When a game like Modern Warfare
receives the sequel treatment, few gasps of shock are heard. Consistently high
sales records, backed by years of franchise history, have ensured that Call of
Duty remains a household name – at least in the houses of gamers. As “Modern
Warfare” takes place in a world similar to our own, Infinity Ward has taken the
ostensibly safer route by using fictional conflicts to propel the narrative. The
result is something that feels more like a Hollywood blockbuster than a Tom
Clancy novel (or game, for that matter), and action lovers will find plenty of
cause for rejoicing.
One thing often forgotten about Call
of Duty – and this latest release in particular – is the fluidity of the
controls. That such a fundamental aspect is overlooked is truly a testament to
its success, however. First-person shooters are a dime a dozen, so although we
quickly notice when one feels too “stiff” or “sluggish,” we take for granted
those which work beautifully. The mechanics and gameplay are well-suited to
console peripherals, but Modern Warfare 2 feels pretty dang good with a keyboard
and mouse. Very rarely will players find themselves frustrated by the game’s
ability to react to player commands; MW2 is slick, smooth, and extremely
polished.
Speaking of polish, Modern Warfare 2
also advances upon the visuals of its predecessor. The convincing combination of
motion-captured animation running at 60 frames per second creates an undeniably
immersive world, one that may not always look real, but still “feels” real. Of
course, having a fully-loaded PC will help things chug along more smoothly, as
some scenarios are densely layered with all manner of impressive effects and
detailed geometry. The audio is similarly bombastic, with trilling engines and
fiery explosions aplenty. The aesthetic experience recalls big-budget,
high-octane action films. Check the batteries in your pacemaker, because there
is no shortage of excitement in this game.
While the story itself feels more
like a Bond film than a serious work of fiction, it does take enough wild turns
to keep the player at least partially engaged. Much of the presentation seems
hurried in an effort to appease the impatient teen-age crowd, but there’s much
more going on than simply the campaign. Online multiplayer is just as addictive
as before, with an extension of the customization features that allow players to
not only adjust their equipment, but their abilities. This allows each player to
have their own unique way of approaching a situation, whether they prefer to run
and gun or sneak around stealthily. The cumulative experience system grants a
great deal of online persistence. While this will encourage people to spend more
hours in the game, the extrinsic incentives may also bring out some unsavory
behaviors from other players. That being said, there is still tremendous
replayability to be found online, with veterans blasting away all through the
night.
The addition of Spec Ops mode plays
upon the popularity of online cooperative mechanics. There are stealthy escort
missions which require close collaboration between players, as well as more
conventional survival-style modes with waves of incoming bots. Spec Ops was
clearly not tacked-on as some kind of afterthought, but thoroughly developed as
a richly engrossing experience that probably would sell nicely even as a
standalone. Packed to the gills with so many ways to play, Modern Warfare 2 is
truly an action fantasy come true. By extending the popular elements of the
previous game and adding plenty of new content, Infinity Ward is once again
showing the world how first person shooters should be.
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Gameplay: 9.5
Plenty to do, and
never a dull moment. This is FPS at its finest.
Graphics: 9.3
Even prettier
than before, MW2 is an excellent way to push your PC to its limit. For maximum
effect, try the campaign on a nice HD monitor.
Sound: 9.5
Modern Warfare 2
sings loud and proud if your setup is decent. Of course, having a score by Hans
Zimmer always helps.
Difficulty: Medium
Generally
approachable, the sense of controlled chaos often culminates in sheer insanity.
The good kind, though.
Concept: 8.0
Yes, it’s a
sequel, and yes, the word “terrorist” might be used. Still, there’s no doubting
an execution this brilliant.
Multiplayer: 9.4
The
implementation of rewards for progress may cause some headaches, but the
multiplayer modes are brimming with fun. You can easily spend your entire winter
here.
Overall: 9.4
From the first
campaign mission to the 50th deathmatch round, Modern Warfare 2 is one heck of a
ride. Its flaws are miniscule whispers against a thundrous symphony of
greatness, where all elements combine for a must-play experience.
