Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II Review (PS5)

very good
key review info
  • Game: Call of Duty Modern Warfare II
  • Platform: Playstation 5
  • Show system requirements
  • Gamepad support: Yes  
  • Reviewed on:
Call of Duty Modern Warfare II screenshot

The launch of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II was without a doubt one of the most anticipated releases of the year in the gaming world. But on the other hand, some fans of the franchise were less excited than others, pretty much because the latest Call of Duty versions haven’t necessarily been the best.

I, for one, was truly disappointed with Black Ops Cold War, but on the other hand, this made me even more excited about the release of Modern Warfare II.

The latest iteration in the super-popular Call of Duty franchise is finally here, and despite the consensus I’m seeing online right now, here’s a conclusion that I should normally share a lot later in the review: I’m having a lot of fun playing Modern Warfare II, and I’m pretty sure you will too.

Let’s start with the basics.

The game overall feels a lot more realistic, though make no mistake, Infinity Ward hasn’t necessarily aimed to create a simulation game. It’s a war game, after all, but the way the combat moments have been polished makes the whole thing feel a lot more challenging.

Call of Duty Modern Warfare II screenshot
Call of Duty Modern Warfare II screenshot
Call of Duty Modern Warfare II screenshot
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For example, the way every weapon feels in hand better expresses its power, while the way you move in a battle is something that makes a huge difference between life and death this time. You can no longer play with the same weapon from beginning to end, and you’ll figure this out the hard way from the first missions in the campaign.

Each weapon category has its own strong points, and developers have greatly improved on this set of specifications. Sniper rifles, for instance, finally feel more realistic, up to a point where one good shot equals one kill.

At the same time, you need to plan your moves and positioning much more carefully now. Every little step makes a huge difference, and the AI is overall a lot smarter, especially if you’re playing on a higher difficulty setting.

It’s a lot easier to get killed right now, and the time-to-kill values have been reduced substantially. You die faster, and this overall also makes the game feel a little bit more realistic.

Call of Duty Modern Warfare II screenshot
Call of Duty Modern Warfare II screenshot
Call of Duty Modern Warfare II screenshot
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The graphics are, well, mesmerizing. Modern Warfare II certainly doesn’t disappoint on this front, and you’ll rapidly understand it when you get to play the Amsterdam mission. The attention to detail is impressive, and even the cutscenes look impressive. Don’t get scared by the first mission though. Playing with your night goggles on doesn’t tell the full story, as the night vision mode obviously impacts the graphics. But on the other hand, the moment you turn the night vision mode off you get to admire the high level of details of the world, the other characters, the weapons, and so on.

The campaign overall is great, though I feel it’s a little bit too short. However, the story is pretty cool, and I’ve had a lot of fun playing it from one end to another. It’s not hard to tell the attention has been directed mostly to Soap and Ghost, but overall, the story will keep you entertained throughout the campaign.

Each mission takes place in a different setting, and in many ways, it feels like a separate game. You explore new regions, new weapons, new ways to kill, and so on.

Now let’s explore the bad side of Modern Warfare II.

Although it’s highly entertaining, the multiplayer mode feels unfinished. Or half-baked, if you wish, as there are moments when you get disconnected from the server for no clear reason.

Call of Duty Modern Warfare II screenshot
Call of Duty Modern Warfare II screenshot
Call of Duty Modern Warfare II screenshot
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Also, the map voting option is no more, and seriously now, what’s the point of going online to play against other people if you’re camping from beginning to end? There are a lot of campers that are just there for the kills, obviously missing all the fun, so at the end of the day, Modern Warfare II in multiplayer mode isn’t necessarily bad, but the experience is certainly ruined by a mix of inexperienced players and bugs.

Without a doubt, Modern Warfare II has the full package, and in many ways, it reboots a franchise that many fans ended up pretty disappointed with after the latest releases.


The Good

  • Excellent campaign mode
  • More polished weapons with unique specifications
  • Awesome graphics

The Bad

  • Poor multiplayer experience
  • Short campaign

CONCLUSION

Modern Warfare II is almost a perfect game. But the almost part is more significant than you’d be tempted to believe, and unfortunately, it sometimes makes the game a work-in-progress.

If you’re buying the game specifically to play the campaign, there is both good news and bad news here. The campaign is insanely awesome, and you’ll have a lot of fun playing it, but on the other hand, it feels way too short. Each mission feels like a different game, and it can be completed in a different way every time.

On the other hand, the multiplayer side of Modern Warfare II is what seems to disappoint most of the fans. The bugs, the crashes, the lack of multiplayer options, and the behavior of some players ruin the experience. In case you’re wondering if the new anti-cheating system works, it looks like it does, though you may still occasionally come across players that kill you with a single shot in the very first second they spot you.

Review code provided by the publisher

story 9
gameplay 8
concept 8
graphics 9
audio 8
multiplayer 7
final rating 8.5
Editor's review
very good
 
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Call of Duty Modern Warfare II screenshot
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