Before I begin, I must note that I have rented both the PS3 and 360 versions of this game and played them extensively. While I am still up in the air on which version I will end up buying, the only reason I am reviewing the PS3 version versus the 360 version is because this is the version I am leaning towards buying. However my reasons have nothing to do with differences with the game between the two systems. For all practical purposes, the two versions are identical and there is no need to review the 360 version as well. See my comments for a quick comparison between the two systems concerning this game.
My review:
Modern Warfare 2 was one of the most anticipated games in recent history. After the HUGE success of COD: Modern Warfare, MW2 looked to continue the success. While the game visually looks better than the first, there are issues (mainly in single player) that have hurt this game. If it weren't for the extremely fun and improved Multi-player, this game could have been one of the biggest disappointments this year.
Single Player
This game takes place 5 years after the original Modern Warfare and after a quick training course you are immediately thrown into action. While the first few levels were extremely fun and creative, most of the levels really lacked any innovation or offered anything new. In single player, every aspect of the game from visuals to audio is improved except for the main thing; game play. IW seems to have fallen prey to the Hollywood mentality that all we want is action all the time without much thought put into the actual story line or doing a good job of explaining what's going on. Attention to the actual story is something they did VERY well in COD4. However levels on MW2 just turn into nothing but mindless shoot fests. Its very obvious single player was just thrown together without much thought and it makes completing most of the campaign more of a frustrating chore than a fun and challenging experience. Things move along so fast with many jumps and holes in the story line, it's very difficult to follow the plot about what's going on. Even the cut screens during levels are hard to follow because there is so much going on onscreen with separate audio that does nothing but drown each other out. After a while you more than likely will just give up trying to follow along and just kill everything that moves. With this game, you will have ample opportunity to do just that; while there is no endless spawning as in the previous title, because there are so many enemies it might as well be. After the first couple of levels, enemies will just pop out of everywhere on every single level with no break in the action.
Each level may look different, but the concept is the exact same; kill hundreds of enemies before they kill you before you make the next checkpoint. Which brings me to my next complaint; IW still has done nothing about the annoying check point system. While I admit the checkpoint system in COD4 wasn't as bad as other games I have played, the checkpoint system in MW2 is absolutely terrible. Because you have to kill so many people before you can even advance you will find yourself having to start ALL over again if you die. What makes this even worse is that even when you DO reach a checkpoint, sometime the game does not recognize that you made it, so when you die you have to start over TWO checkpoints back frustrating the crap out of you. Part of my frustration could be the fact that I played on Hardened Difficulty, but even still, the checkpoint system is a big problem.
There is a little more variety in the latter levels, but the concept is pretty much the same. In addition the final levels will more than likely having you wanting to throw your controller in the floor due to all the random deaths and seemingly luck based objectives due to the plethora of enemies. Once you get through it however, you are rewarded with a pretty good ending and credits.
It's a shame single player was such a disappointment. The levels themselves are gorgeous and the in-game sound and ally chatter is amazing. Some parts are extremely fun as well. It's just too bad there isn't a comprehensible story line to go along with it and game play that is for the most part extremely top-heavy with action.
Single Player rating: 3.5/3.75
Multi-player
As much as I am disappointed with the single player campaign, the Multi-player makes up for it. There are some new perks/kill streak rewards that are sure to make online play a little more interesting. Modern Warfare features new kill streak rewards like Predator Missiles, Harrier Strike and Care Packages. There is also a tactical Nuke strike which will end the game immediately killing every one on the map and giving you the win; however you need a 25 kill streak to do this so it's not something that should affect game play very much as it should be a very rare occurrence.
In addition to the new kill streak rewards, there are more perks in as well as enhancements to existing ones. Some new perks include Hard line which lowers kill streak reward requirements by one kill and Bling which allows you two attachments on weapons. All perks, new and existing have "Pro" versions which enhance them even more.
Most of the cheap tactics that many players used are either gone in Modern Warfare 2 or can be countered with the addition of new perks and items. Juggernaut is gone (sort of) and no more players grenade spamming with the Frag x3 perk. However "camping" is still a big problem in Multi-player. Because the Multi-player maps in MW2 are all out in the open and you can go just about anywhere, all a player has to do is find on of those places and sit there all day long picking off newer players that are not as familiar with the layout of the maps. This may get better over time; however newer players are hereby warned.
While the hated Juggernaut is no longer available in the perk list, it is still here in form of a death streak reward. Death streaks are basically the opposite of Kill streaks and give the player a boost if they are dying too often. The Pain Killer reward (i.e. Juggernaut) is available after a player dies 3 consecutive times. The addition if death streak rewards adds some balance in Multi-player and while some may complain about people abusing it, because of the way these death streaks are set up, it will be very hard (if not impossible) to "abuse' these rewards and still win the match; good players will still dominate. These death streaks are merely a way in keeping novice and inexperienced player interested in the game while making them somewhat competitive.
Finally bullet damage is more deadly even in "non hardcore" matches. This is both a blessing and a curse. One of my biggest complaints with COD4's Multi-player is that it sometimes seemed to take way to many bullets to bring someone down. This worked both for and against me but in either case it was very frustrating for me when I was trying to kill someone and for others when they were trying to kill me. This is no longer an issue with MW2 as a few well placed bullets will bring down your target quite easily. Because of this, getting a kill is highly dependent on who sees who first. The person to see and fire on his opponent first has a HUGE advantage in stand offs; so my advice is to be very careful before stepping in/out of a room or in the open. This DOES make Multi-player harder but it's also a little more realistic.
The fun factor is Multi-player is much more fun than single player mode, but it does have its flaws. In addition to what I've already pointed out, there is a problem with over powered shotguns. (I've been killed from literally 50 feet away from below with someone wielding dual shotguns.) In addition the sniper rifles have absolutely no punch at all. Even shots from the 50 caliber Barrett do not bring down your enemy in one shot and without stopping power, the sniper rifles are virtually useless. The only sniper rifle that is pretty good is the Intervention, and once I complete the challenges with the other three, the Intervention will be the only sniper rifle I will ever use.
Finally bullets seem to curve around corners when you are being shot at. It is quite frustrating to when you run to cover thinking you have avoided being killed only to have a bullet literally curve around the corner and hit you. This was also a problem in COD4, but it just seems much worse in MW2.
All in all, multi-player can be a fun experience sometimes 5 other times 3.
Multi-player Rating: 4/4
Spec Ops
Spec Ops is a new game mode that I haven't really played yet, but from what I can see it will be a refreshing break from single player and Multi-player modes. Basically it places you in a situation and gives you certain objective to complete in a specified amount of time to earn stars. There is a wide variety of mission types such as hold off attackers; kill tangos and even snow-mobile races. These can be played with a single player or with a partner; though some missions are only available for 2 people.
I do not have a rating for Spec ops because I haven't played this mode enough to form a solid opinion.
Overall
Modern Warfare 2 is a good game, but keep in mind I only say this because of the improved multi-player and addition of the Spec Ops mode. If you are only into single player mode, then I HIGHLY recommend a rental to just beat the game and move on. Is single player worth playing? Yes it is, but if you are not going to play multi-player or Spec Ops then there is really no need to BUY this game. I beat this game in 4 days playing an average of 90 minutes per day even on Hardened difficulty.
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