The Call of Duty series has always set the standard when it comes to action-packed first person shooters. The latest in the series, the eagerly anticipated Modern Warfare 2, is no different.

The game’s predecessor, the first Modern Warfare, was one of the critically acclaimed shooters of all time. So when producers Infinity Ward announced a sequel, it brewed a raging storm of anticipation and intense media scrutiny. It would have been difficult for even the best made game to perform admirably under all the pressure.

Luckily for fans of the series, Modern Warfare 2 lives up to the hype. The single player campaign is stuffed full of drama, action and intense set-pieces. It is tied together by an enthralling storyline. The online multiplayer options are vast and unique, bringing players together from all over the globe to celebrate their love of shoot-outs and blowing things up.

The single player campaign is very short. Even on the hardened difficulty levels it should only take you about 5 hours to complete. Although it is disappointing that it isn’t longer, the campaign will have you completely immersed in non-stop action. The environments are varied with the storyline taking players from Afghanistan to Brazil and it even takes the fight to the mean streets of Washington D.C.

These environments are functional at best. They won’t compare to the stunning beauty of other games on the market, such as Assassin’s Creed 2. However this matters little as you rarely have time to stop and take it in. Action is what Call of Duty series does best and the game reflects this with intense (sometimes bordering on the insane) shoot-outs. To balance his there are some more casual set-pieces such as a snowmobile race and a rock-climbing segment.

The story is engrossing but it is guilty of being clumsy and muddled at times. You will play as several different soldiers throughout the campaign. The story switches from one side of the globe to the other instantly in order to fit in as many varied environments as possible. This can cause confusion at points as you struggle to remember which character you are playing as.

Despite this awkwardness, Modern Warfare 2 achieves what a lot of games do not. It forces you to emphasise with the characters you fight alongside. As you battle through swarms of adversaries you find yourself saddened if one of them drops to the ground in death. At times I found myself swearing vengeance as the story unravelled and the double-crossings and the backstabbers became evident.

The gameplay is hard to fault. The controls are sharp and responsive. Shooting feels as realistic as it could without actually having the weapon in your hand. Realism is improved over the last game; now it will recognise the difference between shooting your opponent in the leg or the torso and will react appropriately. You will know when you have been shot and need to get to cover by the blood spatters on the screen. These can be annoying, however, as they restrict vision just a little too much.

Most players will be fine with the short campaign length when they realise where the fun is really at. The online multiplayer mode is Modern Warfare 2’s ace in the hole. It has an improved interface over the original and there aren’t the same issues with finding a working server like those that dogged the first game.

The multiplayer focuses on team combat with game modes such as Team Deathmatch, Capture the Flag and Bomb Demolition. As players spend more time in multiplayer and their skills progress they can unlock more weaponry and perks. This progression makes it too easy to spend hours playing and upgrading your character, especially with (or against) a few friends.

However for the more inexperienced players the multiplayer mode can be more than a little daunting. With up to 18 players at a time the gameplay can be hectic and unless you’re really on your game you could find yourself being endlessly killed. This problem is compounded by some of the perks that are unlocked as you progress further into the game.

Attack helicopters, heat-seeking missiles and even nuclear bombs can be utilised against opponents, depending on how many kills you get during a game. Again for the more casual gamer, these are just more ways to die without getting a fair run, which can be extremely frustrating. Even with all this going on around you, the game still tends to border on the good side of frantic.

Overall this game is a must buy for shooter fans but it still has a lot to offer for the more casual gamer. Despite being muddled at times the story draws you in. The visuals and sound quality are top notch. The multiplayer experience is immaculate. This game was going to have to work very hard to live up to all the hype; luckily enough, Infinity Ward have pulled it off again.