The 2nd Installment Still Proves That Game Sequels Lately Have Bigger Success...
The original Modern Warfare game introduced a couple of familiar aspects that IW took with their older games: Putting you in the shoes of different soldiers from different factions as you experience a war from different angles, fight those critical battles, and embrace the idea of teamwork; Utilizing a vast array of weapons; And offering a broad challenge with its numerous difficulties. On a side note, understand that a Call of Duty game on Veteran is one of the most challenging modes that any FPS will delve into. Modern Warfare switched from World War 2 and brought the fight to a modern perspective. You were able to step into the shoes of American and British military operatives as they fulfill their duties to thwart a third World War from arising under the game's main antagonist, Imran Zakhaev.
The second game continues where the events of the first Modern Warfare left off. The new antagonist, Dimitri Makarov, follows under Zakhaev's principles and works to bring his aspirations to fruition. The game returns you into the role of American and British operatives as the both of you make your way through those many critical battles. The story has proven to be amazingly developed, offering a detailed script that could potentially be in a major film.
Note: One thing to know that makes this game's story intriguing is that there is a critical mission present in the game that you can opt out of without penalty to Trophies/Achievements. The reason for this is due to the moral nature it tramples upon and forces you to work within. I played this mission out myself. Although it would offend many people, it does offer the thought of how far a soldier would go in order to save people on a grand scale.
The gameplay is as innovative as ever. A vast array of weapons complement the game. The Predator assault system makes its return, affording aerial strikes of your own control to target specific areas of the battlefield where enemies linger and cause massive explosions. Thermal weaponry is utilized more, giving you an edge in low visibility areas. The new heartbeat sensor is also innovative, giving you opportunities to detect enemies within your immediate vicinity when they are shooting or not, gauging out your best way to move around and to take positions.
Of course, this may feel like the same as the original Modern Warfare at first. Great story, lots of weapons, great graphics, and one of the greatest multiplayer games available to date, but it does offer a new challenge: Spec Ops.
Spec Ops in Modern Warfare 2 gives players the opportunity to tackle additional challenges, utilizing their knowledge of weapons and tactics, and earn additional rewards for multiplayer and additional trophies/achievements. You can even tackle these missions with the aid of another player (two of these missions require a second player to complete, regardless) to make things easier.
Overall, Modern Warfare 2 is deserving of its title as one of the top games of 2009. And now that its out, we have to look forward to updates and Modern Warfare 3.
Gameplay: 9/10
Graphics: 8/10
Sound: 9/10
Story: 9/10
Multiplayer: 9/10
Replayability: High