Better still, some of these missions are two-player only, playable either via local split screen, system link or online. With five tiers of missions to eventually unlock, it’s a hugely addictive element of the game which works superbly well in this time-sensitive context, and one which will extend the lifespan of the single player element of the game considerably.
Expect to be getting on and off a lot of these things.
In terms of the multiplayer portion of Modern Warfare 2, it essentially builds on the experience-based template which worked so effectively last time around, along with a few new modes and new maps to enjoy. Obviously, at this stage we’ve haven’t fully been able to get to grips with the nuances of this side of the experience, but over the coming days and weeks will be fleshing out our impressions with detailed analysis and coverage to support what is certain to be a huge draw for online FPS gamers.
An Apocalypse Now moment?
In the meantime, here’s what you need to know: the standard modes we’ve come to expect make the cut, including Free-For-All deathmatch, mercenary team death match (no clans), team deathmatch, as well as unlockable modes including Search & Destroy, Capture The Flag, Demolition and Domination. The player cap, across the board is nine versus nine, while a sequence of kill streak rewards appear once you’ve killed a set number of players in a row. For example, you get a supply drop after four kills, while 11 in a row lets you call in a missile strike.
Usefully, matches will continue even when hosts drop out, with a new host selected to allow the game to continue, unlike the original Modern Warfare. One element we haven’t been able to test as yet is the new third-person mode which will be usable in a number of modes. Check back soon for extensive coverage and opinion on how this side of the game is looking over the coming days.
Satoru Iwata Video Interview - the late Nintendo president spoke with Kikizo in 2004 as 'Nintendo Revolution' loomed.
Kaz Hirai Video Interview - the first of Kikizo's interviews with the man who went on to become global head of Sony.
Ed Fries Video Interview - one of Xbox's founders discusses an epic journey from Excel to Xbox.
Yu Suzuki, the Kikizo Interview - we spend time with one of gaming's most revered creators.
Tetris - The Making of an Icon: Alexey Pajitnov and Henk Rogers reveal the fascinating story behind Tetris
Rare founders, Chris and Tim Stamper - their only interview? Genuinely 'rare' sit down with founders of the legendary studio.
The History of First-Person Shooters - a retrospective, from Maze War to Modern Warfare
finally a review with a sensible score.
sensible? mw2 is easily at least a 9.5 horrible read/review.
Haha mitchell doesn’t sound like a fan boy… have you even picked up the game? if not then you are just a fan boy and not really helping anything.
Note: Lower scores do not equal smarter reviews.
If you low-ball a score, it does not mean you’re the smart guy who didn’t give in to the hype. If a game is deserving of a 10/10, give it one. It a game is just shy of being perfect, then it’s a 10/10, and NOT a 9/10, because it’s CLOSER to a 10/10. It’s called rounding.
Halo 3 was by no means a perfect game, but reviewers were so quick to slap it with 8/10 scores just to proudly and arrogantly say “overhyped.”
If Modern Warfare 2 was a new IP and had a different name but was the exact same game, people would revere it instead of try to battle the hype like an arrogant douchebag.
mitchell sounds like he’s had his throat filled with knobs on multiple occasions.
How about play the game for yourself? I own the game and I hate it when people go around saying its “overhyped” and “won’t be good” when THEY haven’t even played it. Once you do, you’ll realize that the review score here IS low, and should be closer to a 10/10, because the game is ridiculous…
And once you ALL understand that review scores are based on an individual’s OPINIONS, and that there is not a single test that can quantify with any kind of mathematical precision how awesome or crappy the game is, you’ll realize that reviews scores can be anything they want and you won’t like the game any more nor any less.
Now now, don’t you come in here touting your frivolous “broader perspective” at us fetid bean-counters.
In case he’s right and it makes you think?
I wholly agree with the review on 99% of the points raised. Being a PC gamer, I’d have given the game a 10/10 if it wasn’t for the dumbing-down of MPlayer options usually available to the unwashed PC gaming masses. Even still, hits a 9/10 for me.