We would've loved to have been able to tell you how fantastic Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is before the game was released. But Activision had those embargo shackles tied tightly round our wrists until this morning. Sorry.
But if you're not still cold from queuing outside HMV in the wee hours, you should be planning your trip to the high street this afternoon, because Modern Warfare 2 well and truly meets the incredibly high expectations.
Modern Warfare 2
Official trailer
1:32Launch trailer
Modern Warfare 2
Official trailer
1:32Launch trailer
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It should be deemed actually illegal to play this phenomenal-looking shooter on a crappy portable TV with mono sound. This is a compulsory widescreen, 5.1 surround sound affair. It's a true videogame action blockbuster - it's the no-expense-spared Michael Bay production of the videogame world.
A relatively cheap-as-chips title screen leads into the most explosive first-person action game we've ever played. From the very moment your military boots hit the battlefield soil your eyes and ears are battered with the most intense shootouts and sometimes overwhelmingly chaotic scenes of war.
In just the first few missions you blast your way through an intense gun fight in a school, before heading over to the ice caps of Kazakhstan to creep through a snowstorm using a heartbeat sensor, picking off enemies without being seen.
And then, rather controversially (as the Daily Mail would've told you) you're off to a Russian airport as an undercover terrorist, shooting innocent people to maintain your cover.
The pacing of the game is immaculate. Infinity Ward switches from quiet stealth missions, to small tactical shootouts in densely detailed houses, to mind-bogglingly epic outdoor battles that will continue to amaze you even six hours in.
What's truly brilliant is how the developer's moulded unique gameplay into these levels without being overly intrusive. In one section you'll climb a snowy mountain with ice hooks controlled by timely presses of the two controller triggers. In another you'll order a heavy-duty tank to kill specific enemies with a laser sight, as you make your way through an American residential street.
Similarly Infinity Ward's delivered a vehicle section that (shock, horror) actually isn't rubbish; you'll take control of a snowmobile and blast down the side of a mountain being chased by dozens of enemies. There are plenty of other brilliant vehicle sections like these, but it'd be simply wrong to spoil them for you.
That said, if you've played Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare the immense similarity between the two almost makes you feel like you're playing new levels in the same game. And yet, MW2 does well to pack more variety into every mission.
Master Chief fans might bang on about how very pre-set and linear the action in CoD games is compared to Halo's excellent sandbox AI routines, and MW2 is no different.
In Halo, a drop ship flies in and spits a bunch of enemies into the open environment, the AI takes over and it feels like a battle of wits between you and a formidable computer opponent. No two battles feel the same.
In Modern Warfare 2 - just like its predecessor - soldiers emerge from the same place and often do the same predetermined things.
Once you've died a dozen times you'll start to learn all of the soldier routines, which exposes how scripted everything really is. Fortunately Infinity Ward is brilliant at presenting an incredible, action-packed and polished experience, so while it is scripted, it's no less immersive.
Like many co-op fans we would've loved to have been able to invite a friend in on the single-player action, but unfortunately there's no co-op campaign option. But Spec Ops makes up for that, and is a genuinely brilliant addition to the series.
Spec Ops is a separate game mode that gives you 23 mini-missions snipped from the single-player game, with very straightforward objectives in a similar vain to the Mile High Club hostage mission that was unlockable at the end of CoD4.
The objectives and scenarios vary greatly, from simple 'reach the end without dying' missions, to stealth missions and defensive tasks that have you out to survive increasingly difficult waves of enemies.
An alternate version of the gillie suit sniper mission in Chernobyl from CoD4 is a massive highlight; you're tasked with making it through open fields and past a couple of enemy outposts without being nailed by opposing gillie snipers, or being seen by the patrolling guards. It's brilliant.
Another mission has you racing player-two in a snowmobile, which is sure to be an online hit.
The vanilla single-player missions are brilliant, but bolstering the action with another player adds an incredible amount of co-operation to the game. In a nod to Left 4 Dead players don't die instantly when shot but enter a downed state, giving the other player just over a minute to revive them before they bleed out.
In sniper missions you'll be assigning enemies to each other and synchronising your shots. In more chaotic battles you'll spread out and watch each others' backs. There's even one mission in which one of you takes control of a gunship high in the air, using its night vision to drop giant explosives on incoming waves of enemies (sound familiar, CoD4 fans?).
As you'd expect from Infinity Ward, Spec Ops is a mode that offers insane replay value. As you up the difficulty and try to finish each mission in a target time you'll unlock other new missions to play - and that's before you even delve into the epic multiplayer mode which, for hardcore fans, is what will keep the disc in their console until the next CoD arrives.
Multiplayer is much the same ordeal as before; a perk system that rewards ranked-up players with new gun attachments and skills, a kill-streak mechanic that gives you everything from airstrikes and Sentry Guns to a Tactical Nuke. That should do some damage.
The game modes are the same (bomb-planting objectives, capturing outposts and base raids), but there are 16 completely new maps to learn your way around, plucked from the huge variety of environments in the single-player campaign.
Much like the first Modern Warfare, the sequel's multiplayer mode is likely to have its greatness appreciated more as time goes on. But out of the box it's certainly as engrossing, fluid and all-round bloody brilliant as you've expected.
To say the least, CoD4 is a tough performance to follow. But Modern Warfare 2 does it beautifully.
While on the surface whiffing a little like an extension of the excellent first game, the sequel manages to keep the action genuinely and constantly fresh with incredible set pieces, unique gameplay and many an epic twist in the story.
And after all that, you've got that legendary multiplayer to tuck into and the co-op glory of Spec Ops mode. Infinity Ward has served up its greatest shooter yet. We're just sorry we couldn't tell you that before you queued for it at midnight.
Cool... I'm surprised Activision made everyone hold back their reviews though. Surely they'd want these sort of great review scores to be released to the public earlier to increase the anticipation levels for this game further?
On a side note, my copy should be arriving today hopefully!
Well done IW on making what looks like a truly great Game!
I play Games for one reason, to have Fun and IW hit that nail on the head with COD: MW1 and they seem to have upped their Game for this sequel.
There will be haters and naysayers who say its generic or does nothing new but they just dont get it. Tthere are those who wont buy the Game due to Activision (which I respesct) but I am into Gaming and I want to support one of the best Devs out there by buying their Game and allowing them to make their next Game even better.
Looks like someone edited my post to take out the part where I said PC gamers will be upset.
Sad
Anyway, we wait all year for good games, then when they come along so called gamers moan like a bunch of emos about biased reviewers, money hats, dedicated servers blah blah blah. Never happy, and should take up stamp collecting, less stuff to cry about
Thank you Mr Sainsbury’s for giving me a nice shiny copy for £26, I’m very glad I didn’t pre-order now! There were quite a few people there pre 7am this morning, shuffling around looking at feet, with an odd mixture of people, everyone charged in and then got made to queue again, huzzah for queues!
Sounds like its well worth the £26 I paid for it this morning then, roll on five is all I can say.... also quite a lot of mums in the queue, how perculiar, little Timmy will be slaughtered in good time you have my word on that.
Gutted. Got my supervisor at work (!) to get me one, as he wanted the PS3 version but they sold out at his Sainsbury's, even though he was there at 7.15 (and it opens at 7).
Woe untold. Probably just wait for L4D 2 now instead.
got my copy from sainsburys for 26quid...queue was crazy long...... they started turning people away when i came out.... £26 bargain!!!!! looking forward to getting home and playing it with my mates in a party, roll on 5pm!!!!!!
Wasn't going to bother with this at its insane preorder price but the Mrs managed to pick me a copy up from Sainsbury's about 20 minutes ago. Just got to get through work now Have they gotten rid of the lazy infinitely respawning enemies like they promised? That was my only real problem with the last one, though admittedly it's quite a big one. There's no need for it nowadays and it ruined MW.
Wasn't going to bother with this at its insane preorder price but the Mrs managed to pick me a copy up from Sainsbury's about 20 minutes ago. Just got to get through work now Have they gotten rid of the lazy infinitely respawning enemies like they promised? That was my only real problem with the last one, though admittedly it's quite a big one. There's no need for it nowadays and it ruined MW.
Hopefully! Definitely spoilt the game big time for me as well. Like most others, I was holding off on this due to the price but buckled due to the great deals.
yeah, soap and captain price will never beat Jools and Jops.
Bring Back CANNON FODDER!
War's never been so much fun!
Eh..To be fair, I think I was far more impressed with "COD 4" than "Cannon Fodder", then again the former had close to a decade or more of advancements over the latter.
Looks like someone edited my post to take out the part where I said PC gamers will be upset.
Sad
Anyway, we wait all year for good games, then when they come along so called gamers moan like a bunch of emos about biased reviewers, money hats, dedicated servers blah blah blah. Never happy, and should take up stamp collecting, less stuff to cry about
I find it interesting that you are the first to bring up the sour grapes despite apparently not being one of those whom have chosen to vote with their wallets. What does that say about you, I wonder? If you are enjoying the game what more do you need on this occasion?
Gutted. Got my supervisor at work (!) to get me one, as he wanted the PS3 version but they sold out at his Sainsbury's, even though he was there at 7.15 (and it opens at 7).
Woe untold. Probably just wait for L4D 2 now instead.
If your tastes are not limited to FPS and you are looking for something meaty to sink your proverbial gaming teeth in to that will keep you tied over for quite some time, I can readily recommend "Dragon Age: Origins". That's what I'm currently playing and I haven't felt quite this way about a game since "BG II"; "ME" and "The Witcher" were close (see a pattern there btw in regards to whom was involved? ). Or you could of course simply opt to go hunting for "MW2" elsewhere. Whatever your choice, good luck.
its £26 at sainsburys,maskes me regret pteordering for £50,i hopw it doesnt arrive today so i can cancel it
If you don't open the package/break the seal, can't you just return it? You may have to pay for the postage but that's hardly going to break the bank if you paid 50 quid for it.
Match making could do with a bit revamping though. I was lvl 1 last night and I was thrown in a game with lvl 20-50's. I was a little let down at the sub 7 hour campaign but its still among best fps games I played for last few years. Hitting special ops tonight.
Got my copy from John Lewis. Since I work there I got staff discount too, and we were price matching Sainsbury's just for one day... So in the end I got it for £23... Absolute bloody bargain!
If your tastes are not limited to FPS and you are looking for something meaty to sink your proverbial gaming teeth in to that will keep you tied over for quite some time, I can readily recommend "Dragon Age: Origins". That's what I'm currently playing and I haven't felt quite this way about a game since "BG II"; "ME" and "The Witcher" were close (see a pattern there btw in regards to whom was involved? ). Or you could of course simply opt to go hunting for "MW2" elsewhere. Whatever your choice, good luck.
Yeah, my tastes do indeed go span a wider range than just the FPS genre. I was going to get DA: O anyway but was going to wait until December as it will probably be a tenner less by then. Probably get it sooner though, as ME2 comes out in January.
Oh and yes, I saw that you are a bit of a Bioware fan. They are indeed fantastic, and I would rate them second only to Valve.
Wasn't going to bother with this at its insane preorder price but the Mrs managed to pick me a copy up from Sainsbury's about 20 minutes ago. Just got to get through work now Have they gotten rid of the lazy infinitely respawning enemies like they promised? That was my only real problem with the last one, though admittedly it's quite a big one. There's no need for it nowadays and it ruined MW.
From my first playthrough last night it's still there, although not as bad as it was before. As in CoD4 when you move towards your goal it triggers numerous guards to come out the woodwork and i've noticed some reappearing. Same emphasis as before on pushing forward. Only problem with that is you can miss intel packages when trying to fire through!
Just been on the phone to Game( 30min wait on the line at 10p per min).I was puzzled why i never got an email with Dispatch notice and courier ID number like i normally do.Turns out Game didnt post my copy by courier, apparently" a few slipped through and will be delivered by normal royal mail 1st class"
Well it was posted on Friday so i frickin hope it will arrive today.
Match making could do with a bit revamping though. I was lvl 1 last night and I was thrown in a game with lvl 20-50's. I was a little let down at the sub 7 hour campaign but its still among best fps games I played for last few years. Hitting special ops tonight.
Thanks for the info. I was wondering about that since I would have purchased this game primarily for the SP campaign. Maybe the pricing will drop down below that of a standard release in 2 years time; if so I may consider it then.
... for £22. Thanks, Sainsbury's! - We shop there anyway!
Looking forward to breaking it out.. been playing WoW for quite a while, so Uncharted 2 was a welcome break... hopefully CoD will continue that for a while longer!
the (effectively) forced on-rails cinematics might be great for a one-time ride, but its just annoying next time around.
for a score of a sequel that high, you would expect some innovation this time around. they are just as guilty as metal gear man for attempting to make a movie within a game. at least MGS is a lot less linear.
and with many hours of COD4 multiplayer under your belt, this isn't going to have the same staying power before you get bored. the formula is too alike.
Got my copy of MW2 yesterday and it is simply awesome. Many people moaning about the short Campaign but spec ops and multiplayer makes up for it. Turns out it is not a online snipe fest as thought. Couldn't believe that you start with the Barrett 50.cal and you can silence it !! But anyways everythin about the MP is amazing.
Don't normally like 1st person shooters but this is a great game! My only problem is that Multiplayer online matches are no place for rookies! Are there any dedicated rookie rooms?! I am just tarket practice for these hardened MW pros!
I got quite excited about playing this after work yesterday. So I get home, slap it in my shiny new Elite and play the first mission or so.
Then I went back to Forza 3.
It does occur to me that IW aren't that good at having a good, solid foundation in their shooters, so they have to string together set pieces over and over to keep it entertaining.
It’s certainly not grabbed my attention as the first edition of MW did, I found myself getting a little bored with it, I must be most of the way through though on Veteran, and the enemies definitely spawn still. A number of times enemies have appeared behind me and killed me when I’d cleared my path. And in the Favelas, well, needless to say that is very, very annoying. There’s still some very impressive sections though.
Not tried any of the multi or spec ops yet, but I’m wondering just how long this game will hold my attention for, the last one did for a little while, but Halo soon took back the multiplayer throne for me…
I only have a comment for all reviewers of the game, shame on all of you (ign included). I have trawled through months of previews and looked at over half a dozen reviews and none of them mentioned the offline splitscreen multi-player and it's improvements. You now have the ability to create a individual profile for each offline player, this includes simple things like control setup but also includes being able to rank up your offline profile with your splitscreen freinds (or enemies). So you have all the benefits of the online game with your friends at home.
I ask isn't it worth a mention, to me splitscreen gaming means more to me than the online community. I am keeping my fingers crossed that more games opt to have both four player splitscreen online just like Warkhawk and Timesplitters 3 (on the PS2).
Having said all of that above still not sure whether I'll keep the game, after one night of playing it I feel like I've seen and done it all before. The next few days of play will decide, I suppose it will come down to whether I love the new multi-player maps or not. One hate I do have is the blood splatter on the screen, you can barely see anything especially enemies!
I can honestly say that I wasn't too impressed by my time with it, last night.
I found that I just wasn't enjoying the 'dragged by the scruff of the neck' style missions at the beginning. I prefer a more thoughtful approach, even to fps's.
Also, I have to say that the visuals look great from a distance but the textures look rubbish close up, especially having just played Uncharted 2.
I'm not sure how it has gained so many positive reviews as I actually preferred the first MW.
The ending sucked. Thats my only realy gripe with it, despite the sometimes BS multiplayer where you'll routinely get killed by 2 pistol shots in the foot.
Are they seriously dragging 2 of the 3 things that were going on at the end into MW3 in another 2 years?! More story, less crappy self-indulgent Museum levels, please.
I tried playing through it a bit more last night and it just bored me to be honest. I seriously hope spec ops and multiplayer are better than SP because I'm VERY disappointed with my purchase so far.
I can see me trading this in for Dragon Age: Origins when I have done the SP, its good, but not great. Having just finished Uncharted 2 I appreciate how important a great story is in a game, something CoD:MW2 is completely lacking.
I thought the campaign mode was excellent but VERY short - completed on veteran in under 6 hours - the Specail Ops mode is fun though - I can see me spending hours on those. The multiplayer is pretty samey - but it does get a little confusing with loads of crap popping up on the screen for every kill/death etc. The maps are good though - for the first time you can get shot from ground floor, 1st floor, 2nd floor, roof tops etc on almost every map. Don't htink the multiplayer will have the longevity that COD4 had but special ops will be fun for a while.
Single player was very Michael Bay. I enjoyed it while I was doing it but afterwards I couldn't really tell you what happened, or why certain people chose to do what they did.
The multiplayer is pretty cool, although I'm not enjoying it as much as I should because I suck so hard at it. All the new death streaks are all well and good but when you realise that you're just not good enough to string loads of kills together they're just new and unique ways to die to.
Still hasn't won me over Halo yet, I'm looking forward to Reach more now.
I thought it was dissapointing, after all of that hype. Its almost a mission pack for COD4, no real innovation. The multiplayer is better in Battlefield 2 and that came out in 2005.
The single player had a couple of nice touches in it but its nothing special.
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Stunning set pieces
