Final Verdict

Call of Duty 2 in many ways can be criticized for changing less in the formula than the Call of Duty expansion pack did, but then you face the question: what else would you change? It’s just that damn good. Yeah, we’ve fought World War II several times over by now and each of us have killed enough virtual Germans to have them appealing for help from the UN, but there’s no denying that the subject matter remains compelling despite being worn several times.

And compelling is barely adequate to describe the feeling as you’re gritting your teeth and trying to find a new way to assault that strongpoint at the highest difficulty levels – grenades gone, no squadmates in sight and an MG42 trained on you. The visuals, the sound, the yelling and screaming and the rain or dust storms just suck you right back in.

Though I love it dearly, the multiplayer has changed so little that I feel guilty for bashing on Quake 4’s online mode – which offers more enhancements like a simultaneous tourney ladder and more maps. These are, at best, minor tweaks and enhancements with a couple of new maps and weapons. There isn’t even a new game mode to speak of, which is actually quite a disappointment since Infinity Ward came up with the highly unique and addictive Headquarters mode in a patch for Call of Duty. I’d been hoping they might think up another gem or two for the sequel.