Gateway

Issue date: 12/1/09 Section: Entertainment

A scene from "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2." (Photo courtesy of modernwarfare2.com) [Click to enlarge]

Millions of video game aficionados lined up Nov. 10, securing their place in line to purchase one of the most anticipated video games of 2009.

"Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2" broke the record on opening day game sales, drawing an estimated $310 million in North America and the United Kingdom alone, according to Activision, the game's publisher.

Following in the footsteps of the original "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare," the sequel places the player in the boots of elite operatives in various locales across the globe. The world is on the brink of war, set in motion by a notorious terrorist mastermind. The goal is to avert global disaster and bring this fugitive to justice.

While playing through the campaign, players become immersed in this alternate reality, with all their senses mesmerized by the sheer magnitude of effort invested to make this game as realistic as possible.

With arguably the most believable video game representation of an actual firefight, "Modern Warfare 2" excels in graphics, physics, audio and controls. It's fast paced and easy to pick up, which make this game a major contender for the holiday season.

Bullets shatter plywood above your head as you take cover from countless enemies surrounding your position. You can hear the advancing troops communicating in Russian as they prepare to bombard your safe-haven with grenades. Then suddenly, a volley of missiles fired from a player-controlled Predator drone strike with deadly precision, leaving a cloud of debris wafting through the battlefield.

The multiplayer aspect of "Modern Warfare 2" offers a wide variety of game modes and unlockable extras aimed at being just as engrossing as the single-player portion of the game. Weapons can be upgraded in multiple ways and tailored to the situation. Different classes with different "perks" offer a variety of approaches to achieve victory.

Competition is fierce as new users are forced to unlock attachments for their weapons. Those who invest more time into the game possess more advantages.

However, a minor qualm is that the single-player campaign can be completed in less than five hours. A special play list that offers specific objectives can be played cooperatively does have some replay value, but can also be completed within a relatively short amount of time.

The meat of this game resides with its online functionality and progressive leveling system that adds a whole new dimension to multiplayer. But with such a steep learning curve, new users may find this game somewhat frustrating and be turned off from the get go.

"Modern Warfare 2" is easily one of the most visually impressive games and will undoubtedly stand tall this holiday season as it continues its path into the record books. For gamers and non-gamers alike, it's a sound investment in year-round entertainment. Don't miss this cinematic jewel.

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