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Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 17, age appropriate for kids over 18; suggested age 17.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Mature shooter with controversial terrorist mission.

In this game kids can:   battle others, improve hand-eye coordination, kill humans (with blood), live vicariously, play in a virtual world, play multiplayer games, play with others, solve puzzles, strategize

Why We Rated This not for kids

The good stuff

  • Ease of play:

    The game is fairly easy to pick up, on both the console and PC versions, especially for fans of first-person shooters. The deveolopers have added special perks for non-expert players such as health bursts when they fail repeatedly and providing an (optional) easier way to target. There's also a good tutorial mode.
  • Educational value:

    It's not much of a stretch to argue this game might teach military tactics, combat techniques.

What to watch out for

  • Online interaction:

    As with its predecessors, much of the appeal of these games is the online play with other gamers. Some might argue shooting other "humans," played by real players, is unhealthy while others might argue it's a harmless way to blow off steam after a bad day. Also keep in mind, many people also play with headsets and you can her some pretty intense language in these Call of Duty games.
  • Messages:

    This is a tricky one. While you are a "good guy," out to protect the free world, the game is heavily rooted in violence. You will kill and watch hundreds of people die, and in that process see that war is horrifying. The game actively encourages you to not shoot civilians and often penalized (by a game over screen) if you do. However, the game contains an (optional) mission where you go undercover to infiltrate the enemy. While undercover, you participate in a terrorist attack of an airport and must decide whether to shoot injured civilians or walk on by as the other terrorists kill them.
  • Role models:

    The player is part of an elite military squad out to protect the world from a harmful (and heavily armed) organization. But the player fights fire with fire and must kill hundreds of people in this game. There is also an opportunity to make moral decisions when it comes to shooting civilians while undercover as a terrorist, so the player can guide this portion of the game.

     

  • Violence:

    As with past Call of Duty games, Modern Warfare 2 depicts military violence in a realistic manner and is played from an immersive first-person perspective. Using machine guns and sniper rifles, gamers must shoot to kill, and blood can be seen on fallen enemies. There is also use of grenades and missiles. The game has scenes of civilian deaths, including a controversial (but optional) airport level in which the player goes undercover as an enemy terrorist. Cries of pain can be heard from victims in this game. Players are also rewarded for "killstreaks," where killing four enemies in a row, results in a bonus supply drop.

     

  • Sex:

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    The game does contain some profanity, such as the word "s--t," "damn" and "hell." Some Russian words are worse, translating to "motherf--ker" and "f--k," though most American players won't know what this means.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    The game makes some references to drugs, plus the multiplayer mode lets you unlock emblems tied to your gamertag, including one that resembles a rolled marijuana cigarette ("joint") and one that shows a cannabis leaf.

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 was written by Marc Saltzman

Parents need to know that, while not over-the-top in the gore department, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is a modern-day military shooter that realistically and graphically shows violence and blood. Much of the game involves traveling to different areas of the world to take down baddies with an assortment of weapons, all played from a first-person perspective. One of the locations is Washington D.C., which is shown as being under attack by Russian troops. In a controversial optional mission, players go undercover to infiltrate a terrorist group and end up participating in a terrorist attack on an airport. As players witness the horrors of innocent civilians being shot, they must make the moral decision whether to join in by shooting bystanders or to walk on by and ignore their screams of pain (gamers are not rewarded or penalized for any action or inaction they take during this scene). The game does contain some profanity and references to drugs, but it's the realistic violence in disturbing settings that is of more concern.

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Families can talk about whether these games sensationalize violence, and thus, trivialize the role of U.S. troops who lose their lives in the call of duty. Or do games like this give us a taste of what American soldiers go through to protect the free world?
  • How do you feel about the inclusion of the optional "airport mission" where you, as an undercover agent, take part in a terrorist attack on an airport in which hundreds of civilians are killed.

  • Why is it important to keep violent media away from kids? Is there anything wrong with violence video games if you're of the age to play them? Or is it worse than "enjoying" a violent war film because you're actually doing the killing?
  • Game developer Activision Blizzard is using part of the money they will make on this game to create a one million dollar fund to help raise awareness of veterans' unemployment difficulties. What are some of challenges facing veterans?
Did this review help you decide?

OK for Your Kids to Play?

Do you play it? Review It!

More on Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

What’s the Story?

CALL OF DUTY: MODERN WARFARE 2, the hotly-anticipated sequel to Activision's Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, which has sold more than 13 million units to date, once again drops you into a fictional near-future world in which a Russian ultranationalist threatens world security. From an intense first-person perspective, this military shooter engages you in both open-environment and close-quartered fighting, with an assortment of modern weapons ranging from machine guns and sniper rifles to grenades and missiles. Along with playing as different characters spread across the 6-to-8-hour single-player campaign, many will take the game online to indulge in a myriad of multiplayer modes (cooperatively or competitively). With the latter, a new "co-op" mode called Spec-Ops is made up of a series of near two-dozen missions; one highlight is the AC-130 mission, in which one gamer mans the gunship and provides bird's eye instructions to the second player who sneaks across the terrain. The competitive games played online supports up to 18 players and includes mainstays such as Deathmatch (everyone out for themselves), Team Deathmatch, Capture the Flag, and others, spread across 16 unique maps.

Is It Any Good?

Yes, it is a very good game, but it's realistic portrayal of violence means parents need to take heed to the "Mature" rating (for players 17 years and older). The game's intriguing fiction, outstanding production values (including near-photorealistic imagery, an excellent musical score and voice talent), and most importantly, thrilling first-person gameplay, make this sequel one of the most explosive hits of 2009. Tackling enemies in huge and fully interactive environments -- ranging from the dusty towns of Afghanistan to the snow-capped mountains of Kazakhstan to the gritty streets of Rio de Janeiro to Washington, D.C. under attack -- also help this game feel like a cinematic action movie in which you're in the starring role. As with its predeessor, taking the game online gives it some serious legs and will sure to entertain for years to come. In short, if you liked 2007's Modern Warfare, you'll love Modern Warfare 2.

Publisher’s Details

Developer: Activision
Released on: 11/10/2009, Price: $59.99, online enabled
ESRB Rating: M for Blood, Drug Reference, Intense Violence, Language

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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • My highlights are:
    • Easy to play

    If you don't play the missions it cuts out the language and drug reference mostly and its about the same as a teen game. Therefore if you're aloud to play teen games you should be able to play this game.

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 4.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Negative message
    • My highlights are:
    • Easy to play

    Its fine as long as you don't do the "controversial" mission.

    Yes, its a bit bloddy but it just went over my head, I hardly noticed it myself and if you do skip the "controversial" mission, you aren't missing much.

  3. Parent Reviewer
    Kids ages: 17
    I rate this title off for age 10 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    Real

    Ok. This game has violence. Bloody violence. But its not over the top. The violence is realistic but not the effect. There's non-constant swearing and there is one F word. This game has less swearing than intolerable Cruelty. 9.7/10 Stars.

  4. Parent Reviewer
    Kids ages: 12
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 4.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language
    • Negative message
    • My highlights are:
    • Easy to play

    is it ok for tweens

    this game is one of the best games i played there is one f word in it is is a bloody game but not as bloody as call of duty 4 it can be alright for age 12 the only thing to be worried about is the cussing

  5. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language
    • My highlights are:
    • Easy to play

    Awesome game, good for teens

    I love modern warfare 2. The blood in the game isn't bad. It shows up as a puff of smoke then disappears but you do see it slpatter on the wall if you get a headshot on a guy and he is near a way. The language isn't really bad they say the f-word once in th campaign but online wont be as nice.

  6. Adult Reviewer
    I rate this title on for age 9 and give it 4.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Good role models
    • Easy to play

    Ok for 9 and up

    Great game awesome multiplayer its a little viotlent i skipped the terrorist mission but i played it at a friends house my advice skip it. You wont be missing much.

  7. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give it 4.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language

    the few minutes i played was good. it was somewhat violent, for the language, which is probably the decider of m rating, mute it(duh)

  8. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    I rate this title on for age 7 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • My highlights are:
    • Easy to play

    Perfect for anyone

    Love this game one of my faves of all time

  9. I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 4.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language

    NEVER FOR LITTLE KIDS

    This game is sooo violent! Its defietly NOT NOT NNNOOOOTTTT for young kids. We got dogs that attack u and bite you to death, and a whole lot of gory things and shooting. This game will probably scare little kids because of explosions, shooting, and blood. only mature kids can play. there is language in there, but i don't remember

  10. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Easy to play

    DEPENDS ON MATURITY

    I think this is a really great game. If youre worried about if your kid can or cant play it, just look at some gameplay on youtube or something. I think around 10-12 you can let your kid play this game. younger than 8 or 9 isnt appropriate. it mostly depends on how mature the kid is. other than that, it really is a great game and is really fun.

  11. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • My highlights are:
    • Easy to play

    Perfect for anyone 13 and up

    This is a really fun game. The violence and blood is about as bad as the uncharted games. I haven't played the campaign yet so I don't know about the drugs and language. This game is appropriate for anyone thatbis at least thirteen. Also, don't make a big deal about the 'controversial' mission because it can be skipped.

  12. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    I rate this title on for age 14 and give it 3.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

    This game is not that fun. There is way to much cheating involved. I don't like how there are tenth prestige lobbies. I have been in them before though, but there just unfair and make the game not fun. I would suggest this game if you don't care about the cheating

  13. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Easy to play

    Just As Amazing As COD4

    I played through this game at my cousin's house and loved it. It offered more variety than COD4 but the story was even harder to follow. Just like the first game, it only lasts about 5-6 hours which is a let down. The online has more game modes, and some let you play in a Third Person perspective. There are a lot more challenges to complete in online and you get more points for things such as headshots, so the game is very rewarding. The game could be very violent and frightening at times, such as the (stupid) mission "No Russian", and the ending of the game. The language was less often than COD4 included D-mn H-ll A-- Wh-re B-stard about 4 uses of S--t and one use of F--k at the end of the game.

  14. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language
    • Excessive consumerism
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative message
    • Safety is an issue
    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Good role models
    • Easy to play

    Awesome. Just Awesome.

    This an AMAZING game. The multiplayer is simply mind blowing. Recently, however, kids have been hacking on the PC and Xbox 360 and hurting the expirience. While this is a minor issue, the no russian mission in campaign is badly thought out. However, the game is very good.

  15. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language
    • Negative message
    • Negative role models
    • Safety is an issue
    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Easy to play

  16. Parent Reviewer
    Kids ages: -1, 10, 10, 16, 17, 24
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Negative role models
    • My highlights are:
    • Easy to play

    13+ frigin amazing

    this game is very the single player is meh but the game really exceeds in multiplayer and if you dont want ur kid playing the game for hours than dont get it. in single player though their is a mission where u are encouraged on killing poor innocent civillans athough u can skip the mission it is still in the game

  17. Kid Reviewer Age 10
    I rate this title on for age 17 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models
    • Easy to play

    Sad, and Violent, but a wonderful game.

    This game is easily not for kids. My dad picked it up a few days after it came out. He played it, and he let me. MW2 is the most popular FPS (First Person Shooter) for multiplayer. You play as a few characters throughout the game. You start as Pvt First Class Joseph Allen, who joins the 141, and goes undercover as Alexi Borodin, to gain a Russian terrorist's trust. He finds out who are are, and you are brutally killed by a pistol shot, which leaves blood sprawling everywhere. Then you go to SGT Gary "Roach" Sanderson, who is the main character of the game. He goes through a lot. He nearly falls off a cliff and dies, when he jumps to get to a Pavelow, an attack chopper, he slips off and Captain "Soap" McTavish, tries to grab him, but he falls off and lands on his back to the concrete. Later on, you defend this modem containing data on the terrorist's computer. You head out when it's done, and when you almost make it, you get hit by a mortar. A kindhearted solider, nicknamed Ghost, drags you to the helicopter. You then reach to your General for support, and instead, he shoots you with a .44 Magnum. And shoots Ghost. Then a few renegade soliders throw you close together, and one of them pours gasoline. The General takes a cigarette and throws it on the gasoline. Burning them. It's a sad moment. This is probably one of the reasons this is M.

  18. Parent Reviewer
    Kids ages: 5
    I rate this title on for age 17 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Safety is an issue
    • My highlights are:
    • Safety isn't an issue

    MW2... Best game ever..... for free!

    Yeah very good game, must have. I got it free on this site : a2283018@bofthew.com. Just complete offer and redeem MW2. It's work!!

  19. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    I rate this title on for age 14 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language
    • Negative message
    • My highlights are:
    • Easy to play

    Don't be fooled by some other kids reviews this game is not for young kids. Although it is easy to play things happen in the campaign and online that you will have to explain to your kids. Like in the campaign your child will turn into a terrorist at the begging of the game and will end up killing hundreds of innocent civilians. Online play you never know what will happen because you do not know who you are playing with and they may talk about inappropriate subjects for small ears. If you think that your child is ready I guess let them buy the game but I would advise against it until they are at least 13

  20. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    I rate this title on for age 15 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language

    Good for Mature Teens

    Modern Warfare 2 is one of the best games of the era but it is pretty violent. If you pay attention to the dead bodies, a pool of blood will form under them and there is some swearing. The game is really fun to play and has people hooked on it. The multiplayer is really good but some people swear a lot but you can mute them. The game is just all-around fun but has quite a bit of mature content.

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