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 £119.99.
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 £119.99.
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 £35 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 £30/£35 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
christ alive this game looks amazing. i cant wait for it to come out. but you no what i still aint paying the full price when i does come out. so i think ill stick with MW till the price drops.
It seems to be more arcade'y, more "dumbed down for console" and less *hmm* "real". Too much theatrics, and not enough gameplay.
Singleplayer in MW was memorable, yet frustratingly arcade - it felt frantic in the wrong way, in some areas. The sneaking around was *great* but the bigger battles felt staged and meaningless.
Multiplayer was enjoyable, but if MW2 is adding all sorts of crap, even more streaks and all those "unrealistic" things that ruined the gameplay (chopper, airstrikes, etc. - didn't improve the game, and removed focus from the action on the ground - tho' UAV was nice) - I see this one as a step in the wrong direction. More silly and over-the-top, less in-your-face modern close-quarters combat.
I've played most of my MW in LAN - where it makes for great fun - but hearing that dedicated servers wont be featured... then I'm skipping this one.
Geeeeez guys, already talking about downloading this instead of actually buying it? I seriously hope you get caught trying to log onto their servers and have your ips reported back to your isps. Dont think your parents will be too happy when they find out exactly what you've been up to! To be honest, ive not seen the price tag but i expect £50 is probably likely. Thing is you gotta know how to play the market for prices. They start cheap on the first 2 weeks, rocket up for about 2 months then slowly drop again. Just either gotta get in there early or hope to hell you find a good deal later on. Although by the sounds of it, most of you will be paying the higher price as your parents probably wont be that prepared to buy you the game within 2 weeks of the release date "ready for xmas" lol. Personally i f**ckin loved MW1 and cant wait for 2, the amount of playing time dedicated to these games easily justifies a high price tag.
On a side note, airstrikes, choppers etc arent really that unrealistic in warfare situations. The fact you are p*ssed off about them being included again just shows you never did well enough to get them in MW.
More importantly, the "Arcade" appearance of the game is for a few reasons: A - Previews are from 360 screens which have a much higher brightness as standard, so characters look less defined or natural. B - When they run these "Demos" they actually ask people on the other side not to shoot them. That way they look like they're actually good at the game and show how you could potentially pwn the other team....if you didnt get shot in the back by a camper or a f*ckin sniper...
This game rocks! It is gonna be the best game ever!!! I mean if its better AND longer than COD4 then it will definately be the best thing i will ever see I already pre-ordered the prestige edition of this game. If any1 also wants to pre-order it, then send me an email or a message and i will give you a link to where you can buy it for £120 (UK). They also sell the normal edition and the hardened edition (everything both for ps3 and xbox 360) =)
Cod6 looks like its going to be the best shooter game this year but it seems to look very confusing i just hope they made it simple to use and easy to make classes and set up the new features
Cod6 looks like its going to be the best shooter game this year but it seems to look very confusing i just hope they made it simple to use and easy to make classes and set up the new features
Cod6 looks like its going to be the best shooter game this year but it seems to look very confusing i just hope they made it simple to use and easy to make classes and set up the new features
Cod6 looks like its going to be the best shooter game this year but it seems to look very confusing i just hope they made it simple to use and easy to make classes and set up the new features
Cod6 looks like its going to be the best shooter game this year but it seems to look very confusing i just hope they made it simple to use and easy to make classes and set up the new features
Cod6 looks like its going to be the best shooter game this year but it seems to look very confusing i just hope they made it simple to use and easy to make classes and set up the new features
Cod6 looks like its going to be the best shooter game this year but it seems to look very confusing i just hope they made it simple to use and easy to make classes and set up the new features
Cod6 looks like its going to be the best shooter game this year but it seems to look very confusing i just hope they made it simple to use and easy to make classes and set up the new features
yes,COD is good. yes,COD MW2 will be better. but compared to the ps3 line up of games comin' out in 2009 and early 2010 it reli isnt worth the buy if u havnt got broadband. cough cough...thats me!
if you can play online its a must have, but the big edition with the goggles just isnt worth it. putin online play to one side, it just doesnt compare to other games. im more interested in other games, especially assassins creed 2!
Purely the fact that Infinity Ward are even considering a 3rd person view for this game is discouraging me slightly... sure CoD is pretty fast paced at times, and okay, it would be nice to be able to take some minor cover at times. 3rd person (at least in theory), makes cover type mechanics a little easier - it would make a huge difference, in completely changing the way the game plays IMO.
CoD is all about fast paced close quarters combat; so by adding the 3rd person view into the mix it will become tantamount to a camp fest - at least in 'competitive' play; after all nobody that's "elite" is too stupid not to use it, it's a 100% certainty that they would!
I'm alright with paying £44.49 from game because this game is going to be wicked COD4 was quality but it didn't have CTF which is probably the best game mode. In the trailer it shows it as having 50 points a kill which will be immense because most half-decent people get around 20-30 kills a game. The game will make up for the high price-tag with all the kill-streaks,death-streaks,new perks and the call-signs. Don't see why everyone is moaning about the price COD4 & COD5 was all around the same price. Stop whining and buy it!
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