Modern Warfare 2 has been split into three very different areas, Campaign, Special Ops and Multiplayer. In the Campaign mode, Modern Warfare 2 throws us all over the world and allows us to join up with a team of US Rangers and Soap McTavish on a huge battle that takes us on a relentless in your face action-fest from the moment you start. I will keep the story description light, but will say that it is set five years after the first game and is based on real threat from overseas following a horrendous incident. Whilst the story is a little bit weak the action sure keeps you hooked and the gameplay makes up for it with set piece after set piece testing your FPS skills to the limit. The controls are similar to any other shooter but Infinity Ward has mastered it with tight controls and the return of auto-snap aim with the LT. There are also other subtle differences that make huge effects on gameplay like being quicker to switch to your sidearm rather than reload, even though it boils down to milliseconds it can mean a matter of life and death.

 

 

Each level in the campaign is well paced with a huge variety of environments, with each element drastically changing the way you fight. The shanty towns you run through early on have weak walls to shoot through and maze-like alleyways with militia coming from every direction. Later in the game a huge army attacks US soil, allowing you to take part in a huge running battle over the once peaceful suburban streets and burger bars. One level worth a mention is the "No Russian" level. You are asked at the beginning of the game if you want to skip it due to its nature, without saying too much it is a brave move by Infinity Ward to put it in but personally it does seem harmless (it is a game after all), what it does is up the ante considerably and allows for the over the top action later in the game. In the end it is a computer game rated 18, if parents are buying it for their kids they are only to blame, but really, there are worse things out there.

 

To keep you on your toes during the campaign you will be thrown into some vehicles, some you just have you move the aiming reticule on a mounted jeep while others have you in white water rapids fight against a helicopter but you also get to drive and shoot on snowmobiles. This is really fast and breathtaking with loads of enemies popping up and you are never far away from a high speed crash into a tree or a bullet in the noggin. Thankfully the re-spawn checkpoints are well positioned so if you die you are put very close to the action and so keeping the pace of the game.

 

The main disappointment with the campaign mode is that is very short, even shorter than that of the original modern warfare, sure the multiplayer aspect is probably the main part of the game, but even still with this game being so hyped you would have thought that they could have stretched the campaign out a bit.

 

The Special Ops mode is a series of small set pieces which you need to complete in a certain time. Depending on how quick and brave you feel you can earn up to three stars, the more you earn, the more you unlock. Each star will increase the difficulty of the level, be it a quicker time to finish or more enemies to take down. Of the Special Ops I have played so far memorable ones include a mad dash across a bridge using abandoned cars as cover and a bone shaking midpoint with the bridge snapping in two, a frantic final stand on a roof surrounded by enemies and a silent run through a snow covered forest full of dogs and guards. Whilst single player is fun, grabbing a friend for split screen or online co-op will five you some serious team play action.

 

 

The final online multiplayer mode is best described with on word, deep. There are plenty maps to play on, each one taking an environment based on the main game like Soviet bases, shanty towns, derelict weapons dumps or battle ravaged military camps. They are huge maps to run around with multiple levels to gain advantage from. As with the first game, specific kills earns bonuses like radar jam, a bomb run from a Stealth Bomber and the pretty cool air support where two Harrier jets will hover over the battleground and shoot at enemies. With each game you play you earn points, the better you do, be it in kills or mission objectives, the more you earn. These are then used to rank up your character and with each new level you earn new weapons, game modes and customizing tools. Your character can also be modded out with certain "powers" in the way of faster reload times, a second chance if you get shot and the ability to steal the person who killed you weapons set-up, again this can be customized, allowing you to alter to your play-style.

 

There are only a few game modes available early on with a couple of team death matches for up to 12 players and a free for all mode. As you play though you open up a capture and hold game mode and a few 18 player modes. Sadly, due to time constraints I was unable to open up more Special Ops or multiplayer modes but I can assure you I will be playing online for some time to come. That said I will have to up my game as the level of competition is already very high, with newcomers struggling to compete with the more powerful weapons of the higher ranked players but do stick with it as every point counts and before you know it you will be fighting side by side with the best and probably get a few top of the table ranks.

 

Though I was surprised by Infinity Wards decision not to base any achievements on the multiplayer aspect it is a very good idea as it allows players to focus on the gameplay and its own internal rewards rather than using dirty tactics to get an achievement and then never play the game again once maxed out.

 

In the end is this game a 10/10? Well no, it’s just shy of greatness as were the first game made us all take note of the Call of Duty brand, this just gives us more of the same on single player, not a bad thing but it also feels a little shorter. The Multiplayer and Special Ops modes offer the most excitement but only time will tell how that is received.