Modern Warfare 2 - First Impressions

Ok, so after umming and ahhing about whether or not to buy MW2 on the PS3 or PC, I decided to go with PC. As I mentioned in my previous post, I simply prefer the keyboard and mouse control that it offers. Also, finding it for $20 cheaper than on the PS3 definitely played a part in the decision.

I've played through the first five chapters of single player, and have spent a couple of hours on multiplayer. My initial impressions? To be honest, I'm a bit underwhelmed by it so far. My main problems with the game are the confusing and poorly told story, having to frequently restart due to numerous deaths caused by not having a clue what's going on around me because there are 40 million explosions all happening at once, and also that the game simply doesn't feel as fresh or as fun as the first Modern Warfare. Going back to what I said about having to restart all the time after dying, I realise that the Call Of Duty games have always been an assault on the senses, and consistently maintain a high level of intensity. The games represent, as closely as a game can, the sheer confusion of a real battlefield. However, in none of the previous games - and I have played and completed them all, except for Call Of Duty 3 - have I ever felt like I have died unfairly. I've lost count of the number of times I've just walked around a corner in MW2 and died instantly after being hammered from all directions by enemies, sometimes even from behind where I thought I had cleared all of the enemies out. To be fair, I am playing on the Hardened difficulty level, but this is the level I played all of the previous games on and I don't recall ever dying quite this much.

In my previous post, I wrote about the potential controversy of the "Airport" scene in this game. After playing through it, I freely admit that I really was quite upset and shocked by the scene. What was equally as upsetting, however, is that after it finished I realised how unnecessary it was. Infinity Ward have said:

"The scene is designed to evoke the atrocities of terrorism".

If that's all they were going for, then I guess they were successful, but what was the point? I realise that it serves a purpose in the overall story of the game, but this information could just as easily have been conveyed through one of the between level loading screens. In my opinion there was no point in having this scene as a playable level. Yes, they give you the option of skipping the scene entirely, which going on it's graphic nature would really be a good option for some people, but personally I have no problem with graphic or confronting material as long as it actually serves a purpose. Good developers go through an iteration process where they sort the wheat from the chaff in order to come out with the best game they can, so I just find it strange that this level was included as I don't think it improves the game in any way. I'm keeping an open mind about this, however, as I haven't finished the game yet and it may be touched upon later in the game. If anyone reading this has an opinion, feel free to comment. I'm genuinely curious about other people's reactions to this scene.

Now, on to the multiplayer. I was prepared to bitch and moan about the horrible online experience for the PC version, but I've actually been pleasantly surprised. Almost all of the rounds I've played have been smooth and lag free, and I consistently get three or four green ping bars. In regards to the gameplay itself, it's obviously just a slightly evolved version of the original game's multiplayer. So, it's a hell of a lot of fun is what I'm trying to say. I really like the new rewards, and all of the new weapons are a lot of fun. I can imagine myself playing the online side of this game for a long time to come, just like I did with the first game.

I probably sound pretty negative about the game overall, but I really don't think it's a bad game. I just don't think it lives up to the excellence of the first Modern Warfare. Obviously I've still got a way to go before I finish the game, so it could still pull one out of the bag and really blow me away. Like I said, I've definitely got an open mind about it.

Modern Warfare 2 controversy

It just seems like controversy after controversy for Infinity Ward lately. First all of the hooplah about no dedicated server support for the PC version of Modern Warfare 2, and now outrage over the leaked footage from the game in which you play a terrorist and shoot civilians in an airport.

In regards to the first controversy, about the PC online experience being neutered, like most other PC gamers I am pretty pissed off about this. So Infinity Ward want it to be more like a console experience, and also allow themselves to maintain more control over the online side of the PC game? Thanks, but no thanks. I have a PS3, if I wanted to have a console experience for MW2 then I would purchase the game for that console. When it comes to First Person Shooter games, however, I still much prefer the more refined experience offered by the PC. As much as I enjoyed Killzone 2 recently on the PS3, nothing really compares to the precise mouse control that you can get on the PC.

In regards to the second controversy, about the terrorist airport subplot, I'm definitely on Infinity Ward's side over this one. Infinity Ward are one of the most effective developers when it comes to creating games that really immerse you in the experience. Going right back to the first Call Of Duty, I have regularly found their games to be psychologically traumatic experiences. They have never shied away from presenting the utter brutality of war, while also maintaining a perfect balance between fun gameplay and intense scenarios.

Infinity Ward have said that:

"The scene is designed to evoke the atrocities of terrorism".

If they manage to put as much thought into this scenario as they do all of their others, then I'm sure that the scene will achieve its intended purpose.

They have also said:

"At the beginning of the game, players encounter a mandatory "checkpoint" in which they are warned that an upcoming segment may contain disturbing elements and they can choose not to engage in the gameplay that involves this scene."

So, they're giving players the option to skip this scene. Surely this type of socially and morally responsible action by Infinity Ward should allay any fears that media watchdogs might have about the scenario? Umm, no. Jane Roberts, president of the Australian Council on Children and the Media, now wants the game to reassessed by the Classification Board. As the game is already MA15+, the maximum rating allowed under the Draconian Australian game classification system, then if she was successful this would mean the game would be "RC", or refused classification, essentially banning it from sale in Australia.

Now, to anyone who follows the Australian gaming scene this should really come as no surprise. I'm not going to go into too much detail, but if you want to read my thoughts on the classification system in that country then read this:

http://gamertron5000.blogspot.com/2008/10/refused-classification.html

I wrote that when I was living in Australia last year, and unfortunately a year later the situation is no different than it was then.

Hopefully this will all just turn out to be a storm in a teacup, and the game will still be released in Australia unedited. But going on how the Classification board has forced other developers - such as Bethesda, Valve etc - to compromise their artistic vision when it comes to their games, I wouldn't really be suprised if the same thing happens to Infinity Ward.

In the end, will any of this really hurt the success of the game overall? No chance. Modern Warfare 2 is set to be the biggest product launch ever, of any type of media. That's a pretty amazing thing, and if any developer deserves it it is Infinity Ward. But, you know, how about giving us PC gamers dedicated server support and modding tools? No? Really? Oh well, you can't blame me for trying.

Braid: Closure

Yes! I just finished Braid. I had half a dozen puzzle pieces left in World Six, and last time I played I got pretty angry and just couldn't see the solution. But, coming back to the game now after a bit of a break, the final pieces all just fell into place. It's such a satisfying feeling. It's even more satisfying that I didn't use a walkthrough at any point, although there were a couple of times when I was tearing my hair out and felt close to cracking.

What a truly clever game. I'm not going to get into the whole "Can it be considered art?" side of things, although this game certainly does push the boundaries of what would be considered a standard game narrative into something a lot more deep and filled with metaphor. Take away all that story and subtext of the game - which I'm sure a fair few people don't really pay much attention to, anyway - and you've still got a fantastically crafted piece of gaming.

Whether or not Jonathan Blow tries to push the narrative and artistic boundaries with his next game - which, let's be honest, he probably will - as long as he creates another game that simply makes me feel joy to be playing it like Braid did, then I'll be more than satisfied.