Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

Modern Warfare 2.....Where to begin? If you have played and enjoyed CoD4, then no doubt you have been anticipating this game as much as I have. Having received my copy today, I immediately installed it to my xbox and got stuck in to the campaign.

First things first: This is as well scripted and as wonderfully acted as the first Modern Warfare. The characterisations and the feeling of immersion are at a level far beyond most video games, and you will feel the gut-punching twist's in plot as if it were you in the game.

The adult nature of the story-telling is also amplified in the story, and you are given the choice of experiencing it as IW intended, or if you'd rather not risk offending yourself. Take my advice, and play EVERY level. Yes there are some very disturbing moments, and you may well be profoundly shocked (as I was) by one mission in particular. But IW are masters of plot, character and emotional involvement, and you must ride the highs and lows to fully appreciate the achievement of Modern Warfare 2.

It is a masterpiece of level design, and will frustrate and amaze in equal measure. The sheer spectacle that is delivered by this game is beyond words. More times than I can count, butterflies fluttered in my stomach, and my mouth grew dry in anticipation of what was about to happen....and I was never left wanting. From remote piloting a UAV, jumping chasm's on a snowmobile, using heartbeat detectors in blizzards to find your pursuers, and using amazingly realised military hardware.

Without question, IW are the masters of military FPS's, and this shows how far ahead of the competition they currently are. Adult game-making comes no better, be in no doubt.

This game was truly one of the defining shooters of the 360/ps3 era and for good reason. Story may have been dumb and borderline incompetent, but it was such a fun ride, the multiplayer was tuned to perfection, and the spec ops mode was tons of fun to sink your teeth into. Truly a phenomenal sequel.

Where to begin? well, the plot, with twists and all, is brilliant and enjoyable. I found myself shocked and surprised at what i thought were the key moments to be shocked and surprised, which was a definite plus.

I also enjoyed the idea of a different attachment with each weapon and had fun playing around with this for hours on end! What i was stunned by were the graphics. A great improvement from a great previous game! I couldn't believe what i was seeing half the time! Multiplayer is excellent, with more incentive to play and try out different mixes of equipment in each match.

Overall, a great sequel, hats off to infinity ward, well done guys!

We gamers trend to be a conservative bunch. The most popular games tend to be sequels to already established series like Grand Theft Auto, Pro Evolution Soccer, Uncharted 2, the Football Manager series, the Total War series etc... One of the most popular is the Call of Duty series. Call of Duty games were often set in the Second World War, but the series found great critical and commercial success with Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare set in the near future. A sequel was inevitable and it has become the fastest selling game in history.

Set 5 years after the previous game the Ultra-Nationalists have taken control of Russia and Zakhaev had been made into a national hero. General Shepherd (Lance Henriksen) forms a new counter-terrorism force, including "Soap" MacTavish (Kevin McKidd), the playable character in the previous game. Early on in the game Russian terrorists attack an airport in Russia, and kill a CIA undercover agent to frame America for it. This gives Russia international sympathy and they invade the East Coast of America. Shepherd and his team have to stop the Russian before the war goes nuclear and the action takes the player to Brazil, Russia and Afghanstan. As well you end up fighting on the frontline in the war against Russia as Private Ramirez in the US Rangers.

The plot is entertaining enough. But what makes games great is whether they are playable, and this one is. The controls are simple and the game itself is more playable then it's predecessor. It is highly addictive to and very enjoy. It is sadly a little short but you could always raise the difficulty level. It is simple fun playing soldier.

There was controversy with one of the games missions set in a Russia airport where it you play the CIA operative undercover with a Russian terrorist group. You have to help kill innocent people, which the controversial nature of the mission. I can understand the victim of terrorism concerns, but I don't mind violence in computer games. The same agreements were used against violence films, but I'm of the view that if someone is influence to commit a violence act because of something in the media then they were not right in the head in the first place.

Overall, very enjoyable for die-hard gamers.

This morning, my heart stopped. My mum walked in to my room while I was laying in bed, and brought out a game from behind her back. Guess what arrived three days early? Yes, I have already completed the campaign of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, and it is phenomenal. The amount of action, guns and gore will keep you satisfied. Every level is as good as the next, with settings from airports to Afghanistan. OK, there is one controversial level that you have probably already heard of, but you have the opportunity to skip it - I wouldn't, because it plays a vital part in the storyline. Just try and stomach the bloodshed.

Talking of gore, the amount of it has been notched up from its predecessor. Blood splatters over your HUD when shot, and a large puddle of blood spreads under your dead enemies, depending on where you shot/stabbed them. It is extremely realistic - hence the UK's 18 rating.

I won't give away much about the ending - all I will say is there is a huge twist, a boat and a throwing knife.

I am amazed at the quality of this fantastic CoD - it will keep the rest of this year filled. A definite 10 out of 10.