Early favourite Zarqwa Hydroelectric introduces the campaign’s much-vaunted underwater physics into the mix, allowing players to mount surprise attacks from underwater tunnels, or dive for aquatic cover when the bullets start flying.
Ground War and Invasion add more bodies to the mix, offering a frenzied halfway house between the 6v6 modes and free-to-play Battle Royale mode Warzone, the new version of which is due to launch in mid-November. Invasion is well worth a look, its shifting frontline objectives and periodic introduction of AI bot reinforcements introducing a flavour of the Battlefield series’ more territorial warfare to COD’s chaotic ecosystem.
Things aren’t so great back in the barracks, where the devs have attempted to make weapon customisation simpler by arranging guns into platforms with shared progression but, perhaps inevitably, actually ended up confusing the hell out of everyone instead.
Back in 2009, the original Modern Warfare 2 caused widespread outrage with its depiction of civilian-slaughtering terrorism in the infamous No Russion level. A decade and change later, people are getting bent out of shape by its weapon unlock system. That’s progress.
Flippancy aside, it’s interesting to note how Call of Duty’s cultural standing has shifted over the years. Modern Warfare II’s opening mission, in which you literally play as the missile screaming towards an enemy general’s head, feels like a ham-fisted attempt to generate some of that early-century controversy. And yet, unlike the rocket itself, this sequence has barely caused a ripple in the wider world.
Perhaps that says more about the Overton Window of outrage than Call of Duty per se but, either way, the franchise now feels firmly in comfortable blockbuster movie middle age territory. And given Activision have announced that Modern Warfare II raked in some $800m in its opening weekend, thus making it the most successful entry ever, that appears to suit both publisher and player just fine.
Call of Duty Modern Warfare II is out now on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 (version tested) and PC. Warzone 2 launches on November 16
