Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 cover art

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

2009Infinity WardPlayStation 3, PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, Xbox 360

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is a first-person shooter video game developed by Infinity Ward and published by Activision for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 video game consoles and the Microsoft Windows operating system. Officially announced on February 11, 2009, the game was released worldwide on November 10, 2009. It is the sixth installment of the Call of Duty series and the direct sequel to Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, continuing the same storyline, with Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 set to end the storyline.

What it feels like

Sustained edge-of-seat pressure and the threat of death create constant tactical urgency throughout gameplay. The narrative delivers sincere emotional beats and stakes without irony, treating military drama straightforwardly.

Tense75%
Earnest60%

What it's about

Armed forces, warfare, and military operations define the setting and narrative context. A hidden global plot to bring the world to the brink of collapse drives the central narrative tension. Set in a recognizable near-future with contemporary military technology and geopolitical tensions.

Military & War85%
Conspiracy70%
Near-Future50%
War & Its Cost45%

How it plays

Aiming, firing, and tactile feedback from firearms is the central interaction and combat loop throughout. Combat heavily emphasizes taking cover, peeking, and suppressing fire as tactical tools. Pre-mission tailoring of weapons, attachments, and killstreaks is a central progression and tactical system.

Gunplay93%
Cover Shooter75%
Loadout Customization65%
Stealth50%
Loot & Drops35%
Quick-Time Events30%

How it looks and sounds

The core visual perspective is through the player character's eyes, fundamental to the first-person shooter experience. Dynamic orchestral music underscores action sequences and story moments, enhancing dramatic impact.

First-Person95%
Orchestral Score55%

How it's structured

Multiplayer modes center on direct player-versus-player competition as the core offering. A bounded story arc with a beginning, middle, and definite end structures the single-player experience. A robust single-player campaign is a substantial, complete experience alongside multiplayer.

Competitive PvP85%
Campaign80%
Single-Player80%
Linear Levels68%
Co-op Campaign60%

Shares First-Person, Gunplay, Competitive PvP, Cover Shooter.

Both lean into First-Person, Gunplay, Cover Shooter, Competitive PvP.

First-Person95%Gunplay90%Cover Shooter85%Competitive PvP75%

Shares First-Person, Gunplay, Military & War, Competitive PvP.

Both lean into First-Person, Gunplay, Military & War, Competitive PvP.

First-Person95%Gunplay95%Military & War85%Competitive PvP80%

Shares First-Person, Gunplay, Military & War, Competitive PvP.

Both lean into First-Person, Gunplay, Military & War, Competitive PvP.

First-Person95%Gunplay90%Military & War85%Competitive PvP80%

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Gunplay85%Competitive PvP80%First-Person65%Military & War65%
R.U.S.E.37% match

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Military & War85%Competitive PvP75%Tense70%Campaign60%

A lesser-known kindred — First-Person, Gunplay, Competitive PvP, Linear Levels. 91% positive across 4,914 Steam reviews.

Both lean into First-Person, Gunplay, Campaign, Single-Player.

First-Person95%Gunplay75%Campaign85%Single-Player80%
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