Has Infinity Ward Proved Themselves Again

By Paul Everitt

Two years ago developer Infinity Ward unleashed the marvel that was Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfare. A game which showed how well the developer could create FPS set pieces as well as showcasing their skill at creating an inventive original story.

Now surrounded by hype and expectations, Modern Warfare 2 has been released. It quickly became one of the biggest selling games of all time. But is the game worthy of the title, have they managed to create a sequel worthy of its predecessor.

The solo campaign opens up five years after the events of the first game. Although the first game ended with the main villain Imran Zakhaev being shot, things have gotten worse. Fuelled with their leaders death you find that the terrorist group has indeed been able to take over Russia. With Imran being hailed a hero and martyr for their cause.

The game sees you take control of two characters again, missions being split between the counter terrorism group Task 141 and the U.S. Marine Rangers. Not wanting to spoil the whole story, things get heated pretty quickly. Throughout the campaign Infinity Ward manage to prove their track record of creating an emotional roller coaster of a story, excellent set pieces abound through out this title. The level designs are excellent throughout, show casing the quality of craftsmanship through out the entire game. One of my favourite set pieces set early on in the game sees you grabbing a snow mobile after infiltrating the enemy’s base. A chase is ensured with you speeding down snowy paths, watching out for trees and other obstacles, whilst attempting to shoot as many of the pursuers as possible. Brilliantly executed, fast pace action which never lets up.

The only downside to the campaign is the length, it like the first feels a little too short. Maybe a couple more levels would have made the game feel a little more complete. However this is a very little setback as the campaign is so well designed you can't help but get lost within the story.

Graphics wise the game looks a lot sharper than the first, the same engine has been implemented from the first game so gamers will feel straight at home after loading up the start-up screen. Controls haven't been tampered with much either which is a bonus, the controls for me in COD 4 worked so well.

Multi player is where for a lot of gamers, COD 4 excelled. It took FPS online multi player to a new level adding the famous ranking system, perks and prestige modes. So what has Infinity Ward decided to change, add to the mix? I was pleasantly surprised, the main model has been left the same. However the changes they have made were well worth waiting for.

One of the new additions to the multi player experience are kill perks, if you do five times in a row these kill perks then become available for you to use. For instance my favourite one, whilst ranking up, is the copycat perk. Once you've died five times you then get the option to steal the weapons and perks from the player that just killed you. It only lasts till you die next. However I have to admit after getting to use some of the weapons available further into the game, I couldn't resist playing that one last game to try and unlock some more of them.

You can also set-up kill streaks to your own preference, more being unlocked as you gain more experience points. New kill streaks include the Predator missile, which when earned you can control the flight path and the exact position it lands. Others include the tactical nuke which blows everyone up on the map and ends the game, the harrier support, sentry gun and care package.

There are new guns galore to play with, new unlockables for them including heartbeat sensor and thermal scope.

The multi player runs well and there are a few new modes on there including destruction and capture the flag to name a few. Hardcore search and destroy is back which was one of my favourites of the original, nice change though is friendly fire now ricochets back into you. No more team killing thank goodness.

Now to the newest feature of the franchise and possibly one of the best challenges to complete within the game. Special Ops. Special ops sees you run certain challenges within a time limit with certain specifications. My favourite has to be the snow level where you have to sneak through enemy lines, get to a certain point on the map taking out wave after wave of enemies with your trusty sniper rifle. By completing these challenges within certain limits you receive a rating in the form of gold stars. The tension is immense, and you can complete these online with a friend or via split screen. Don't ignore this new feature as it proves for some of the best co-operative gaming I've seen for some time.

All in all this is a brilliantly put together package oozing quality and offers the gamer hours of gaming heaven. Throughout the whole experience I only found myself wanting a few more things included, longer story would have sealed the game nicely. Vehicles in the multi player would have added even more strategy to the game and finally the biggest omission for me, online story co-op. I would have loved the opportunity to complete the campaign with friends.

Another quality title from Infinity Ward which earns it an excellent

Overall Rating: 8.5/10

The newest installment in the groundbreaking Call of Duty® series, Modern Warfare 2 features for the first time in video games, the musical soundtrack of legendary Academy Award® , Golden Globe® Award, Grammy® Award and Tony winning composer Hans Zimmer. The title picks up immediately following the historic events of Call of Duty® 4: Modern Warfare®.

The Old Man's Top 5

	# 1: ★★★★★ Red Dead Redemption is an open-world, third-person, action-adventure game set at the tail end of the American West West era. Action takes place in the first few years of the twentieth century and revolves around the choices that the protagonist, former outlaw John Marston, is forced to make due to his blemished past.
	# 2: ★★★★★ Follow-up game to 2007's critically acclaimed Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, the PlayStation 3 exclusive Uncharted 2: Among Thieves is a continuation of the adventures of Nathan Drake, a fortune-hunter with a shady reputation and an even shadier past. Chock full of all the action, adventure, cinematic story elements and beautiful graphics that set the first game apart, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves adds deep online multiplayer options, including co-op and competitive campaigns, and a whole new supporting cast of characters.
	# 3: ★★★★★ Modern Warfare 2 is a first-person tactical shooter and the sixth entry in the popular Call of Duty series. True to its name and following the lead of its predecessor, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, it places players in modern combat settings, as opposed to the WWII environments of the earlier Call of Duty games. This modern approach brings with it new weapons, action and options. Coupled with a variety of gameplay modes including single player, multiplayer and the co-op Special Ops Mode, it is destined to be one of the most popular games of 2009 and a worthy addition to the Call of Duty series.
	# 4: ★★★★★ Get ready to plunge into the lush and deadly world of the Italian Renaissance, an era of arts, riches and murderous conspiracy. Assassin's Creed II introduces you to Ezio, a new assassin carrying on the deadly lineage of his forebears. Confront an epic tale of power and corruption as you hone your assassin's art, wielding weapons and instruments designed by the legendary Leonardo da Vinci himself in this gripping and deadly sequel.
	# 5: ★★★★★ The third game in the Fallout series, Fallout 3 is a singleplayer action role-playing game (RPG) set in a post-apocalyptic Washington DC. Combining the horrific insanity of the Cold War era theory of mutually assured destruction gone terribly wrong, with the kitschy naivety of American 1950s nuclear propaganda, Fallout 3 will satisfy both players familiar with the popular first two games in its series as well as those coming to the franchise for the first time.

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