Ahead of the multiplayer debut for the new Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II we took its action-packed campaign for a spin. And found that the series can still deliver in terms of spectacle and variety.

A snippet.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II’s globe-trotting story is all about stopping a terrorist, of, err, Middle Eastern heritage, that’s got his hands on some stolen missiles. Even though that might sound a little boring, insulting, and by the numbers, it simply serves as the jumping-off point for Infinity Ward to create a sequence of compelling and varied missions adding up to one hell of a 6-or-so-hour interactive action movie. Popcorn stuff. From measured stealth missions that have you shuffling about to try and line up a shot so it can take out two bad dudes, to sitting in a chopper providing air support during a thrilling car chase, there’s a lot.

No matter the task at hand, outside of aiming down sights to take out enemies, the campaign switches gears and tone and perspective and objective so often that you’d be hard-pressed to become bored with what will happen next on account of the where and how. Visually, each mission does something different too, striking a balance between urban, and rural, and different cinematic lighting. One notable mission strips you of all weaponry so you need to sneak through rain-soaked and flooded alleyways and buildings scavenging for parts to create makeshift tools and weapons. It’s simple crafting, but it works.

Our Full Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Campaign Review