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Wii

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Call of Duty: Modern Warfare: Reflex

by Neal Ronaghan - December 22, 2009, 8:25 pm EST
Total comments: 13

8.5

It's a bit late to the party, but even still, it's one of the best first-person shooters available on Wii.

There wasn't really any pre-release hype for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Reflex, Treyarch's Wii port of the highly regarded Call of Duty 4. With the exception of a few crummy screenshots, there wasn't much to go off of. Luckily, the finished product is quite polished for a downgrade of a two-year-old game, and it is rather fitting that this heralded game is still one of the best first-person shooters on Wii despite how long it took to get to the system.

Graphically, it is not the same as the HD versions, but it is still a good-looking game, as it seems to make use of the modified engine Treyarch used for last year's Call of Duty: World at War on Wii. While James Jones didn't like the graphics in World at War, I thought they were alright from what I saw before the game's release. Reflex reminds me of how the previous game looked: a bit soulless, but still impressive for the system. Some parts of the game look good, but don't expect your headshots to look spectacular; the blood that spews out is out-of-place and weird.

The controls work well, using the Wii Remote and Nunchuk, and can be tweaked to your liking. The IR pointer works great, and you can change any action to whatever button you like. You can also use the Wii Zapper, and there is a specific control scheme for that. Returning from World at War is the Squadmate mode, where a second player can hop in anytime with just a Wii Remote and become a pointer on the screen and shoot at enemies. While it still doesn't take the place of a full-on cooperative experience, the Squadmate mode is fun in its own right.

The Campaign mode is reproduced in its entirety with all the set pieces from the original. Though there isn't anything added to it, so if you romped through the campaign sometime in the past two years in Call of Duty 4, there is nothing to experience here besides lesser graphics and Wii controls. If you managed to avoid this game for so long and you're a fan of squad-based shooters, you'll enjoy the campaign tremendously. If you're not, well, there might be a reason why you avoided this game for two years.

The online multiplayer is the most robust part of the whole package, especially since there is no local multiplayer, and the online infrastructure is quite simply one of the most well-implemented modes on the system, easily besting The Conduit and last year's World at War. While it doesn't retain everything from the prior versions (only 10 players per game, no voice chat), it still brings all the leveling up, perks, and game types that made the first go-around so enticing. There are still the inherent problems with all that, since more experienced players get all these awesome perks. If you're into the multiplayer, you'll likely have to learn in a trial by fire, but if you can get over that hurdle, it's an extremely rewarding experience with fantastic bonuses, customizable classes, and a good amount of maps.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Reflex might be two years late, but that doesn't take away from its greatness as an online shooter. The campaign is tired and played out for returning players, but for those who love Wii controls, the multiplayer is just as addicting. If you've never played the game before and you like first-person shooters, then it is well worth your time and your money. Either that or you can wait another two years for Modern Warfare 2: Reflex Harder.

Score

Graphics Sound Control Gameplay Lastability Final
7 8 8.5 8 9 8.5
Graphics
7

It obviously pales in comparison to the older versions of the game, but for Wii standards, it doesn't look too shabby. Some moments of the game look great, while others, especially things like headshots that look weirdly cartoony, look bad.

Sound
8

Modern Warfare Reflex retains the sound and voice acting from the original version, as well as the original's excellent sound design.

Control
8.5

You can use the Wii Remote and Nunchuk, or bust out your Wii Zapper, and then you can customize it all you like.

Gameplay
8

The online multiplayer is fantastic and is one of the best on the system, while the Campaign mode is good if you like linear, explosion-laden trips through squad-based missions. Squadmate adds some co-op to the Campaign as well.

Lastability
9

With perks, game modes, and levels to earn, you could very easily sink an inordinate amount of time into Modern Warfare Reflex's online multiplayer. The Campaign isn't too long, and the only reason to replay it is to tackle in Arcade mode, which only changes up the formula by making it score-based.

Final
8.5

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Reflex is the most complete first-person shooter on Wii. It has a solid Campaign mode, and one of most renowned online multiplayer modes in recent memory. If you like first-person shooters and only have a Wii, this is a must buy. If you experienced Modern Warfare before, then you're better off leaving this to shooter-hungry Wii masses.

Summary

Pros
  • Good customizable controls
  • Online multiplayer is almost on par with the 360/PS3 version
Cons
  • No local multiplayer
Review Page 2: Conclusion

Talkback

TJ SpykeDecember 23, 2009

I think the name of the game is actually "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Reflex Edition".

The game looks fun from reviews, I am just disappointed with how much of a downgrade the graphics took. The GameTrailers video review showed side-by-side comparisons. The original featured lush beautiful environments, while the Wii version has dull brown environments. Most reviews seem to say that it's a good game to get if you only own a Wii, but you are better off getting the Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3 versions if you own either of those systems.

Mop it upDecember 23, 2009

How is it fitting that a port of a two-year-old game is one of the best shooters on the Wii? That seems kind of depressing to me.

BranDonk KongDecember 23, 2009

Because it's one of the best shooters on any other console too.

NWR_pap64Pedro Hernandez, Contributing WriterDecember 23, 2009

Quote from: Mop_it_up

How is it fitting that a port of a two-year-old game is one of the best shooters on the Wii? That seems kind of depressing to me.

I think that what Neal is trying to say that what could have been a cheap, quick port of the game turned out to be really good despite its technical limitations and treeyarch tried to maintain its value despite being a high end game remade for a low end console.

StratosDecember 23, 2009

Can we please get an FC thread set up for this game now?

Mop it upDecember 23, 2009

Here's my friend code:

1234-5678-6464

But don't add me.

greybrickNathan Mustafa, Staff AlumnusDecember 23, 2009

A little late, Activision? Games get a multiplatform release on the Wii all of the time, where is MW2? Don't tell me it wouldn't sell enough to cover costs on the Wii.

NinGurl69 *hugglesDecember 23, 2009

Why do these singles campaigns suck?

Squads do most of the work for you, and you don't really direct them, and it's very linear.

It's like Onslaught but the support soldiers move on without you.

KDR_11kDecember 23, 2009

Onslaught's "squad" is little more than the Options in a shmup, CoD is more like Dynasty Warriors if the units were competent.

Quote from: NinGurl69

Why do these singles campaigns suck?

Squads do most of the work for you, and you don't really direct them, and it's very linear.

I'm right on board with you.

While the missions are "cool" and action-packed and stuff, I much prefer the one-man army aspect of other first-person shooters. Going around with a gang of co-op soldiers that direct you around the level isn't too much fun. I'd much rather bomb around a level, messing up dudes left and right with my overpowered super soldier.

I guess that's why I don't like WWII first-person shooters.

Multiplayer is still fun though, because it makes it that one-man army style.

MonteblancoDecember 23, 2009

Quote from: NinGurl69

Why do these singles campaigns suck?

Squads do most of the work for you, and you don't really direct them, and it's very linear.

It's like Onslaught but the support soldiers move on without you.

Because the online multiplayer is the biggest feature in current first person shooters. As such, single player campaign are progressively moved aside as secondary. As a matter of fact, the introduction of HD graphics turned much cheaper to prepare some good maps for multiplayer than several maps for the single-player campaign. Add the fact you don't need to code some sort of AI or even pay writers to provide good dialogue and a campaign that make sense (not that they did it in this game), I found amazing Activision have not scrapped the single player component entirely.

More specifically to your point, if you wanna control your squad, you should look to Brother in Arms. Actually, is one of the few games in which infantry tactics behave as they do in the real world.

As much as I appreciate first person view games, I don't enjoy much the multiplayer action. It is very gaming focused because of the re-spawn, the speed, and the number of bazookas around. In the other hand, it is also anchored in reality because of the graphics. In the end, I fell like I am playing a celebration of violence. I can appreciate violence in a game, but not when it is entirely non sense as the multiplayer mode. I will eventually rent it and play again the single player campaign because I like to play first person shooters in the Wii with zapper but I will not buy it.

MonteblancoDecember 23, 2009

Quote from: NWR_Neal

While the missions are "cool" and action-packed and stuff, I much prefer the one-man army aspect of other first-person shooters. Going around with a gang of co-op soldiers that direct you around the level isn't too much fun. I'd much rather bomb around a level, messing up dudes left and right with my overpowered super soldier.

I guess that's why I don't like WWII first-person shooters.

Multiplayer is still fun though, because it makes it that one-man army style.

Funny, as this is exactly what I don't like in most first person shooters. Perhaps this is the reason why I, unlike most gamers, like the WWII setting.

KDR_11kDecember 23, 2009

You're still a supersoldier in MW2 SP, compare the amount of damage you can take there with multiplayer.

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Genre Shooter
Developer Treyarch

Worldwide Releases

na: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare: Reflex
Release Nov 10, 2009
PublisherActivision Blizzard
RatingMature
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