Yes, it’s that time again for me to do one of my oh-so-beloved list posts. Today’s topic is the recently released Modern Warfare 2 that I now feel comfortable talking about seeing as how my nerdgasms have finally subsided a bit. While I can’t speak for Nicole (because she’s too busy spanking me in Borderlands), I can say that I’ve spent a little over 10 hours with the game so far and feel authoritative enough to give you the run-down on what I’ve played so far. So without further adieu, please, stay frosty and pay attention as I reveal to you some juicy tidbits about this year’s most anticipated shooter.
1. Veteran Mode isn’t Brutal Enough…
Aaaand that’s not a bad thing. As a matter of fact, it’s pretty damned welcome because veteran mode in past CODs was just tortuous. While veteran difficulty isn’t a walk in the park, series veterans (see what I did there?) may be disappointed in what feels like a slightly dumbed down difficulty. You can still only take a few hits max before you take that never-ending dirt nap, but it feels easier to avoid enemy fire than it was before. Maybe it’s because there aren’t forever-spawning enemies at certain checkpoints anymore or maybe it’s just flat-out better level design with more forgiving cover in your surroundings. Whatever the reason, it’s certainly not as bad as Call of Duty 2 but you’ll still get dropped like a prom dress if you decide to run in guns blazing.
2. Split-Screen Play is a bit Crippled
I was shaking with glee at the prospect of playing multiplayer with Nicole via splitscreen while we teamed up with some of our friends online. Unfortunately, Infinity Ward didn’t seem to care about that page from Bungie’s playbook and decided to push me ever closer to buying a second 360 just so Nicole and I can play it together. While it’s true you can play Special Ops missions locally via splitscreen, these felt tacked-on, likely in an effort to appease all of the pissed off players who can’t enjoy Xbox Live play when a friend comes over. So, if any of you at Infinity Ward are reading this right now, maybe spend a little less time making Treyarch diss tracks for your end credits, and a little more time polishing the features gamers want. However, despite the split-screen fail…
3. Online Play Still Kicks Ass
Big time. Multiplayer is still visceral and exciting as every kill brings you closer to new emblems, guns, challenge completions, ranks, and call signs. Call signs in particular are very cool on account of over 22 pages of the things and they appear on all of your victim’s screens. The maps are varied and interesting, though I’d certainly appreciate a throwback map pack being offered at some point as DLC. Somehow many of the maps look smaller than those of yesteryear, but after a closer examination they appear to be far more intricate and tailored more to close-quarters firefights than open warfare on large expanses. The only real complaint I have hear is it seems the spawn points need to be a bit more balanced as on more than a few occasions I would spawn already under fire. Speaking of being mercilessly under fire…
4. The Airport Level Really Isn’t That Bad
Yes, it’s true there’s a level in MW2 that has you gearing up with some Russian terrorists and mercilessly mowing down an airport full of civillians. No, it’s not the end of civilization as we know it and really, a lot of hype has been centered on this facet of the game because of the sheer ‘horror’ of it all. What much of the non-gaming media has failed to mention however, is that you’re able to skip this level in its entirety with absolutely no penalty. Also, if you do choose to play this level you’ll find that you aren’t playing a terrorist per se, but rather a CIA operative who’s participating solely for the (debatable) greater good and trying to infiltrate the terrorist cell responsible.
While it is a pretty grisly site, most of the controversy exists only because MW2 has the spotlight right now. Honestly, have we all not already murdered thousands or even hundreds of thousands of innocent shoppers, service industry employees, and prostitutes throughout years of Grand Theft Auto installments and their ‘me too’ clones? Of course we have, and we didn’t bat an eye because most of us with half a brain realize that it’s just a video game. It’s not a murder simulator or a real-life killing howto guide, it’s a piece of fictionalized art that still pales in its depiction of travesty when compared to its Hollywood counterparts. However, there is one area of MW2 that is truly horrific…
5. The F*cking Guard Dogs Are Back
Yes, the hateful little canine bastards that ruined many a veteran-checkpoint for me are back in full-force, and they’re hungry for jugular. Granted, this isn’t an exciting observation, but for me, personally, I can’t stand these little guys. They always come out of nowhere when I’m knee-deep in a firefight and the onscreen prompt to click the right-stick to break their necks always registers a second too late and I die. So if you thought that you’d go into this completely free of any rabid doggy pursuers, you’d be totally wrong.
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LMAO...love the dog shot!
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