Review - Modern Warfare 2

Game: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
Platform: PS3/360/PC
Publisher: Activision
Developer: Infinity Ward
Players: 1-4
Release: Out Now

Let’s be honest, you were always going to buy Modern Warfare 2, regardless of what other people say. The original blew pretty much everyone on the planet away with an intense single player, and of course, an incredibly addictive online mode that no one can stop playing. Does 2 have any hope whatsoever of living up to the mammoth expectations laid upon it?



The single player picks up 5 years after the original as a shocking turn of events pits Russia at war with America. You’ll play as both the American Ranger force and the 141, an elite squad of troops carrying out special missions. Most of your time will be spent in the boots of Sergeant Gary “Roach” Sanderson, a member of the 141 who answers to Captain Soap Mactavish, the hero from the first game.

The campaign will see you doing a range of things, from sneaking around a snow-drenched enemy base to storming an oil rig. If you played the first Modern Warfare’s campaign, then you’ve undoubtedly come to expect a lot from this sequel, and for the most part, your needs are fulfilled. The campaign is certainly interesting, but it’s not until the last act that things really heat up, and some of the most incredible missions around are thrown at you. The first 2 acts are certainly fun, but don’t quite feel like the successor to the game that had us creeping around the fields of Chernobyl and fighting off helicopters from the back of a jeep.

The story is certainly more out there, but it kind of has to be to create some of the best set-pieces in the game, and what set-pieces there are. How about storming a completely wrecked White House, or pushing through an archaic Russian gulag (which features an awesome homage to The Rock)?

The crushing disappointment about the campaign however, is the length. I took me roughly 6 hours to beat the game… on Veteran, the hardest difficulty. Modern Warfare wasn’t long either, but being able to do this game with ease in one sitting is frankly a little embarrassing. There are a lot of loose ends by the time you’ve finished that are obviously being saved for the next game, but that just makes it feel like there are levels Infinity Ward left out on purpose for what’s to come.

Something that isn’t lacking is the online multiplayer. Easily the biggest staple of the CoD series, Modern Warfare 2 adds just enough tweaks, maps and perks to the experience to warrant a new title. New game modes, killstreaks and more are sure to keep you up for many a night and cancel any plans you’ve made for quite some time. If you’re big on online gaming, there’s no better place to go than this game.

The best part is that if you played a lot of the original online (which I’m willing to bet a large sum of money that you did) then you’ll fit right back in here. All you need to do is learn the maps and you’ll be pulling off 25 killstreaks in no time.

The final piece of the puzzle is spec-ops, a great co-op mode with around 23 missions for you and a friend to take on. These are built around quick, 2 player bursts of gameplay. This mode plays like a dream and is completely addictive. It’s a genuine thrill to fight your way down a bridge with a friend, or survive wave upon wave of enemies. This is perhaps the best part of the game that I hope we see a lot more of.

The presentation is also completely solid in MW2. Graphically, it’s buttery smooth, not dropping as many jaws as it did 2 years ago, but still remaining impressive. Together with fluid animations and a great soundtrack, this is a well made game.

If you take a look at any one part of Modern Warfare 2, you’d be pleased. The single player campaign is good, the online mode is great, and the spec-ops are amazing. When you combine this into one package, you’re left with a fantastic game. Buy it, if for some strange reason you haven’t already done so.