Second Sun - I enjoyed this level quite a bit. In the beginning, it's almost as if you're the last squad alive - you're looking out for both friends and foe. Fighting in the dark was intense, especially on Veteran. Leads up quite well to the next level.
Whiskey Hotel - A continuation of Second Sun. I enjoyed the urgency of having to run up those stairs to signal the flares on time. I'm kinda sad the game wouldn't let you jump off lol.
Loose Ends - Oh man, this level. The betrayal was heartbreaking. I haven't played the first Modern Warfare (yeah, yeah I'm getting to it), so I can't compare the twists in this one to that one. After repeatedly dying in the house and running to the chopper, once I got to the end, I felt a sense of accomplishment (although ghost ended up dragging me...). Especially on Vet, it got quite intense at times. That feeling was immediately shattered, however, once Shepard decided to plant one in me. And light Ghost and I on fire. That bastard.
I believe the twist worked quite well, since for me it refreshed the story a bit. Now I had a new, clear objective to seek out - Kill Shepard!
@Sonyphonics: I'm curious why you were so quick to seek vengeance on Shepard though. Obviously Makarov is still a bad guy, and we don't know about any possible connection between him and Shepard yet.
The game does have a very obvious theme of revenge that they like to push whenever they can. From the Russians avenging the airport, to American's pissed about the invasion, to Price taking out his frustration with a reckless Nuke Plan, to the constant threats of "we gotta get back at Makarov".
Unfortunately they will be limited to 18 cars on the track per race. Don't worry, you don't have to qualify or anything, they'll use their fantastic matchmaking system to select the drivers and set everything up for you.
There also won't be passing. This race wasn't balanced for passing.
Also, at the start of the race the drivers will have the opportunity to mow down a crowd of unsuspecting fans. It's completely optional, you may skip it if you wish.
@jeebus_unit: Naw, lightweight is that tier 2 perk. I haven't gotten the bud leaf symbol, so I'm not quite sure how to get it. Check the MW2 Wiki or something, I think they have posted a list of titles/symbols they've discovered.
Whiskey Hotel was really cool just seeing the results of the EMP blast and fighting in the destroyed D.C.
Gameplay wise Loose Ends was an intense level with the wave defense. I wish I had some more help in that section which I'm sure is better in Spec Ops. The twist at the end really caught me off-guard. I wasn't expecting it at all and didn't fully understand the Betrayal until my second playthrough of the game.
I really do think Ghost is Gaz though. Although I don't know how Soap ended up out Ranking him.
@Kapwan: I thought that Gaz and Ghost were the same person too, until Kotaku posted a story explaining that they were voiced by the same person, Craig Fairbrass. (Clifhanger, last phew episodes of Stargate SG1, and Eastenders)
@2SBs: Thanks for the compliments. I still wonder about the connection though. Why would IW higher the same voice actor for two different characters that have essentially the same role in both games.
In comparison to the first modern warfare, the plot twists follow closely in execution, style, and content. I believe that the end of the gulag mission is a perfect example of this. My jaw hit the floor when we saw prisoner #627. I fail to see how second sun contributed to the plot twists since second sun really didn't make an impact on the game as a whole. On the other hand, whisky hotel was great. I didn't expect an event of that magnitude to impact both sides of the conflict.
I loved the loose ends level. Reminiscent of the one shot, one kill level, but not as hectic since you had the assistance of an entire team and the enemy was coming from all directions instead of directly from you 12 o'clock. Multiple entry points into the house made the level extremely complex and makes me excited to play this one on veteran.
@GearsCT: That's very interesting. I realized that if you hang out near the large bay windows, further away from the computers, you can hang out and pick off combatants since the flashbangs won't affect you from that distance. Also, you can see each person from each of the 3 entrypoints (side, front door, and back entrance)
Considering how loose the story is, I don't really think any of the twists were really good. Sure I was shocked when the general shot me, but I wasn't invested enough in the story to figure out why. And considering the game doesn't explain a lot of things, I'm still confused about a lot of them. More like just one (this one), but still.
You really take control of too many different people to be able to follow it well unless you really pay attention/are invested in the story heavily.
@crabperson really wants Uncharted 2: Trust me... even if you followed the story carefully it made as much sense as a naked midget playing violin inside a banana.
@TowMe: Indeed. The perfect example is when the general shot you. Why? No, seriously, why? You did the job he asked you to do. He had ABSOLUTELY no reason to kill you. If he'd just been like "thanks, now we'll send some SEALs to go kill Makarov, good work, have some R&R," Roach and crew would have been none the wiser.
There are plenty other examples of really dumb twists, too. They were trying too hard to create Hollywood moments, and basic LOGIC, let alone quality writing, went out the window.
Dangeresque (Kojima-san doesn't have to make Metal Gear any more) was starred
Dangeresque (Kojima-san doesn't have to make Metal Gear any more) was unstarred
@TowMe: I honestly have no idea why Shepard killed Ghost and Ramirez. I didn't feel like they found out anything worth being killed for. It was seemingly random.
But when he was pouring the gas on Ghost, I was heartbroken. It made me lose all sense of hope we were going to make it out.
@MonkeyBiz: Yea I thought there was going to be someone to rescue us (since you could still see what they were doing), but when they threw the gasoline on, I was like: "Really, I just died? Did I do something wrong?"
I think this is the first time thus far in MW2 game club that I have actually enjoyed ALL of the levels up for discussion.
At the end of Loose Ends I have to say that betrayal was intense, I was struggling for my life and was happy to see the chopper to get me the heck out of there, with Ghost pulling me along making sure I would get out alive, you know, watching out for me.
And as "I'm going to make it" came over me as Shepard approached to "help" BAM! Shepard shoots me. The emotion evoked in me was I imagine what IW was aiming for. a mix of "wtf?! "you son of a bitch!" and "Nooo!"
And it was awful as you see Ghost say "no!" as I get shot, then get shot himself a moment later.
Also the sinking feeling I got when I was lying on the ground and they tossed Ghost's body down next to me in slow-mo was incredibly depressing.
Then as Shepard approached with the cigar I thought "no...oh no..hes not going to--"
Before I knew it flames engufled Roach and Ghost burning them alive.
At this point I really wanted to kill Shepard. I nearly forgot about Makarov and I just REALLY wanted to kill Shepard.
@DetectiveMan: After seein Gaz shot in the back of the head in the first game I pretty much saw this coming. Pretty odd how those characters had the same voice too.
Perhaps, but in COD4 you knew Zakaev was out to kill you for sure, in MW2 I was suspicious of Shepard but I didn't see him outright killing Roach and Ghost coming.
this all being said i think it is all leading up to a second round at Stalingrad in the nest MW that would be a sight... the next Battle of Stalingrad MW style...
Second sun was like Stalingrad A.K.A D.C. it was amazing to see the U.S. capitol in ruins... I am a proud american but it was good to see our ass get handed in such a visceral way... tattered hands, last clip, final stand... until Mr. Price's ridiculous firefighting techniques... running from a rain of metal and destruction... mans reliance on technology to make war becoming obsolete, reverting to old methods of war and almost shooting a man because he never identifies himself...
Ironsights and wide eyes are the flavor of the level... I loved the scene where you come upon the fellow stuck in the APC hilarious... the scene where foley goes bad ass and throws the flare into the road to illuminate and surprise the others... pitch black firefights from 5 meters away in a cubicle this was all on veteran and it was fucking awesome... needless to say I loved this level...
Whiskey Hotel was awesome... more of the same I really enjoyed the score throughout the rush to the top but it was more of the same as Second Sun... assaulting the presidents home...
P.O.ed about this level... I didn't want to see Ghost or myself die... damn it shepard your a broken man... they should made his ass retire after the nuke destroyed his first army... asshole... It was standard call of duty right up until the lighting me on fire and the other U.S. troops being ok with it... Were those other 141's then the U.S. 141 are not to be trusted and I now find myself hating my own people...
Shepard is a broken man with motives of revenge... I didn't see the need to kill off the S.A.S. members they might have actually sympathized with him if he had let them in on the loop... one thing I don't understand did he give Makarov the ACS? to start the war with Russia? did he inform Makarov of
Foley within their cadre at the airport?
one thing I don't understand did he give Makarov the ACS? to start the war with Russia? did he inform Makarov of
Foley within their cadre at the airport?
1) Probably.
2) Most definitely.
3) May assumption is the dead guy in the house in DC suburb was their intermediary.
I did not see the twist comming. I thought it added to the story, but also suspected it was a bit "PC". Can't just make the US/UK look like the herioc good guys while making all of the bad guys non-Western. So show there are bad guys over here as well.
Well, that's my suspicion at least.
Other than that, I enjoyed the defense part. So much of FPS games are about attacking enemy encampments or progressing through heavily defended corridors. It's nice to change the pace ocassionally. It allows for a chance to think not "how can I attack something," but, "how can I defend it."
I got stuck in the house during Loose Ends. Pinned down by fire and unable to get ahead of the waves of enemies. The game also autosaved me in some odd situations, with baddies coming from multiple directions and only seconds away. At least they almost always did the same thing each time.
Slogging my way through that, only to get shot in the head and set on fire by my supposed rescue was easily the most annoying part of that game.
I've heard different theories, but I'm wondering if there is any consensus yet: Was Makarov working for Shepard the whole time?
@Yonderboy: I believe Markaov and Shephard were in on it together, for different reasons. They basically used one another, although Shephard decides that he needs to take out all of his "loose ends," which include Roach and Ghost and presumably Makarov himself.
@Yonderboy: Makarov, being a sympathizer of Zakhaev, wanted chaos in America. Shepard was pissed by how the U.S. government "just fuckin' watched" after Zakhaev's nuclear strike in the first game, and wanted complete control over the Army and a blank check.
So Shepard helps Makarov get his war: he places Joseph Allen in Makarov's unit, telling Allen that he'll be an undercover operative, when really he and Makarov want Allen- and thus, America as a whole- to take the fall for one of Makarov's terrorist actions. Relations between the U.S. and Russia are strained because of the first game, and Zakhaev's death has made Russia believe that the U.S. is planning an attack on them. Allen's corpse makes it look like the U.S. is attacking Russia, and they take action- an assault on America.
Makarov gets his war and Shepard gets his blank check, but Shepard wants to be seen as a hero. He has Task Force 141 collect Makarov's hard drive, containing any and all evidence that could convict him, and kills the 141 agents who got the drive so that there could be no evidence linking him to the crime. At the same time, he sets up a deal with Makarov that is actually a trap- he now wants to kill Makarov so that he can't speak out about Shepard's crimes.
Second Sun and Whiskey Hotel were amazing to me. The whole EMP scenario blew my mind. The second time I played through I ran around looking at the sky and things eventually dropped on me.
I thought the territory-defense of Loose Ends was far more fun than that of COD4 at the ferris wheel in chernobyl.
The twist at the end of Loose Ends was very unexpected, and I really liked it, minus feeling incredibly helpless. It stood out as one of the better twists in recent memory.
In terms of spoilers: I don't see anywhere listed what the protocol is or is expected to be. And I thought these clubs were put together to allow people to talk about the spoilers so they are less inclined to throw them into all the other MW2 coverage.
12:55 AM
11/20/09
11/20/09
Whiskey Hotel - A continuation of Second Sun. I enjoyed the urgency of having to run up those stairs to signal the flares on time. I'm kinda sad the game wouldn't let you jump off lol.
Loose Ends - Oh man, this level. The betrayal was heartbreaking. I haven't played the first Modern Warfare (yeah, yeah I'm getting to it), so I can't compare the twists in this one to that one. After repeatedly dying in the house and running to the chopper, once I got to the end, I felt a sense of accomplishment (although ghost ended up dragging me...). Especially on Vet, it got quite intense at times. That feeling was immediately shattered, however, once Shepard decided to plant one in me. And light Ghost and I on fire. That bastard.
I believe the twist worked quite well, since for me it refreshed the story a bit. Now I had a new, clear objective to seek out - Kill Shepard!
11/20/09
The game does have a very obvious theme of revenge that they like to push whenever they can. From the Russians avenging the airport, to American's pissed about the invasion, to Price taking out his frustration with a reckless Nuke Plan, to the constant threats of "we gotta get back at Makarov".
11/20/09
There also won't be passing. This race wasn't balanced for passing.
Also, at the start of the race the drivers will have the opportunity to mow down a crowd of unsuspecting fans. It's completely optional, you may skip it if you wish.
I kid, I kid.
11/20/09
11/20/09
"Lightweight" perk symbol.
11/20/09
11/20/09
11/20/09
Gameplay wise Loose Ends was an intense level with the wave defense. I wish I had some more help in that section which I'm sure is better in Spec Ops. The twist at the end really caught me off-guard. I wasn't expecting it at all and didn't fully understand the Betrayal until my second playthrough of the game.
I really do think Ghost is Gaz though. Although I don't know how Soap ended up out Ranking him.
11/20/09
P.S.
Kim Kapwan rules!!!
+1 to you.
11/20/09
#speakup
11/20/09
I loved the loose ends level. Reminiscent of the one shot, one kill level, but not as hectic since you had the assistance of an entire team and the enemy was coming from all directions instead of directly from you 12 o'clock. Multiple entry points into the house made the level extremely complex and makes me excited to play this one on veteran.
11/20/09
This is the first level that has really challenged me on Veteran so far though, which I'm not sure is a good thing or not
11/20/09
11/20/09
You really take control of too many different people to be able to follow it well unless you really pay attention/are invested in the story heavily.
11/20/09
11/20/09
There are plenty other examples of really dumb twists, too. They were trying too hard to create Hollywood moments, and basic LOGIC, let alone quality writing, went out the window.
11/20/09
But when he was pouring the gas on Ghost, I was heartbroken. It made me lose all sense of hope we were going to make it out.
11/20/09
11/20/09
:thinks about it some more:
No, nevermind, I'm lost.
#speakup
11/20/09
An offer for a job or bribe would've been nice though, before the bullet/gas/fire.
11/20/09
At the end of Loose Ends I have to say that betrayal was intense, I was struggling for my life and was happy to see the chopper to get me the heck out of there, with Ghost pulling me along making sure I would get out alive, you know, watching out for me.
And as "I'm going to make it" came over me as Shepard approached to "help" BAM! Shepard shoots me. The emotion evoked in me was I imagine what IW was aiming for. a mix of "wtf?! "you son of a bitch!" and "Nooo!"
And it was awful as you see Ghost say "no!" as I get shot, then get shot himself a moment later.
Also the sinking feeling I got when I was lying on the ground and they tossed Ghost's body down next to me in slow-mo was incredibly depressing.
Then as Shepard approached with the cigar I thought "no...oh no..hes not going to--"
Before I knew it flames engufled Roach and Ghost burning them alive.
At this point I really wanted to kill Shepard. I nearly forgot about Makarov and I just REALLY wanted to kill Shepard.
11/20/09
11/20/09
#speakup
Perhaps, but in COD4 you knew Zakaev was out to kill you for sure, in MW2 I was suspicious of Shepard but I didn't see him outright killing Roach and Ghost coming.
11/20/09
09:35 AM
"Oh my God, they killed Gaz again!"
"YOU BASTARDS!"
11/20/09
11/20/09
Ironsights and wide eyes are the flavor of the level... I loved the scene where you come upon the fellow stuck in the APC hilarious... the scene where foley goes bad ass and throws the flare into the road to illuminate and surprise the others... pitch black firefights from 5 meters away in a cubicle this was all on veteran and it was fucking awesome... needless to say I loved this level...
Whiskey Hotel was awesome... more of the same I really enjoyed the score throughout the rush to the top but it was more of the same as Second Sun... assaulting the presidents home...
P.O.ed about this level... I didn't want to see Ghost or myself die... damn it shepard your a broken man... they should made his ass retire after the nuke destroyed his first army... asshole... It was standard call of duty right up until the lighting me on fire and the other U.S. troops being ok with it... Were those other 141's then the U.S. 141 are not to be trusted and I now find myself hating my own people...
Shepard is a broken man with motives of revenge... I didn't see the need to kill off the S.A.S. members they might have actually sympathized with him if he had let them in on the loop... one thing I don't understand did he give Makarov the ACS? to start the war with Russia? did he inform Makarov of
Foley within their cadre at the airport?
11/20/09
one thing I don't understand did he give Makarov the ACS? to start the war with Russia? did he inform Makarov of
Foley within their cadre at the airport?
1) Probably.
2) Most definitely.
3) May assumption is the dead guy in the house in DC suburb was their intermediary.
11/20/09
#speakup
11/20/09
Well, that's my suspicion at least.
Other than that, I enjoyed the defense part. So much of FPS games are about attacking enemy encampments or progressing through heavily defended corridors. It's nice to change the pace ocassionally. It allows for a chance to think not "how can I attack something," but, "how can I defend it."
11/20/09
Slogging my way through that, only to get shot in the head and set on fire by my supposed rescue was easily the most annoying part of that game.
I've heard different theories, but I'm wondering if there is any consensus yet: Was Makarov working for Shepard the whole time?
11/20/09
11/20/09
So Shepard helps Makarov get his war: he places Joseph Allen in Makarov's unit, telling Allen that he'll be an undercover operative, when really he and Makarov want Allen- and thus, America as a whole- to take the fall for one of Makarov's terrorist actions. Relations between the U.S. and Russia are strained because of the first game, and Zakhaev's death has made Russia believe that the U.S. is planning an attack on them. Allen's corpse makes it look like the U.S. is attacking Russia, and they take action- an assault on America.
Makarov gets his war and Shepard gets his blank check, but Shepard wants to be seen as a hero. He has Task Force 141 collect Makarov's hard drive, containing any and all evidence that could convict him, and kills the 141 agents who got the drive so that there could be no evidence linking him to the crime. At the same time, he sets up a deal with Makarov that is actually a trap- he now wants to kill Makarov so that he can't speak out about Shepard's crimes.
Whew.
11/20/09
11/20/09
11/20/09
A. I'm glad I could be helpful!
B. If you already beat the game, try it again now. You'll appreciate it a LOT more now that you have a feel for what's going on.
11/20/09
I thought the territory-defense of Loose Ends was far more fun than that of COD4 at the ferris wheel in chernobyl.
The twist at the end of Loose Ends was very unexpected, and I really liked it, minus feeling incredibly helpless. It stood out as one of the better twists in recent memory.
In terms of spoilers: I don't see anywhere listed what the protocol is or is expected to be. And I thought these clubs were put together to allow people to talk about the spoilers so they are less inclined to throw them into all the other MW2 coverage.