WWBD?: Thoughts on Modern Warfare 2
The first thing I have to say will soon become a video-game critic's cliche: No one can argue with the commercial success of Infinity Ward's Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. That said, I find it hard to remember a blockbuster game having so many things to nitpick about. This isn't another article about the numerous exploits and glitches that have been exposed in the months since MW2's release, nor even the (slightly less numerous) patches IW has pushed out in an attempt to correct them.
Rather, these are my thoughts after having spent nearly an entire day online with MW2, comparing it to my other favorite adversarial multi-player shooter: Bungie's Halo 3. I don't have exact sales figures, but I believe the newer game has already outsold Halo 3--despite the games having been released two years apart. Yet there is something special about Halo 3 two-plus years later that IW has failed to capture with MW2 and its predecessor.
Rather, these are my thoughts after having spent nearly an entire day online with MW2, comparing it to my other favorite adversarial multi-player shooter: Bungie's Halo 3. I don't have exact sales figures, but I believe the newer game has already outsold Halo 3--despite the games having been released two years apart. Yet there is something special about Halo 3 two-plus years later that IW has failed to capture with MW2 and its predecessor.
What's so addictive about the eternal struggle of Red v. Blue?
Maybe it has to do with the fact that I own every Halo game and book and will soon purchase the Halo: Legends Blu-ray. Maybe it has to do with the fact that I bought my first Xbox 360 because Halo 3 was coming out. Oh, and to the stupid crooks who stole it from my house, I hope you actually *appreciate* the limited edition exclusive Halo 3 console. . . . Maybe it has to do with the fact that I've sunk hundreds of hours of my life into the campaign and multiplayer of all four Halo games despite never rising beyond the rank of captain.
I admit, it might be that I'm biased, but I measure all adversarial FPS multi-player focused games against the yardstick Bungie has so graciously provided with the Halo games--especially Halo 3. And after playing hours of MW2, I wish Infinity Ward had asked themselves one simple question: What Would Bungie Do?
I know it saves on development costs and time, but one thing that's bugged me about COD4 and MW2 (and, to be honest, most FPS games) is the prevalence of making multi-player maps that are recycled versions of levels from the single-player campaigns. I enjoy MW2--and it's been a huge improvement over the play of COD4, but the recycling leaves a funny aftertaste in my mouth.
Sniping in Sandbox gives a whole new meaning to 'skill'.
A map editor for a console game? Awesome!
One awesome map that can spawn thousands of variants versus. . . .
A recycled set piece?
I'm not trying to come off as a Halo fan boy. Because, actually, I think I've finally begun to exhaust myself on Halo 3 multiplayer. Too few players are in the hoppers that have the maps beyond what shipped on the original game disc. So I'm enjoying MW2 and really looking forward to tomorrow when my copy of Battlefield: Bad Company 2 arrives.
I just think that balancing and truly addictive (and exploit-free) multi-player is best achieved when the maps are done from scratch rather than shoe-horning campaign levels into PvP service. To my knowledge, there are no Halo maps (aside from the Firefight levels of ODST) that are recycled from campaigns. The closest Bungie has ever come to recycling maps are remakes of classic favorites from the previous two Halo titles (as well as fan-made remakes possible via the innovative Forge map editor).
On that note, I think I'll fire up Halo 3.
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