Modern Warfare 2 Stimulus Package DLC Review

WRITTEN BY: EWAN LINDLEY 

The first batch of downloadable content for Modern Warfare 2, containing two maps from Call of Duty 4 and three brand new maps, was released on March 30^th for 1200 Microsoft points approximately $15. With the PS3 & PC skews of the map pack still awaiting release the question is, Do you get your money's worth?

 

From the get go the DLC was plagued with technical difficulties, including the inability to join lobbies and map glitches. However these were fixed rapidly, so one of the up sides of a later release is that you probably won't have to deal with those initial updates. Other than that, response to the maps has been extremely mixed, with some people absolutely loving the touch of nostalgia presented by the COD4 maps and reveling in the fresh maps but others have serious issues with them. A sizable number of people are taking issue with the lack of originality involved in re-releasing old maps. 

The older maps offer familiar higher levels for sniper action, and Overgrown has plenty of choke points and scope for mid to close range combat.

The three new maps offer the most allure to MW2 players. The first is “Bailout” which is a sprawling apartment complex with a nice mix of close quarters indoor areas for all you akimbo model wielders and the possibility of long distance combat to satisfy your Barrett needs. There are several routes to all areas, making it great for objective games, especially capture the flag.

“Storm” is composed of a smaller outdoor area and a huge industrial warehouse that spells death for anyone who takes a chance and runs across the middle, due to the higher positions provided by walkways and rooms. Every area in this map has multiple entrances, making for some frustrating flanking and difficult objective games but alleviating the chance of too much spawn trapping.

The last map, “Salvage” is a snowy junkyard that was designed by MW2's creative strategist specifically as an anti camping map because of the lack of hiding places and hidden areas. It does a good job, and while not completely camper free it does make the game much more competitive, weeding out weaker players. However the sacrifice that was made to eliminate campers left little cover from other players and more dangerously, their air support. There’s nowhere to seek refuge when the AC-130 comes calling on this map.  The run and gun style of map lends itself nicely to submachine guns and agile players.

While these maps all add something to the game and may help to alleviate your “mapathy” they aren’t worth the money unless you are a hardcore MW2 gamer that desperately needs your MW2 experience freshened up. Yes they're fun to play, and the 1 million downloads in the first 24 hours means you'll get a wider variety of people to play with but if you only play Modern Warfare 2 for a couple of hours a week or in between your other games then you're really not missing out. For all the PS3, PC & 360 users who haven’t picked up the map pack yet I’d tell them to pass and save your dollars for the upcoming Treyarch title. It looks freaking awesome.