Modern Warfare 2’s single-player campaign stands out as one of the series’ best efforts. From beginning to end it is jam packed with one set piece after another while simultaneously managing to tell a compelling story. It may be a little ridiculous and off the rails, but it convincingly pulls the player into its high-stakes world, making them believe every minute of the wild ride.
To celebrate this grand adventure, the following list will rank every mission, from worst to best. Because it is simply a tutorial, the mission “S.S.D.D.” will be left out of the running, though it deserves commendation for delivering the classic opening mission one comes to expect from the series.
17 Of Their Own Accord
For the most part, the missions in Washington D.C. feel unnecessary to the plot, only serving to show the devastation the invasion has wrecked upon the country.
Some interesting missions are involved, but “Of Their Own Accord” is a run of the mill shooting gallery, feeling ultimately forgetful and memorable for the cliffhanger ending before the EMP blast saves the player.
16 Takedown
The first Brazil level feels too busy. On higher difficulties it is nearly impossible without consistent trial and error, being sure to remember who shot the player in the back.
Seeing Soap tackle the target off a building is fun, though.
15 Just Like Old Times
The stakes are high here in this final infiltration before the showdown with Shepherd.
The desert theme is a nice respite from the Eastern European locations prominently featured in the game, but there is nothing special about the mission otherwise.
14 Hornet’s Nest
“Hornet’s Nest” is a thrilling escape from a favela, dodging bullets while making one’s way to a helicopter.
It does not add anything to the story however, only showing how Task Force 141 escaped their hairy situation.
13 Exodus
Ramirez, under the direction of Sgt. Foley, shoots his way through suburban houses to rescue the HVI, or high value individual.
Unfortunately, he is dead at the scene, with the Russians having beaten them to it. Like the other US missions, the plot is inconsequential to the main conflict.
12 Team Player
The first real mission takes place in Afghanistan, and does a good job of fooling players into thinking they know what to expect from the game.
Only other Middle-Eastern location is featured, with the rest of the levels taking place elsewhere on the globe.
11 Whiskey Hotel
The last U.S. mission forces the player to race to a rooftop and let off flares to show the rest of the country they still have control over the capitol.
As the level closes, the soldiers talk about invading Moscow.
10 The Only Easy Day…Was Yesterday
The extensive use of the breach mechanic makes this level stand out.
It starts off stealthily but soon enough blows out as the Task Force makes their presence on the oil rig known through explosives. The other highlight is destroying the helicopter with the Stinger.
9 The Gulag
This one is non stop action and bombardment from start to finish, and it is not over once the crew saves Captain Price.
They then run through the prison while the United States bombs it to kingdom come, finding an exit as the walls and ceiling crumble around them.
8 No Russian
This controversial mission is completely optional, but a key story moment which kicks off the international conflict. Some see it as tasteless, but one cannot deny the developer’s attempt at doing something original.
The discomfort one feels with the attack on the airport is totally understandable. Mowing down innocent people while on an undercover mission isn’t supposed to be fun.
7 Second Sun
Seeing the effects of the EMP blast elevates this mission above the other ones taking place in Washington D.C.
Seeing helicopters rain on the streets and walking through deadly silent areas which was just roaring with gunfire is haunting. The intro also helps put into perspective the scale of the conflict.
6 Wolverines
While the idea of protecting Burger Town is a funny meme, “Wolverines” stands out from the seventeen other levels by taking place largely in one area.
Instead of progressing from point A to point B, players instead head to different businesses in this area to fend off the Russian invaders.
5 Contingency
Reaching the submarine at the end of “Contingency” is a hectic dash towards the sea.
Players are aided by airstrikes they periodically call in for assistance, and seeing the destruction from the ground adds a sense of scale, further ramps up the intensity of this battle.
4 Endgame
The last mission is a thrilling boat chase followed by a fist fight and the greatest knife throw in video game history.
The only minus against it is the disappointing cliffhanger with little resolution. At least these days one can jump straight into Modern Warfare 3 and not have to wait two years.
3 Loose Ends
Defending the data upload while soldiers storm Makarov’s safe house is a blood pumping section.
Players can set up mines to stop the forces, but a bunch usually end up breaching the house anyway, leading to some hectic close encounters.
2 Cliffhanger
Stealth missions in first-person shooters are risky, but “Cliffhanger” executes it well.
Using the blizzard as cover and detecting enemies with a Heartbeat Sensor is exhilarating as the player crouches past right behind their backs. As if that wasn’t enough, it ends with a wild snowmobile chase.
1 Enemy Of My Enemy
What elevates this level above the others is having to escape this plane boneyard while two warring factions duke it out with each other.
The plot also reaches a critical point as Soap and Price realize Shepherd’s betrayal. Fortunately, Nikolai comes in and rescues the two just in the nick of time.
