Close Menu
  • Login
  • Support Us
  • Newsletter
  • News
  • Features
  • Interviews
  • Reviews
    • Video Games
      • Previews
      • PC
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X/S
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Xbox One
      • PS4
      • Tabletop
    • Film
    • TV
    • Anime
    • Comics
      • BOOM! Studios
      • Dark Horse Comics
      • DC Comics
      • IDW Publishing
      • Image Comics
      • Indie Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • Oni-Lion Forge
      • Valiant Comics
      • Vault Comics
  • Podcast
  • More
    • Event Coverage
    • BWT Recommends
    • RSS Feeds
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Support Us
But Why Tho?
RSS Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube
Trending:
  • Features
    Cosmic Spider-Man card details

    [EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW] The Spider-Man Set Gets A 5-Color Legendary Spider

    09/02/2025
    Lee Corso from College Football GameDay in EA Sports games

    EA Sports Always Understood Lee Corso’s Legacy

    09/01/2025
    Peacemaker Season 2 Episode 2 But Why Tho 10

    Spider-Man Is Coming To Magic And It’s Just Like The Comics

    08/29/2025
    Star Wars Visions Volume 3 Black

    ‘Black’ Sets The Tone For A Bold New Mixtape In ‘Star Wars Visions: Volume 3’

    08/28/2025
    Olivia Colman in The Roses

    ‘The Roses’ Is A Reimagining, Not A Remake, And That’s Why It Works So Well

    08/27/2025
  • Indie Games
  • K-Dramas
  • Netflix
  • Apple TV+
But Why Tho?
Home » PS5 » REVIEW: The ‘Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II’ Campaign Is Middling But Fun (PS5)

REVIEW: The ‘Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II’ Campaign Is Middling But Fun (PS5)

QuinnBy Quinn10/30/20225 Mins Read
Modern Warfare 2
Share
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Reddit WhatsApp Email

Modern Warfare 2

After the 2019 reboot of the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare sub-series, I’ve been wondering where these games would take us. Would we see Task Force 141 see the same fate as the original games? What stories would be explored, and what characters would be included? Published by Activision and developed by multiple teams, including Sledgehammer Games and Treyarch, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is a first-person shooter that takes players across the world and follows the fan-favorite Task Force 141.

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

If it wasn’t clear from the last game, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 isn’t a remaster; it’s mostly a new game though it features the same characters as the original 2009 game of the same title. Acting as a sequel to the 2019 Modern Warfare, Modern Warfare 2 takes place in 2022, with Task Force 141 working under the command of General Shepherd and conducting surgical strikes against Iranian forces.

When Quds Force Major Hassan Zyani becomes involved in funding terrorist activity, Shepherd and CIA Station Chief Kate Laswell deploy MARSOC Marines led by Lieutenant Simon “Ghost” Riley and Sergeant John “Soap” MacTavish to apprehend Hassan. However, Hassan flees the area, and Ghost and Soap discover he was in possession of an American-made ballistic missile. Que globe-trotting to pursue Hassan and find out more about these missiles.

While the story differs from the original 2009 iteration, some plot beats are similar, though not precisely the same. I won’t say which ones, but long-time fans will see it coming a mile away despite the differences. Nevertheless, it’s still a fun time. Unlike Call of Duty: Vanguard, which focuses on massive, grandiose battles of World War II, Modern Warfare 2 focuses on low-key, special ops missions featuring a lot of sneaking and silent takedowns over loud, flashy gunfights (though you can choose to approach some missions that way).

The gameplay is your usual Call of Duty violence; it’s harsh, sudden, and doesn’t hold punches. There are 17 missions in total that feature a variety of locations and objectives. In addition, you’re given some wiggle room with how to approach certain situations. But, for the most part, the missions are very straightforward, and the objects simplistic. But the scenarios players are thrown into are what makes for some great fun—you’re asked to snipe, gun from a helicopter, man cameras, direct combat from afar, defuse a missile while under fire, and kill from the water. And, as the cherry on top,  there’s plenty of typical Call of Duty ridiculousness to be had, like hanging upside down from a helicopter, jumping between moving vehicles, and dodging around shifting shipping containers on a cargo ship in choppy waters. It may be absurd, but it’s immensely fun. The only downside is that some ops feel just a bit too slow and go on for too long.

With the variety of missions comes an array of weapons, equipment, and mods—night vision, thermal, C4, but also makeshift items like mines made with a mousetrap as the detonator. The latter is an example of the flavor of guerrilla warfare in the game, requiring the player to scavenge parts and put together makeshift equipment. And I say “flavor” because, while enjoyable, these mechanics are used in only one mission, then never again until a short section at the end. Additionally, the fact that some equipment is used once and then never again makes these moments feel more like training for War Zone and multiplayer modes than part of the campaign.

Modern Warfare 2 features many characters players already know and love. But if you don’t already know Task Force 141, the small moments of pathos, snark, camaraderie, and humor go a long way to endear you to the characters, and the possibility of death or worse in every encounter makes the narrative gripping. And the emotionality of these moments is brought to beautiful motion by the absolutely gorgeous graphics. The option to interact with your teammates throughout the campaign is also a nice touch. The only disappointing part is that after the great campaign in the 2019 Modern Warfare heavily featuring Farah, we only see her once, and Hadir and Alex are nowhere to be seen.

The Modern Warfare 2 campaign is middling. Some missions are more fun than others, and the pacing is a bit off in certain spots. Despite this, there’s still plenty of fun to be had, and seeing Task Force 141 again is always a treat. If you’re only interested in playing the game for its campaign, the $70 price point isn’t worth it, especially since the campaign can’t hold a candle to the 2019 Modern Warfare story. But it’s worth the play if you’re also intending to take advantage of War Zone and the multiplayer.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is available now on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
  • 6.5/10
    Rating - 6.5/10
6.5/10

TL;DR

The Modern Warfare 2 campaign is middling. Some missions are more fun than others, and the pacing is a bit off in certain spots. Despite this, there’s still plenty of fun to be had, and seeing Task Force 141 again is always a treat.

  • Get Now on Green Man Gaming with Our Affiliate Link

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email
Previous ArticleREVIEW: ‘Bocchi The Rock!,’ Episode 4 – “Jumping Girl(s)”
Next Article REVIEW: ‘Blue Lock,’ Episode 3 — “Soccer’s ‘Zero’”
Quinn

Quinn is an editor and comic and video game writer with a love for Transformers and cyberpunk. As a nonbinary person, Quinn also takes pleasure in evaluating the inclusion of LGBTQ+ persons in media.

Related Posts

Karl Anthony Towns in NBA 2k26 But Why Tho
8.5

REVIEW: ‘NBA 2K26’ Brings Basketball To Life

09/03/2025
Gears of War Reloaded
7.5

REVIEW: ‘Gears Of War: Reloaded’ Is A Fantastic But Imperfect Remaster

08/26/2025
Madden 26 Cover But Why Tho
7.5

REVIEW: ‘Madden NFL 26’ Is A Promising Start

08/11/2025
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 and 4 Alcatraz
9.0

REVIEW: ‘Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3 + 4’ Gives Old Games New Life

07/07/2025
Key art for RAIDOU Remastered The Mystery of the Soulless Army
7.5

REVIEW: ‘RAIDOU Remastered: The Mystery Of The Soulless Army’ Sports Style But No Substance

06/23/2025
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
9.0

REVIEW: ‘Death Stranding 2: On The Beach’ Is A Stellar Sequel

06/23/2025

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here
TRENDING POSTS
Cosmic Spider-Man card details Features

[EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW] The Spider-Man Set Gets A 5-Color Legendary Spider

By Kate Sánchez09/02/2025Updated:09/02/2025

An exclusive look at a new 5-Color Spider entering Magic: The Gathering’s Spider-Man set, and Cosmic Spider-Man is going to be a tough one to take on.

Hololive EN at Radio City Music Hall Events

Hololive EN At Radio City Music Hall Was A Pure Expression Of Fandom

By Adrian Ruiz08/31/2025Updated:09/03/2025

Hololive EN turned Radio City in New York City into the pure expression of fandom: chants, penlights, and community in perfect sync.

Karl Anthony Towns in NBA 2k26 But Why Tho
8.5
PS5

REVIEW: ‘NBA 2K26’ Brings Basketball To Life

By Kyle Foley09/03/2025

NBA 2K26 combines improved visuals with some important tweaks to keep the series feeling fresh in the latest yearly release.

Cronos: The New Dawn Nest
8.0
PC

REVIEW: ‘Cronos: The New Dawn’ Does Post-Apocalyptic Psychological Horror Right

By Mick Abrahamson09/03/2025Updated:09/03/2025

While not particularly sacry, Cronos: The New Dawn is a lot of fun as a survival horror that puts you in the futuristic armor of the Traveler.

But Why Tho?
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest RSS YouTube Twitch
  • CONTACT US
  • ABOUT US
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
  • Review Score Guide
Sometimes we include links to online retail stores. If you click on one and make a purchase we may receive a small contribution.
Written Content is Copyright © 2025 But Why Tho? A Geek Community

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

But Why Tho Logo

Support Us!

We're able to keep making content thanks to readers like YOU!
Support independent media today with
Click Here