Call of Duty 2
Release Date: October 25, 2005
Action, FPP, World War II, shooters, multiplayer, singleplayer, internet, LAN
Steam
A sequel to the bestselling first-person shooter developed by Infinity Ward in 2003. The action of the game once again takes place during the World War II, offering three campaigns spanning across 1941-45. During the game the player switches between an American paratrooper dropped in Western Europe, a British commando fighting in Northern Africa and France, and between a Russian infantryman deployed on the eastern front (including Stalingrad).
Call of Duty 2 for PC and X360 is a full-fledged sequel to the first person shooter released at the end of 2003. The action of the original game took place during the World War II and the game itself received many awards. It was also praised by players all over the world. The second game in the series, similarly to the first one, was developed by Infinity Ward - team that hired some people whom earlier worked on Medal of Honor: Allied Assault.
Story
Once again players can complete three campaigns in the years 1941-1945. As an American paratrooper, the player is mostly fighting in Western Europe (Normandy landings and further battles fought to push Germans from France, Belgium and Holland territories). As a British, commando the player fights in Northern Africa (Tunisia etc.) and then joins Americans in France. When deciding to play as a Russian infantryman, the player goes to Stalingrad and fights on the Eastern Front. A new feature in the game is the ability to switch between various campaigns, for example in order to complete them chronologically.
Gameplay
The virtual battles now simulate real ones even more realistically. There are many soldiers (including both allies and enemies). Explosions can be heard in the background (the battle takes place not only in front of player’s eyes). The soldiers have about 20,000 lines of speech (cries like “reloading weapon!”, “cover me!”, “get down!” can be heard regularly), which increases the realism of the game. The bullets affect the surroundings; buildings and some objects can be damaged or destroyed, there are marks on the ground after mortar or cannons attacks, the smoke after explosions can limit visibility. All around there are bodies of fallen soldiers, bullet marks etc. In addition to various historical weapons that are used in battles (rifles, handguns, grenades etc.), players can also use a few types of vehicles (for example tanks).
In comparison to the original game, the player needs more time to complete the whole game. The developers created few paths/ways of completing specific scenarios. This reduces the feeling that the game is too linear. The maps are a couple of times larger than in Call of Duty. The players still have predetermined mission objectives to complete, but now they can freely select the order in which they will complete them. The order of objective completion can impact the other phases of the mission (for example, destroying the enemy outpost at the start will reduce the number of opponents and make other actions easier. If the player decides to complete other objective at first, then he will be forced to defend from much stronger opponents).
Technical aspects
A greatly modified Quake 3 graphics engine was used in Call of Duty 2. It was improved to use the potential of PC and X360. The game interface hasn’t changed much in comparison to the first game in the series. However, one can easily notice other visual improvements – more detailed graphics, better textures, new character models and their movement animations. Shadow effects, explosions, fires and smoke look better as well. The game has also new artificial intelligence algorithms, and multiplayer mode (with few new game modes added to the classic modes of deathmatch and capture the flag).
Last updated on March 1, 2016
Last Update: November 23, 2005
Call of Duty 2 Game Guide & Walkthrough
Full single player walkthrough. Call of Duty® 2 redefines the cinematic intensity and chaos of battle as seen through the eyes of ordinary soldiers fighting together in epic WWII conflicts.
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Videos and Screens
[2:44] Call of Duty 2 Call of Duty 2 - campaign - gameplay
[2:18] Call of Duty 2 Launch trailer
The main pros of the game
- Nostalgia and Classic Status: Many users highlight the game as a nostalgic classic, representing a golden era for WWII games and the Call of Duty franchise.
- Intense Gameplay: Players appreciate the intense action, immersive sound effects, and well-scripted events that enhance the gaming experience.
- Advanced AI: The allied and enemy AI were considered advanced for the time, contributing to the excitement and challenge during gameplay.
- Great Multiplayer Experience: Users reminisce about the skill-based multiplayer experience, noting that it was better than many modern games.
- Visuals and Performance: The game is praised for its visuals, especially when played in 4K, and for its compatibility with modern systems like Windows 10 and Steam Deck.
- Customizability: The availability of mods like 'BACK2FRONTS' adds extra content and missions, enhancing replayability.
The main cons of the game
- Difficulty Spikes: Some users mention that the game can have random spikes in difficulty, particularly due to overwhelming enemy respawns and the number of enemies with automatic weapons.
- Fast-Paced, Non-Tactical Gameplay: The gameplay can feel overly fast-paced and less tactical, which might detract from immersion for some players.
- Graphics Compared to Modern Standards: While praised for its time, some users note that the graphics are lacking compared to modern titles, although they still hold up reasonably well.
The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users
- Lack of Tactical Depth: Players expressed a desire for more tactical gameplay elements, as the fast-paced action sometimes diminishes strategic planning.
- Limited Variety in Gameplay: Some players noted that while the game has its charm, it doesn't offer as much novelty compared to newer titles in the genre.
- Enemy AI Improvements: While the AI was advanced for its time, some users felt it could be improved further, with specific complaints about the accuracy and behavior of enemies, particularly with grenades.
Summary
- Overall, Call of Duty® 2 is celebrated as a classic FPS that continues to resonate with players for its nostalgic value, intense gameplay, and historical significance in the gaming landscape.
Summary generated on:
GAMERS Score
Average score from 11696 votes. 176 players anticipated the game.
40
GAMES
in Call of Duty Game Series
Game Series
Call of Duty Series
Call of Duty is a series of first-person shooters (FPS), the individual parts of which are set in different conventions of armed conflicts - from World War II, through modern wars, to futuristic conflicts. The series is considered one of the most important and popular brands in the history of electronic entertainment.
40 video games
Call of Duty 2 Summary
Platforms:
PC / Windows October 25, 2005
Xbox 360 November 22, 2005
Developer: Infinity Ward
Publisher: Activision Blizzard
Call of Duty 2 System Requirements
PC / Windows
Recommended: Pentium 4 2.2 GHz, 512 MB RAM, graphic card 128MB (GeForce 4 or better), 4 GB HDD, Windows 2000/XP
Xbox 360
Supports: Xbox Live
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According to new rumors, Activision may be preparing remastered versions of old installments of Call of Duty.
video games
Adrian Werner
March 25, 2022