Review
Review | Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Campaign Remastered (PS4)
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Campaign Remastered is a reflection of why the original is hailed in such high regard among gamers.
For the Record
Ever since the original Modern Warfare was remastered, fans have been asking for the squeal to receive the same treatment. For long time fans of the series, Modern Warfare 2 has been hailed as one of the best titles in the series. Fans have finally got their wish with Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Campaign Remastered.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Campaign Remastered is only an upgrade of the single-player story, A baffling choice, given that the multiplayer was half the fun. However, with the Modern Warfare reboot and Warzone, it makes sense not to split the community. Plus, Modern Warfare 2 campaign was among the best of the series (rivaling only Black Ops II). So it’s not fair to wanna dismiss this remaster right away.
History is Written by the Victors
Given how iconic several moments are, I want to quickly recap the story for those new to the game.
The story is set several years after the events of Modern Warfare with the Ultranationalist having take control of Russia and Irma Zakhaev becoming a martyr. Meanwhile an international special forces unit designated Task Force 141 is established. It’s under the command of General Shepard and the leadership of John “Soap” MacTavish.
The war never ended for Vladimir Makarov, Zakhaev protégé, who has embarked on a terrorist campaign against the West. A CIA operation tries to shutdown his operation but it ends with America being framed for a terrorist attack in Russia. In response to the attack, Russia launches a massive invasion of the eastern United States. Task Force 141 is in a race to capture Makarov and end the war while the US Army Rangers fight to defend the homeland.
Just Like Old Times
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Campaign Remastered has two things going for it. The nostalgia factor and being a time capsule of its era. It’s important to note that its story was influenced by the geopolitics of the era. This was a crossroad as old rivals began to rise again while America was embroiled in two major conflicts. It was also a period in pop-culture that World War II games truly lost their appeal. Modern Warfare 2 is a product of its time but it’s also a window to look back at how global events were at a crossroads.
One could also not overlook the nostalgia factor as so many of us have fond memories of playing the campaign. The remaster allows players to re-experience the many iconic moments like “No Russian” or “Whiskey Hotel”. At the same time, it’s also a reminder of that gut punching betrayal (you know what I’m talking about). This is truly a reminder of why the original has been hailed as a modern classic.
To its credit, the game is not being dependent on nostalgia alone. Many levels have undergone an upgrade in regards to details. Not only has the battlefield undergone a visual upgrade but the world also rich in new details. There is more in the background and extra attention has been given to bring new life to each level. Making the fast paced and non-stop action even for exhilarating than before.
The First Casualty of War
Modern Warfare 2 Campaign Remastered does a great job of taking players to the battlefields of memory lane, but the enhanced graphics aren’t that visually appealing at times. While some moments look like they have received an upgrade, there are other moments when the updated visuals feel unpolished. Honestly, this was the same problem I had with Modern Warfare Remastered.
The Only Easy Day
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Campaign Remastered is a reflection of why the original is hailed in such high regard among gamers. It’s a nostalgic experience along with a window to different era in modern history. It truly has honored the legacy of the original game.
Disclaimer: Step-3 PR provided the game used in this review.
This review is the critic and thoughts of one writer. If you want to see how other critics felt then check it out on OpenCritic.
8Bit/Digi is an independent media outlet that provides an insight into the video game community and industry of the San Francisco Bay Area.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Remastered (PS4)
9
Pros
- Relive the many iconic moments.
- Many levels have undergone an upgrade in regards to background details.
- A reminder of why the original is a classic.
Cons
- Some of the moments don't visually look polished.
Stan Rezaee
Stan Rezaee is the founder and Editor of 8Bit/Digi. He is a journalist and gamer from the Bay Area who has been writing about the medium for over five years.
Modern Warfare 2 without multiplayer is not a real Modern Warfare 2 game. This is just a lazy attempt by Activsion to flood the market with Call of Duty game since over saturation is always their bussines model.
There was nothing special about Modern Warfare 2 single player. Shit I think at most I put in only 3 hours compared to the 200 hours in multiplayer. they should have not even bothered since everyone is still playing the new better Modern Warfare.
I was never a fan of Modern Warfare 2 story campaign so for me this game is pointless. Given how empty the multiplayer servers are now it would have been better to remaster it instead of just the single player game. Total wasted opportunity.
I <3 Modern Warfare 2 and the HD remaster is just as balls deep awesome. No Russian was my favorite level I wish they did a better job at it in this remake. It should have been more violent and bloody that would have been more awesome.
Ok we get it, you loved the original Modern Warfare 2 but your review of the remaster is weak. The game has not aged well and the single player was only remembered because of the No Russian part. I’ll just enjoy the Modern Warfare reboot thank you very much!
I still cry when General Shepard betrays Task Force 141 and kills Roach and Ghost. Right in the feels!
I never played Modern Warfare 2 back in the dayz but I got this for $20 and I’m loving it. I wish they had the multiplayer part that would have been awesome.
One of the worst Modern Warfare 2 remastered reviews I’ve ever read very dishonest and just a bunch of ass kissing for Activision.
They need to remaster or remake Black Ops and Black Ops 2 because they were the best in the series. I put over 100 hours in both single and multiplayer for each game plus they had Gary Oldmen and Michael Keaton (aka the real Batman) in the games. Modern War 2 was great but I really didn’t care for it that much.
Modern Warfare and Modern Warfare 2 has always been a racist shooter that has promoted American militarism and war crimes. It always features white Anglo-Saxon heroes saving the world from African, Latino, Arab and Muslim terroist gangs. All these video games do is help promote the Donald Trump agenda and fuck you for kissing up to the series like this.
I played Modern Warfare 2 a lot on the Xbox 360 but it was just the multiplayer. I had no intrest in single player and I could care less about the No russian moment of the game. I like this review of Modern Warfare 2 remastered but I will have to take a hard pass on the game since its just signle player. But you do you and I will just play Warzone.