Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II is what we thought its predecessor was in the late aughts. Now, ten dollars more expensive ($69.99), the structure, physics, and objectives all feel as they did then — raw adrenaline and set pieces where one can feel the wash of an oil rig’s detonation and deaths that have us clutching the controller after the screen bleeds. The damnable words of some philosopher then consider the many facets of your demise by shotgun blast. Herein lies the challenge with praising or denigrating the game — it’s everything Call of Duty has been up to this point, but that’s all it is.

If you’re like me, what the series was is sufficient. Like all previous installments, the game is like a Michael Bay–directed exercise in plastic personalities and explosives — thrills and stilted dialogue in heavy-metal scenarios are what one expects when purchasing Call of Duty, and such is provided. But if you are searching for a finished and tuned product, or a game from which you can get more than 20 enjoyable hours of gameplay, including competitive multiplayer, then you may need to look elsewhere.

About the Author

Luther Ray Abel

Luther Ray Abel is an Associate Editor for National Review. A veteran of the U.S. Navy, Luther is a proud native of Sheboygan, Wis.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II is what we thought its predecessor was in the late aughts. Now, ten dollars more expensive ($69.99), the structure, physics, and objectives all feel as they did then — raw adrenaline and set pieces where one can feel the wash of an oil rig’s detonation and deaths that have us clutching the controller after the screen bleeds. The damnable words of some philosopher then consider the many facets of your demise by shotgun blast. Herein lies the challenge with praising or denigrating the game — it’s everything Call of Duty has been up to this point, but that’s all it is.

If you’re like me, what the series was is sufficient. Like all previous installments, the game is like a Michael Bay–directed exercise in plastic personalities and explosives — thrills and stilted dialogue in heavy-metal scenarios are what one expects when purchasing Call of Duty, and such is provided. But if you are searching for a finished and tuned product, or a game from which you can get more than 20 enjoyable hours of gameplay, including competitive multiplayer, then you may need to look elsewhere.