Modern Warfare 2 (2022) Multiplayer Review: A Classic Call of Duty Experience, but Incomplete

Modern Warfare 2 (2022) Multiplayer Review: A Classic Call of Duty Experience, but Incomplete. The release of Modern Warfare 2 (2022), the latest reboot from Infinity Ward, brings a familiar yet slightly altered experience for Call of Duty players. While the multiplayer mode revives many aspects of traditional Call of Duty (COD) gameplay that players have loved over the years, it also stumbles with a few notable omissions. This article delves deep into the multiplayer aspect, assessing its successes, shortcomings, and overall gameplay experience.

Modern Warfare 2 (2022) Multiplayer Review: A Classic Call of Duty Experience, but Incomplete

Modern Warfare 2 (MW2) brings back a more grounded and classic multiplayer experience, much to the relief of long-time fans of the franchise. Recent Call of Duty games have tended to favor fast, hyperactive movement mechanics, leading to a competitive atmosphere that can feel alienating to casual players. This reboot seeks to dial back on those overly intense features while retaining the high-octane action that COD is known for.

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Maps and Modes: The maps in Modern Warfare 2 are more tailored for traditional 6v6 gameplay, with fewer open spaces, meaning there is less opportunity for camping or overly quiet moments. The size and design of these maps make it easier to find constant action. Additionally, the movement mechanics have been toned down, striking a balance between fast-paced action and a more traditional feel.

Sliding and bunny-hopping, mechanics introduced in recent games, have been nerfed to allow for more tactical and strategic gameplay. Sliding no longer feels as fluid, and bunny-hopping is more restricted, encouraging players to adopt a slower, more methodical approach.

While the movement changes may seem minor, they impact the pace of matches significantly. In the last few COD installments, the overly rapid movement mechanics gave a significant advantage to aggressive players. However, the new adjustments have leveled the playing field, making matches feel fairer to players who prefer less frenetic gameplay.

Missing Features Hurt the Overall Package

Despite these positive changes, Modern Warfare 2's multiplayer experience feels incomplete. Missing features such as leaderboards, a combat record, and key customization options leave the package feeling barebones. Usually, COD games feature a barracks section where players can view leaderboards and assess their combat record, tracking progress in kills, wins, and overall performance. However, Modern Warfare 2 launched without these crucial tools, leading to a less rewarding experience.

Additionally, the absence of Boot Camp and milestone challenges, which usually provide players with specific tasks to complete for XP and rewards, leaves a noticeable gap. These features have traditionally encouraged longer play sessions, giving players something to strive for beyond just winning matches. Without these incentives, players may find it hard to measure their improvement or find additional challenges to keep them engaged.

The biggest disappointment for many players is the exclusion of hardcore mode at launch. Known as "Tier 1" in Modern Warfare 2, the mode is set to be released later in Season 1 along with Warzone 2.0. This has alienated a significant portion of the COD player base who prefer the lower health and more tactical gameplay offered by hardcore modes. This delay has led to frustration, with many feeling like they have to wait for key features that should have been available from day one.

Map Design: A Welcome Improvement

One of the areas where Modern Warfare 2 really shines is in its map design. Compared to Modern Warfare 2019, which often struggled with overly large and complicated maps, the new maps in MW2 are more streamlined and suited for 6v6 combat. This results in faster, more action-packed gameplay without the pacing issues that plagued previous games.

Mercado Las Almas and Crown Raceway are standout maps. Mercado Las Almas is a tight, fast-paced map set in a bustling market, offering narrow passageways that keep the action constant. Crown Raceway, on the other hand, offers a more unique setting, featuring a Formula 1 racetrack with a design that, while not strictly traditional, flows nicely across all game modes.

However, not all the maps have been well-received. Santa Sena Border Crossing is a particularly controversial map, with its awkward design centered around a congested highway full of explosive cars. Many players find the map too chaotic, as a single grenade or killstreak can set off a chain reaction of exploding vehicles, leading to frustrating deaths.

Limited Game Modes and Underwhelming New Additions

Modern Warfare 2 includes the classic game modes that have been a staple of the franchise, such as Team Deathmatch, Domination, and Search and Destroy. However, the only new game modes introduced—Prisoner Rescue and Knockout—fail to bring anything fresh or innovative to the table.

Prisoner Rescue is a 6v6 mode that alternates between offensive and defensive roles, with one team attempting to rescue prisoners while the other defends. While the concept is interesting, the execution leaves much to be desired, as it often devolves into a Team Deathmatch format where few players focus on the objectives.

Knockout, similarly, is a no-respawn, objective-based mode in which players fight over a bag of cash. However, much like Prisoner Rescue, the mode typically turns into a glorified Team Deathmatch, with players focusing more on kills than the objective. Both modes lack the creativity and depth seen in past Call of Duty modes, such as Gunfight from Modern Warfare 2019.

Ground War: The Return of Large-Scale Warfare

For players seeking a more chaotic and large-scale experience, Ground War makes a return. This 32v32 mode offers sprawling maps that provide opportunities for vehicle combat, air support, and even underwater engagements. The map variety in Ground War is impressive, and the addition of new maneuverability mechanics, such as swimming and mantling, adds depth to the combat.

However, Ground War: Invasion—a new 20v20 mode with AI-controlled bots—feels less rewarding. The presence of AI opponents detracts from the competitive experience, and many players find the bot-filled matches unsatisfying. While Invasion may serve as an entry point for newer players, veterans of the series may find it lacking in challenge.

Gunsmith System: Complexity or Customization Overload?

The revamped Gunsmith system in Modern Warfare 2 is one of the more divisive aspects of the game. On the one hand, the Platform system eliminates the need to unlock the same attachments repeatedly across different guns, offering a more streamlined customization experience. On the other hand, the system's complexity may overwhelm casual players, as it requires unlocking weapons and attachments by using unrelated gun types. For example, players looking to customize their M4 may find they need to level up a sniper rifle or battle rifle to unlock the attachments they desire.

The inclusion of a weapon tuning feature allows players to fine-tune individual attachments, such as choosing between better recoil control or faster handling. While this offers hardcore players the ability to meticulously craft their weapons, the feature could be confusing for those unfamiliar with COD's meta.

Spec Ops and the Raids to Come

Spec Ops makes a return in Modern Warfare 2, offering a two-player co-op mode set in the same universe as Warzone 2.0. The missions are enjoyable, but not particularly memorable. However, the introduction of Kits, which allow players to equip perks, field upgrades, and killstreaks, adds a new layer of strategy. These kits may play a larger role when Raids are released later, bringing a mix of puzzles and combat into the co-op experience.

Conclusion: A Classic Experience, but an Incomplete Package

At its core, Modern Warfare 2's multiplayer is a return to form for Call of Duty fans who long for a more classic experience. The toned-down movement, more focused map design, and traditional gameplay mechanics create an enjoyable multiplayer experience that avoids the pitfalls of recent, overly fast-paced entries.

However, the missing features and underwhelming new game modes prevent Modern Warfare 2 from reaching its full potential. The absence of hardcore mode, the lack of progression tracking, and the overly complex Gunsmith system all detract from what could have been a standout entry in the franchise.

Despite its shortcomings, Modern Warfare 2 offers an entertaining and nostalgic return for long-time COD fans, while also introducing some innovative features that could pave the way for future entries in the series.