It's a bit late to the party, but even still, it's one of the best first-person shooters available on Wii. http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/reviewArt.cfm?artid=20607 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.
Pros:
Good customizable controls Online multiplayer is almost on par with the 360/PS3 version Cons: No local multiplayer Graphics: 7.0 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: 8.0 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: 8.0 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: 9.0
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.