CoD: Modern Warfare 2 - midnight launch first impressions

Matthew Lentini
Tuesday, 10 November 2009 00:19

Your IT - Entertainment

From here on out, the twists keep coming and the first person cutscenes place the player right in the action.

More important than any story, though, is the upgrade of the gameplay, which is noticeably enhanced in the new Call ofDuty iteration. Instantly noticeable differences include the improvement of graphics, the difference is melee, the new array of weaponry at hand, level structure, and most importantly, a reinvigoratedenemy AI system.

Levels are spread out beyond the typical linear hallway feel of most FPSgames. The course ahead of the player is generally straight forward, though getting from A to B requires a skilful choice of flanks to take and paths to follow, with resistance coming from all angles.

The enemy AI uses this to its advantage; the enemy is now smarter.

Usually players learn the general tactics of a game’s AI characters, though in this game the enemy constantly finds new ways of flanking the player and their team, giving the game the edge over its predecessor anddissolving the old strategy of duck, shoot, duck, shoot for a more aggressive one by players who want to make any progress.

Melee has changed from the last Call of Duty game to take on a slicing action rather than stabbing with the knife, which leads to more near misses that can become irritating, but at the same time allows for quicker action.

Fans of the first Modern Warfare will remember the distinct occasions ofharnessing the power of modern weapons that the World War II game fad could not deliver, and Modern Warfare 2 delivers here (Oh, the fond memories of the AC-130 Spectre Gunship). In the first few missions alone, players assume the role of a Humvee gunner, manoeuvre remote controlled missiles from aircraft, take down helicopters with Stinger missiles and even take down enemies and jump cliffs on a snowmobile likesome kind of Bond film.

The rest of the game will be told in time, but for now, the question must be asked: has Infinity Ward lived up to its reputation with Modern Warfare 2?

As simply as it can be put: Yes.

As to why: You’ll just have to pick it up and try for yourself.