The campaign for Infinity Ward’s 2019 reboot of Modern Warfare struck a near-perfect balance of being grounded and providing the bombastic Michael Bay-like action the series is known for. This was managed by drawing compelling characters and providing a well-written story for these characters. After three long years, Infinity Ward is back to give us the further adventures of Captain Price and Task Force 141 as well as give players some varied, extremely polished gameplay to immerse us in. While it never reaches the heights of the 2019’s campaign due to a few too many characters and a much bigger story, it’s still an excellent example of why Infinity Ward truly is the best Call of Duty campaign studio.
Note: This review only covers the single-player campaign, with our multiplayer review going live soon.
Routine Mission
Set in modern times, the story has the 141, working under American General Shepard (ring a bell?), and in pursuit of Iranian Quds Force Major Hassan Zyani and some American ballistic missiles he has command over. In typical globe trotting fashion, the campaign sees 141 running into the Spanish cartel, Las Almas who are aiding Zyani. To go further would spoil the many twists and turns, some of which won’t be surprising for those of us familiar with the original Modern Warfare 2, but suffice to say it’s all pretty entertaining, action movie-type stuff.
Where MW2019’s campaign gave us enough time with the characters to really get to know and care for them, Modern Warfare II’s campaign trades on that familiarity and caring for less time with each character, banking on our previous experiences to carry us through. This is pretty standard for a sequel since we already know and are invested in the characters so further character development is minimal. We want to see their next adventure, sure, but I also want to see the characters challenged emotionally and mentally and have arcs. I do have to admit that is a slight disappointment for me in this sequel.
Best in Class
While the story isn’t as strong as Modern Warfare 2019’s, the gameplay does an exceptional job of making up for it. Of course, the industry-leading shooting and movement is present, and accounted for. Weapons feel good, aiming and shooting is as snappy and responsive as ever. It’s the things around the shooting and the various ways levels play out that elevate the campaign beyond a “been there, done that” feeling that can set in 20 years into a series. Infinity Ward added a crafting mechanic used on a couple of stealth based sections in which you gather and combine household items for makeshift traps, smoke grenades, and other tools to help you survive. There’s a truck chase reminiscent of Uncharted 2 but has a whole different feeling in first-person that I played with a big smile on my face. There is also the requisite two men in Ghillie suits level that is even more tense than ever before due to having to move to avoid enemies that don’t just walk in a straight line. It’s all great action movie-type entertainment and I enjoyed almost all of it.
My biggest complaint is that the final section of the game and ending is underwhelming considering the exciting bombast that came before it. It’s only about 10 minutes or so of the six-plus hour game but the disparity between the high highs and this abrupt low makes it more noticeable.
A Feast for the Eyes and Ears
The truly unassailable area of Modern Warfare 2 is its presentation. While still a cross-gen game, Modern Warfare 2 is absolutely stunning on PS5. The level of detail from the grains of sand, groves in rock surfaces, textures of various fabrics, and the truly impressive character models are pretty much peerless in the genre. I really look forward to see what Infinity Ward delivers untethered to last-gen hardware.
Meeting the visuals on their level is the impeccable sound design. I played the entire game using my 3D Pulse headset and was completely immersed in the soundscape of the world of Modern Warfare 2. Truly the sound design in this game is flawless. The quiet still of the countryside as we made our way through the grass, broken only by local wildlife and the distant sound of crashing waves. The chaos of gunfire and explosions as we held our ground defending a fallen helicopter, the roar of engines in a high speed chase, and everything in between made me feel like I was in the middle of it all.
Modern Warfare 2019 left big shoes to fill and Infinity Ward had a lot to live up to, but Modern Warfare 2 makes it clear as day that they are the very best studio making Call of Duty campaigns. All hail the king.
Score: 8.5/10
Pros:
- Amazing presentation of graphics, animation and sound design
- Continues the best-in-class shooting and controls
- A lot of variety to the missions
- New mechanics add to overall experience
- Stellar voice acting
- Tons of great action movie like set-pieces
Cons:
- The story isn’t as compelling as 2019’s due to less focus on the characters
- The final moments feel anti-climactic
A review code for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II was provided by the publisher. Played on the PS5. You can read MP1st’s review and scoring policy right here.
