With the recently announced two-week delay for season 2 of Modern Warfare 2, now set to arrive on February 15, fans are abuzz with speculation on what the upcoming content patch might entail. Details are being rolled out slowly, but according to Infinity Ward press releases and several leaks, the confirmed additions so far include new weapons, maps, operators, and an all-new ranked mode. The latter will use the official CDL ruleset and contain an ELO system for players to rise and fall through the ranks. While Modern Warfare 2 and Warzone 2 still feel fresh for some, others feel the game has fallen into a bit of a lull and are anxious for season 2 to breathe new life into it.
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Announced via Twitter on January 22, hardcore mode is making its Modern Warfare 2 debut with the season 2 update. Featuring a lower time-to-kill, friendly fire, and no HUD, hardcore mode ditches the more gamey elements of Modern Warfare 2 in favor of the most realistic experience possible. Previously released mode tier 1 provided players with a hardcore-esque version of the multiplayer shooter, but most fans considered the mode a half-measure. With the release of season 2, hardcore fans can finally go full-tilt in their favorite flavor of Call of Duty. Which game modes will receive a hardcore variant has not been announced, but the safe assumption is it will cover the same ground that tier 1 did.
In previous Call of Duty titles, hardcore mode is a visceral experience that rewards solid team communication and map awareness. The removal of the mini map and player tags for allies, coupled with the inclusion of friendly fire means that a reckless gamer can easily sabotage their team in hardcore. The less forgiving version of Modern Warfare 2’s multiplayer may be a turnoff for the more casual players, but for some, it is an immersive, rewarding, adrenaline-spiking experience that remains unmatched across the other game modes of Modern Warfare 2.
The future is bright for Modern Warfare 2. Between the release of ranked play and hardcore mode in the upcoming season 2, the most dedicated and serious fans of the franchise will soon be able to put their prowess to the test.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
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