Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

5 Comments

1. Nathan Risto says:

   September 5, 2010 at 10:25 am

   Do not buy this game. It is a total waste of your hard earned money. Just read some of the reviews and you will see this is nothing more than a gimped console port. Everything that makes this game a PC game is missing.

   I would recommend waiting for Battlefield Bad Company 2 for the PC instead. It retains much of what is still desirable in a PC game.

   Here is a break down of the differences between Call of Duty 4 Modern Warfare and Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2. Take notice that almost everything is a downgrade for a higher price.

   Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare

   Networking: Client/Server
   
   Avg Ping: 25-40ms
   
   Console Commands: Yes
   
   Lean: Yes
   
   Custom Maps: Yes
   
   Number of Players: up to 64
   
   Competitive Mods: Yes
   
   Mod Tools: Yes
   
   Ability to Record: Yes
   
   Kick/Ban Hackers Immediately: Yes
   
   Profiles Saved Online: No
   
   Manually Select Server to Join: Yes
   
   Control Bad Language: Yes
   
   0 ping Advantage for Host: No
   
   Lan Play: Yes
   
   Free Demo: Yes
   
   Price: $50

   Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2

   Networking: Peer 2 Peer (downgrade)
   
   Avg Ping: 100ms+ (downgrade)
   
   Console Commands: No (downgrade)
   
   Lean: No (downgrade)
   
   Custom Maps: No (downgrade)
   
   Number of Players: up to 18 (downgrade)
   
   Competitive Mods: No (downgrade)
   
   Mod Tools: No (downgrade)
   
   Ability to Record: No (downgrade)
   
   Kick/Ban Hackers Immediately: No (downgrade)
   
   Profiles Saved Online: Yes
   
   Manually Select Server to Join: No (downgrade)
   
   Control Bad Language: No (downgrade)
   
   0 ping Advantage for Host: Yes (downgrade)
   
   Lan Play: Yes
   
   Free Demo: No (downgrade)
   
   Price: $60 (downgrade)
   Rating: 1 / 5
2. B. Lim says:

   September 5, 2010 at 11:58 am

   The perks of buying the PC version according to Infinity Ward (IW):

   1. Text chatting. Now you can text chat to your buddies in-game while online, what fantastic innovation.

   2. Adjustable graphics setting — gotta give them points for adding that feature, while console users are stuck with their 720/1080 resolution, you can max it up all the way depending on your hardware. Amazing stuff…although every game has had this feature since the beginning of PC gaming.

   3. The ability to use your mouse and keyboard. Now you can unplug your xbox controller and use your computer accessories for a more accurate FPS experience(!).

   4. You’ll have a fantastic smooth time connecting to IWNet; its so perfect, it’ll even give you XBox Live error messages.

   Now, the negatives:

   1. You’re paying more for an inferior product. $60 vs $50. The consoles have a valid excuse for charging more — $10.00 goes to the console manufacturer (Sony or Microsoft), Activision is just being greedy here; really quite unacceptable, especially in today’s economy.

   2. Dedicated servers removed — don’t even get me started; I’m sure you’ve heard of the petition which is nearing 200,000 signatures to re-include dedicated servers. We’re left with a terrible online experience. I played the first Modern Warfare (MW) on the PS3 which had peer to peer online play and it was disastrous. Expect drop outs and poor performance. The host of the game will always have the advantage because they have the better latency.

   3. No mods. This is surprising because so many other popular games were developed from mods including — Counterstrike, Team-fortress 2 and Left 4 Dead. The only reason I can think of why IW/Activision would want to do such a thing would be to charge for content later on. I remember paying for 3 maps for the first MW — and to tell you the truth, it really wasn’t worth it.

   4. Steam required. When you install the game you are required to install the Steam platform and link it to an e-mail address, and your Steam username. This makes reselling the game next to impossible.

   5. Feels and plays more like a Modern Warfare 1.5 then a Modern Warfare 2.0; the graphics are alright for todays standard, but I was expecting a lot more from IW for a two year development cycle.

   6. Short single player. Since they’ve gimped the multiplayer aspect, and the single player can roughly be finished in 6-7 hours, I suggest you rent this on the console if you have one.

   7. Multiplayer only allows 9 vs 9 (18 player) matches. MW1 allows up to 64 — does more mean more enjoyable? No, not necessarily, but at least there is choice and server admins were able to set it to their liking.

   Infinity Ward have really let their fans down. The multi-player made the original spectacular; with the removal of dedicated servers, competitive and fair play is dead.

   Business schools should take note because this would make a wonderful case study on how a company has ruined one of the most anticipated franchise in such a short amount of time. MW2 was literally a license to print money for Activison/IW. With such a terrible management decision, reinstating dedicated servers will be the only hope to redeem themselves in the eyes of their consumers — however I think this fiasco will not be easily forgotten.

   *** Update 11/18/09

   Theres hope yet! Hackers have released a patch so you can start/join a dedicated server; its disgusting that this has to come from the underground scene and not Activision/IW. It seems that the hacked copies “freely” available over the Internet is now the superior version.

   Hackers have also found hidden modes via the console — Global Thermonuclear War, One Flag CTF and VIP mode — future downloadable content already in the game? How low you’ve fallen Activision/IW.

   *** Update 04/16/10

   I’ve given up on this game and probably this series for good — The ‘impenetrable’ IWNet is plagued with hacks and cheats. I suggest you all save your money and get Battlefield Bad Company 2 instead; I’ve been enjoying the experience so far, its a game that involves more strategy and not your standard Modern Warfare, run and gun. Even the NY Times agrees that Bad Company 2 is a better game than Modern Warfare 2. [...]
   Rating: 1 / 5
3. M. Weir says:

   September 5, 2010 at 1:24 pm

   I actually bought this game even though it will be the last Infinity Ward game I support by purchasing. I’ve been a huge fan of said developer since Call of Duty 1, a PC exclusive, since day one. I’ve purchased every single Call of Duty game developed by Infinity Ward over the years (including the expansion for CoD1 which wasn’t developed by them). I never had a problem purchasing their products. Until now. This is the first time I’ve ever felt like a total tool and a moron for purchasing their “PC game”.

   The game IS phenomenal. The graphics are noticeably improved over Modern Warfare 1, despite using the same graphics engine. The overhaul is there, but a lot of current gen games have better visuals. Sound design is great as always. There’s a lot of recycled sounds and some new ones. Multiplayer is more of the same which isn’t a bad thing, and the new co-op mode, from what I’ve played so far, seems fun. That’s where my positive review ends. So basically you get more of the same, with slightly upgraded graphics.

   Here’s where things turn bad. For starters, Activision is charging $60 for this game, a move that completely goes against the grain of PC game pricing trends. Why? Because they can. It’s a business move, yes, but it’s completely immoral and greedy. Corporate greed rears its ugly head. Activision are the new EA. You would think for $10 you would get, oh I don’t know, a longer than average single player campaign right? Well you don’t. If you thought Modern Warfare’s campaign was short prepare to get slapped in the face with a campaign that can easily be completed in one session. Bigger price, smaller experience.

   But most people are probably buying it for multiplayer anyway, so let’s discuss that. Basically it’s all been said before. This is a console port, right down to being limited to 9v9. Want to get your clan together for some 32 vs. 32? Nope. 16 vs 16? Nope. Oh come on then….at least give me some 12 v 12. Sorry Charlie. You get 9v9, just like the console. And just like the console you can’t sort servers and pick where you want to play, you can’t tweak game parameters via a developer console (another PC industry standard that Infinity Ward think’s it’s too good to implement), and, OH, no dedicated server support.

   Frankly, I’m surprised the PC port even allowed me to play with a mouse and keyboard….

   It’s painfully obvious that Infinity Ward prefer console development at this point (particularly the 360, which gets exclusive content before anybody else for the second game in row now), and it’s even clearer that Activsion are greedy jerks.

   It was a good run, Infinity Ward, but just like real life I won’t associate with conceited, big-headed people. You won’t get any more of my money. MW2 gets one star for actually being a fun game, but insulting PC gamers by lying about features that never made it to the game (dedicated servers, more people per server than the console versions, etc), and the fact that your publisher is price gouging, keeps it from scoring higher.

   ** APPENDED MULTIPLAYER INFO **

   Okay so I’ve put in a few hours of multiplayer over the last few days and my worst fears were confirmed consistently. Horrible latency just ruins the experience. The game measures latency by a 4 bar system, similar to a mobile phone’s signal strength. So rather than seeing what your latency is as measured by miliseconds, you will see 1-4 bars. Usually 3. Very rarely in my time playing MP did I ever have 4 bars, unless I was hosting the game. I kept a close eye on other player’s latencys(using the TAB button) and probably 70% of the players had 3 bars as well, with usually just 1 or 2 people having 4 bars – one of which was the player hosting the game – and a couple unfortunate fools who were somehow getting by with 2 bars or less. The person who hosts a game enjoys a SIGNIFICANT advantage over even those with 3 bars. The killcam proves it. Time after time after time I would get killed and, through the eyes of my opponent thanks to killcam, notice that there was about a half second difference between what I saw and what actually happened. Then I’d hit the TAB button and sure enough, that guy has 4 bars and I only have 3. Ridiculous. I have a fast enough internet connection (2 MB up), and don’t notice these latency disadvantages with other shooters, so I have to put the blame solely on IWNET.

   It’s really unfortunate and it’s just the way it is which is sad as the multiplayer seems really fun and the levels are well thought out. The reality is if you want to play Multiplayer you’re going to have to put up with a LOT of frustrating deaths, even if you get the drop on somebody, because he is enjoying a significant latency advantage.

   The matchmaking is also broken. It’s supposed to match you based on latency (therefore location) and skill, so why was I constantly in matches with people with 1-2 bars of latency, versus lieutenants and generals when I was only a lowly specialist?

   Bottom line is if you have either console and a PC, just get the console version because that’s all you’re getting on the PC. The PC version has no right disgracing the other games on your hard drive by pretending to be a PC game itself. This game fails utterly. I would rate it half a star if I could.
   Rating: 1 / 5
4. Eric Carr says:

   September 5, 2010 at 1:49 pm

   I wont bother reviewing the game itself as there are plenty of reivews up for it. Needless to say, it is phenomenal. The $20 credit on Amazon is awesome, and the main reason I buy games from Amazon.

   For an additional $20 over the regular addition of the game, the Hardened Edition contains:

   The game packaged in a Steelbook case with a very short, black and white manual
   
   An art book
   
   A card/token for a free download of the original Call of Duty

   +The original Call of Duty was previously only available on PC. I havent seen a price for it yet, but I’m guessing it will sell for $15 on XBLA and PSN. There is a lengthy single player campaign, as well as 24 player multi-player. The value of the Hardened Edition completly depends on if you’re interested in playing Call of Duty 1. I beat the game for PC years ago, and it’s great. It will remind you of the old Medal of Honor games, and after playing it on my XBOX 360, it seems the graphics, sound effects, and the story have held up relatively well. I think most Call of Duty fans will enjoy the original and will be glad they played it.

   +The art book is about 38 pages, and it’s interesting. It actually has commentary from the developers at Infinity Ward, not just pictures. I am really enjoying Modern Warfare 2, so for me it was worth checking out the art book and getting some additional insight into the game. For example, it looks like Infinity Ward originally planned a motorcycle chase through the streets of Washington DC (or possibly Brazil), but it didnt make the final game.

   +I love the steelbook. It is the coolest steelbook I have seen, possibly only rivaled by the Gears of War 2 steelbook in the limited edition. It combines colors like gunmetal and black, with a gold and green Modern Warfare 2 logo on the front. The picture on the front is of a soldier, kind of like the regular version of the game, but with cooler colors. The back of the Steelbook is a picture of the White House. If you have never seen a Steelbook before, it is about the same size as a normal XBOX 360 game case, but instead of plastic it is metal. The hinges are heavy duty, the inside is made of very nice and thick plastic, and the case closes perfectly. A Steelbook alone isn’t enough to justify much of an additional cost to a game, but when combined with other items in a “special edition” is a cool and collectable item for fans of the game.

   -The only thing I would have liked to see in addition to what is in the Hardened Edition is a dvd with some extra content. This could have included some documentary-style “making of…” videos detailing the development of Modern Warfare 2, in addition to some music, concept art, and so on. I think a dvd like that would have added much more value for your extra $20, but unfortunately is not included.

   Thank you for reading!
   Rating: 5 / 5
5. Chubz says:

   September 5, 2010 at 3:11 pm

   When Call of Duty arrived on the PC scene, we were given an intense World War 2 first person shooter that blew away all other similar shooters at that time. For once, Medal of Honor had been matched and beaten at its own game. The sequel to Call of Duty, United Offensive, brought one of the best multiplayer World War 2 experiences ever seen in a game to the PC platform. Both titles were only
   
   on PC, I would like to emphasize.

   Then came Call of Duty 2 and the Xbox 360. Since that point in time, Call of Duty on PC has never been the same. We were handed a game that looked better than the original but was lacking in multiplayer content and had minimally improved single-player. By the time the developers had stuck a “3″ to the end of the title, the PC platform was nowhere to be found. Completely abandoned. Left to dry.

   But PC gamers were thrown a couple bones with the releases of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare and the most recent PC Call of Duty game, World at War. Finally, we had the games back on our platform. They weren’t the best in the world, but they were solid experiences all around. Again, the single player had dimwitted respawning A.I. foes and did little to give us an innovative experience, but the multiplayer in each games provided solid, replay-value-packed shooting that could hardly be looked down upon.

   And now, here we are again, going through rough times. She and I just aren’t making ends meet anymore, if you know what I mean. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is a complete disgrace to the PC platform. Yes, unlike several years ago in the case of Call of Duty 3, we actually have a Call of Duty game on our platform and for that we perhaps should be grateful; but even with that being said, it’s difficult to cope with what exactly is happening here. There are so many negative points surrounding Modern Warfare 2, I would probably be sprouting grey hairs on my head by the time I was finished pointing out each of them. Instead, I’ll get straight to the points. And there are many of them, so bare with me.

   What should normally be a $50 game at launch is now $60. Suddenly, we’re being charged as much as the console kids for this game. What should normally be a PC-optimized port with support for dedicated servers, mods to change player limits and gameplay experiences, and more, is instead one in which we have no dedicated servers, no modification tools, no ability to extend the maximum amount of players in a server, no ability to record demos for the sake of footage and server moderation and administration, and even no unique PC features other than mouse control, text chat, and the ability to change graphical options. Yes, most of which were present in Wolfenstein 3D in 1992. And now, the icing on the cake: When we’re not struggling to play the online portion of the game while leeching off another bum’s connection, we can instead feast on a handful-of-hours, rinse-&-repeat single-player experience that features little to no replay value due to its linear, scripted gameplay.

   When it’s all said and done, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is the last straw for us PC gamers. We deserve more, because Call of Duty originated on our platform and if not for us, Modern Warfare 2 would not exist today. The heart and soul of Call of Duty should still remain embedded in PCs all over the world, but instead Infinity Ward has taken the path of ignorance and downright disrespect towards those who helped make their franchise possible. For these deeds, they can shove their money being horded from console gamers where the sun doesn’t shine.

   I want a divorce.
   Rating: 1 / 5