Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is set to have its worldwide reveal in just a few days, and many have high expectations for the latest Infinity Ward title. With the Modern Warfare 2 reveal, campaign footage seems likely, giving fans a chance to see if the rumors about a focus on combatting drug cartels have been accurate.
If these leaks do turn out to be true, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 could offer a mission similar to Hornet’s Nest from the 2009 game. In this memorable section, players fought through a Favela as part of Task Force 141, something that seems poised to happen again in the new Modern Warfare universe. There were several amazing moments in the original Modern Warfare 2 campaign, though, all of which deserve appreciation.
No Russian
While the new Modern Warfare 2 having its own No Russian segment is highly unlikely, the original was incredible. Though controversial, it did a perfect job of setting up Makarov as an antagonist players wanted to bring down, showing the horrors he was capable of firsthand. Being able to refrain from shooting was a smart move on the part of the developers, as was the decision to make such a dark mission skippable for those that did not have the stomach for it.
No Russian sees gunmen armed with LMGs tearing through an airport, killing dozens of innocent civilians. From the NPCs crawling away and begging for help to babies crying in No Russian, Infinity Ward does not pull any punches, and the campaign is better for it. While players control an undercover American agent hoping to apprehend Makarov, they are caught, killed, and framed by the villain - something that goes on to spark World War 3.
Cliffhanger
One of the most well known missions in the Call of Duty franchise, Cliffhanger takes players to some snowy mountains and pairs them up with Soap MacTavish - the protagonist from the original Modern Warfare. The mission’s ice climbing section is thrilling and different from anything else in the franchise, doing a fine job of highlighting that players are part of an elite special forces team. While Soap saving Roach from his fall after the climb is an iconic visual, it is far from the only highlight of this mission.
Alongside some neat stealth sections where players time their shots with Soap to take down enemies, or cover their tracks by sneaking through a snowstorm, the mission ends with an incredible snowmobile ride. While gunning down other snowmobile riders with G18s and zooming down a cliff to make a jump to another mountain was thrilling, something like this mission is also unlikely to appear in the new game. Since the rebooted Modern Warfare universe is more grounded, something like Cliffhanger would be a bit too over the top, though it remains a terrific mission.
Second Sun and Whiskey Hotel
Nothing like this pair of missions should be expected from the new Modern Warfare 2 either, though they did serve as major highlights from the 2009 game’s campaign. Second Sun focuses on Ramirez and his team surviving by a crashed helicopter, gunning down enemies until they completely run out of ammo. When all hope seems lost, a missile hits an international space station, causing an EMP that gives Ramirez’ group a chance to keep fighting.
The following mission, Whiskey Hotel, provides one of the most unique settings in a Call of Duty campaign. This is because players get to fight around and inside the White House, battling it out through the most important building in the entirety of the United States. The greatest strength of the old Modern Warfare games was the use of multiple protagonists, as players got to fight all around the globe. With Modern Warfare 2019 continuing the trend, and Task Force 141 now together, this mechanic will surely be used once again. As such, a moment like Second Sun where a few stories merge is a possibility, even if a return to the White House is a pipe dream.
The Gulag
Though Captain Price will seemingly be fighting alongside Task Force 141 from the start of the new Modern Warfare 2, and has no reason to be rescued, this type of mission could be a fun way to recruit another Task Force 141 member. Having Soap be rescued by Price could be a fun reversal of the original mission, though Alex could be an even better candidate. While he returns in Modern Warfare’s Warzone story with a prosthetic leg, he was left behind Russian lines at the end of the Modern Warfare 2019 campaign. As such, a flashback mission where he is shown being rescued from a gulag could be a nice way to provide context for his return while doubling as a nod to the original MW2.
Loose Ends
Two of the most tragic deaths in the Call of Duty series occur during the Loose Ends mission, as both Ghost and Roach are betrayed by General Shepherd. Fortunately, it seems like fans do not have to worry about this same betrayal taking place in the upcoming campaign. Ghost seems to be the main focus of the marketing, so it seems like he will be a big focus of the campaign instead of a side character that gets killed off. Further, not only is Roach unconfirmed for the new MW2, but General Shepherd might not feature as the villain. While he was name-dropped in the final cutscene of Modern Warfare 2019, it is unclear if he will appear, or if he will even be a traitor within the new universe. Even if a betrayal like Loose Ends happens, it would likely feature different participants.
The Museum
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 featured a unique bonus for completing the campaign, as players could explore a museum with various exhibits depicting the various areas and levels. Nearly every weapon featured in the campaign could be picked up, and the press of a button saw the exhibits coming to life and attacking the player. Seeing something like this at the end of the rebooted Modern Warfare 2 would be a fun nod to the past that also allows players to look back on the highlights of the new campaign.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 launches on October 28.