November 8th 2024.
As we approach the 15th anniversary of its release, it's hard to believe that Modern Warfare 2 is already 15 years old on November 10. To commemorate this milestone, GameCentral takes a look back at the legacy of one of the biggest sequels in gaming history. With Microsoft's recent acquisition of Activision Blizzard, it's clear that their prized possession is none other than the Call of Duty franchise. This is evident in their introduction of pricier Game Pass tiers and special billing for the upcoming release of Black Ops 6. It's no surprise, as Call of Duty has been a popular game since its inception in 2003, but it wasn't until 2007's Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare that it truly became a juggernaut in the gaming industry.
The decision to shift from the typical World War II setting to a contemporary one with a topical edge was a game-changer for the franchise. It catapulted Call of Duty into the big leagues, selling over 15 million copies. And if Modern Warfare represented the turning point in design, then the success of its sequel solidified its status as the biggest first-person shooter in the world. Beyond just the game itself, the anticipation for Modern Warfare 2 became a cultural event that made the franchise a household name.
But with great success often comes controversy, and Modern Warfare 2 was no exception. Similar to Grand Theft Auto's entry into the mainstream, Call of Duty's rise was greatly aided by the controversy surrounding it. The game's now infamous No Russian mission, where players assume the role of an undercover CIA agent participating in a Russian terrorist attack at an airport, sparked widespread criticism for being in poor taste. Playing it now, 15 years later, it's clear that it was a cheap and immature attempt to generate attention.
The level allows players to shoot civilians alongside the Russian terrorists, and while you can choose not to do so, it still feels like a cop-out. It could have easily been a non-interactive cutscene instead of a crass and tasteless mission. Despite ending on a strong note with a climactic knife brawl in the desert, Modern Warfare 2's campaign is generally less memorable than its predecessor. The first game had iconic missions like All Ghillied Up and Death From Above, which showcased the game's chilling realism. In contrast, the sequel relied more on its blockbuster action tendencies, resulting in a clumsier execution.
But where Modern Warfare 2 truly shines is in its multiplayer mode. The sequel introduced many beloved maps, such as Terminal, Favela, and Rust. And while Rust may have evolved from the original game's Shipment map, it stands out more in design, especially for those who enjoy knife-only matches in split-screen mode. Another underrated aspect of the game is its Spec Ops mode, a co-op mode that was introduced before the popularity of Zombies in the franchise. It offered challenging missions against waves of enemies and required a level of coordination rarely seen in traditional multiplayer modes. While it reappeared in Modern Warfare 3, it was largely neglected until the 2019 reboot.
Playing Modern Warfare 2 today, it's surprising how contemporary the gameplay still feels. While minor adjustments have been made to the formula in subsequent games, it's still the same highly polished template that has been used in all 15 mainline games released within the past 15 years. Despite criticisms of creative redundancy, there's a reason why these fundamentals have consistently sold millions of copies every year and why no first-person shooter has come close to threatening its position.
Call of Duty has cemented its place in the gaming industry as a reliably entertaining franchise, much like a sitcom that you can't escape from. And while it may have lost the desire to reinvent itself due to its consistent success, Modern Warfare 2 remains a cultural peak for the series. It may not be as revered as its predecessor, but its monumental success has shaped the franchise's future. Only time will tell if Call of Duty will ever be dethroned, but as it stands, it's unlikely that any game will capture the cultural zeitgeist in the same way that Modern Warfare 2 did.
So on this 15th anniversary, let's take a moment to appreciate the impact that Modern Warfare 2 has had on the gaming industry. And if you have any fond memories of the game, feel free to share them with us through email, comments, Twitter, or by signing up for our newsletter. And for those who want to submit Inbox letters or Reader's Features, you can now do so easily through our Submit Stuff page. Don't miss out on all the exclusive gaming content and latest releases before they're seen on the site. Sign up now to stay updated!
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