sticking with.

[Crowe]

The story in MW1 was pretty damn good, it was over the top but not too much, I loved it. This time around it went just a little to far, and it didn't help that it jumped around a shit load. The levels themselves were a step up and the first couple of levels really had me loving it, but the story was a let down in the end.

[bapenguin]

I'll admit, I was down on the game - but it really started to pull me in after the 3rd mission. I still think, and you touched on this a bit, there's very little freedom within the game itself. You have to do things the way IW designed them to be done or you die. A lot.

[AgtFox]

Originally Posted by bapenguin

I'll admit, I was down on the game - but it really started to pull me in after the 3rd mission. I still think, and you touched on this a bit, there's very little freedom within the game itself. You have to do things the way IW designed them to be done or you die. A lot.

Yeah, I'd say this is almost a staple of the series. Granted, the "invisible wall" has been moved horizontally, but there is still a very linear progression through the levels. Enemy encounters at times are not as scripted as they once were (the shanty level is an example specifically with ground opponents, the rooftop ones seem to be static and in the same place).

However IW somehow brings everything together into a nice package, there's no doubt about that.

[Vermillion]

I've been fairly disappointed with the single player, so much so that I've had not had any desire to go back to it after the first few missions. I'm also playing it on Veteren, which I should have avoided after the original MW, as it is even more grind/checkpoint/death fest than the first. Suck.

The multiplayer however, I think they actually improved the experience over the first MW, which is saying a lot since it was my standard bearer for good times. I stayed up till 2am almost every night since I got it playing online with CoG'ers. Great times.

[Goronmon]

I thought that the single-player was both ridiculous and awesome. Played through the entire campaign in one sitting on Veteran. Easiest and most fun CoD by far.

[DangerousDaze]

Since I tend to hate and fear all you figments of my imagination I usually just play single-player campaigns; they fit my world view. A 4 to 5 hour single-player campaign, therefore, can go suck my bawls.

[Bone]

I sure as hell can't finish this in 4 to 5 hours.

[Goronmon]

Took me around 8 or less on Veteran.

[AgtFox]

Yeah, I died a lot in the shanty area and a few places elsewhere. Not counting the restarts it was probably a 4-5 hour tour instead of the just over 6 the game told me I had been playing. Also don't know if it takes into account when you pause the game because I had a few breaks in there where I paused it for a while.

[Joshkdmw]

Originally Posted by Dukefrukem

You're well written review, high score and praise over Uncharted 2 still doesn't make me bat an eyelash.

*Ahem*


"Your".

[Karak]

Thanks for the review.
I adore the single player. Far less-no moster closets, flanking, and insane battle. M. Bay style over the top story. Exactly what a game like this needed.
Thanks.

[ElektroDragon]

How about I'm boycotting because I'm sick and tired of "military shooter # 383"?? Haven't even finished my COD 3, 4, or 5 campaigns yet, only 2. I also don't really play MP very much. So why do I need this?

[ElektroDragon]

Oh, and Agt... I think Dragon Age deserves Game of the Year. Uncharted 2 I'd give 3rd place due to the disappointing ending and boss, and Batman AA I'd give 2nd place.

[AgtFox]

Originally Posted by ElektroDragon

Oh, and Agt... I think Dragon Age deserves Game of the Year. Uncharted 2 I'd give 3rd place due to the disappointing ending and boss, and Batman AA I'd give 2nd place.

Haven't played DA as of yet. I have too many games on my plate that need reviews. Maybe get to it later this month or in December.

[MosBen]

Yeah, I'm torn between Dragon Age and Batman for my Game of the Year pick. Haven't played Uncharted 2 though...

As for MW2, as others have said, I don't really play multiplayer much other than with a group that's not FPS-friendly, so I can't see myself buying this one for what sounds like a decent story mode. Maybe when I can find it used for cheap.