Probably the most anticipated title in a long time, Modern Warfare 2 was released to much fan-fare.  The original, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, was a game very special to me.  It had a stunning single player campaign with an innovative multiplayer experience that was unmatched at the time.  Modern Warfare 2 kept the recipe the same and even added a little something with Spec Ops.

Plenty of gamers, myself included, would have bought Modern Warfare 2 even without the inclusion of a single player campaign.  The reviews of the single player campaign are all over the place.  Personally, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and will likely play through it again in the future.  I’ll sum up the gripes for you; it’s short, it’s as linear as you’ll find, it’s not the best or most innovative story ever told, and the end will leave you a little confused if not downright mad.  All of the above are true.  Regardless, it’s a 6-10 hour thrill ride in every way.  You’ll find yourself forgetting to breathe through sequences of the game.  You’ll get a little overwhelmed by the powerful message being delivered through the gameplay, and more specifically, where the gameplay takes place.  Modern Warfare 2 is an absolutely gorgeous game graphically and just the eye-candy alone is worthy of a play through.  While a lot of reviewers may not think the single player contributes very well, I highly disagree and would recommend you get it even if you play the single player.

Assuming you’re not insane, and you decide you give the multiplayer mode a go, you’ll be pleasantly greeted by the best multiplayer experience available on a console.  Yes, it’s that good.  I haven’t put in a ridiculous number of hours to this point.  You’ll find many players out there that have literally put in days.  Like the original Modern Warfare, I’m sure I will over the course of a year, but currently there’s just so many things to play.  Modern Warfare 2 doesn’t penalize you for this.  I can hop in a game with any number of high level players and still be competitive.  Modern Warfare 2 gives you capable weapons from the start and that goes a long way to providing an enjoyable experience.  The leveling progress is fun and rewarding.  You’ll fly through the ranks, completing weapon-specific challenges along the way, enjoying every second.

I haven’t spent enough time in Spec Ops yet, but I’ve done enough to see how much fun it is to play with a friend in a co-op setting.  Spec Ops lets you and a friend team up to complete objectives.  As you work together and complete these objectives, you’ll really uncover the fun of this new mode of play.  A lot of reviewers and industry gamers are predicting that 2010 is the year of co-op, where in previous years open-world games have been “it”.  I completely agree with them and think Spec Ops is an excellent way to begin that trend in the new year.  It’s a blast to get into a session of Spec Ops with a friend and knock out these objectives.

Modern Warfare 2 is an excellent game in every regard.  It wasn’t as groundbreaking and innovative as it’s predecessor but that’s not exactly a feat easily obtained.  I think a lot of people were disappointed that it wasn’t such a huge step over the original.  I don’t really understand how that’s even an expectation really.  Lets be honest though, you already own this game.  There’s no way there’s someone reading this right now debating whether to buy Modern Warfare 2.  So, I guess I’ll just say congratulations on your purchase.

This review is based on the Xbox 360 retail version of the game purchased by Skeptical Gamer.