Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Review (PC)

[BoringSupreez]

About a week or two ago, I finally bought MW2. I'm usually on the cutting edge like that. After playing and replaying COD4 so many times, I was eager to finally experience the next IW-developed COD.

I didn't even get through the installation process before I figured out that a lot less care was put into this game. COD4 used what was once the standard form of DRM: a CD code which came with each copy of the game. MW2 uses the more modern equivalent, Steam. Even though I bought the physical release, I might as well have downloaded it because the disc does not contain the entirety of the files and once installed, the game runs off the HDD without the disc being in the drive. Each copy comes with a Steam code which allows the purchaser to finish downloading the game, and this code is tied to whichever account it is activated with first. Meaning, no selling used copies of MW2. It's not just the installation process that shows the lack of interest in PC owners; even the autostart menu isn't as nice as COD4's. COD4's menu was animated and had music, while MW2 has a silent static menu.

Once I was finally allowed to play the game I paid for, I blasted straight into the single player. The game looks nice and crisp, and the basic gameplay is as fun as ever. It's completely unevolved though, which is a first for IW. Every COD they've made up to this point featured immediate, noticeable changes from the previous title, but MW2 uses the exact same graphics engine and gameplay.

The story is where the game first starts to seriously slip up. It's totally ridiculous and stupid. I won't spoil it, but let's just say that several things that happen are either poorly thought out by the writers or just downright lame. The difference between COD4's story and MW2's is like the difference between MOHAA and GI Joe. And after the two player-character deaths of COD4, I can see they felt the need to outdo themselves. They did it rather poorly, I must say. None of the big set pieces of MW2 measure up to the previous game. The atmosphere of the levels has also taken a hit. The Chernobyl level in MW1 is one of the most memorable FPS maps I've ever played, and nothing in this game comes close.

The sound and voice acting are just fine. No issues here. The music is ok, but definitely a step down from before. They switched from Harry Gregson-Williams (my all-time favorite soundtrack composer) to some other guy I don't care about. COD4 had the right music at the exact right moments, which helped the game really pack a punch when needed.

MW2 is still a good game, however. I had fun, it's just that Modern Warfare set the bar so high, and I was put off by the consolization. They removed leaning! I recommend playing this one, but make sure to play COD4 and World at War first, as they are both better. I'm sad to say that while COD is still a good series, WaW was probably the last time it was ever excellent.

[Menegrothx]

The music is ok, but definitely a step down from before. They switched from Harry Gregson-Williams (my all-time favorite soundtrack composer) to some other guy I don't care about.

It was some nobody called "Hans Zimmer".

[emwearz]

Play MW3, both single player and multiplayer (which is just broken to bits) and you will really feel a steep step down from COD4.

[BoringSupreez]

The music is ok, but definitely a step down from before. They switched from Harry Gregson-Williams (my all-time favorite soundtrack composer) to some other guy I don't care about.

It was some nobody called "Hans Zimmer".

Well, he may have composed some soundtracks I like, but I still feel that MW2's soundtrack wasn't as good.

Play MW3, both single player and multiplayer (which is just broken to bits) and you will really feel a steep step down from COD4.

Even more so that MW2? How does Black Ops compare?

[emwearz]

The music is ok, but definitely a step down from before. They switched from Harry Gregson-Williams (my all-time favorite soundtrack composer) to some other guy I don't care about.

It was some nobody called "Hans Zimmer".

Well, he may have composed some soundtracks I like, but I still feel that MW2's soundtrack wasn't as good.

Play MW3, both single player and multiplayer (which is just broken to bits) and you will really feel a steep step down from COD4.

Even more so that MW2? How does Black Ops compare?

WAY more than2.

I thought the single player for Black Ops was easily the best since COD4, but that is also because you can not directly compare the story as they are very different (And told in very different ways).

[BoringSupreez]

WAY more than2.

That's too bad. I'll probably skip that one then.

I thought the single player for Black Ops was easily the best since COD4, but that is also because you can not directly compare the story as they are very different (And told in very different ways).

So I guess Treyarch is the superior COD developer now? That's funny, considering they used to be way inferior (remember COD3?)

[emwearz]

WAY more than2.

That's too bad. I'll probably skip that one then.

I thought the single player for Black Ops was easily the best since COD4, but that is also because you can not directly compare the story as they are very different (And told in very different ways).

So I guess Treyarch is the superior COD developer now? That's funny, considering they used to be way inferior (remember COD3?)

Well the Infinity Ward that worked on MW and MW2 are not the same team that worked on MW3 as most of the "senior employees" had left the company.