Multiplayer

This is what made PC gamers upset, and I have to say, they have reason to be. The game maxes out at 18 players—nine vs. nine—and instead of relying on dedicated servers, the game randomly assigns one of the players as the server during the match-making process.

It's like Xbox Live invaded your PC. This system is fine for consoles, but computer gamers aren't used to this lack of control over their experience. There is no way to decide who hosts the game, and there is no way to keep yourself from hosting if the system decides you're the best choice. You don't even see your ping, just how many bars you have showing the strength of your connection. That's frustrating when you're used to being able to see your specific ping.

If you want to play with your friends without "pubbies," you have to set up a private match, and, again, one of you will be selected to host the game. If that player quits, the game will pause for five seconds while another player is selected to serve as host. There is no way to upload maps, there is no way to modify the game outside of what the menu allows, and of course there is no console to tweak anything. It's odd to hit the tilde button and have nothing happen. Unless they change this system extensively, it doesn't seem like custom maps will be possible.

It's frustrating to feel so controlled and boxed in, but the game itself remains fun. You'll be leveling up and unlocking new weapons and perks, and the expanded Killstreak bonuses add a whole new level to the game. With just three kills in a row you'll be able to check out enemy positions using an unmanned vehicle; with 25 kills in a row you can drop a nuke and kill everyone on the board. In between those two options are 13 other bonuses that can turn the tide of battle rather quickly. There are also bonuses given if you die too often, which is a nice way to keep demoralized players from rage-quitting, but can make you feel... somewhat special.

The game ships with 16 maps, and eight game modes from Free-For-All to Demolition. You'll see Capture the Flag, Sabotage, Domination; these are all modes you've played before, but the sheer variety provides a great deal of replay value. The ability to level up and create a more powerful character through Perks and weapons also gives you more reason to stick with the game; earning points by killing people online can get very addictive very quickly. Thankfully, grenade spam does not to seem to have taken hold in the games I've been playing.

You'll be able to see who killed you and how via the kill cam, and everyone on the server gets to watch the last kill of the match, which can be a funny experience if something spectacular happened. Also, with the proper practice, riot shields used correctly can open some interesting doors. The person holding the shield can't fire, but can provide moving cover for someone else and bash people directly in front of them. In case you were bored with all the stuff you could unlock in the first Modern Warfare, you're in luck: there are more guns, more perks, more modifications to the weapons; you'll be grinding away happily for a long, long time.

There are also online playlists, such as 3rd Person Teams, that are only unlocked as you gain levels. If you were addicted to the online play of the original Modern Warfare, you'll find a lot to love here, and I have to admit I've been having a good time getting my ass kicked by 13-year-olds online. The problem is, quite simply, lag. Every time I get into a multiplayer game on the PC I find a few good servers where my ping is low, and make them my favorites. Here, there is no way to do that, and every game is going to have differing amounts of lag. Since the host changes so often, there is no way to make sure you get a consistent experience. This is what we'll miss with dedicated servers.

Without being able to set up a LAN or run a server with your own settings, the possibility of this game being embraced by competitive gamers is basically zero. Infinity Ward wants to bring the console online experience to the PC, and it certainly did that. The problem is that it comes with a host of problems that PC gamers are, understandably, upset about having to endure.

Are these things deal-breakers? That's up to you. Any complaints will probably fall on deaf ears, however, as the PC sales will be fraction of what the game enjoys on the consoles. The PC version of the game isn't bad. I only ran into one crash that I couldn't reproduce, the graphics look beautiful if you have a high-end system, and the mouse and keyboard are a much better way to control the game... it's simply the multiplayer system which is so unsatisfactory.

Special Ops

If you're looking for a more intimate online experience, the Special Ops missions are your answer. Invite a friend (the game notes that the player with the fastest CPU should host) and you take on a series of different challenges.

You'll be clearing the path for your friend from an elevated position, sniping targets, clearing out open areas and trying not to hit civilians; these are short blasts of gameplay that stress speed, precision, and teamwork. You'll need to communicate to earn the maximum number of stars, and your skills will certainly be put to the test.

These missions may seem like an afterthought between the single-player game and the wider multiplayer offerings, but with a good friend they are a surprising amount of fun. Many people are complaining about the short length of the single-player game, and the Special Ops missions certainly add a number of hours to the game. How many? That depends on how much of a perfectionist you are.

In conclusion

The early reviews of this game were conducted at a hotel under Activision's supervision, using the console version of the game. The launch party in New York featured the 360 version of the game. We were sent the Prestige Edition of the game the day of release for coverage. Very few people at the company seem to care that yes, there is a PC port of the game.

Well, we care, dammit. Call of Duty came from the PC gaming scene, and it was there that it was popularized. Yes, consoles are now the dominant form of gaming from a financial standpoint, but it's sad to see a game that has such a rich history on our favorite platform feel so neglected in its newest incarnation. The port of the single-player campaign is strong; the game looks, plays, and feels incredible on a capable gaming PC. The Special Ops missions are perfect if you're in the mood for a teeny-tiny LAN party (although of course you'll both need Steam accounts to play), but the multiplayer offerings feel like Infinity Ward is trying to cram a round peg into a square hole.

It's not what we're used to, it's not what we want, and the changes made to the online matchmaking set-up and lack of dedicated servers negatively change the online experience. It's just that simple.

There is no easy verdict here, but I'm going to say skip the PC version. Why? The single-player is over quickly. The Special Ops missions are great but there are better co-op games out there. The multiplayer is going to be huge on consoles, but on the PC it's just crippled. There is a lot of fun to be had here, but there are way better ways to spend your money, especially with the $60 price.

The Good

Strong, disturbing single-player game

Looks, plays great on the PC

Killstreaks in multiplayer are a great addition

Online play is still addictive

Good selection of maps and game modes

Special Ops missions extend the life of the game, great with a friend online

The Bad

Single-player is over quickly

The actual story is a little bit on the paranoid, gun-porn side of things

Console-style online play on the PC

$60 for a PC release? No thanks, guys

Both the company and retailers barely seems to care about the PC version

The Ugly

Huge design problems with the multiplayer version

The game is already in the expected places. PC gamers will feel spurned and pirate, and Activision will claim they don't support the PC better because of piracy

Verdict: Skip