Robbie Mackenzie, 25/11/2009
Playing through the single player campaign of modern warfare 2 feels very familiar. Don't get me wrong it's still brilliant, but while playing through I just couldn't shake the feeling that I was playing a more outrageous version of Call of Duty 4's single player. Put simply it's COD4 on steroids. The set pieces are similar but the locales, explosions and guns are bigger and better. From riding snowmobiles to being fired out of a submarine no single player grabs you by the scruff of the neck and drags you along like this one, in fact you will most likely play through it in one sitting.
New to the table is a mode known as spec ops. It is essentially short set pieces played between two people via split-screen or online tying to earn stars dependant on the difficulty. The set pieces vary hugely with many lifted from the COD4 single player (AC130 mission anyone?) and are great fun with a buddy if you get bored of being pawned in online multiplayer. However these spec ops aren't for the weak hearted especially if playing on veteran but once you complete one you will be rewarded with a great sense of achievement, in fact after a particularly hard one, me and my buddy ended up high fiving each other and trash talking my Xbox...
And finally onto the real bang for your buck, the multiplayer. The gameplay is pretty much unchanged and the maps are a good variety of close combat areas and wide open spaces, but then that's what you expected. Riot shields, shotguns for secondary weapons and customisable killstreak rewards is what you probably didn't. The latter changes the game completely with a good team balancing its killstreak rewards between low (UAV) and high (AC130), which is why it's the best addition to multiplayer. Another great addition is the new titles and emblems system. Basically when you kill someone a tag appears at the bottom of the screen with the person's gamertag, title, emblem and clan tag. By completing certain in-game tasks (killing 2 people with 1 bullet will award you with a bullet shaped title and a black skull emblem) you can customise the look of your ID tag to your own taste. So all in all just what you needed to keep you going until next November.
Verdict
Gameplay - Same great gameplay, fast and fun.
10/10
Graphics - COD4 in its Sunday best, a bit disappointing. 8.5/10
Sound - Typical COD makes you feel like you're in a battlefield.
9.5/10
Presentation - ID system adds a new layer of addiction to the multiplayer but other than that nothing special.
9/10
Lasting Appeal - With mulitplayer and the new spec ops this is one game that won't be leaving my disc tray for a very long time.
10/10
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Freddy, 15/11/2009
Game of the decade, although the memories of Call Of Duty Modern Warfare, will be missed. Call Of Duty Modern Warfare 2 has broken a barrier in first person shooting. A toast to Activision!
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karl, 13/05/2009
I love the idea of COD Modern warfare 2, it looks excellent and I can't wait to get it - good job guys keep it up! 5/5
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