2007 was a stellar year for
videogames, with a plethora of fantastic titles launching in the latter half of
the year. One such title that really blew everyone away was Call of Duty 4:
Modern Warfare. Created by Infinity Ward, the developers who created the
original Call of Duty several years ago, Modern Warfare brought the battle out
of its European WWII setting onto a new stage of fictionalized modern conflicts.
The game was instantly a classic amongst shooter fans, with an action-packed
single-player campaign and a robust suite of multiplayer gameplay.
Now, Infinity Ward has unwrapped its
follow-up to that original game, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. The game is
easily one of the most hugely-anticipated games of the year, and destined to be
a mega-seller. However, how does the game stack up next to its groundbreaking
predecessor? The short answer is very well. The game manages to pack in even
more intense action (including some very harrowing moments that might be a bit
too strong for some), as well as some multiplayer elements that will be on the
top of the charts for years to come. Make no mistake: this is the shooter to
pick up this year.
Modern Warfare 2’s story has you
playing as several different soldiers from different military branches, as with
other titles in the franchise. The events in the game take place five years
after the events of the first game, and takes you to a variety of different
locales, ranging from the streets of favela Rocina in Rio de Janeiro, to the
Gulag in Siberia, Russia, and even to Washington D.C. as you work to fight off a
new terrorist threat.
The gameplay is pretty similar to
other titles in the franchise, so series vets won’t feel out of place. Then
again, newcomers shouldn’t feel to out of place either, thanks to intuitive and
buttery smooth controls. The game unfolds at a near frantic pace, as just about
every level in the game is filled to the breaking point with intense shootouts.
The sequel also ups the ante by
providing some truly harrowing moments, in particular the mission titled “No
Russian”. There has been a lot made of this mission recently, but I will simply
say that if you have a problem with simulated video game violence, then it is in
your best interest to skip this stage (an option the developers have provided
you with). Without going too much into specifics, you play as a member of a
terrorist organization as they shoot up a crowded airport in Russia. The
developers used this stage to great effect, as it will illicit the response of
shock and horror in you as they would hope for, but if you’re at all squeamish,
I’d recommend that you skip this mission entirely.
That’s not to say that the game’s
other stages will be a walk in the park. There are quite a few moments and
images that will make you feel an emotional response. Without giving too much
away, the game is chockfull of this level of intensity, making for quite the
roller coaster experience.
If there is a problem with the
single-player campaign, it’s one that has always been a shortcoming of the
series; length. The game is pretty short, even by shooter game standards,
clocking in at between 6 and 8 hours, depending on your skill level.
Fortunately, completists will be able to go back and look for intel, which will
take them a while.
The game’s multiplayer element has
also gotten a once over from its predecessor. The game still features the great
experience points and perk system as the original Modern Warfare, as well as a
solid set of modes, including Free-for-All, Capture-the-Flag, Search and
Destroy, Demolition, Domination, and Team Deathmatch. There are fifteen
different rewards for pulling off kill streaks, including Predator missiles and
AC-130 gunship support. Additionally, you’ll be able to activate a 3rd-person
mode, allowing you to try out a new perspective in certain multiplayer modes.
The biggest new addition to the
multiplayer formula over the original Modern Warfare is the Special Ops mode. In
this mode you can play through a set of missions cooperatively, each one taken
from a specific part of the single-player campaign. You can choose what
difficulty level you’d like to play under (Regular, Hardened, Veteran). As you
play in Special Ops mode, you can unlock stars depending on the difficulty level
that you choose which in turn will unlock new stages.
Graphically, the game looks
phenomenal, even improving upon its predecessor. The character models sport a
great level of detail and feature great facial animation and movement. The
stages are also spot-on, filled to the brim with details and tons of intense
action.
The sound is also done extremely
well. The voice work is great, featuring Hollywood talent from the likes of
Keith David, Kevin McKidd, Barry Pepper, and several others. The radio chatter
also sounds great and adds an awesome ambience to the action. The music by Hans
Zimmer also adds a great element to the gameplay.
Modern Warfare 2 may not be as
groundbreaking as its classic predecessor, but it still provides plenty of
action and intense moments for any FPS fan.
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Gameplay: 9.0
Modern Warfare 2 ups the ante with intense action and some truly harrowing
situations. While it feels similar to the original game, that’s not a bad thing
at all. The single-player game is a cinematic and engaging experience from start
to finish, albeit a short one.
Graphics: 9.5
The game’s aesthetic is even better than the original Modern Warfare, with
superb character models and animations, and well detailed environments.
Sound: 9.5
The game boasts some fantastic sounds, including huge explosions and sharp
gunfire. The voice acting is spot-on, and the music adds a great sense of
atmosphere.
Difficulty: Medium
Concept: 9.0
Modern Warfare 2 isn’t quite as groundbreaking as the original, and the
storyline can be a bit disjointed at times, but it’s still a compelling and
cinematic experience.
Multiplayer: 9.5
All the great multiplayer features of the original are back with some great
new tweaks, and the new Special Ops mode is a nice touch.
Overall: 9.3
A compelling and intense action game, Modern Warfare 2 is not to be missed.
