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How Metascores Are Calculated
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Altered Beast
Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games. |
Call of Duty 2 lets players experience four individual soldier stories as they overcome insurmountable odds in multiple campaigns. Players have the freedom to follow each of the four storylines through for the ultimate character-driven experience, or they can engage in the historic battles chronologically for quick hitting action. Infinity Ward has also expanded the scope of combat to deliver a truly realistic battlefield experience. Squads now have the freedom to take on a variety of mission objectives, on expansive battlefields that allow for multiple paths and the ability to utilize actual combat tactics like outflanking and fire and maneuver capabilities. Call of Duty 2's new engine and A.I. technology set the stage for authentic squad combat and astonishing action. Concealment can be key as battlefield smoke or even deployed smoke grenades cloud visibility. Weather effects such as the dusty sandstorms of North Africa and whiteout blizzard conditions of Russia, for example, will keep soldiers glued to their bunkers. The team has also employed a state-of-the-art Battle Chatter System that brings the action to life as squad-mates bark out context-sensitive updates in real-time to players through an advanced A.I. system. [Activision]
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more... 100
GamePro
A freakin' work of art. It is, without a doubt, the best-looking console game to date, and the most psychotically intense World War II shooter to boot.
 100
G4 TV
It’s by far the best of its kind, and the variable but fair enemy AI keeps the game fresh, especially on higher difficulties.
100
GameShark
As you play the game you just can’t help dropping your jaw in amazement at what you’re seeing and getting to do.
100
Detroit Free Press
Something special. It's a war shooter that's both intoxicating yet grisly. From the game's first moments as a young Russian soldier learning the ropes, you'll be sucked in to combat.
98
Game Informer
Quite simply, this is the best WWII game ever made. [Dec 2005, p.146]
97
PGNx Media
Infinity Ward took the bar, threw it up, and jumped over it when it was still in the air.
96
My Gamer
A true gamer’s dream. This is a title where every aspect of gaming comes together seamlessly to make an instant classic and quite possibly the best Xbox 360 game on the market right now.
95
VGPub
Sure the health system is unrealistic and the multiplayer options may be a little drab, but the game itself is phenomenal. This is easily the best WWII shooter on the market and the best FPS on the Xbox 360.
95
Extreme Gamer
A fantastic effort, and worth the cash to own this one outright.
95
GameBiz
A must have title. If this is the future of console gaming, I'm sold.
95
XGP Gaming
Call of Duty 2 is easily one of the best war games I've ever had the chance to play. It features one hell of a campaign as well as a solid online game to boot. Infinity Ward has created a near masterpiece in this amazing sequel. Call of Duty 2 is a must have game, any way you look at it. What are you waiting for? Go buy it now!
95
GamingTrend
A fantastic PC title that didn't get watered down in the conversion to console. If this is the future of console gaming, I'm sold.
95
Kombo
It's so pretty that it’s fun to just simply watch it rather than play it.
94
TotalGames.net
The definitive, most universally appealing WWII title ever made. It's not that the game does anything more or less than its digital brothers in arms, far from it, but instead it strips the genre down to the bare essentials and this turns it into one of the most pure shooters we've seen for some time.
94
Gamers' Temple
As close as you'll come to starring in an epic war movie.
93
Game Chronicles
It is a finely tuned work of art with so much research and attention to detail incorporated into it that action gamers will become totally immersed in the unrelenting experience of brutal combat.
93
DailyGame
I'm generally the first guy around to make fun of "another WWII-themed game," but Call of Duty 2 not only wiped that smirk off my face but turned it into a teeth-grinding, pulse-quickening, Nazi-shooting grimace. When you have to put down the controller after one mission just to gather your wits about you, you know you’ve found a great game.
93
Console Gameworld
The environments (indoor and outdoor) all scream for you to search through them all and see the effort put forth to create this fantastic game.
92
Cheat Code Central
The single mission is definitely worth the full price of admission, compared to games where all of the emphasis is on the online play.
92
Gaming Target
An amazing single-player experience is put together with a multiplayer section that doesn’t have the features it should, but the game’s quality still shines through, brightly.
92
Planet Xbox 360
Infinity Ward did a great job of capturing the feel of such an awful and devastating war. It is easy to dedicate hours of your life to playing Call of Duty 2, and when you do, you won’t be disappointed.
92
GameZone
Stunning graphically, a pleasure to control with the 360 gamepad, Call of Duty 2 is an amazing example of precisely what gamers can expect from the machine.
92
Next Level Gaming
Both online and offline, this is my frontrunner for Game of the Year until something else shows me otherwise.
92
Worth Playing
The single-player experience is worth the price of admission alone and must be seen to be believed.
91
Gaming Age
The fact that you can basically throw a whole bunch of Germans and a whole bunch of Allies into an environment and play out a realistic battle is really quite remarkable.
91
Gamer's Hell
The impressive presentation and intuitive gameplay make a surprisingly enjoyable WWII adventure despite this being part of a tired genre.
91
GameBrink
If you like FPS games on consoles, great immersion, true nextgen graphics, variety in single player, fun smooth multiplayer, and everything else good listed above then you’re going to want to at least rent this 15 hour classic.
91
Gamezilla!
Without multiplayer, this game is great. With multiplayer, it’s amazingly fun. Definitely worth getting.
90
Boomtown
Probably the best launch title for the Xbox 360, with killer graphics, intense gameplay and a solid, if slightly small multiplayer element.
90
Game Over Online
If you can look past the thin multiplayer component, the questionable decision to let player's health regenerate, and the fact there's not a lot of replay value in Call of Duty 2, you'll find a very worthy successor to the franchise.
90
AceGamez
The impressive presentation and intuitive gameplay make a surprisingly enjoyable WWII adventure, despite this being a member of a tired genre.
90
Deeko
Everything a person can ask for in a war-based first person shooter: Precise control, plenty of action, great visuals and sound, and a musical score that compliments the action throughout.
90
AtomicGamer
Even if you're getting a little sick of the WW2 shooter genre, I'd suggest you give it a shot, as its gameplay is the right mix of fun and realism and the multiplayer modes are plenty of fun.
90
Games Radar (in-house)
This multiplayer component caps an already stunning single-player campaign and extends the value greatly. If you can't get enough of WWII, Call of Duty 2 is the hot ticket.
90
ZTGameDomain
The pure adrenaline rush that you get from any level in this game is amazing, the mission structure actually keeps you entertained, and the presentation and top-notch AI really draw the player into the game world.
90
Xbox World Australia
An exceptional game no matter which way you cut it: intense singleplayer with stunning graphics and audio, and a rock solid multiplayer component.
90
Game Power Australia
It outguns just about every other console shooter currently on the market.
90
Computer and Video Games
This is an enthralling shooter, with some fantastic setpieces we're aching to get back to. [Official UK Xbox Magazine]
90
XboxAddict
This is the best game on the Xbox 360 right now in my humble opinion, but I fear that another game might quickly take its place that offers some of the things that this game is lacking, i.e. co-op, both online and split-screen, in addition to a more controllable Xbox Live experience through the ability to host your own games and invite only your chums.
90
Play Magazine
It's one of the best games of the year. [Dec 2005, p.56]
90
Talk Xbox
It couples some extremely well executed facets such as its great sense of realism and lovely visual effects, with its rock solid presentation.
90
Gamer 2.0
The mix of spectacular graphics, marvelous sound, and solid gameplay easily make CoD2 one of the Xbox 306’s must have launch titles.
90
IGN
It succeeds graphically, over-achieves in the audio department, and plays with such deft design and implementation that the linear paths and lack of freedom won't even matter. Your ears will be rattling and your senses bombarded with such force, you’ll actually be happy to be directed through these levels.
90
Yahoo! Games
Yes, it's a World War II shooter, but it's not just any WWII shooter -- until there's a revolutionary leap in the genre, this stands as the most polished, intense, and atmospheric war shooter for the living room, bar none.
90
1UP
The comfortable 360 controller is actually better for this game than the trusty old mouse and keyboard. Movement with the analog sticks is natural, intuitively transitioning from walk to run without having to hold down a special key.
90
Team Xbox
Infinity Ward has created a PC game for the 360 (with better graphics than the PC version to boot) and managed to include not only next-gen sounds and graphics, but also gameplay features that were basically impossible on the old hardware.
90
Official Xbox Magazine
A nine-hour, tension-filled rollercoaster ride. [Holiday 2005, p.66]
90
GamerFeed
The environments are fantastic and smooth, the gameplay is refined, and the aggressive AI could very well have you for lunch.
90
GameSpy
One of the finest FPSs ever created. Thanks to a combination of sharp visuals, teeth-rattling sound effects, and tricky enemy AI, you'll be on the edge of your seat from the moment you're dropped into combat until your dying breath.
89
Xbox Evolved
It allows up to sixteen players to take the battle online and delivers on all accounts a satisfying WWII shooter. If you do happen to have Xbox Live (which I hope every Xbox 360 owner at least attempts to get), go immediately to the ‘headquarters’ mode and play that to death.
88
GameSpot
Almost everything that makes the PC version one of the year's best shooters remains intact on the Xbox 360 version of the game, which looks just as good and actually runs smoother than all but the most beastly of gaming PCs.
88
Electronic Gaming Monthly
What makes Duty so special is the A.I. Enemies make great use of cover; they charge when it's to their advantage and give up positions when they know they're beat; they actually seem to understand grenades, running from them or tossing them at the perfect spot to draw you out of hiding.
88
Jolt Online Gaming UK
Admittedly the game’s next-gen appeal is questionable since it shuns flashy graphical effects in favour of immense detail and smooth action, but the fact alone that it can stand alongside the PC version looking none-the-worse for it speaks volumes about how far console gaming has come.
85
MS Xbox World
Although the game could probably be completed in a rental period on easier settings I have no doubts that this game is one title that many players will want to replay over and over.
85
Gaming Nexus
Easily one of the most cinematic games released on any platform. The graphics and sound grab you from the first mission and carry you through to the end of the game. The only thing that is really holding the game back is the buggy/laggy multiplayer which will hopefully be fixed soon.
85
PALGN
A launch game all 360 owners should consider. An unforgettable single player experience that gets better the further you go.
85
Armchair Empire
A very solid launch title for the Xbox 360 but there’s still room for improvement, like some kind of enveloping physics engine.
80
Xboxic
As far as sound goes, the game is loud. The rattling of chain guns, explosions, Nazi screams, the shouting of your teammates telling you to “throw some grenades in those windows!”, there’s quite a bit going on, and it’s all good.
80
360 Gamer Magazine UK
It's so gritty and intense that at times you can suspend your disbelief to such an extent that the couch, TV and controller simply melt away. [Issue #2]
80
Gamestyle
The single player is a phenomenal first-person shooter, standing firmly shoulder to soldier (sorry) with the best of the genre. However, its sorely under-developed multiplayer aspect has definitely let the side down, like a soldier who's lost his big toe in the war.
80
Gamenikki
It will give you a ton of value as a single player game. It's also a great first effort for the genre on the next gen system.
80
games(TM)
The sense of mortality, tension and sheer scale makes for a truly stunning experience. [Christmas 2005, p.110]
75
Game Revolution
It delivers unbelievable graphics and more cathartic chaos than you can shoot a luger at, but has something of a dumb head on its shoulders, an overly simple control scheme and busies itself providing greater densities of the same old content without doing anything new.
70
Eurogamer
Of the shooters available on the 360 at launch, Call of Duty 2 is easily the most accessible and consistently entertaining single player offering, but if online is your thing you're better off considering what Rare has to offer ["Perfect Dark Zero"].
70
Edge Magazine
For those who can tolerate having their brain beaten numb by it, the game entails often enthralling, occasionally awe-inspiring sights and sounds. But little is there that’s new compared to much that needs renewal. [Christmas 2005, p.96]
Hagen M. gave it a9: Joey G. gave it a7: Fred B. gave it a0: David W. gave it a10: Alex D gave it a1: Pekka K. gave it a10: Rick R. gave it a7: |
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