Yesterday morning we got another chance to see Modern Warfare 2 as part of Infinity Ward's epic European tour. It was a more laid back affair than last month's multiplayer event in Los Angeles and felt less like we were being treated to something completely 'new' but we did get a chance to catch up with Robert Bowling (Infinity Ward's adopted spokesman and Creative Strategist) see some more single-player and have a go on Special Ops.
Bowling began by showing us a play through of one of the single-player missions. Titled Takedown, it's located in Rio de Janeiro and features the 'Favela' area that we'd already seen in multiplayer. This mission is a manhunt through the hostile slum alleyways to chase down a character called Roja. The team need to him capture alive so he can be used for intelligence gathering.
The opening cut-scene, seen from inside a car, sets the tone when the man sat in the seat next to you gets his head blown off, splattering you and the dash board with blood and brain. From there in the level captures the adrenaline-fuelled chaos and confusion of ground-level, urban warfare, with your team dressed in plain clothes and the streets filled not only with aggressive militia but also innocent civilians who you have to avoid shooting.
Modern Warfare 2
Official trailer
2:12Infamy trailer
Modern Warfare 2
Official trailer
2:12Infamy trailer
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Having already played MW2 we can testify that the game's trademark controls have hardly changed in the sequel - one thing that was key in our initial appraisal - so it's more the new locations, motivations, weapons and visual polish that we were noticing today. Incidental details like glass shattering and falling off in angular chunks and a new infra-red sniper scope are obvious, but more subtle is the maps now look like they have proper geographical location, with more landscape visible on the horizon.
Difficulty-wise, at points it looks remarkably intense with Bowling failing one checkpoint two or three time in a row, reminding us of the notorious TV station section of the original Modern Warfare - ie. Multiple enemies firing from all directions and elevation - many of whom you can't see.
As Bowling completes the level - an in-game cut-scene shows Roja being unceremoniously taken into custody via a few bullets to the leg - he tells us that the next part of the mission changes the dynamic from 'manhunt' to 'being hunted' as your team has to escape the Favela alive. He's not going to show us that bit yet though, the big tease.
Bowling then goes on to explain the philosophy behind MW2 (something he refers to a lot in the course of the demo) which was to create three, distinct game styles, all tailored to different types of play (this is what you see in the opening menu screen).
First is the single player 'campaign' option which is very specifically designed to be a solo experience (so no co-op here) second is the multiplayer experience and third is Special Ops, a series of two-player co-op experiences. It's actually quite refreshing to hear that IW are being so prescriptive with their co-op, choosing two as the maximum because it suits the play style best, rather than cramming in more for the sake of it.
We also learn that maps have been specially created for both Special Ops and Multiplayer, rather than being adapted versions of the single player option. Similarly, certain weapon types are unique to specific play styles.
We're shown two Special Ops games, one of which we loved, the other, well, we don't exactly hate but can't imagine ever playing. The first (that we like) is Elimination, where the challenge is to kill a set number of hostiles without dying.
The location for the demoed environment is great - a big country hunting lodge (complete with room full of weaponry) surrounded by forest, with the enemies attacking the house from the bushes. Depending on which difficulty setting you choose the number of enemies increases, with Veteran introducing other inconveniences like dogs to contend with.
The second mode he shows us, which we aren't so keen on, is a Time Trial which involves you racing your partner on a snowmobile. Now, this might appeal to some, but purists will probably recoil in disgust - a racing game? In COD? WTFF? According to our guide, it's made more enjoyable when you're playing against a friend as you can shoot them in the face during the run, but we aren't convinced. Someone will probably enjoy it though.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
Gameplay footage
1:55Multiplayer footage
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
Gameplay footage
1:55Multiplayer footage
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Special Ops is a neat way of making anyone who fears the hardcore nature of all-out multiplayer feel included in the 'social gaming' experience. Like the exemplary World at War Zombie mode (the best bit of WAW in our view) getting together with a partner and taking on the 60+ challenges will certainly be an enjoyable and challenging way to play the game. It's also worth noting that as well as online co-op there's spilt-screen.
Our chance to shine came with a bit of 'hands-on' with Elimination on the Favela map (again), a different version of the shanty town from that seen in the multiplayer. The main thing we learn from it is you need take it very literally and co-operate or risk losing your partner as he bleeds out on the floor. You can resuscitate them, which is essential as alone you're a more vulnerable target. Oh and beware of friendly fire - in one comical situation we managed to shoot our wingman dead as a thankyou for reviving us seconds before.
The best strategy is to work through the map side-by-side and if you die retrace your steps along the same path, making a mental note of choke points. A further challenge is added by giving a penalty for shooting civilians - kill six and it's game over, or if you're on veteran kill three and your done.
Incidentally, in Spec Ops mode you can set your own difficulty level independently, which will sort out the n00bs from the boys. Demonstrated perfectly by Bowling as he polishes off the job in Veteran with a fellow journo on Regular in tow, more than making up for dying in the single-player demo.
This short re-exposure to MW2 ends with us feeling a familiar sensation to the end of the multiplayer event - we want to play and see more; to get on it for hours, to take on everyone in the room on a new map, on free-for-all. Being brutally honest - the core game, bar a few graphical sleights of hand - is little-changed, but now it's bigger, more expansive and with the potential for even greater longevity.
It's astonishing we're still playing Modern Warfare two years on - and if this demo is anything to go by, MW2 could keep us going for three. Now who was it that was moaning about the price tag?
I was complaining about the price tag, and I still am. I don't care how ground breaking this retread of all other Call Of Duty games is. Also, it isn't about the price of just this game, its the price system that many of us complain about.
Outstanding! From what this preview has stated, it appears IW has done a good job conveying the claustrophobia and vulnerability of carrying out combat operations in an urban environment. To top it off, it also appears they have managed to throw in the pandemonium of civilians running about and interferring with the combat. I don't think my expectations are going to be disappointed come release time!
I can appreciate the outrage that many have expressed regarding the pricing on MW2. If I hadn't gotten a decent pre-order discount on the PC version of MW2, I probably would not buy upon release but instead wait for prices to decrease (which took up to a year for CoD4 and that was just reach regular prices! Even today CoD4 costs as much, if not more, than some new games in retail stores!).
I for one reckon a bit of snowmobile frivolity will be ok, don't knock that one too quickly
but yes... @ stonecoldMC, I don't think too many of us are proud that we are about to let ourselves be voluntarily finger loved out of the premium price on this game, just because of the name.
A good title this will surely be, but I look forward to the day, my sense of reasoning, pride and self control stop me from being acti's pawn.and I find the courage they told me I should have at school and "just say no!!!"
unfortunately, I very much doubt that day will come before the 10th of November 2009
i thik that call of duty moder warfare 2 is going to be a good game because if i didnt think it was i wouldnt be getting it for christmas
also i read a coment from a gamer in xbox 360 world mag and he was talking about the night vision goggels and how they wouldnt be very good if the pack was worth Ł119.99.
do you think the night vision goggels will be good or not?
i thik that call of duty moder warfare 2 is going to be a good game because if i didnt think it was i wouldnt be getting it for christmas
also i read a coment from a gamer in xbox 360 world mag and he was talking about the night vision goggels and how they wouldnt be very good if the pack was worth Ł119.99.
do you think the night vision goggels will be good or not?
Without actually having had a hands-on test of the aforementioned goggles, I can't say with certainty. However, considering that military-grade night vision goggles cost thousands, sometimes tens of thousands, of pounds I wouldn't expect these to set the night on fire.
The sooner that IW go independant the better it will be for all of us Gamers!
Ill be paying my 30 pieces of silver on the 11/11/09. Im not a proud man .
Ha ha! That made me laugh as I feel exactly the same. I'll hand over the cash (albeit begrudgingly) and just feel a bit dirty for a while. But hey, I'll recover swiftly.
Too bad for you guys. I got my standard PS3 copy for Ł35 from TESCO Entertainment, or Direct. There'll be more deals, just keep an eye out.
My only concern, is there's just TOO much in the game now, especially multiplayer, with all the kill streaks, weapons, different grenades, etc etc. It'll still be great to play though.
regarding the rrp: if i cant get this game for Ł30/Ł35 on ps3 within a month of release ill just be downloading it for PC instead.
I doubt you'll be the only one to download the PC version, they're shafting everyone this year. They may as well stick a big "pirate me!" label on it if they're not allowing dedicated servers or promods and charging money for DLC.
Modern Warfare 2? They're doing a second one? Nobody told me. You'd think a game that BIG would get some more publicity. Dude you didn't know??? LOL well actually I didn't really know until I saw pics and trailers all over the place... I'm a gamer bnut not a big enouh gamer to know exactly whats goin on with every little thing u know? So don't worry about u not knowing lmao because thats a good sign.. it means ur not a total gaming freak that never gets outta the house haha
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