Call of Duty 2 - Review
Added November 26th, 2005 by Serenity Now
Introduction:
A few years ago, a game by the name of Call of Duty was released on the PC. It didn’t just turn the gaming industry upside-down and blow the minds of gamers, it completely revolutionized the method war games are viewed in general. Call of Duty set the groundwork for what a war game is supposed be with its intense action, tasteful violence, and raw style. Recently, Call of Duty 2 was released for the PC. It followed in its predecessor’s steps, and, consequently, it turned out to be a masterpiece.
Unless you’ve been living under a boulder the size of Bill Clinton’s ego the past few weeks, you should know that the Xbox 360 launched here in the States. If you have an Xbox 360 right now, either you won it, pre-ordered in the summer, or you waited outside with the mob at a Target or some other major domestic retailer to purchase one when the store opened their doors to gamers hungry for the first next-generation console. I salute those poor souls who camped out in the bitter cold just to experience the Xbox 360 as soon as they possibly could, you are the true gamer.
I’ll be frank with you; there aren’t many must-have games for the Xbox 360 as of this very moment. It was a good launch with some decent games, yes, but for sixty bucks, a title needs to be more than just ‘’okay’’ to be commendable. As mentioned above, Call of Duty 2 for the PC was absolutely superb. With Call of Duty 2 for the newly released Xbox 360, not much has been changed. Thanks to the power of Microsoft’s new console, Call of Duty 2 went through the porting process without sacrificing any gameplay elements. As an added bonus, the visuals were kept in tip-top shape as well.
Gameplay:
Call of Duty 2 lets you travel around the world and relive key epic battles that you probably studied in history class. You’ll be able to play as the Russian, British, and last, but certainly not least, the American armed forces as you and your fellow soldiers strive to convey freedom and hope to a very troubled world. Each battle you partake in is divided into sections with different objectives and goals, not just one gigantic brawl. The presentation is strong, and you’ll be drawn in by the authentic dialogue. You just may learn some things, too.
A few years ago, a game by the name of Call of Duty was released on the PC. It didn’t just turn the gaming industry upside-down and blow the minds of gamers, it completely revolutionized the method war games are viewed in general. Call of Duty set the groundwork for what a war game is supposed be with its intense action, tasteful violence, and raw style. Recently, Call of Duty 2 was released for the PC. It followed in its predecessor’s steps, and, consequently, it turned out to be a masterpiece.
Unless you’ve been living under a boulder the size of Bill Clinton’s ego the past few weeks, you should know that the Xbox 360 launched here in the States. If you have an Xbox 360 right now, either you won it, pre-ordered in the summer, or you waited outside with the mob at a Target or some other major domestic retailer to purchase one when the store opened their doors to gamers hungry for the first next-generation console. I salute those poor souls who camped out in the bitter cold just to experience the Xbox 360 as soon as they possibly could, you are the true gamer.
I’ll be frank with you; there aren’t many must-have games for the Xbox 360 as of this very moment. It was a good launch with some decent games, yes, but for sixty bucks, a title needs to be more than just ‘’okay’’ to be commendable. As mentioned above, Call of Duty 2 for the PC was absolutely superb. With Call of Duty 2 for the newly released Xbox 360, not much has been changed. Thanks to the power of Microsoft’s new console, Call of Duty 2 went through the porting process without sacrificing any gameplay elements. As an added bonus, the visuals were kept in tip-top shape as well.
Gameplay:
Call of Duty 2 lets you travel around the world and relive key epic battles that you probably studied in history class. You’ll be able to play as the Russian, British, and last, but certainly not least, the American armed forces as you and your fellow soldiers strive to convey freedom and hope to a very troubled world. Each battle you partake in is divided into sections with different objectives and goals, not just one gigantic brawl. The presentation is strong, and you’ll be drawn in by the authentic dialogue. You just may learn some things, too.
Call of Duty 2, unlike any war game I’ve ever played, has some of the most well designed and clear objectives to be found in war video games today. The latter was a personally a big part for me. Most war games just drop you into the heat of battle with a gun, a pair of boots, and maybe a few teammates, if you’re lucky. Call of Duty 2 gives you characters with depth, an overabundance of weapons, and an especially helpful handy-dandy compass to assist you in reaching your goals.
Now that you know you’ll be equipped with the goods to complete the missions, let’s discover what they actually are. Skirmishes in this game aren’t just about eliminating the opposing force. Call of Duty 2 is a thinking man’s game. Going through environments acting as an engineer to repair vital material, planting bombs on tanks, and blowing up the enemy’s headquarters are just some of the tasks you will have to undertake as a soldier. Other games of this genre will have the player take on the roll of one type of combatant in a level, while another type in the next. Call of Duty 2 seamlessly mixes all these elements and so much more in each and every level of its campaign. This is a winning formula, and it’s precisely why the franchise has the ability to claim to have such unbelievable and unprecedented depth.
Stealth, action, some adventure, this shooter has it all. Smoke bombs (which look beautiful -- more on that later though) will have to be utilized in order to reach the mission’s summit. This small, yet pleasurable feature has never before been executed like it has in this game. The gameplay is scripted, but not in an appalling way. It’s scripted in a way that makes you want to get up on your feet and start applauding. The way your teammates will setup ladders so you can make your path to a point, give you directions, or just provide you with a quick pointer or two is absolutely stunning. No matter how you look at it, Call of Duty 2 deserves a standing ovation with its scripted, yet somehow incredible artificial intelligence.
Now that you know you’ll be equipped with the goods to complete the missions, let’s discover what they actually are. Skirmishes in this game aren’t just about eliminating the opposing force. Call of Duty 2 is a thinking man’s game. Going through environments acting as an engineer to repair vital material, planting bombs on tanks, and blowing up the enemy’s headquarters are just some of the tasks you will have to undertake as a soldier. Other games of this genre will have the player take on the roll of one type of combatant in a level, while another type in the next. Call of Duty 2 seamlessly mixes all these elements and so much more in each and every level of its campaign. This is a winning formula, and it’s precisely why the franchise has the ability to claim to have such unbelievable and unprecedented depth.
Stealth, action, some adventure, this shooter has it all. Smoke bombs (which look beautiful -- more on that later though) will have to be utilized in order to reach the mission’s summit. This small, yet pleasurable feature has never before been executed like it has in this game. The gameplay is scripted, but not in an appalling way. It’s scripted in a way that makes you want to get up on your feet and start applauding. The way your teammates will setup ladders so you can make your path to a point, give you directions, or just provide you with a quick pointer or two is absolutely stunning. No matter how you look at it, Call of Duty 2 deserves a standing ovation with its scripted, yet somehow incredible artificial intelligence.
Speaking of AI, who doesn’t love when fellow soldiers put their skulls together and assist you in shooting the enemy? It’s a great stress reliever, especially since slaughtering foes isn’t the only thing you have to accomplish. However, don’t get all excited just yet because while the AI on your side may be smart, geniuses even, the enemy’s intelligence is, simply put, brutal. Try playing this game on its highest difficulty; you’re in for a real treat.
Call of Duty 2’s single-player campaign is an intense ordeal filled with action, courage, and a plethora of weapons, but it’s only a percentage of what this title has to offer. That’s right, I’m speaking of its multiplayer. It’s not the best aspect of Call of Duty 2, but it’s certainly a welcomed characteristic and something that will add a great deal of replay value to the package. You can head online via the new and improved Xbox Live, or you can play offline in split-screen. And for ‘’social’’ gatherings, there’s always System Link with support for up to sixteen players. The fundamental modes are included (Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch, Search and Destroy, etc) and not much else. The design of the maps is close to perfection, and that’s truly what matters in a strategy shooter such as Call of Duty 2. A big disappointment is that there’s no co-op. However, when you have a game of this caliber, this is only a small letdown in its gameplay.
Call of Duty 2 is the premiere shooter for the Xbox 360. Its gameplay outclasses every other console war-based first-person shooter ever created, and its character depth is something to witness. Many worry about PC games being ported to consoles, especially the blockbusters. Personally, I worry about this as well. We can all sleep a happy gamer tonight because Call of Duty 2’s gameplay has been left untouched, and in some areas, maybe it’s even been polished a little. The single-player is well crafted, and the multiplayer is excellent making the gameplay a mile deep, and just an overall joyous occasion.
Graphics:
We’re in the next generation of console video games, and Call of Duty 2 makes you know it. The particle effects in this game are mind-boggling, especially the gorgeous smoke grenades when they detonate. They’re not just an important facet in the gameplay, they’re a visual display of what’s to come for special effects in games. When you throw a smoke grenade, it’ll linger around on the ground and slowly dispense its foggy, rich, and thick smoke. This will enable the player to move across the battlefield without getting shot. This is a simplistic effect, but it’s hands down the best part about this game’s visuals.
Call of Duty 2’s single-player campaign is an intense ordeal filled with action, courage, and a plethora of weapons, but it’s only a percentage of what this title has to offer. That’s right, I’m speaking of its multiplayer. It’s not the best aspect of Call of Duty 2, but it’s certainly a welcomed characteristic and something that will add a great deal of replay value to the package. You can head online via the new and improved Xbox Live, or you can play offline in split-screen. And for ‘’social’’ gatherings, there’s always System Link with support for up to sixteen players. The fundamental modes are included (Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch, Search and Destroy, etc) and not much else. The design of the maps is close to perfection, and that’s truly what matters in a strategy shooter such as Call of Duty 2. A big disappointment is that there’s no co-op. However, when you have a game of this caliber, this is only a small letdown in its gameplay.
Call of Duty 2 is the premiere shooter for the Xbox 360. Its gameplay outclasses every other console war-based first-person shooter ever created, and its character depth is something to witness. Many worry about PC games being ported to consoles, especially the blockbusters. Personally, I worry about this as well. We can all sleep a happy gamer tonight because Call of Duty 2’s gameplay has been left untouched, and in some areas, maybe it’s even been polished a little. The single-player is well crafted, and the multiplayer is excellent making the gameplay a mile deep, and just an overall joyous occasion.
Graphics:
We’re in the next generation of console video games, and Call of Duty 2 makes you know it. The particle effects in this game are mind-boggling, especially the gorgeous smoke grenades when they detonate. They’re not just an important facet in the gameplay, they’re a visual display of what’s to come for special effects in games. When you throw a smoke grenade, it’ll linger around on the ground and slowly dispense its foggy, rich, and thick smoke. This will enable the player to move across the battlefield without getting shot. This is a simplistic effect, but it’s hands down the best part about this game’s visuals.
Say goodbye to generic looking soldiers that were multiplied by the hundreds to fill up the playing field. The characters relevant in Call of Duty 2 are not only varied in looks but also demonstrate emotion. That’s another thing I’d like to bring up. When someone dies in this game, you can almost feel the pain of the other soldiers as they weep for the loss. Every life is valuable. When you are killed, you’ll be treated with a famous quote from some imperative name in history. Little tidbits like this help give the game its atmosphere.
Lighting effects are some of the best I’ve had the pleasure of seeing. The textures are also presented in first-rate class. Call of Duty 2 puts the Xbox 360 to work with its great detail to the environments. Buildings, landmarks, and other structures are all highly detailed. The animations of the soldiers will have you pinching yourself to make sure you’re not actually in a real war risking your life. This game is an intense experience thanks to its real-life and convincing graphics engine. I have practically no complaints whatsoever when it comes to Call of Duty 2's visuals except maybe its minimal grainy textures that make an appearance on occasion. The maps are detailed beyond comprehension, and the atmosphere is complemented with its realistic approach. Saying Call of Duty 2 is a darn fine looking game is an understatement.
Audio:
Call of Duty 2’s auditory value is remarkably steep. The voice-overs are brilliantly done with crisp, clear vocals that actually sound foreign. You’ll be immersed into the game with the voices of a hundred men stocking powerful guns charging a war zone. If you have a good sound system, you’re especially going to want to turn this one up. The neighbors won’t mind either because the music score is superb. And, if you don’t like classical-sounding orchestral music (what’s wrong with you?), there’s always the custom soundtracks feature, which is supported in every Xbox 360 title, by the way. No matter what technique you use, the gamer here is the winner.
Controls:
Put shortly, the controls are about as intuitive as they possibly can be. The Xbox 360’s newly designed controller feels as if it was made for first-person shooters with its Black and White buttons being renamed and getting situated at the top of the pad by the triggers. Speaking of those buttons, they’re used to throw grenades. The triggers are used to shoot, and the face-buttons are utilized to jump and duck. You can execute a melee attack by pressing down on the right thumbstick, while pressing the left stick is used for your binoculars. Call of Duty 2 features an amazing control layout that’s so well done it wholeheartedly outshines its PC counterpart’s setup.
Replay:
With a lengthy single-player campaign, several different difficulty settings, and multiplayer both on and offline, you’ll get quite a bang for your buck. There aren’t many features to unlock, and the multiplayer is lacking a tad in modes, but the core gameplay is so fun you’ll be enjoying this one non-stop for weeks. While not as additive as say Perfect Dark Zero, Call of Duty 2 is a solid pick-up for what it is. Its replay value is exceptionally high when viewed as a whole.
Lighting effects are some of the best I’ve had the pleasure of seeing. The textures are also presented in first-rate class. Call of Duty 2 puts the Xbox 360 to work with its great detail to the environments. Buildings, landmarks, and other structures are all highly detailed. The animations of the soldiers will have you pinching yourself to make sure you’re not actually in a real war risking your life. This game is an intense experience thanks to its real-life and convincing graphics engine. I have practically no complaints whatsoever when it comes to Call of Duty 2's visuals except maybe its minimal grainy textures that make an appearance on occasion. The maps are detailed beyond comprehension, and the atmosphere is complemented with its realistic approach. Saying Call of Duty 2 is a darn fine looking game is an understatement.
Audio:
Call of Duty 2’s auditory value is remarkably steep. The voice-overs are brilliantly done with crisp, clear vocals that actually sound foreign. You’ll be immersed into the game with the voices of a hundred men stocking powerful guns charging a war zone. If you have a good sound system, you’re especially going to want to turn this one up. The neighbors won’t mind either because the music score is superb. And, if you don’t like classical-sounding orchestral music (what’s wrong with you?), there’s always the custom soundtracks feature, which is supported in every Xbox 360 title, by the way. No matter what technique you use, the gamer here is the winner.
Controls:
Put shortly, the controls are about as intuitive as they possibly can be. The Xbox 360’s newly designed controller feels as if it was made for first-person shooters with its Black and White buttons being renamed and getting situated at the top of the pad by the triggers. Speaking of those buttons, they’re used to throw grenades. The triggers are used to shoot, and the face-buttons are utilized to jump and duck. You can execute a melee attack by pressing down on the right thumbstick, while pressing the left stick is used for your binoculars. Call of Duty 2 features an amazing control layout that’s so well done it wholeheartedly outshines its PC counterpart’s setup.
Replay:
With a lengthy single-player campaign, several different difficulty settings, and multiplayer both on and offline, you’ll get quite a bang for your buck. There aren’t many features to unlock, and the multiplayer is lacking a tad in modes, but the core gameplay is so fun you’ll be enjoying this one non-stop for weeks. While not as additive as say Perfect Dark Zero, Call of Duty 2 is a solid pick-up for what it is. Its replay value is exceptionally high when viewed as a whole.
Summary:
In a launch chaotic with filthy ports that were pumped out quicker than a mounted machine gun spews forth rounds, there is a light, and that light is Call of Duty 2. It couples some extremely well executed facets such as its great sense of realism and lovely visual effects, with its rock solid presentation. In return, Call of Duty 2 is a must-own launch title. You’ve waited long and hard for your Xbox 360, you owe it to yourself to experience this game. Unless you hate first-person shooters, you will not be disappointed.
In a launch chaotic with filthy ports that were pumped out quicker than a mounted machine gun spews forth rounds, there is a light, and that light is Call of Duty 2. It couples some extremely well executed facets such as its great sense of realism and lovely visual effects, with its rock solid presentation. In return, Call of Duty 2 is a must-own launch title. You’ve waited long and hard for your Xbox 360, you owe it to yourself to experience this game. Unless you hate first-person shooters, you will not be disappointed.
