Games Thirst Review: Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 (Xbox 360)

Publisher: Activision
Developer: Infinity Ward
Player(s): Offline 1-4/Co-op 1-2, Online 2-18/Co-op 1-2
Genre: First-Person Shooter
Release Date: (NA) November 10, 2009
Platform(s): Xbox 360 (also on PS3, PC)
Rated: Mature

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare was one of most successful and highly praised FPS games of all time, so how exactly do you top something like that when the bar has been raised so high?

What Infinity Ward managed to do with Modern Warfare 2 is create a game that manages to immerse you in a way that Call of Duty 4 couldn't do as well. Unlike in other war games where the battle takes place in foreign countries, Russia brings the fight to American soil making you feel like there is far more at risk then before.

The story takes place 5 years after the conclusion to Call of Duty 4. Ultranationalists have managed to seize complete control of Russia despite our heroes' attempts to stop this in the previous game, with Imran Zakhaev now being declared a hero and martyr.

Meanwhile, one of Imran's former lieutenants named Vladimir Makarov starts committing numerous acts of terrorism against Europe and due to events that happen during the game, America is blamed for one of the largest terrorist attacks which results in Russia invading the states and sparking a large-scale war.

The story to Modern Warfare 2 is very engaging and far more intense and dramatic then the first game and while MW2's campaign doesn't last very long, the amount of jaw-dropping moments Infinity Ward managed to cram into that amount of time is amazing.

That is my only complaint about this entire game is the fact that it's story mode is way too short which you think would have been fixed considering that was one of the biggest complaints that Call of Duty 4 received.

Thankfully there is plenty to make up for it. The newest edition to the game is a mode called "Spec-Ops" which are various missions you can do either solo, split-screen or online. There missions vary quite a bit but most of them are taken directly from the game's campaign and some of them are even from Call of Duty 4.

Now let's face facts, most people went out and bought this game because of the multiplayer. Call of Duty 4 has some of the best multiplayer you could find on any console so did Infinity Ward actually manage to improve on that? Yes they did. A large amount of weapons, customizable and unlockable callsigns and emblems, larger maps and a ton more killstreak rewards including a freaking tactical nuke if you can manage to get a 25 kill streak going.

I knew when I got this game that I would be pleased because Infinity Ward hardly fails to do that so when the game managed to blow me away, I wasn't surprised. It took everything about the first Modern Warfare and made it better with new modes, better graphics, an even more in-depth multiplayer system and a far more epic story.

Keep in mind however that the story doesn't last as long as I would have liked. Playing non-stop I managed to wrap up the entire campaign in around 10 hours, which isn't really all that bad for a game as linear as this.

Pros:
- Intense and epic campaign
- Incredibly in-depth and improved multiplayer
- Fantastic musical score
- Spec Ops co-op mode is addicting
- Graphics are great looking

Cons:
- Campaign is once again too short

10/10