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COD:MW2 impressions (no spoilers)

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Andrew

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Nov 10, 2009, 12:18:25 AM11/10/09
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Just had the pleasure of playing the first 4 missions of COD:MW2, it
is a great game. The gameplay mechanics are like the previous games,
so if you liked COD4 you will be all over this. It has obviously had a
lot of work put into it, there is a lot more going on graphically
which really adds to the atmosphere, it grabs you from the start of
the game. I think this will steal my GOTY nomination from Batman.
--
Andrew, contact via http://interpleb.googlepages.com
Help make Usenet a better place: English is read downwards,
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Andrew MacPherson

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Nov 10, 2009, 3:59:00 AM11/10/09
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spam...@127.0.0.1 (Andrew) wrote:

> Just had the pleasure of playing the first 4 missions of COD:MW2, it
> is a great game.

In that case the schools around here are going to be empty today. Last night at
work I nearly lost the will to live (and definitely to game) when I saw the freaky
assortment of far-too-young children and far-too old adults (who ought to know
better) queued up for more than two hours to get the chance to buy one of the 100
copies (for each 'flavour' of release) we had in the store.

And at 1 minute past midnight the store manager had to call the police when the
queuing system broke down immediately and threatened to get as ugly as the queue
itself.

All in all it was a pretty depressing experience watching that. At least when
similar things happened at Harry Potter book launches (no police required though) I
could console myself with the thought that kids were excited about something as
ultimately wonderful as a book.

Much though I enjoy (some) gaming, and will certainly pick up MW2 when the price
drops, I can't conceive of there ever being any piece of software I'd queue for.
Except maybe Tornado2 if the ghost of flight sims past was to visit one Xmas.

Andrew McP

Andrew

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Nov 10, 2009, 11:13:53 AM11/10/09
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On Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:59 +0000 (GMT Standard Time),
mcp.a...@DELETTHISgmail.com (Andrew MacPherson) wrote:

>In that case the schools around here are going to be empty today. Last night at
>work I nearly lost the will to live (and definitely to game) when I saw the freaky
>assortment of far-too-young children and far-too old adults (who ought to know
>better) queued up for more than two hours to get the chance to buy one of the 100
>copies (for each 'flavour' of release) we had in the store.
>
>And at 1 minute past midnight the store manager had to call the police when the
>queuing system broke down immediately and threatened to get as ugly as the queue
>itself.
>
>All in all it was a pretty depressing experience watching that. At least when
>similar things happened at Harry Potter book launches (no police required though) I
>could console myself with the thought that kids were excited about something as
>ultimately wonderful as a book.
>
>Much though I enjoy (some) gaming, and will certainly pick up MW2 when the price
>drops, I can't conceive of there ever being any piece of software I'd queue for.
>Except maybe Tornado2 if the ghost of flight sims past was to visit one Xmas.

I got it for a reduced price as I preordered it months ago before the
final price was known, and I got it in the post the day before
release, so I got best of both worlds :-)

Clay Cahill

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Nov 11, 2009, 3:51:03 AM11/11/09
to
I heard that Andrew <spam...@127.0.0.1> said:

>Just had the pleasure of playing the first 4 missions of COD:MW2, it
>is a great game. The gameplay mechanics are like the previous games,
>so if you liked COD4 you will be all over this. It has obviously had a
>lot of work put into it, there is a lot more going on graphically
>which really adds to the atmosphere, it grabs you from the start of
>the game. I think this will steal my GOTY nomination from Batman.

Really? With no save games (just the ported checkpoint system) and no
select fire switch for weapons that should have them (just full rock
'n roll at all times)? I mean, yeah, it looks nice and the story is
some what interesting, but GOTY? It just seems like more of the same
that we got out of COD:4 with not much innovation... in fact it seems
to take a step back by being even more constrained and rail
shooteresque than ever before.

Andrew

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Nov 11, 2009, 12:42:28 PM11/11/09
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On Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:51:03 -0800, Clay Cahill <caca...@pacbell.net>
wrote:

>Really? With no save games (just the ported checkpoint system) and no
>select fire switch for weapons that should have them (just full rock
>'n roll at all times)? I mean, yeah, it looks nice and the story is
>some what interesting, but GOTY? It just seems like more of the same
>that we got out of COD:4 with not much innovation... in fact it seems
>to take a step back by being even more constrained and rail
>shooteresque than ever before.

It has the same save system that has been in all the other COD games
and worked perfectly well all these years.

As COD4 would have been my GOTY if I had had the sense to buy it in
the year it was release, and this is on par then there is no reason
for this not to be a strong GOTY contender - will make up my mind when
I finish it.

Mr Rob

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Nov 11, 2009, 5:35:42 PM11/11/09
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On Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:42:28 +0000, Andrew <spam...@127.0.0.1> wrote:

>It has the same save system that has been in all the other COD games
>and worked perfectly well all these years.

I must admit that my attitude towards games that don't have a save
anywhere function has softened. Either checkpoints are now more
intelligently placed, or I've managed to wean myself off of the
"crutch" of being able to save at anytime.

I can't say that any recent game has left me cursing the lack of save
anywhere, and COD4 / World at War were both very manageable with
checkpoints.

>As COD4 would have been my GOTY if I had had the sense to buy it in
>the year it was release, and this is on par then there is no reason
>for this not to be a strong GOTY contender - will make up my mind when
>I finish it.

I really don't know what to nominate as a GOTY for myself. It's been a
craptastic year for the type of game that I prefer. I suppose Riddick:
Dark Athena was a more than decent game, but it wasn't spectacular or
particularly memorable.

Borderlands is very good, it could be great, but it is just missing
that certain something that would make it a classic. It needs a deeper
online game. It needs a player stash and an economy. I guess it really
needs to be an MMO instead of a single player game with co-op
multiplayer.

I haven't played more than 15 minutes of MW2, but so far, I don't get
any sense that it's going to mesmerize me. It's going to be good for
sure. I'm not sure about great though.


--
Rob

Clay Cahill

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Nov 11, 2009, 7:37:06 PM11/11/09
to
I heard that Mr Rob <noemail...@jsjsaiiowppw.com> said:

>On Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:42:28 +0000, Andrew <spam...@127.0.0.1> wrote:
>
>>It has the same save system that has been in all the other COD games
>>and worked perfectly well all these years.
>
>I must admit that my attitude towards games that don't have a save
>anywhere function has softened. Either checkpoints are now more
>intelligently placed, or I've managed to wean myself off of the
>"crutch" of being able to save at anytime.
>

True, true.. THough COD4's ability to save at the start of a mission
was helpful so that you don't have to sit through the intro again, but
I guess that's nitpicking.

>>As COD4 would have been my GOTY if I had had the sense to buy it in
>>the year it was release, and this is on par then there is no reason
>>for this not to be a strong GOTY contender - will make up my mind when
>>I finish it.

Well, like I said above, not having a working selector is annoying
enough not to give it any big medals. Add to that the console lockout
make it at best a good game, but not GOTY...

Ceowulf

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Nov 12, 2009, 10:04:51 AM11/12/09
to
Andrew wrote:
> Just had the pleasure of playing the first 4 missions of COD:MW2, it
> is a great game. The gameplay mechanics are like the previous games,
> so if you liked COD4 you will be all over this. It has obviously had a
> lot of work put into it, there is a lot more going on graphically
> which really adds to the atmosphere, it grabs you from the start of
> the game. I think this will steal my GOTY nomination from Batman.

The main problem with COD:MW2 for most Oceanic users is the lack of
dedicated servers.

What's been happening is this:

We're playing along with all our pings in the green (since it's hosted
on a players box in Australia), then an American will join.

Almost instantly the host will be change to his machine. Bang, we all
have latency in the red = everyone quits in disgust to try to make
another game.

Repeat.

This has been happening _constantly_ to the few mates I know who jumped
the gun and got it via pre-order. They've warned me and many others off
of it until we can sort out our own private dedicated server at the very
least.

Anyway, I don't expect anyone from America to give a rats arse about it
since it doesn't affect them since most yanks traditionally have cable,
but it's a huge downer since it's a heavily awaited game for many of us.

Ceo-

KCB

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Nov 12, 2009, 5:39:37 PM11/12/09
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"Ceowulf" <noneed...@askifyou.do> wrote in message
news:AMSdndfyqay8uWHX...@westnet.com.au...

> Andrew wrote:
>> Just had the pleasure of playing the first 4 missions of COD:MW2, it
>> is a great game. The gameplay mechanics are like the previous games,
>> so if you liked COD4 you will be all over this. It has obviously had a
>> lot of work put into it, there is a lot more going on graphically
>> which really adds to the atmosphere, it grabs you from the start of
>> the game. I think this will steal my GOTY nomination from Batman.
>
> The main problem with COD:MW2 for most Oceanic users is the lack of
> dedicated servers.
>
> What's been happening is this:
>
> We're playing along with all our pings in the green (since it's hosted on
> a players box in Australia), then an American will join.
>
> Almost instantly the host will be change to his machine. Bang, we all have
> latency in the red = everyone quits in disgust to try to make another
> game.
>
> Repeat.
>
> This has been happening _constantly_ to the few mates I know who jumped
> the gun and got it via pre-order. They've warned me and many others off of
> it until we can sort out our own private dedicated server at the very
> least.

I guess you haven't seen the 4,649 posts (in this very newsgroup) about NO
DEDICATED SERVERS FOR COD:MW2.

Search for the thread "CoD:MW2 - No dedicated servers", among others. There
are various links to articles explaining.


Sleepy

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Nov 13, 2009, 6:26:11 AM11/13/09
to

"Andrew" <spam...@127.0.0.1> wrote in message
news:dethf5dqre79btbe9...@4ax.com...

Its very energetic and graphically appealing but its a heavily scripted
on-the-rails (and short)
shooter. Just like all Call of Duty games I dont feel in control at any
point - I move when and where
the game wants me to move and shoot when I have to. The only reason to give
this a GOTY award
is if there's fuck all else to give it to - or you've had a lobotomy.

Just out of interest - Im giving the multiplayer a try and Im a bit confused
by all the radio messages.
(Didnt play any COD 4 online) Can any kind soul explain the bonuses and
warnings 'UAV' 'drops' 'radar offline'
etc ...

I can hold my own as far as killing opponents is concerned but theres a
whole load of extra tactical stuff that
Im not getting.

KCB

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Nov 13, 2009, 8:35:11 PM11/13/09
to

"Sleepy" <nos...@here.com> wrote in message
news:znbLm.25$C6...@newsfe08.ams2...

Here's a pretty good primer for multiplayer:
http://callofduty.wikia.com/wiki/Call_of_Duty:_Modern_Warfare_2_Multiplayer


Andrew

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Nov 14, 2009, 2:48:31 AM11/14/09
to
On Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:35:42 +0000, Mr Rob
<noemail...@jsjsaiiowppw.com> wrote:

>I haven't played more than 15 minutes of MW2, but so far, I don't get
>any sense that it's going to mesmerize me. It's going to be good for
>sure. I'm not sure about great though.

I have just finished the SP game, after 6.25 hours, and have mixed
feelings. I loved COD4 and have many happy memories of it. MW2 however
is memorable, but for mostly negative reasons due to its much darker
storyline. Overall I much preferred COD4, and as for this years GOTY,
I will have to think about it some more.

Nostromo

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Nov 14, 2009, 3:25:35 AM11/14/09
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Thus spake Andrew <spam...@127.0.0.1>, Sat, 14 Nov 2009 07:48:31 +0000,
Anno Domini:

>On Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:35:42 +0000, Mr Rob
><noemail...@jsjsaiiowppw.com> wrote:
>
>>I haven't played more than 15 minutes of MW2, but so far, I don't get
>>any sense that it's going to mesmerize me. It's going to be good for
>>sure. I'm not sure about great though.
>
>I have just finished the SP game, after 6.25 hours, and have mixed
>feelings. I loved COD4 and have many happy memories of it. MW2 however
>is memorable, but for mostly negative reasons due to its much darker
>storyline. Overall I much preferred COD4, and as for this years GOTY,
>I will have to think about it some more.

Ok, so basically stay the hell away if you're mainly interested in the SP
game? I don't know WTF went wrong with those devs...after gems like MOHAA
(formerly 2015 dev studio), to COD1/2 (as Infinity Ward)...all long-ish,
highly immersive, eminently playable WWII shooters...to COD4 & now this,
modern blink shooters. You blink, it's over. I mean, AU$90 for just over 6
hrs? Are they serious??? WTF people!? I've played longer fps demos/shareware
in recent years lol! I guess kids out there just haven't learned how to play
alone...they have to be twitching & ganking while killing 'real' people to
get a 'pure' gaming experience, or some shit? Bleh. I (use to) love multi
online shooters as much as the next guy, but I don't want to be sold a SP
carrot wrapped in a multi lie. In fact, how much gameplay do they claim on
the box lol?
Is there any fps dev these days who concentrates on the SP experience first
& foremost, with multi bolted on as am extra, ala Crytek & Croteam? Even
FarCry went off the rails when it was developed by a diff mob & they
obviously tried to pander to the multi/online crowd with much of the
gameplay & mechanics. Who is left? ID are long over, Unreal...? Bioshock was
awesome, though very unconventional, Dead Space barely a shooter; I didn't
mind Timeshift (must finish it) & I loved RTCW all those years ago but
Wolfenstein is very formulaic (of the few hours I played it), again
something just 'missing' from the SP experience. Is there any hope left for
us SP shooter fans? *sigh*

--
Nostromo

Sleepy

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Nov 14, 2009, 6:28:22 AM11/14/09
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"KCB" <bcg...@hootmail.com> wrote in message
news:hdl1go$5sj$1...@news.eternal-september.org...

thanks

Andrew

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Nov 14, 2009, 6:31:48 AM11/14/09
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On Sat, 14 Nov 2009 19:25:35 +1100, Nostromo <nos...@forme.org> wrote:

>Ok, so basically stay the hell away if you're mainly interested in the SP

>game? <snip>

I didn't say that at all, but as it sounds like you needed to vent, I
am glad you let it out.

Nostromo

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Nov 14, 2009, 7:18:27 PM11/14/09
to
Thus spake Andrew <spam...@127.0.0.1>, Sat, 14 Nov 2009 11:31:48 +0000,
Anno Domini:

>On Sat, 14 Nov 2009 19:25:35 +1100, Nostromo <nos...@forme.org> wrote:
>
>>Ok, so basically stay the hell away if you're mainly interested in the SP
>>game? <snip>
>
>I didn't say that at all, but as it sounds like you needed to vent, I
>am glad you let it out.

Well, who would recommend a SP shooter for AU$90 (*especially* at the
current exchange rates where we're almost 1:1 with the US!), for only
6.25hrs of gameplay....? :-/ You might as well have said "SP players need
not bother with this understuffed turkey".

--
Nostromo

Orphus

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Nov 14, 2009, 8:26:45 PM11/14/09
to

You guys have to pay $90 for games? Boy they are really making the
island of drunkard criminals pay for their genetic past aren't they?

Andrew

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Nov 15, 2009, 1:00:11 AM11/15/09
to
On Sun, 15 Nov 2009 11:18:27 +1100, Nostromo <nos...@forme.org> wrote:

>Well, who would recommend a SP shooter for AU$90 (*especially* at the
>current exchange rates where we're almost 1:1 with the US!), for only
>6.25hrs of gameplay....? :-/ You might as well have said "SP players need
>not bother with this understuffed turkey".

Now I have finished the SP game, I will be attempting to play through
the Special Ops mode which has loads of additional SP or co-op if you
want missions, which will give me as much gameplay time as the SP
game, plus I will be playing the SP game again at some stage.

I paid the equivalent of AU$45 for my retail copy in the UK for which
I will get around 20 hours of gameplay, even if I don't play MP, which
is fine by me. The $/gaming hour issue is a personal one that depends
on your income and personal gaming tastes and values.

Sean Black

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Nov 16, 2009, 9:30:06 AM11/16/09
to
In article <gg5vf5lqdqqqdffv2...@4ax.com>, Andrew
<spam...@127.0.0.1> writes

>On Sun, 15 Nov 2009 11:18:27 +1100, Nostromo <nos...@forme.org> wrote:
>
>>Well, who would recommend a SP shooter for AU$90 (*especially* at the
>>current exchange rates where we're almost 1:1 with the US!), for only
>>6.25hrs of gameplay....? :-/ You might as well have said "SP players need
>>not bother with this understuffed turkey".
>
>Now I have finished the SP game, I will be attempting to play through
>the Special Ops mode which has loads of additional SP or co-op if you
>want missions, which will give me as much gameplay time as the SP
>game, plus I will be playing the SP game again at some stage.
>
>I paid the equivalent of AU$45 for my retail copy in the UK for which
>I will get around 20 hours of gameplay, even if I don't play MP, which
>is fine by me. The $/gaming hour issue is a personal one that depends
>on your income and personal gaming tastes and values.

Paid �32 (approx US$53 or AU$57) for mine, already had more than my
moneys worth thanks to cheap supermarket deals. RRP was approx US$91 or
AU$99 which was quite ridiculous. I wouldn't have bothered with it at
full price.
--
Sean Black

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