Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

Infinity Ward tackles single player, co-op, and multiplayer – and aces them all. 

Ready for some controversy? Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 has the absolute best package of the three main components of video gaming – single player, cooperative play, and multiplayer – in the history of the industry. The operative word here, of course, is package. Independently, each component in Modern Warfare 2 (MW2) is not the best of all-time (although an argument could be made for its multiplayer component), but together the package is unparalleled. Few developers have attempted to tackle all three components with much seriousness, and even fewer have produced a menu like that found in MW2, which is polished, deep, and addictive across the board.

MW2 is a direct sequel to Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, which catapulted the Call of Duty franchise into the stratosphere. If you didn’t play the first game, the plot, characters, and contingents in MW2 will be somewhat confusing. In fact, the storyline in MW2 is so convoluted that even Call of Duty veterans might scratch their heads. As in previous installments, the campaign in MW2 follows several protagonists on military operations across the globe. Two of the most memorable include a stealth infiltration of an offshore oil rig, and an all-out assault on a Russian prison complete with a shower room gun battle that plainly evokes The Rock. There are several unexpected twists and turns along the way, which will not be mentioned here.

The tutorial in Modern Warfare 2.

The main campaign mode, however refined, varied, and emotionally powerful, is short – only six hours long – but Infinity Ward prepared for its consumers a wealth of content beyond the single-player campaign, including a brand new cooperative mode called Special Ops and an updated version of its addictive online multiplayer. Special Ops is a real treat for fans of co-op. Played online or via splitscreen, Special Ops features 23 short missions – three to fifteen minutes long – that can be tackled individually but are much easier and more fun with a partner. Missions are usually set in areas borrowed from the main campaign, and include operations like assault, wave defense, elimination, stealth, etc. Two of the most unique and enjoyable missions are “Overwatch” and “Big Brother,” both of which can only be played with two people. In “Overwatch” one player runs on foot from a crash site to an extraction point, while the other player controls a C-130 Hercules, a military transport aircraft. The C-130 can fire shots at incoming helicopters, jeeps, and enemy troops before they reach the soldier on the ground. “Big Brother” is similar, except the C-130 is replaced by a helicopter with a Vulcan minigun. Communication and good teamwork are essential in “Overwatch” and “Big Brother,” indeed in all Special Ops missions.



The star of MW2, however, is its multiplayer component, which is incredibly deep and habit-forming. MW2 retains the experience point and ranking system from the first Modern Warfare. Experience points are earned by killing players, completing objectives, winning rounds, etc. These can then be used to unlock new weapons, perks, and modes. In MW2, however, advanced players have the option to customize their “killstreaks,” which are earned after a requisite number of consecutive kills. Thus, veteran players in MW2 clearly have a huge advantage and, conversely, rookie players a significant disadvantage. So multiplayer is a double-edged sword.

Taken together, the single player, cooperative, and multiplayer modes in MW2 are unlike any other video game combination in terms of depth, diversity, and pure fun. Although the campaign is relatively short, Special Ops and especially online multiplayer will keep players busy for months, if not years.

Score: 9.5