It’s almost time for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. No, not that one; we’re talking about the sequel to 2019’s Modern Warfare reboot that was announced by Infinity Ward and Activision recently. Rumours had swirled leading up to the announcement that the next major Call of Duty project would be a Modern Warfare sequel, and just before the Summer Game Fest kicked off, those rumours proved to be entirely correct. With that in mind, what do we actually know about Modern Warfare 2? How will it continue the story of Captain Price, Soap, and their squad, and what new gameplay features will it add? Here’s everything we know about Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2.
The Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 release date
First, let’s talk about when the game is launching. If you’re wondering when the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 release date is, you’re not alone; many gamers around the world are wondering when they’ll be able to get their hands on the game. As you might expect, the game is releasing this year; the Modern Warfare 2 release date is October 28th, so you’ll have plenty of time to get some practice in on the original Modern Warfare before you play the sequel.
Which platforms will Modern Warfare 2 be available on?
You’ll be able to play Modern Warfare 2 on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. A version of the game is also coming to PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, so if you’re still rocking a last-gen console, don’t worry; you won’t be left behind by the new Call of Duty game. We don’t know what kind of features the next-gen versions will sport or whether the last-gen versions will be hamstrung in any way, so we’ll likely have to play the game to discover that.
What new Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 gameplay elements will there be?
As you might expect, Activision and Infinity Ward are introducing new gameplay features to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. There’s a new AI system which will work across both single-player and co-op, as well as new water controls that will allow you to swim in certain areas. You’ll also find the vehicle system has been overhauled, so you should be able to drive and control vehicles more easily. In addition, the popular Gunsmith system has been reworked so that you can customise your weapon’s attachments in greater depth.
Will there be a Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 campaign?
After Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 launched without a campaign (and after EA’s Battlefield 2042 followed suit), you might be wondering if there will be a Modern Warfare 2 campaign. Happily, we can confirm that there will be. The single-player mode will once again follow Captain Price, Soap, and the other members of Task Force 141 as they travel the world to battle terrorists, drug cartels, and all kinds of other nefarious forces. Activision is promising brand new AI processes to make enemies smarter, so the campaign should be worth your time even if you’re not usually a single-player fan.
Will there be Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 zombies available?
Unfortunately, if you were hoping for a zombie-busting good time in Modern Warfare 2, you’re going to be disappointed. That’s because Infinity Ward and Activision have confirmed that there will be no Zombies mode in Modern Warfare 2. That doesn’t mean the mode won’t appear in the franchise again, of course, but it does mean that if you want your undead fix, you’re probably better off sticking with Vanguard for the time being. It makes sense; the 2019 Modern Warfare reboot also didn’t have a Zombies mode, after all.
Are there any Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 gameplay trailers yet?
As well as an initial reveal trailer, Activision has also released a gameplay trailer for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. It shows off the Dark Water level, which takes place on an oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico. You can see that trailer here. It depicts what looks to be a pretty classic Call of Duty campaign; the emphasis will be on realism rather than arcade-style floating health pickups or massively overpowered weaponry. The player is seen firing an assault rifle, throwing a grenade, and exploring what looks to be a gorgeous oil rig environment.
What new Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 multiplayer modes are there?
There will, indeed, be new multiplayer modes in Modern Warfare 2. First up, there’s the Knockout mode, which will see two teams with a limited number of lives attempting to secure a package. The new Prisoner Rescue mode combines tower defence with Call of Duty’s classic fast-paced shooter gameplay; one team must protect a prisoner and fortify their position, while the other team must extract that prisoner. Of course, we can also expect the return of many classic Call of Duty modes, including Domination, Search and Destroy, and all of your other favourites. The co-operative Special Ops mode, which sees players taking on a series of missions together, will also be present once again.
What engine is being used for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2?
Infinity Ward and Activision are once again using the IW engine for Modern Warfare 2, but this is a new version of the engine. According to the developers, there’s a new material system that’s based on real-world physics, as well as various other new technical details that should make your experience feel more realistic. Naturally, if you have a beautiful 4K TV, you can expect full HDR support from Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, plus volumetric lighting, a new geometry pipeline for the GPU, and other things that should make graphics nerds very happy indeed.
Will there also be a new version of Call of Duty: Warzone?
You might remember that not long after the launch of the 2019 Modern Warfare, Activision’s battle royale shooter Call of Duty: Warzone also arrived. The same will happen for Modern Warfare 2; Activision has officially unveiled Warzone 2.0, which will be a sequel to the original Warzone and will use the same engine as Modern Warfare 2. The developer is also looking into bringing the game to mobile, and a new anti-cheat system will launch alongside both games. It sounds like the Warzone 2.0 release date will also be October 28th, so you should look forward to that if you’re a big Call of Duty fan.