With the first Modern Warfare having made waves as one of this generation's most memorable and polished first-person shooters, Infinity Ward is poised to take it all with the upcoming Modern Warfare 2.  I myself was wholly impressed with the first game's top notch gameplay, slick 60fps graphics, realistically engaging storyline, and freakishly addictive online component.  MW2 looks like it's going to be all that and more.  I'm especially looking forward to the new SpecOps mode, dubbed as "the perfect combination of Modern Warfare's single-player intensity and the addictive replayability of its multiplayer", as well as Hans Zimmer's first musical foray into video game scoring.

-Release Date: NA & EU = Nov. 10, 2009 / JP = Dec. 10, 2009
-Official Site: http://www.modernwarfare2.com/games.php
-GT's Media Launch Center: http://www.gametrailers.com/launch/mw2/
-Editions: http://kotaku.com/5314678/modern-warfar … tige-price

Those planning on picking up the game: 360 or PS3?  I'm leaning more toward the 360, but if enough folks are siding on Sony's camp (and willing to actually partake in multiplayer), I'd definitely consider picking up both versions.

Well, I won't be getting it any time soon, but I'll probably pick up the PS3 version eventually.  The first game really was only about the multiplayer.  I found the single-player mode to be largely boring except for the sniper mission and special mission after the end of the game.  I suppose I would like the new Spec Ops mode, so I'll be sure to try that at a friend's house (everyone I know is buying this day 1, so I should be able to try it soon enough).

I gotta call myself out on this one. Usually when these kind of games hit, I get sucked into the hypestorm, buy the game, and am harshly reminded that I'm not into the genre and the title in question was a waste of money. Happened with all three Halo games, Soul Calibur series, Street Fighter IV, and would probably happen with this one.

If military shooters weren't a dime a dozen, I could probably afford to care a lot more, but that isn't the case, no matter how shining the reviews are.

I gotta say, though, that super deluxe pack with the night vision goggles (assuming they're still doing it) looks spiffy keen.

tl:dr I won't be dipping, but I hope you folks have fun.

I shall be getting it for the PS3, so you better double dip Angela . You know you always have a partner in crime with me.

PS3 version for me.

PC, anybody else? (But as my current graphic board is 8600GT that sucked at MW1, I'll probably go for PS3 version if I purchase it in December).

A recorded sampling of Hans Zimmer's opening theme, culled from the game itself. (It's a gorgeous montage of sound bytes and images from the events of the first Modern Warfare):

http://www.mediafire.com/?nym05zomjoz

It's certainly very Zimmer sounding so far.

I cancelled my pre-order, way too many games but I'll pick it up sometime next year for sure.

So, anyone fortunate enough to have picked up their copy today? (Or even before today?)  In light of this happenstance, I was able to pick up my copy during lunch.  Picked up the 360 version, and while I had intentions to pick up the PS3 as well, I was told that I couldn't because I hadn't preordered for that particular version.  (There was quite a line, and anyone without a preorder were pretty much told they couldn't pick the game up until Tuesday.)

I also got a look at someone who was buying the Prestige Edition.  The NVG looks better than I expected -- but that battery pack (it takes five AA batteries, apparently) seemed pretty unwieldy.

EDIT: Just hit up some of the single-player campaign.  (I'm starting on the easiest level Recruit, because I'll be honest: I had a pretty rough time with even the moderate difficulty mode in the first Modern Warfare.)  The game is as impressive and high on the adrenaline as ever, but man, do I hate the new blood splatter effect whenever you take damage.  It obscures much of the screen, making it difficult to do anything but frantically search for cover, rather than be able to squeeze a few more shots in. 

MacTavish is a terrific character here, but it's a strange phenomenon hearing him actually speak.  It obviously makes sense that he'd have a Scottish accent, but him being a part of Price's former SAS team, one might have initially assumed he'd come equipped with a British accent.

Remember that great twist in the first MW's chapter "Shock and Awe"?  Yeah, a twist almost as stunning hits fast and hard in the early get-go.  You'll know it when you see it, as it caps off a specific chapter, but damn..... really didn't see that one coming.

Giving a few Free For All Deathmatch multiplayer rounds a go, I'm finding the refinements to be pretty excellent.  Maybe it's just me, but respawning seems even quicker and zippier than in the first Modern Warfare.  The "death perks" are kind of neat, such as the Copycat ability, where at random, you can temporarily steal the class of the last opponent who killed you.  The title awards they give you when certain conditions are met, like Buzzkill (whenever you stop someone's kill streak), as well as other temporary random perks they toss you without actually having to assign them to your slots, such as extra health and Last Stand, keep the gameplay lively and interesting.

Just beat the single-player campaign.  It's mercilessly short in length, but a ridiculously exciting experience all the way through.  (I clocked in at exactly six hours.)  The pacing is relentless, and though the constant jumping between locations does kind of jumble the dual intertwining plot threads a bit, the politically charged intrigue is always on point.  Act I is good, but Acts II and III get exponentially better in terms of where the story goes, along with better balancing between straight-on action sequences and those deliciously stealth-based "All Ghillied Up" style ones.   I'm surprised that I've actually found myself getting invested in the characters too, particularly of Soap and his cohorts -- so while there are threads left unresolved in terms of the grander plot, characterization gets a conclusively nominal boost.  In a sense, both Modern Warfare titles feel like they work better together in tandem, especially given the short length of both games, as well as the overarching story.

Other points of interest:

-The civilian-based location sequences are particularly affecting.  You can't help but feel like all chaotic hell truly breaks loose in this game.  It's scary at times, really.

-With enemies swarming and flanking from several sides, the Aiming Assist is a lot more crucial here.

-The scenes where you breach by detonating walls and doors is pretty nifty.  The slow-down in time is a cool mechanic.

-Grenades are still a bitch to avoid.  I continue to find it nigh impossible to actually hurl an enemy one's back.

-The Predator Missiles are such great fun to use.  I wished there were more scenarios where you could use these.

-Ditto for the Riot Shield.  In single-player, it seems they're used for defensive purposes only; just getting to the other side of a particularly gunfire-heavy area, or holding your position.  In multiplayer, though, you can switch to dual pistols on the fly and go on the offensive.  I sort of wished there were scenes in the single-player where the offensive side could've been utilized.

-Zimmer's score is serviceable, if forgettable.  It just feels lifted from way too many of his previous works.  Some of the more heroically-epic strains sound oddly out of place in the game.

-Soap is awesome.

So, Angela, do you plan on tackling the single player campaign at harder difficulties? I'm still playing. I just rescued Price from the Gulag and can't wait to play some more. Also, is that one scene the end of the airport level, where he knew you were American and kills you, thus starting the war on American soil?

MP is a ton of fun. I hope you get the PS3 version soon Angela. We must play!

I was going to buy this but given how short the single-player campaign is, it's looking like it'll be a rental.

I've heard Zimmer's score is all synthesized, a shame given the orchestral treatment given to CoD4.

That's the one.  I've not seen a juicier "WTF?" or "Oh, snap..." moment all year.  Actually, there is another later on in the game, but that'll obviously be kept under wraps until you get there.

Oh, and <big ol' spoiler>..... the return of Price?  Goddamned aces, that.

I'll likely attempt to work my way up to Veteran, but from what I've heard, there's a lack of unlockable bonus tweaks from gathering the optional Enemy Intel this time around -- which kind of kills my enthusiasm for repeat playthroughs.   

Actually, like Gregson-Williams before it, it's looking like Zimmer was largely only responsible for the main theme, while Lorne Balfe (along with the typical laundry list of other RCP composers) were responsible for the main compositions.

I played this for a little while last night at a friend's house.  We tried local multiplayer and a few spec ops missions.  The game is fun, but it's very similar to the first one.  The cleaned up HUD is a nice change, but other than that we could have been playing the original for all I could tell.

http://www.theonion.com/content/video/u … rn_warfare

SINGLE-PLAYER CAMPAIGN WILL CLOCK IN AT RECORD 17,250 HOURS.

Nice. 

I haven't played the first Modern Warfare, but I couldn't resist picking up the Xbox 360 version of Modern Warfare 2 with the $20 credit that Amazon offered.  I guess I'm a sucker for hype (which is not to suggest that the franchise is undeserving of the hype).

I'm partway through the first mission, and I'm experiencing the same feeling that turned me off when I played the single-player demo of the first Modern Warfare.  The game is structured so that I feel compelled to move forward without pause, either because of orders from the commanding officer to push ahead or to keep up with my squadmates, and the events along the mission route are heavily scripted.

I appreciate that this is done to keep the action fast-paced and frenetic, but a side effect is that I feel more like a spectator than a participant.  I feel as though I'm being pushed along a thrill ride, whereas I prefer to feel that the game is progressing because I'm pulling myself through by my efforts.  I hope that this feeling subsides.

^This is exactly how I felt about the first game as well - I really can't understand the hype around that game...or rather I can understand it (*"don't think - shoooot!"*) but can't agree with it .

It was quite unlike previous Call of Duty games (including World at War) and other war-themed FPS games in this way (- and pretty much the exact opposite of a game like Half-Life 2). I'm still going to check out the MW2 SP though, but I'm expecting it to be the same 'fun while it lasts' kind of game which doesn't leave much in terms of lasting impressions or replay-ability.

So I've been trying out the Riot Shield Class in Multiplayer, and may I say that it lives up to its name?  Using the Riot Shield is FREAKEN HILARIOUS.

You can't help but double up in laughter as you're boldly charging up to some guy facing you, and you can see he doesn't quite know what to do with himself.  He can't tear through your defenses unless he's quick and accurate enough to aim for your legs.  If he doesn't hightail it out of there like a chicken-shit, he's pretty much wide open for a good thumpin'.  Slap on the Marathon Perk for unlimited sprinting, and the Commando Perk for increased melee distance, and you pretty much become a beast.

I'd just like to state the chapter "Take Down" on the single-player campaign is the biggest piece of bullshit gaming design ever.  I mean, I had quite a bit of trouble getting through the Favela on the Recruit difficulty level.  As I'm finding it nigh impossible on Hardened, I lowered it down to Regular, and I'm still struggling like crazy.

I would like to personally punch every IW developer in the face responsible for programming this cheap-as-all-hell AI laden level.

And Bingo was his name o....

I'm playing the game on Regular and I had a HELL of a time with "Take Down." That level pissed me off like no other.

I just started "Exodus" and I'm really enjoying the game so far. Much in the Call of Duty tradition, the tension is non-stop. It really FEELS like a warzone (and while Zimmer/RC team's score is largely forgettable, the simplistic rhythms and drumbeats contribute to the propulsion).

"No Russian" was really unsettling. I'm not sure that's a level I want to play through again...

Looks like I may be forced to eat crow from this thread.  If CAG insiders are to be believed, Target will have Modern Warfare 2 for sale at $39.99 the week of 12/27/09:

http://www.cagcast.com/forums/showthrea … 7&t=247187

In case you were wondering, I beat it.

I'd be worried if you haven't beaten it by now. 

And you agree with me: Soap is awesome.  Right?  Right?

Well, yes. Also, given that he's one of the few to actually SURVIVE, that immediately gets him points.

It must be said: Soap Pays A Hefty Price.