It was just two years ago that
developer Infinity Ward released Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare. The first in
the series to take place during present day, the game redefined the series and,
arguably, the first-person shooter genre as a whole. The solo campaign was
brutal and realistic in a way that few games were before and the multiplayer was
deep and utterly addictive. There’s no denying that many of today’s shooters
have been greatly influenced by Modern Warfare.
Now the curtain has been pulled back
on Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, and while it may not have quite the same
impact as the original, it’s still a top tier game all-around. I use some
reservation with my praise because, as good as the game is, it doesn’t top the
original’s solo campaign.
Perhaps the most glaring shortcoming
here is the plot. Presented in the familiar ‘briefing’ style that the previous
game sported, the format just doesn’t hold up. Modern Warfare 2 seems relatively
outdated here. I don’t necessarily think the game should have sported lengthy
cutscenes, but when I feel like plot points are flying over my head (You need
flow chart to sort out all the locations and characters); it might be time to
think about a new presentation style. There are some major, earth-shattering
events that occur in the game, but the presentation doesn’t give them the proper
impact at all. The story itself is certainly adequate and the writing is good,
so it’s really a question of how the story is told more than the story itself.
Modern Warfare 2 does execute one
plot point particularly well. In a bold and shocking move, the game puts you in
the shoes of a double agent infiltrating a terrorist cell. You play through this
sequence alongside the terrorists as they shoot hundreds of civilians in a
crowded airport. It’s extremely effective and highly disturbing. The game even
gives you the option to skip this sequence because of its potentially offensive
nature. Although, let’s be honest, the curiosity would probably eat you alive if
you chose to simply skip it. It’s just too bad that the rest of the plot
couldn’t have been executed so well.
Luckily, the gameplay fares much
better than the story. Missions feature great variety and flow, and a few very
cool additions. A personal favorite is the Predator UAV. The previous game
allowed you to call in relatively ineffective air strikes; in select parts of
Modern Warfare 2 you actually take control of a remotely operated aircraft on
the fly and reign devastation upon advancing enemies. This is an awesome
addition and I wish it was utilized more frequently.
The game also features more vehicle
levels than before. These are welcome additions, as they break up the standard
shooting segments nicely. They also add some nice cinematic touches.
But most of the game is still on
foot and in the trenches. And it feels very much like Modern Warfare. And while
that’s actually a very good thing, those looking for a revolutionary new
experience will be disappointed.
It’s also worth noting that the
campaign is very short. It’s hard to imagine a competent player taking more than
6 hours to complete the default difficulty. I don’t think it’s a huge issue,
however, as the overall experience is very good. There are plenty of
jaw-dropping, thrilling moments and the action moves along a bit better than the
previous game. It seems like you spend far less time pinned down, fighting
endless hordes of enemies.
While the single player experience
may not top the previous game, it’s comparable and easily ranks among the best
the genre has to offer.
But there is much more to the Modern
Warfare 2 package than just the campaign mode. A new addition this time around
is a separate Special Ops mode. It consists of a series of challenges for which
you will receive a certain star ranking. Stars unlock more challenges. Many of
these can be done solo, but the emphasis has clearly been put on completing them
cooperatively. These challenges encompass just about every mode and strategy
that is utilized in the game. Some of these are simply surviving a few waves of
enemies, while others involve stealth or vehicle racing. There is even one where
you and a friend team up to complete a mission with one providing air support
from the AC-130 gunship featured in the first game.
Special Ops is more than just a
bonus. It features a ton of challenges and could easily suck up more time than
the campaign. This is a great addition, although it would have been a nice touch
for Infinity Ward to implement leader boards for the challenges. Still, it’s an
excellent compliment to the package.
Perhaps those who will be most
impressed with the game, though, are the ones who played it for the competitive
online multiplayer. Infinity Ward has done a fantastic job in taking a great
experience and making some genuine improvements. They provide a generous number
of play modes, all of which are a lot of fun thanks to the excellent map design
and typically solid controls.
One of things I really like here is
how, in addition to be genuinely fun, the game goes out of its to give you
incentive to keep playing. The class system is excellent, but Modern Warfare 2
also adds more in terms of rewards than ever before. Earning experience unlocks
new weapons and even attachments and special perks. Even killstreaks have been
expanded, and allow for more customization, including a variety of deadly and
potentially game changing attacks.
There are also some fun
customization options for call signs and emblems that just add that extra bit of
flare that you expect from a truly polished product.
Multiplayer also looks better than
ever, with a level of detail and scale which is genuinely impressive. And as you
would expect, all the modes look great. The campaign may not be much more than a
fresh coat of paint, but Modern Warfare was a great looking game to begin with,
and the slight improvements are more than enough to make it gorgeous even by
today’s standards.
Modern Warfare 2 will also give your
sound system a workout. The thunderous sound design puts you right in the battle
with great surround and heavy bass. The only slight problem is that it ends up
being slightly overaggressive. Essential dialog can be lost under all the
effects. And the game’s breakneck pace doesn’t really lend itself well to
reading subtitles. The game’s score is also a disappointment, as big name
composer Hans Zimmer (along with a laundry list of others) provides a generic
action score that is completely forgettable.
Thanks to the feverish hype surround
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the game take
some flack solely because the single player is short and just a hair less
compelling than the original. More level-headed gamers who give it chance,
however, will find a fantastic campaign mode in its own right, a surprisingly
addicting set of challenge modes and the absolute finest first-person shooter
online multiplayer around.
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Gameplay: 9.4
The solo campaign may not trounce the original, but it’s still a first-rate
shooter. The Special Ops is great and multiplayer is the best on the market.
Graphics: 9.3
The fantastic, gritty visuals are a step above the original with some
excellent new visual effects and animation.
Sound: 9.5
The sound mix is as thunderous and impressive as you’ll find. Unfortunately,
dialog gets lost a bit too easily among the chaos and the music is about as
generic as it comes.
Difficulty: Medium
Concept: 9.0
While it’s certainly more of a refinement than a revolution, Modern Warfare
2 implements it’s new features seamlessly within its tried and true formula to
create a game that feels just different enough while remaining faithful to its
origins.
Multiplayer: 9.5
An excellent mode is made even better with fantastic maps, fun perks and
customization.
Overall: 9.3
The multiplayer is phenomenal, the special ops are addicting and the
campaign is one of the best you’ll play. Only the relatively short length of the
campaign and its accompanying story presentation issues keep this from being all
it can be.
