Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

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Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is a single player and multiplayer shooter game with a warfare theme. It was developed by Infinity Ward and was released on November 11, 2009. It received very positive reviews from both critics and players.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is a first-person shooter game set in a modern and realistic setting. The campaign mode continues the story from its predecessor, featuring intense missions and a dramatic narrative.Multiplayer mode offers various game modes, maps, and customizable loadouts, encouraging teamwork and skill-based combat. Spec Ops mode provides cooperative missions for players to complete with friends, adding another layer of replayability and challenge.

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91%

Audience ScoreBased on 27,093 reviews

story1.7k positive mentions

stability70 negative mentions

The gameplay is fast-paced and action-packed, offering a seamless blend of intense firefights and cinematic moments, with solid gunplay and responsive controls.
The character development and emotional resonance, particularly through the return of familiar faces, enhance the narrative and make for a memorable experience.
The soundtrack composed by Hans Zimmer significantly elevates the emotional and cinematic experience of the campaign, contributing to its legacy.

The gameplay has been criticized for being overly simplified compared to its predecessor, leading to missions that don't stand out as much.
The presence of microtransactions and aggressive monetization strategies has drawn significant criticism, with many players longing for a return to simpler gaming experiences.
The game suffers from stability issues, with many users reporting bugs, freezes, and crashes, particularly in multiplayer modes.

story
3,719 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
52%
2%
The story of "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2" (2009) is widely praised for its engaging narrative and character development, continuing the intense saga from its predecessor. Players experience a mix of high-stakes missions across various global locations, with memorable moments and plot twists, including the controversial "No Russian" mission that sparked significant discussion about violence in video games. While some critiques mention plot holes and a somewhat chaotic narrative structure, the overall consensus highlights the campaign as a cinematic and thrilling experience that remains impactful even years after its release.
- “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009) delivers an excellent campaign that builds perfectly on its predecessor, continuing the overarching story with higher stakes and several unforgettable moments.”
- “The campaign had a gripping story, strong characters that you actually care about, a good villain, and overall a fun experience.”
- “The story keeps you engaged from start to finish and perfectly captures the classic Call of Duty atmosphere.”
- “I have conflicting feelings about this game; the critic in me wants to talk about how all of the US Ranger missions are unnecessary filler, how key plot points are unexplained (Shepherd's betrayal being a big one), and how the gameplay has been simplified to a point where missions don't stand out as much from one another compared to its prequel.”
- “The story is full of oversights and outright illogical situations that really make the story seem decidedly less than modern, despite its title.”
- “The story makes absolutely no sense, the mechanics are flawed, the gameplay is extremely unbalanced... but this game is like crack!”
gameplay
1,006 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47%
50%
3%
The gameplay of "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2" is widely praised for its fast-paced, action-packed mechanics, offering a seamless blend of intense firefights and cinematic moments. While some players note that the gameplay has become somewhat simplified compared to its predecessor, the overall experience remains engaging, with well-designed maps and a variety of multiplayer modes that enhance replayability. Despite some criticisms regarding balance and the presence of hackers, the game is celebrated for its solid gunplay, responsive controls, and memorable mission design, making it a standout title in the first-person shooter genre.
- “It's just peak, absolute sweet spot between storyline, gameplay, and graphics.”
- “The multiplayer is legendary – fast-paced gameplay, well-designed maps, and extremely satisfying gunplay.”
- “The combination of solid mechanics and strong presentation carries the experience from start to finish.”
- “I have conflicting feelings about this game; the critic in me wants to talk about how all of the US Ranger missions are unnecessary filler, how key plot points are unexplained (Shepherd's betrayal being a big one), and how the gameplay has been simplified to a point where missions don't stand out as much from one another compared to its prequel.”
- “The gameplay is bad even for a Call of Duty game; it's the most obnoxious first-person shooter I have ever played in my entire life.”
- “The gameplay felt a bit more clean and polished, but the story picked up and kept up from beginning to end, keeping me interested and immersed through and through.”
graphics
906 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
53%
44%
3%
The graphics of this game, originally released in 2009, have received widespread praise for their impressive quality, especially considering the game's age. Many players noted that the visuals still hold up well against modern titles, with detailed environments and character models that enhance the overall experience. While some reviews mentioned that the graphics may appear dated compared to newer games, the consensus is that they remain visually appealing and contribute significantly to the game's immersive atmosphere.
- “For a game that came out in 2009, I was blown away by not only the revolutionary graphics (for the time) and the 10/10 storyline.”
- “The graphics are stunning—the two-year gap between entries is noticeable in the best way.”
- “The graphics still hold up remarkably well, and the attention to detail in both character models and environments contributes to a visually stunning experience.”
- “The graphics look like they belong to 2011-2012, not the 2009 year.”
- “The graphics are a little dated, but I still think it looks gorgeous; a lot of the environmental set pieces are really a work of art and are still amazing today to look at when traversing through some of the main story missions.”
- “Even in 2009, the title is graphically outdated; some skyboxes are really pixelated.”
music
366 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
49%
1%
The music in the game is widely praised, particularly for its outstanding soundtrack composed by Hans Zimmer and Lorne Balfe, which enhances the emotional and cinematic experience of the campaign. Reviewers highlight the music's ability to elevate gameplay moments, creating a thrilling atmosphere that resonates with players long after they finish the game. Overall, the soundtrack is considered one of the best in the Call of Duty franchise, contributing significantly to the game's legacy.
- “The soundtrack is phenomenal, giving us epic tracks that fit the game's narrative perfectly and really set the feel of each mission.”
- “The music is amazing, and we get to live through a false flag operation that leads to all-out war.”
- “The campaign has a fairly decent story and an amazing soundtrack by none other than Hans Zimmer.”
- “There really should be an option to turn the music off.”
- “Oh and why, oh why why why do the developers insist on a loud obnoxious soundtrack that you can't turn off?”
- “I thought while ominous music played in the background.”
replayability
110 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
60%
6%
The game's replayability is generally praised, particularly due to its engaging campaign and the addition of the spec ops mode, which offers varied challenges and cooperative play options. While some players note a lack of replay value in certain aspects, many highlight the multiplayer experience and the ability to tackle missions in different ways as significant factors that enhance replayability. Overall, the game is considered highly replayable, with a mix of campaign, spec ops, and multiplayer modes contributing to its longevity.
- “A captivating campaign, an extremely replayable spec ops secondary gamemode, and one of the best progression systems for any shooter game that is more rewarding than any battle pass.”
- “The cooperative spec ops missions provide additional depth by offering focused challenges that encourage teamwork and extend the game’s replay value.”
- “The variety of mission objectives and the freedom to approach challenges in different ways add depth and replayability to the gameplay experience.”
- “No replayability outside of trying to beat your previous high score.”
- “It's so scripted that there is little to no replayability unless you enjoy doing exactly the same thing over and over and are enamored with learning what is effectively an elaborate dance routine (shoot there, spin around, shoot there, move 2 meters, shoot there, etc.).”
- “With dwindling numbers online, when you buy Modern Warfare 2 you better really love the campaign and special ops because the online multiplayer is in its final days which will leave no replayability to the game at all.”
emotional
97 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
98%
2%
The emotional aspect of "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2" is widely praised, with players highlighting its ability to evoke strong feelings through a gripping narrative, memorable characters, and impactful moments. Many reviews mention tears shed during key events, particularly the deaths of beloved characters, and the game's soundtrack enhances the emotional experience. Overall, the campaign is described as an emotional rollercoaster that successfully engages players, making it a standout entry in the franchise.
- “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 builds on the foundation of its predecessor with a more ambitious and emotionally charged story, while preserving the strong gunplay that defined Modern Warfare.”
- “The campaign's pacing is expertly crafted, never overstaying its welcome yet delivering enough breadth to keep players emotionally invested and challenged.”
- “The story was heart-wrenching with so many amazing moments throughout it, and it was so incredibly engaging the entire time!”
- “Good game, boring story.”
- “It looks like a cliché, stupid shooter with the same gameplay and a boring story.”
humor
94 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
95%
1%
4%
The humor in the game is a mix of chaotic, unhinged moments often experienced in multiplayer settings, alongside a more realistic military humor that resonates with players. Many reviews highlight the comedic interactions and memorable experiences shared with friends, while some missions and game mechanics are noted for their absurdity and lightheartedness. Overall, the game is seen as a source of laughter and camaraderie, despite some criticisms of its serious themes and gameplay issues.
- “It's so funny to me they've had to change the name of this game to include the year due to their sloppy releases since Modern Warfare reboots.”
- “The memories of those late nights spent playing with friends, laughing, and joking, remain etched in my mind, and the sense of camaraderie we shared was unlike anything I have experienced since.”
- “The scenario is ludicrous, the set pieces are hilarious and it's all backed by a Hans Zimmer soundtrack.”
- “It's not fun, okay? Just stop, it's not funny.”
- “Another unfunny MLG joke here.”
- “Is not funny.”
stability
85 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
15%
3%
82%
The stability of the game is a mixed bag, with many users reporting significant bugs, freezes, and crashes, particularly during startup and in multiplayer modes. While some players enjoy a smooth experience with minimal glitches, others face frustrating technical issues that can render the game unplayable. Overall, the game's age contributes to its instability, with many acknowledging the presence of amusing glitches but also expressing disappointment over the lack of support for fixes.
- “Good game, no glitches at all.”
- “It runs great on my Lenovo ThinkPad T470.”
- “Runs great on most systems and still has a stable player base.”
- “You can't change resolution; if you do, it freezes the PC and you have to restart.”
- “It barely works and has really horrendous game-breaking glitches that can potentially cause the game to break within a couple of days of owning and installing it, which prompts for a reinstall.”
- “Even in compatibility mode, it freezes and crashes consistently in single player, so unless you enjoy playing the first few missions of the campaign until it freezes, crashes, and loses all your data and makes you start over, it's a pretty worthless game at this point.”
optimization
81 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
48%
14%
The optimization of the game is a mixed bag, with some players praising its smooth performance and low system requirements, while others report significant stuttering and issues, particularly in multiplayer modes. Many reviews highlight that the game feels well-optimized for lower-end PCs, but the PC port suffers from performance inconsistencies and is often seen as a console port with stability issues. Overall, while some players enjoy a seamless experience, others encounter frustrating performance problems that detract from the gameplay.
- “Throughout my 100%, on spec ops and the campaign everything felt optimized and ran smooth; they made a remaster for this game just a year or two ago and this original game feels so good I feel as the remaster wasn't even necessary.”
- “In terms of optimization, this game truly shines and stands as one of the most finely tuned and polished Call of Duty titles ever developed.”
- “The graphics are very polished for its time and the engine is very optimized for great performance.”
- “Horrible optimization.”
- “I can't play this game; it just keeps stuttering!”
- “It's very clear this was optimized for consoles, as the PC port has some performance and stability issues.”
grinding
70 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
59%
40%
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be extensive and often tedious, with many expressing that it requires a significant time investment, likening it to needing "a second life" to complete all challenges and achievements. While some enjoy the grind for rewards like callsigns and emblems, others criticize certain missions as overly difficult or repetitive, leading to frustration. Overall, the grinding can be both a source of enjoyment and a point of contention, depending on individual preferences and experiences.
- “A bit grindy sometimes.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “One long, tedious grind.”
- “Harder difficulties are tedious to the point of frustration thanks to infinitely spawning enemies and what seems like infinite grenade spam.”
atmosphere
52 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
42%
6%
The atmosphere in the game is widely praised for its immersive and intense qualities, enhanced by detailed environments, realistic visuals, and a powerful soundtrack. Players appreciate the dramatic and varied settings that contribute to a cinematic experience, capturing the essence of warfare while balancing tension and emotional depth. However, some critiques mention moments of chaos that can detract from the overall atmosphere, indicating a mix of brilliance and occasional inconsistency.
- “The detailed environments, realistic weapon models, and explosive effects contribute to an immersive battlefield atmosphere.”
- “The landscapes are beautiful, maps are masterfully done, weapons are detailed, and effects like fog really add to the atmosphere.”
- “The atmosphere and writing create the perfect balance of the epicness and complete horror of being in a warzone.”
- “Dishonorable mentions go out to both 'No Russian', which has a fitting atmosphere but tries too hard to be shocking, and 'Second Sun' for not only undercutting the horror instilled afterward but also removing any realistic tension this game had left.”
- “Cod again relies on a dramatic atmosphere and adrenaline experience, which is sometimes too chaotic and sometimes kitschy.”
- “Some weapon, character, and vehicle designs were changed for the worse, blood removed here and there, the superb music is not synced correctly, everything is too shiny, and lighting changes atmosphere too much.”
monetization
35 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
9%
42%
49%
The monetization aspect of the game has drawn significant criticism, with many users expressing frustration over the prevalence of microtransactions, battle passes, and ads in modern titles, particularly from Activision. Players long for a return to simpler gaming experiences without aggressive monetization strategies, highlighting nostalgia for games that offered complete content without additional costs. Overall, there is a strong sentiment against the current trend of prioritizing profit over player experience, with calls for more games that respect the original model of straightforward purchases.
- “There's no battle pass, no microtransactions, no extra BS.”
- “Ah, what a breath of fresh air to run a game without a bunch of modern distractions like microtransactions. It's nice to load a simple menu, no ads, and just jump into a game and enjoy.”
- “No battle royale, no loot boxes, no microtransactions, no always online, no goofy dances, no silly camos or attachments, no season passes.”
- “Oh yeah, because Activision ignores a banger of a game that they made and instead focuses on new garbage packed with skins and microtransactions to squeeze every penny out of you.”
- “Nowadays, I feel like I'm constantly being bombarded with ads, daily updates, broken launches, and greedy publishers.”
- “Mw2 2022 will not be remembered; it will fade away into irrelevance, being just another cash grab that Activision and Infinity Ward used a once great title to make a quick buck.”
character development
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
58%
17%
25%
The character development in this game has been widely praised for its depth and emotional resonance, particularly through the return of familiar faces and strong voice acting that enhances the narrative. Players appreciate the immersive storytelling, which is complemented by detailed character designs and engaging missions that keep the experience fresh and meaningful. Overall, the game successfully intertwines character growth with the high-stakes plot, making it a standout in the Call of Duty franchise.
- “The character development was excellent and the voice acting really shines in this game.”
- “The character development, particularly the return of familiar faces from the first Modern Warfare, adds emotional weight to the high-stakes plot, making it a memorable and immersive experience.”
- “There is incredibly detailed character development for a story based on running around shooting people, and there was emotion, anger, and all sorts of revenge and spite interwoven into the story - you really feel for the character you are playing, which is cool for sure.”
- “Every level you played felt fresh and didn't become a grind to go from A to B; there was always an objective that followed the storyline and helped push the character development as the story unfolded.”

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90%Critics’ scoreBased on 7 critic reviews

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53h Median play time

265h Average play time

7h Main story

29h Completionist

8-500h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 76 analyzed playthroughs

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Frequently Asked Questions

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is a shooter game with warfare theme.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is available on Xbox Series X|S, PC, Mac OS, Xbox One and others.

The main story can be completed in around 7 hours, while the entire game is estimated to take about 29 hours to finish. On average players spend around 265 hours playing Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 was released on November 11, 2009.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 was developed by Infinity Ward.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 has received very positive reviews from both players and critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its stability.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is a single player game with multiplayer and local co-op support.

Similar games include Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, Call of Duty: Black Ops, Call of Duty: Black Ops II, Left 4 Dead and others.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

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