Modern Warfare 2

Yes, once again I have decided to change the format of my reviews. Why, you ask? Simply put, it's because I want them to be shorter, sweeter, and better. My reviews have become way too long, past the point of interest. I have come to the realization that I don't want to review the entire game like a magazine or website. I obviously like the game. That's why I bought it. I want to provide things that I found interesting, and the things reviews usually don't give you. And hey, if you want the official review, go to IGN or Kotaku or someone else. I want to give the insightful first hand experience type of reviews that go with a blog. So without further ado, here is my review for Modern Warfare 2.

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Modern Warfare 2 will undoubtedly get nominated for every video game award out there. It is the culmination of everything hardcore FPS. Infinity Ward has given everything for this game, and the rewards are immeasureable. It shines in its single player experience, with more set-pieces and action than a Bourne movie. The great story and great universe of Modern Warfare has continued in the sequel, and its better than ever. The multiplayer is the most fantastic multiplayer experience to date in Call of Duty and some could say all of FPS's. The sheer addictiveness and fun of the first is here in full force in the sequel. With some great additions and fixes for flaws of the first game, this is where replayability is an understatement. Finally, Modern Warfare 2 jumps on the bandwagon of co-op. Special Ops mode is a spectacular addition, and combines the great fun of multiplayer with the action of singleplayer. All in all, Modern Warfare 2 is spectacular. Hands down, this is a game everyone must play. It is that phenominal.

What I liked:

-Singleplayer's evolution: The singleplayer feels more than just a sequel. It feels like a natural change. New features and the lore of the world feel exactly as they should. Simply put, it feels like it's 5 years later in the story, which it is. Characters and the world situation feel elevated as they should, and the story always feels like a real world transition from incident to national crisis.

-Weapon Differentiability: Singleplayer weapons are always different. Some may have red dot sights attached, while others have heartbeat sensors. This is great as it adds more realism, and it's awesome to have a different weapon every time.

-No more infinite respawns: Easily my favorite part. The levels are so much better without infinite enemy respawns. It is possible to clear a level now. But the way levels are built and the numerous set-pieces, the game still feels like Call of Duty without respawns. You still push forward, even though you know you don't have to. Even better is how enemies are smarter, and depending on the level will try and flank you, which is a great tactical thing to think about.

-Strategies for the win: Every level requires you to think, which is something that some games lack quite a bit. Modern Warfare 2 requires you to change your tactics in every level. A place like the close alleys of Rio will require a completely different tactic than that of the mountains of Kazakhstan. This is great, and it adds a whole different level of difficulty and mastery than any other game.

-WoW-like multiplayer bar: Your level can be seen in multiplayer games by a leveling bar at the bottom of the screen. It's very mcuh like the WoW XP bar, but now you can see your progress and how much you need to get to the next rank. It's not only a great indication of rank, but it actually tends to make you play harder if you want to get past a rank.

-Locations: I love how MW2 goes all over the world. From a gulag in Russia to a favela in Rio de Jenairo, the changing locales add a great feeling to singleplayer and in the multiplayer maps. It makes MW2 feel less like a war game and more like a international crisis game, which is what it is. You feel more like a black ops operative in each level than a soldier, even in the levels when you are a soldier.

-Task Force 141: Great addition in the story. Instead of making it a country thing, the creation of an international task force made up of Army Rangers, SAS, SEALs, and other national militaries makes the story that much better. Feeling like you are part of a secret task force that is used when the shit hits the fan is awesome.

-Customization: Multiplayer customization is better than ever. Weapons are amazing, and have the best attachments like holographic sights and FMJ. The addition of titles and emblems makes each player different, which is always great in multiplayer.

-Spec Ops Mode: Everything about this mode is amazing. Each level requires complete co-operative tactics. The levels are fun, they are varied, and they just fit well in the game. Spec Ops is a great mode, and hopefully will be an area Infinity Ward will put some DLC in.

What I disliked:

-No casual approachability: Not a big complaint at all, but you need to know what you are doing to play this game. This game is a harcore game down to the core. Casuals won't like this game, and won't feel welcome unless they have had experience with FPS's or Modern Warfare in the past. Then again, casuals only like the Wii anyway, don't they...

-Necessity to play COD4: You will be somewhat lost if you haven't played the first Modern Warfare. The game assumes that you know the story already, and leads off from this knowledge pretty quickly in the campaign. This is somewhat of an okay assumption because everyone playing MW2 probably played MW1, but it still would have been nice to have somewhat more of a summarization.

-Xbox LIVE party-chat disabled: In some playlists, party chat is disabled, and this is my number one complaint with this game. Although I understand the need for team communication, party chat is a great thing, and almost a necessity these days in XBL multiplayer games. I don't want to listen to an 8 year old on my team say "Let's Pwn Some Noobs, Guys!". Although not all playlists are like this, it would have been nice to still be able to talk in a party.

-You. Will. Die.: Just like the first game, the multiplayer in this game is NOT forgiving. You will die many, many times. This could turn off some, but just like the first it is important to note than this game is not a run and gun game. Tactics and smarts will often triumph over being able to pull the trigger. Knowing where people go in maps and how to best eliminate them is key to surviving this game.

-Ghost's voice: I know the same man that voiced Gaz voiced Ghost, and I like them both. But Ghost sounds WAY too much like Gaz. The man didn't even change his voice up. I loved Gaz in the first one, but he died. I shouldn't hear him again. Not a major complaint mind you, but the voice actor should learn how to differentiate his characters.

Final Comments

I love this game. This is definitely going to be a game I will play in the next 2 years on a pretty consistent basis, much like Halo 3. It is such a high quality game. I loved the singleplayer. It is one of the best FPS singleplayer games ever, and it proves even more that the FPS genre can have great storytelling, too. The multiplayer is, of course, amazing. Infinity Ward outdid themselves with this game, and I can't wait for DLC.