Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

In 2009, there was one game, and only one game that I beat in a single sitting: and that would be Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. In fact, not only did I beat it in a one sitting, but I stuck around afterwards to play online, split-screen, Spec Ops… everything the game had to offer, really. And I’m not even an FPS freak. That definitely says something.

Modern Warfare 2 probably isn’t the most well-rounded gameplay experience of 2009. By nature of being a first-person shooter, it’s limited in scope, and doesn’t quite hold up when compared to say, Uncharted 2. But damned if it doesn’t have the most polished gunplay of any game I’ve seen, as well as the pacing so relentless that it borders on the ridiculous. In addition to that, Modern Warfare 2 is the only other game that comes close to matching the insanity of Uncharted 2’s setpieces, It’s almost a good thing that Modern Warfare 2’s campaign doesn’t last much more than six to seven hours, because it probably wouldn’t hold up for 15-20. But I can safely say that those six hours were the most gripping and addictive that I had this year.

And of course, that’s really only half the story. I don’t agree at all with those who say that Call of Duty is “only good for the multiplayer,” but let there be no doubt: you probably won’t have a better time online with another shooter. It’s a game that casual FPS fans such as myself can pick up and enjoy without becoming frustrated, but it also clearly has enough going for it to engage the hardcore. And split-screen multiplayer with friends? Well, that never gets old.

A rare example of an over-hyped game that lives up to its over-hyped-ness, Modern Warfare 2 was an easy pick for my Most Addictive Experience in 2009.

Runner Up: Uncharted 2: Among Thieves