Modern Warfare 2 Review
How do you follow up perfection, how do you build on what made th original good and at the same time attempt to go one better? It’s a question Infinity Ward must have pondered on long and hard after news broke of a sequel to their Landmark title Call of Duty Modern Warfare; it’s just a good job they had Modern Warfare 2 up their sleeves. Quite simply put Modern Warfare 2 builds on previous successes while at the same time tweaking the formula offering far more than it’s predecessor.
Instantly when the game starts there are two aspects of the game which strike the gamer, the first is a warning regarding a level within the game, asking you the gamer whether you wish to play a level which some may find objectionable. We opted to play it of course, but more on that later. The final and perhaps more instantly noticeable difference is the overall presentation of the title screens. Rather than the dark and foreboding screens of the predecessor they instead have a metallic sheen, it creates the feel of highly professional unit rather than the often grim depiction of war within gaming.
This is reinforced within the early levels, bright vibrant missions highlight the great level of detail and excellent level of graphics within the game. Lighting is wonderfully evocative as you drive through the streets, shadows bounce off the fabric canopies of shops while villagers amble throughout the levels. Within urbanised missions there is a wonderful sense of the ‘real’ world, far more than Infinity Ward’s first Modern Warfare. This instantly makes missions far more urgent and important as the gamer is fully aware that these missions are being played within a larger overarching environment.
It is this ‘real’ world that brings us to the infamous mission you were warned about before the game even started ‘No More Russians’ which sees the gamer assume a roll of a terrorist, a terrorist whose task is to shoot civilians… lots of civilians. This level has caused quite some amount of stir amongst certain areas of the media, however it a fantastic exploration into what we feel as gamers when playing it. Do you feel guilt? Horror and small sense of wicked pleasure? The very fact that it asks gamers to question, almost double check their involvement in the mission is a master stroke. Rather than play it through via a cut scene, this major event within the game is experienced first hand, you deliberately cant run, and the civilians are swarming through. The fact that Infinity Ward let the gamer experience this is definitely a bold move.
In addition to this there are some sublime set pieces that Call of Duty Fans will crave. Controls remain unchanged but when the game’s far from broke there’s little need to change it. This is a great asset to the game as rather than have to learn new controls, gamers can focus solely on the narrative rather than be distracted by the nuances of any new controls.
Modern Warfare 2 develops the solid foundations set by the original, bringing a much needed level of longevity to the game as a whole. The story campaign is still relatively short, however what makes the title compelling for the gamer are the additional modes Special Ops and multiplayer.
This adds a different pace to the overall feel of the game, quickening it up and adding a more arcade aspect to the game. This isn’t a negative far from it, similar to the end mission of Modern Warfare Air Force Onewhich saw you on board a terrorist laden Presidential Aicraft. These relatively short missions make the action much more focused, requiring that the gamer complete the objectives in the time alotted. it criminally addictive as times are balanced just right between challenge and accessibility, meaning that when you die, and invariably you will, you click restart mission almost without thinking.
Modern Warfare 2 is quite simply the most accomplished war game, and for that matter First Person Shooter there is currently available, the fact that it has been able to out perform their original title is even more testament to how strong the game is. Without hesitation Modern Warfare 2 should sit proudly in any gamer’s collection.
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19 Nov 2009, 6:21 pm
Yes this game has improved on its predecessor, the PC version has been destroyed. The removal of dedicated servers and opting for match making has destroyed multiplayer potential of the game on the PC. Cod4 kept its name in the spot light by its fantastic and immense multiplayer and community. Cod4-2 however, now decides that I as an Australian would much rather to play with Americans and have 300 ping, impossible to land any decent shots.
The removal of dedicated servers has destroyed the multiplayer, this on top of the ludicrously short campaign has left me rather unfulfilled.
Still a fantastic game and proof of the vast expanding array of technologies at the disposal of the gaming industry and hope for more fantastic games.
31 Mar 2010, 7:53 pm
Hellz ya
This game is awesome