Modern Warfare 2 is a first-person tactical shooter and the sixth
entry in the popular Call of Duty series. True to its name and following
the lead of its predecessor, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, it places
players in modern combat settings, as opposed to the WWII environments of the
earlier Call of Duty games. This modern approach brings with it new
weapons, action and options. Coupled with a variety of gameplay modes including
single player, multiplayer and the co-op Special Ops Mode, it is destined to be
one of the most popular games of 2009 and a worthy addition to the Call of
Duty series.
The storyline of Modern Warfare 2 picks up where the events of Call
of Duty 4: Modern Warfare left off. The ultranationalist Russian leader
Zakhaev has been eliminated, but it seems that his lieutenant, Vladimir Makarov,
is an even bigger danger. Having made a successful play for power, Intel
indicates that he is extending the reach of his influence well beyond the
borders of Mother Russia, causing a stir in the international community and
prompting the involvement of Task Force 141. Task Force 141 is an elite
multinational unit made up of Navy Seals, Delta Force operatives, British SAS
and CIA. In the single player campaign you are Sergeant Gary "Roach" Sanderson,
with the hero of Call of Duty 4, "Soap" MacTavish, promoted to Captain,
making an appearance as an NPC (non-player character) and your commanding
officer. The elimination of Makarov and his underlings at any cost is your
number one priority, regardless where the fight occurs.
Gameplay
The latest release in arguably the most successful
tactical first-person shooter franchise of all-time, gameplay in Modern
Warfare 2 follows the same winning and time-tested structure of earlier
games in the series. In the single player campaign players are aided by AI squad
members as they take on a series of missions aimed at eliminating
Ultranationalist forces. Each mission is built around a particular objective,
with players utilizing some level of guidance from NPC characters, including
"Soap" MacTavish, and aided in navigation by the game's heads up display (HUD).
Along the way players will be able to utilize a wide variety of weaponry and and
vehicles, as well as be able to customize weapons with gadgets attached to them.
Also, just as in previous games in the series, Modern Warfare 2 is
heavily focused on multiplayer gameplay. The different multiplayer modes,
available both in local play and online, contain plenty of customization options
and revolve around different strategies ranging from the every man for himself
action of "Free-for All," the classic team-based fun of "Capture the Flag and
the tactical, team-oriented action of "Search and Destroy," just to name a few.
Multiplayer modes also feature the "Perk" System that players may be familiar
with from earlier in the franchise. Through this system players gain additional
abilities, weapons and benefits as they gain experience in combat. This can be
done by leveling up, but another important way way is through "kill streaks,"
the number of enemies eliminated in succession. These are available beginning
with three kills and include the ability to call for supply drops, predator
missile strikes, helicopter gunships and many more. Players have the ability to
customize in advance which perks will be available at each number and can even
gauge their progress towards each at the touch of a button. With an eye towards
not making the game too hard for new players the game also features help to
players experiencing "death streaks," multiple consecutive deaths in multiplayer
matches.
Key Game Features
- Challenging Multiplayer Modes ? Modern Warfare 2 will contain
a wealth of multiplayer modes including: the every man for himself action of
"Free-for All," the classic team-based fun of "Capture the Flag and the
tactical, team-oriented action of "Search and Destroy."
- Improved AI Enemies ? Improved artificial intelligence now allows
enemies to attack from virtually any direction as players respawn into the game
adding additional challenges.
- An All-new Call of Duty Adventure - Modern Warfare 2
features an all new Call of Duty storyline revolving around the
continuing struggles against the Russian rebel group the Ultranationalists, who
have found a new and more dangerous leader.
- The 'Special Ops' Optional Co-op Mode ? "Special Ops" Mode allows two
players, either alone or with a friend, to engage in unique mission play and
features split-screen functionality.
- Diverse In-game Environments - Battlegrounds traversed in the game
range from the lonely, snow-clad mountains of Kazakhstan, to dark tunnels in the
Afghanistan and the crowded slums of Rio.
- Nonstop Action - Modern Warfare 2 contains no cutscenes, so
players are always engaged in the action, no matter where they are in the game.
- New Breach Gameplay Mechanic - Players can now blaze their own paths
through the game by "Breaching" formerly impregnable obstacles like walls and
doors with explosives.
- New Gadgets, Weapons and Weapons System Modern Warfare 2
contains many new and updated weapons, new weapons attachments, as well as a
variant of the multiplayer weapons customization system from Call of Duty
4, now available in the single player campaign.
- New Perks and Increased Customization - Multiplayer modes feature new
perks for leveling up, and for killstreaks and deathstreaks. Those awarded for
streaks can customized in advance according to when they become
available.