By Michael Walsh
The mammoth release that Modern Warfare 2 truly is deserves more than just words to help describe how staggering Infinity Ward’s efforts are.
In what is one of the biggest video game releases of the year, Infinity Ward follows up their hugely successful 2007 game Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare with a sequel that not only continues to uphold the same strong core gameplay value but expand on it at the same time.
Beginning with the single player campaign, the game drops you right into the action picking up right where the previous game left off. Characters return to the action and storytelling remains the same. The player jumps from location to location, switching bodies and regiments constantly, in a crisscross pattern allowing the game to tell its story in cut-up fashion.
And while that somewhat convoluted story might not be the richest of storytelling or the highest of quality, it sure is a great deal of fun playing through it. In the most sincere meaning, the campaign of Modern Warfare 2 is like a Michael Bay film that takes itself seriously. The action picks up and never lets go, successfully engaging the player in just about every possible interactive element, whether it be climbing up the side of an icy mountain or running for your life without any weapons to help fend off enemies.
The sights and sounds of the game’s campaign leave nothing to be desired. That first view of Washington, D.C. being invaded by Russian troops is one of the more wowing and memorable moments in gaming this year. Time after time the campaign relays these types of outstanding cinematic-like moments leaving a lasting impression.
Enemy AI, a problem for the more mediocre of first-person shooters, is a strong point for Modern Warfare 2. Never too stupid, the enemies will at times give you fits with their godly ability to snipe you down with their on the spot aiming. Hardened and veteran, the more difficult levels of play, might have you wanting to throw your controller at certain points, but finally beating them after sessions of trial and error is absolutely satisfying.
If there is one downfall to the campaign aspect of the game, it’s the rather brief time you’ll spend playing it. Taking my time and playing through on the regular difficulty only took me about five and a half hours. While every one of those minutes is packed to the brink, the rather abrupt ending leaves a near sour taste in your mouth, wishing there was more.
But luckily, there is more, just not in the form of a campaign. A new worthy addition to the game is the single player and cooperative modes of Special Ops, a series of challenges that range from wave attacks on a sub base to runs of stealth through wintry forest. These can be a great deal of fun when played with a friend both online and split-screen, as well as on your own.
And you probably aren’t buying this game if you don’t plan on playing the addictive multiplayer that made the first Modern Warfare as long lasting and successful as it was. Infinity Ward keeps a lot the same, but also tweaks enough to give players a new experience that feels very familiar.
With new perks, weapons and game types, Modern Warfare 2 really promises to give an equally long lasting multiplayer offering. It’s something that anyone can casually play and get a few kills at, but deep enough for the more hardcore players to love and master.
One of the more important tweaks to the online play is the addition of the death streak perk, something you get after suffering a series of deaths. This helps equal the play, giving struggling players something to help, but more importantly, Infinity Ward included the martyrdom perk as a part of this. So yes, there won’t be nearly as many dropped grenades unfortunately killing you after you melee an opponent.
And one of the more interesting features is the new third person online modes offered. In a Ghost Recon-like way, the game switches to a third person view. It works, but it’s somewhat awkward at the same time. For example, it’s hard to get a good judgment on where exactly you’re throwing a grenade in this mode. At the same time, it’s oddly refreshing and enjoyable, but you’ll probably find yourself switching back to the beloved and standard first-person mode.
Modern Warfare 2 is certainly one of the most satisfying and enjoyable releases this year and a game that proves that video games shouldn’t be ignored. It’s destined to top the charts of Xbox Live and the Playstation Network for months as the online multiplayer is addictive, fast-paced action. Complete with an immersive albeit brief single player campaign and the addition of the new Special Ops mode, Modern Warfare 2 is a no-brainer for first-person shooter fans that plan to give the game the online run it deserves.
