Image: Activision via HGG
I've been playing video games pretty much nonstop ever since I got my first 360. I love arena shooters, MMOs, and MOBAs, but I'll pretty much try any kind of game.
Reviewed by Benjamin Barr
The evolution of the Call of Duty franchise over the years has been an interesting one. It started as a pretty generic war shooter back in 2003, and has evolved into one of the titans of the industry across multiple genres. From the PS2 classics to the battle royale fame of Warzone, the series has always remained relevant. With the release of the latest installment, Modern Warfare 2, many players are wondering: Is Modern Warfare 2 worth playing?
In this article, we’ll take a look at the features of the game to answer this question. Let’s get to it!
Does MW2 Have Single-Player?
Yes, it does! Ever since Black Ops 4 omitted its campaign, players have been concerned about the series’ future in terms of single-player. Luckily, MW2 prominently features a single-player campaign and even has a cooperative mode similar to other entries in the franchise (the co-op mode is not the same as the campaign).
The campaign is not a true remaster of the original MW2, but instead a re-imagining with many of the same characters. They clearly put a lot of work into it, which is nice to see with how heavily focused most companies are on multiplayer only.
For players looking for an immersive single-player campaign, MW2 is a fantastic option. Its story feels similar to the original Modern Warfare trilogy (for obvious reasons), and the characters are just as well-fleshed out this time around as they were last time.
Does MW2 Have Good Multiplayer?
Yes! In fact, the multiplayer for MW2 is likely the main reason most people are playing it. Many long-time Call of Duty fans have complained over the last several years about declining quality and effort in the games. Luckily, MW2 seems to be a return to form for the franchise.
While it certainly has had some connectivity/server issues upon launch, the game itself has been quite enjoyable. This is ultimately a decision everyone will have to make for themselves, but if you’re someone that wants a more old school COD game, this is definitely the best option in years. Time will tell whether it stays that way or not, but we’re hopeful.
Multiplayer Game Modes
Modern Warfare 2 features most of the game modes long-time fans will be expecting, including both small-scale (standard COD) and large-scale modes. Let’s take a look at each multiplayer game mode available right now!
- Team Deathmatch: The classic Call of Duty game mode. There are no frills on this mode, as it’s simply a 6v6 deathmatch. Kill opponents and get to the points threshold first to win.
- Kill Confirmed: Also 6v6, but with a new objective. While it plays similarly to Team Deathmatch, players have to run over downed enemies to pick up their dog tags and “confirm” the kill. Collect dog tags to score points and win via points threshold.
- Domination: Hold points on the map to score points in this objective mode. This has been a staple of the franchise for a long time and is one of the most popular objective-based modes.
- Search and Destroy: The goal of this mode is simple — search for the bomb and destroy it (or, alternatively, kill all your opponents). This has long been one of the most popular modes in the game, so it’s not surprising to see it back.
- Free for All: Every good shooter game has a FFA mode, and MW2 is no exception. It’s a simple mode where the individual with the most kills wins.
- Headquarters: HQ is a variant of Domination, but only has one capture point and the team that holds it cannot respawn until they lose control. This makes for a more competitive mode that requires a bit more teamwork.
- Hardpoint: Hardpoint requires each team to capture one of several points on the map, but with the catch that the capture locations rotate around the map. Hold zones to win.
- Knock Out: This is another elimination game mode that is mostly just focused on elimination instead of objectives.
- Prisoner Rescue: PR is similar to Search and Destroy, but it focuses on rescuing a hostage instead of defusing a bomb. Other than that, the modes feel very much the same. You can either eliminate all your opponents or rescue the prisoner.
Other than those core playlists, there are also two game modes that take place on larger-scale maps. These are more reminiscent of the open warfare of games like Battlefield.
- Ground War: 32 vs 32 large-scale battle with vehicles included. First team to 250 points wins. Points are scored by holding capture points.
- Invasion: 20 vs 20 game mode similar to Ground War, but with an additional 20 AI members of each team.
Does MW2 Run Well?
One look at MW2’s Steam page will tell you that there are many people upset with the game (on PC, at least). As of a few days after release, the game has mixed reviews due largely to server/connectivity issues. On PC, the game has significant issues when several people are trying to play as a group. There are also many people reporting various issues like the game crashing constantly or not launching at all.
This varies from platform to platform, so definitely make sure to look into it for your specific console/platform beforehand. Solo play seems fine, though, so I’m hopeful these issues will get patched soon. However, for now I would say that MW2 does not run well in some cases, but is fine in others.
How Much Does MW2 Cost?
We can’t really discuss if a game is “worth it” or not if we don’t mention its price. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 costs $69.99 USD on Steam, Xbox, and PlayStation as of release. The deluxe version (called the Vault Edition) is $99.99.
All things considered, the price is about what one would expect. Deciding whether this price is worth it to you or not is a personal decision, but if you can afford it and you want a good old school Call of Duty game, I’d say it’s at least worth checking out.
Verdict: Is Modern Warfare 2 Worth Playing?
So, the bottom line? Yes, I’d say Modern Warfare 2 is worth playing. It does have problems (mainly server issues) that can’t be denied, but it’s a fun re-imagining of a game many players are either nostalgic for or never got to experience back in the day. The campaign is genuinely well made, the multiplayer is promising, and it isn’t filled with excessive microtransactions (at least not yet). It might not be a perfectly made game, but I’ve personally enjoyed it much more than not.
Join the High Ground
That’s it for our take on whether COD: Modern Warfare 2 is worth playing — thanks for reading! Let us know your thoughts, and be sure to subscribe for more Call of Duty content and more.
Happy gaming!
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