The Raging Giant Know as MW2 (Call of Duty-Modern Warfare 2)

So I just thought I would start my first post talking about the game that everyone and their mother is playing and possibly will be playing for the next year or two. Now while I do think the game is one of the most entertaining games that I have ever personally played I don't think it has revolutionized the gaming industry (I will get into my opinion on that later). That being said you have to admit that it has done a lot of good things for the gaming industry. The same way the Wii has done many good things (even though most hard core gamers hate the Wii and want to pretend that it doesn't exist). I mean when a game sells as many units as it did, I think that is more than just hype. It means that it has a good following, will have a deep community and will be a game that will be played for many hours to come. I know I have put a little over 48 hours in just the multi-player alone and I know I could easily play another 48 easy. Now for most video games these days if you get 20 hours out of a game that is thought to be a good experience. Anything more than that and you are getting into something pretty special. Let's dive in shall we...

Story:

I don't really want to go into great detail with the story (so many people already have so no point in me beating a dead horse) but I will do a quick synopsis. There is a bad man looking to do bad things to America. You play in the military boots of a few different soldiers who are hoping to bring the bad man to justice. Throw in a few twists and turns and there you go! I know many people said the main single player campaign mode was the weakest of all the modes. And while I will agree with this I don't think it was a total piece of shit. I have heard "the story is too unrealistic", "the story makes no sense", "oh come on that could never happen". Last I checked this was a damn video game. Not a game based on real life. We need it to be over the top and be far fetched. We need ridiculous chase scenes, massive gun fights, explosions and every other over the top element they can add in to draw you into the experience. One of the best moments (to me) in the whole game was when I was running through the streets of Favela trying to get to the chopper. SO INTENSE. SO OVER THE TOP. SO UNREALISTIC. But man what fucking fun. If there is one trend I am learning when it comes to video games these days it is that more than anything you need a decent plot to really make a game come together. These days you need more of an interactive movie feel to really get your audience to enjoy something, even if it is short. If they really feel drawn in than you have something that will leave a good impression with them and make them come back for more if you ever put another game out. And, personally, that is what both Modern Warfare and Modern Warfare 2 have done for me. Overall I think the cut scenes (while they lack animation) work very well with the game. The voice acting is pretty good. While you don't get very attached to all the characters you play with I think the game does a good enough job in putting you in their shoes and I will say I definitely was drawn in to each story line and cared how each one ended.

Co-op Campaign:

This to me (of the three modes) was a huge surprise. When I first heard about this I totally envisioned it would be a waste of time. I mean for some reason it seems very hard for the gaming industry to make good co-op games. So I just thought there would be no way to pull this off. But when I booted up the first mission and played with my friend I was instantly sold. It is hard to explain but it is a very stripped down version of the story mode but it is still a ton of fun. For those that might not know (even though I doubt it) you basically get a situation (defend an area for 5 minutes, make it to a point on the map, etc...) and complete it. Whether it is online or sitting with a real person it is such a great feeling making a plan of attack and tackling a board with another player. Reminds me very much of Army of Two minus an aggro meter. What makes it so great is how much you need your partner to make it through each situation. I am hoping that future games can extend on this. Whether it is 2 player or more. It is just a great experience overall and can be a ton of fun (as long as you play with someone who knows FPSs or first person shooters).

Mult-Player Mode:

ALL RIGHT BITCHES LETS GET INTO IT!

Yes the multi-player mode for Modern Warfare 2. First let me say this-it in no way revolutionized the multi-player experience. What it did do was polish that fucker like no other. With all the weapon upgrades, perks, kill streaks, and titles and tags they made sure to add all the bells and whistles to this bad boy. I do not have a lot of experience in FPSs but this one is so addictive, so time consuming and just so much damn fun that it amazes me (and my wife who wonders how I can play the same damn game for hours, and hours, and hours). It does have a tough learning curve. Especially when you are not used to playing FPSs. I noticed that right away and had played the first game a lot so I thought I would be better initially than I was. Man was I wrong. For the first few levels get ready to be everyone's bitch and deal. Once you unlock 'create your class', other gun options and more perks the mode gets a little easier (not that I don't get owned by better players all the time). It not as if all of a sudden some magic door unlocks and you are more accurate and you can kill everyone in one shot. But you do get used to certain guns. You find perks and kill streaks that work to your skill level and you start to memorize maps and know where people will be. It can seems a little daunting at first but eventually you learn how to read the radar, memorize the best spots, adjust the controls to be able to make subtle movements without completely jerking the sites off target and then all of a sudden...you actually start to have fun. But like I said be ready for some frustration at first. Especially with those snipers who love to camp and just never seem to miss! But if you can get past those first few levels and get kills under your belt you are rewarded with a game that will keep you entertained for hours. Add onto that playing with your friends and the experience can only get better. Laughing at them when you see them get shot (and then of course cursing when you get shot next).

There you have it. A game that in no way breaks the mold, but it does refine the mode in a few places. With a fun (but short) single player campaign, a great co-op mode, and of course the beast of a mode multi-player this is a game that has some long legs. If you can get into it I would say you could easily get 100 hours out this (if not much more). So make sure to sit back and enjoy the ride because it is going to be a long one.