Originally I really wasn’t going to get Modern Warfare 2.

Initially I was put off by the RRP.  £55 is a heck of a lot of money for one game.  Thankfully most places are selling it for more normal prices.

However when the footage of the now-infamous airport level was released, I was really put off.  In a way, that was a testament to to the developers, but for me it was too realistic, and I had no interest in playing something like that.  I don’t mind playing games like GTA or the like, because I’ve always viewed there being an almost cartoony aspect to a lot of the violence.  However Call of Duty has always prided itself on its realism, and for me they got it too right, and it felt a little to much like they were trying to generate some controversy.  I didn’t see why it couldn’t have been a cut scene.  Yes, the ability to completely skip the level is built into the game, and you’re prompted about it when you start a campaign, and again before the level itself, but to be honest, if you do skip it, it derails the story, as the events in that level are pretty vital to what happens next.

However, despite this, I’ve still ended up with the game.  I’d played it at someone else’s house, mostly split-screen multiplayer and enjoyed that part of the game immensely.  With most of my friends buying it and raving about the online play, I was starting to crack before I was finally bought the game as a gift.

So outside of that level?

Well, the game is brilliant.  The single player storyline carries on well from the first game, and is filled with great characters, and epic moments.  Visually, its stunning as well, and the storyline seems designed to take advantage of the visuals and effects the next generation consoles can offer.

There’s also a Special Ops mode, which can be played either solo, or cooperatively with a friend or online.  It presents a series of challenging missions, all of which have the roots in the single player campaign, but they provide a great way to get a quick fix with more of a focus to them than the regular online modes.  There’s a great amount of variety in the missions, with the mission where you’re at the sub base defending your position with sniper rifles and claymores being a personal favourite.

The online play is, of course, what is going to get the most milage in the game.  There’s a wide variety of game modes, and the now-standard system of levels and unlocks is in place.  You’re able to unlock a wide variety of weapons and equipment, not just through gaining levels, but also through completing a series of specific challenges, which really add to the experience of the online play as you’re not just running around trying to kill other players or capture a flag.

Overall, I really love playing the game online.  The basic Team Deathmatch has been my game of choice, as I quite like the idea that not all the other players are trying to kill me.    However it has to be said, the online play swings wildly between incredibly fun, and a complete waste of time.

The infrastructure in place for the online play is excellent.  The maps are varied, the selection of equipment and challenges extensive, and the killstreak rewards add a lot to the gameplay.  However I’ve found game balance can be a real issue.  Its not unheard of to have a team of level range 18-30 in against a team of range 50-70.  There doesn’t appear to be anything in place to mix things up depending on the players own abilities.

It also doesn’t help that I’m not brilliant at these games.  I enjoy them, and I think I can be passable at them, but when it comes down to it, my reflexes and hand/eye coordination is no match for most of the people playing this game.   A large percentage of the online playerbase is incredibly, incredibly good at this kind of game, and have been playing it a lot, so now they now know all the maps like the back of their hand.  This means if you’re a new player, or not as good, then online play can just be an exercise in frustration as you spawn-die-spawn-die in a never-ending loop.  It does mean that some days playing Modern Warfare 2 online is just an exercise in frustration, and I’ve ended up quitting the game more than once as a result.

To be fair, that’s not a problem with Modern Warfare 2.  Its an issue with all these types of games.  I remember my one attempt to play the first Modern Warfare online.  The game had been out for a good while, so the rest of the player base was really established.   After 5 dull minutes of constantly watching respawn timers after being repeatedly killed, I quit and never bothered with the online play ever again.  However, saying that, online play is where a lot of longevity for these games is now, and when you factor in the cost of the game, that’s an issue worth considering.   In an ideal world it’d be nice to see some level-restricted game modes added for example.  World at War did this by having a Bootcamp option where only people level 1-8 could play, in order to let them get started without being sniped by level 70s and I thought it was a great idea.

Despite the ups and downs of online play though, I still find myself drawn to it, as when you manage to end up in with a decently matched group, its so much fun.   And for those days, when you just can’t be bothered with online play, then you’ve got the option of the special ops, or the single player.  Or heck, if you still want that online experience without the constant respawning, there’s the option to play the single player campaign co-operatively with people online, so there’s loads of gameplay options.

Modern Warfare 2 is a brilliant game.  The only real issue I’ve got with it remains that airport level, however everything else surrounding it is incredibly well crafted.

But when will they do a version of Nazi Zombies for it?  That was the best part of World at War.  :D