Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II Review: Stellar moments and modes move the series forward

Call of Duty: Vanguard was a controversial entry in the long-running series, falling short of the expectations of many gamers — and Activision, too. This slight bump in the road has created an opportunity for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 to put the franchise on a better track. Modern Warfare II succeeds in that regard, advancing the series in a number of important ways thanks to a campaign with some truly spectacular moments, a collection of smart multiplayer changes, and the return of a meaningful non-zombie-shooting co-op mode.

While the series briefly and erroneously went past campaigns a few years ago, they’ve since fully returned Black Ops 4. The re-incorporation of the single player mode was a good choice and Modern Warfare II shows why. It delivers just the kind of massive set pieces, Hollywood blockbuster-esque action, and imaginative sequences that show it call of Duty can still push boundaries and be at the forefront of the AAA gaming space.

The outstanding gunplay ties it all together and is as tight and satisfying as ever, especially with the PlayStation 5’s DualSense implementation, which gives great tactile feel to pressing trigger elements to match the on-screen action. Cleansing a house full of enemies has rarely felt so satisfying COD campaign, but even the simplest gunfights are gripping, thanks to the more than decade-long polish the series has received. The game even gives players all the freedom they desire during firefights, with mechanics like the ability to smash through doors or slowly open doors, hang from ledges, or mount a nearby machine gun. In addition to smooth gunplay, there are almost always additional options.

But the moments when COD decides to go crazier and more experimental, has always separated its campaigns from the many competitors and imitations. Some are best left as surprises and others were pulled from outside sources, like the exciting tactics section that takes direct control away from the player and the missile disarmament mechanics that are reminiscent of Keep talking and nobody explodes.

Many of these moments are scattered throughout the campaign, but the best is found in a late-game mission that wounds the protagonist and leaves them weaponless. Stealth is nothing new for call of Duty but that sense of vulnerability is such a change from the macho power fantasies that tend to dominate shooter campaigns. The extensive crafting system in this mission adds to their ingenuity, letting the player search for everyday materials to craft homemade tactical weapons in a desperate bid for survival. It is one of the most exciting gameplays that has ever come in one COD Campaign.

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Because they work so well, it’s these moments that highlight and highlight a campaign that doesn’t have the most notable narrative or villain. The overall story isn’t that memorable, and the reboot Modern Warfare The series is in an odd place as it repackages familiar characters and events, but the missions themselves beg to be repeated as they offer an impressive amount of variety. There’s also a solid stinger at the end which – apart from being a confusing reference to 2009 – is Modern Warfare 2 – sets up Modern Warfare III in an exciting way.

call of Duty‘s multiplayer is at this point an institution and Modern Warfare II has most of the expected features. There’s a wide variety of modes and mechanics, including fan-favorites like Kill Confirmed, niche modes like third-person, and a great progression system that uses daily missions to encourage players to experiment with their playstyles. The biggest addition is the new Invasion mode, a massive 40-player team deathmatch variant that adds AI soldiers. This mix of AI and human enemies worked well titanium fall and still works here as it is chaotic and helps less experienced players to succeed as they can contribute to the team by taking out grunts.

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The cooperative mode completes its offer and has three different missions. These are considerably longer than the smaller missions in 2009 Modern warfare 2‘s Special Ops mode, however, are completely original and offer more variety. Best of all is the stealth-centric operation, which excels at encouraging players to coordinate and strategize. There’s also a more action-packed and a wave-based mission that change pacing and seem made for those who prefer Zombies mode.

A well-rounded package that convinces in all areas, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 will surely please fans of the series and anyone looking for a content-rich first-person shooter. Whether you want an exciting campaign or some of the tightest multiplayer available, there’s an amazing amount of polished content here that will only grow with time. It’s another achievement for Infinity Ward that has managed to stay on top call of Duty studio despite the best efforts of Activision’s other top developers.

SCORE: 8.5/10

As ComingSoon’s review policy explains, a score of 8.5 equates to Great. While there are a few minor hiccups, this score means the art is on target and making an unforgettable impression.