As you can tell from the pic above from the Lowyat.net forums, the latest Call of Duty game, dubbed Modern Warfare 2, is expected to sell a s***-ton. And why wouldn’t it? The first Modern Warfare blew everybody’s minds with its single-player mode and MMO-ish level-up-mechanic-that-gives-a-bigger-incentive-for-players-to-keep-on-playing multiplayer mode.

Modern Warfare 2 just adds in a bit more for its multiplayer and allegedly shocks people with an early mission in its single-player mode (which can be skipped; hell, when you start the game, it asks you twice whether you want to play that particular mission or not). Yet somehow, I’m just compelled to give it full marks after just a few days of intensive play. Among the many shooters available in the market, why do I feel that Modern Warfare 2 triumphs over Killzone 2 (not really a hard feat), Uncharted 2, Halo 3: ODST (again, not really a hard feat), and others of its ilk?

- Multiplayer, Plain & Simple: You still level up your character and get new perks to tweak them, but now you can customize your killstreak bonuses. Suppose you kill three dudes in a row, you get to activate bonuses like a supply drop or even a radar-jamming power-up (depending on what you equipped). Conversely, you also get deathstreak bonuses to level the playing field a little. If you happen to suck so bad die four times in a row, you can activate certain bonuses, like Copycat which copies the class and setup of the guy who recently killed you.

- Teamwork Is Fun! Special Ops is a new “arcade” mode that focuses on having two gamers (split-screen or online) working together in co-op made levels and missions. Trust me when I say tackling these missions aren’t fun by yourself. Plus, it introduces a new enemy type that’s sure to throw a curveball to your plans: the well-protected Juggernaut.

- That Whole “Call of Duty” Schtick Still Works: If anything, the narrative that switches between different perspectives to tell you a different part of the same storyline is made compelling by Infinity Ward. Without revealing too much, you’ll be in the shoes of two privates in the US Army, a newbie in the covert group Task Force 141, a spaceman, and an old friend. In regards to “that” scene in the airport, the whole story wouldn’t have worked or be meaningful without it.

- New Weapons: Yes, the staple RPD and AK-47s are here, but what about thermal-detecting snipers and rifles, Predator Missiles which let you control it manually to its target(s), riot shields that you can bash people’s heads in with, and even a funky-looking scoped rifle that looked like a military issued version of a Covenant Carbine rifle? Plus, you can dual-wield handguns, but I found this more of a novelty than anything else.

- The Soundtrack Is Composed By Hans Zimmer: If you don’t know who that is, shame on you.

- It’s Still A Different Kind Of Shooter: This isn’t an FPS where you can take a multitude of hits out in the open and come out unfazed. Your view gets skewed when you get shot, your aiming gets disorientated when you’re under fire, and a headshot means instant death to you. Modern Warfare 2 urges you to be careful and methodical when you fight, as well as looking out for your teammates.

So for those who still boycott it because of its “dumbed-down” state on the PC, you’re missing out. All these buzzwords for the game like “epic” or “best graphics EVARR LOL” aren’t unfounded: Modern Warfare 2 succeeds over the first game in almost every regard (nothing beats “Shock and Awe”, after all). If you still are compelled to play the game but don’t want to give your money to Activision, just get it used/second-hand and spare us your whining.

Want to see who’s in on the Modern Warfare 2 love boat? Check out our forums here and here.