Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 arrives with weighty expectations, both as a sequel to a beloved classic and a follow-up to a successful reboot. While it succeeds in some aspects, particularly reintroducing the iconic Task Force 141, the campaign stumbles in its narrative execution and gameplay. While not the definitive Call of Duty experience some might have hoped for, it’s a step up from recent entries.
The campaign reintroduces Task Force 141, featuring Ghost, Soap, Captain Price, and Gaz. Joined by Mexican special forces and Shadow Company, they pursue terrorist Hassan Zyani, who possesses stolen US missiles. The cartel’s involvement adds another layer to this high-stakes pursuit.
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While the premise is intriguing, the narrative execution falters. Cramming multiple antagonists and plot twists into a brief 5-6 hour campaign feels rushed. Key moments, like betrayals, lack proper development and impact. The narrative momentum prioritizes speed over depth, leaving plot points feeling underdeveloped and disconnected.
Compared to the original Modern Warfare trilogy, the sense of escalating threat is missing. While the narrative emphasizes the danger of the stolen missiles, the campaign fails to effectively showcase their potential devastation, diminishing the urgency.
Furthermore, clunky gameplay and questionable mission design choices hinder the experience. An out-of-place tank boss battle clashes with the otherwise grounded tone. The campaign struggles to balance its bombastic action sequences with a realistic portrayal of modern warfare, often introducing jarring video game mechanics.
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The variety in mission design, while commendable, feels underdeveloped due to the short mission lengths. The “Recon by Fire” mission, intended as an homage to “All Ghillied Up,” is hampered by a poorly implemented stealth mechanic. Enemies inexplicably gravitate towards the player’s location, regardless of their actions, making stealth feel artificial and frustrating. Even attempts to offer player choice, like different approaches to clearing a facility, ultimately lead to the same unavoidable firefight.
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The clunky gameplay continues in a chaotic convoy chase sequence. While the scripted moments are thrilling, the stiff vehicle handling and frequent vehicle changes detract from the experience. Artificial difficulty spikes, like an enemy truck deploying endless mines, further compound the frustration.
Despite these flaws, some missions, like the AC-130 and oil rig sequences, shine. However, the pervasive clunky gameplay detracts from the overall experience, transforming potentially cinematic moments into awkward encounters. This is especially disappointing considering the smoother execution of similar scenarios in previous Call of Duty titles.
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Even the finale disappoints, culminating in a forced crafting sequence rather than a satisfying confrontation. Compared to the impactful endings of previous games, Modern Warfare 2‘s conclusion feels anticlimactic, relying on a post-credits scene for fan service.
However, the campaign is salvaged by the charismatic Task Force 141. The camaraderie and banter between the characters, particularly Ghost and Soap, inject much-needed life into the narrative. The game leverages the established fan affection for these characters, offering a compelling reason to push through the campaign’s shortcomings.
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Ultimately, Modern Warfare 2‘s campaign falls short of its potential, held back by an uneven narrative, clunky gameplay, and questionable design choices. While the charismatic characters and occasional strong missions offer glimpses of brilliance, they are not enough to overcome the campaign’s fundamental flaws.
Rating: 3 out of 5
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PS4, PS5, and PC.
