Finally, the iconic members of Task Force 141 are set to make their return in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II. Now, it’s no secret that the game is a direct sequel to 2019’s aptly titled reboot, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare. However, this entry is set to deliver major changes to the franchise that’ll drastically alter the current landscape of the entire series and its future entries – and that includes the free-to-play battle royale offering, Call of Duty: Warzone.

So, just how in-depth are these changes and how will they impact the future of the Call of Duty franchise? It’ll ultimately depend on which version of the series you have found yourself most drawn to. For those that enjoyed the most recent Modern Warfare game and Warzone, it’ll feel quite similar. However, fans of Call of Duty: Vanguard and Call of Duty: Black Ops – Cold War will find the new engine (which will be a series’ standard from here on out) to be a change.

With that said, let’s take a look at what awaits gamers in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II.

What’s The Game About?

For those already familiar with the Modern Warfare brand, not too much will be out of place. This is especially true because Task Force 141 has been firmly established within the narrative of this new title. Beloved characters like Captain John Price, John “Soap” MacTavish, Kyle “Gaz” Garrick and the iconic Simon “Ghost” Riley are all back and they’re not alone. A few new friendly faces will be rounding out the squad this time around. Heavily featured in the marketing is newcomer Alejandro Vargas who will join the others as a key member of 141 – with more likely to follow.

The story, while different from the events of the original MW2, will bring players to familiar vistas. For example, during Summer Game Fest, players were shown a snippet of campaign gameplay featuring what looked to be a completely revamped Wet Work map. More of these familiar areas and levels are sure to show up as the game gears up for launch later this October. While we aren’t entirely sure what else awaits, eagle-eyed fans have already caught a glimpse of returning levels like Highrise in some of the teaser footage released thus far.

What Multiplayer Modes Are Available?

Multiplayer has long been the backbone of the Call of Duty experience, and Modern Warfare II will be no different. A total count on all the multiplayer maps in this game hasn’t been determined quite yet, but there are a handful of returning areas and brand-new locales that players will be battling across later this year. All of these maps will be divided into two categories: Battle Maps, which are larger in scale; and Core Maps, which are designed for 6v6 mayhem.

On top of the refined multiplayer offering, there are two new modes arriving alongside Modern Warfare II in the form of Knockout and Prisoner Rescue. The former is a spin on the fan-favorite game mode Gunfight, opting to instead feature 6v6 rather than the former’s 2v2. Each player only has one life, with the ability for a revive teammates. Whichever side has players standing when it’s all said and done are the winners. So, while simple in scope, it’s sure to be a hit amongst players looking for some high-stakes sessions.

Prisoner Rescue, on the other hand, is a major departure for the series – more closely resembling gameplay from something like Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege. As the name of the mode implies, one team will be tasked with rescuing prisoners from an opposing team of defenders. Teams will be able to breach doors and walls much like the aforementioned Siege, making it a radical departure from past CoD modes.

The intensity of having an enemy burst through a wall is sure to be a nice adrenaline-laced touch on an already action-packed package. Admittedly, the need for improved reaction time also lends itself well to those taking advantage of the new 6-Series Mini-LED TV's Game Studio Pro™ suite. Especially when considering how it’ll give you an edge with faster response times and variable refresh rate up to 144Hz, you'll be sure to have a competitive edge while enjoying the most immersive gaming expeirence on the big-screen.

Finally, those hoping for a Zombies mode should know that developers at Infinity Ward have confirmed that it won’t be returning in Modern Warfare II. Instead, players have a much larger multiplayer component to anticipate in what’s being hailed as a successor to the immensely popular Warzone.

What Is Warzone 2.0?

Call of Duty: Warzone has been a titan for Activision since its release in 2020. The free-to-play game took the world by storm after its debut, accumulating a shocking 125 million collective players since launch. The game became so big that even the likes of Godzilla and Kong found their way into it at one point, and there are now even bigger plans to bring Warzone to the next level with what’s publicly been dubbed Warzone 2.0.

Details are thin, but what we know about this next iteration of the battle royale game is that it’ll come with a brand-new map for players to explore. While Activision won’t rule out the possibility of maps like Verdansk, Rebirth Island and Caldera arriving in separate playlists in the future, players can expect to be exploring an entirely new region. Rumors also state that this new battlefield will be occupied by a number of A.I. controlled combatants – introducing a major PvE twist on the tried-and-true battle royale formula.

It should also be noted that Warzone 2.0 will be a fresh start for anyone that’s played Warzone before. None of the cosmetics, weapons or loadouts from the original will carry over to this new entry – but don’t worry. Activision will maintain the original game as a separate experience that exists alongside the sequel. This means that your hard-earned loot and loadouts aren’t going anywhere. This also allows Infinity Ward to utilize a new engine across both Modern Warfare II and the new Warzone, laying the foundation for all future Call of Duty games.

When and Where Can You Play It?

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II will launch on October 28, 2022 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S. Meanwhile, Warzone 2.0 is expected to arrive shortly after on all of the above-mentioned platforms before the end of 2022.

Activision has refined how this year’s iteration is available to fans. Gone are the assortment of bundles and confusion around which platform gives you which version on PlayStation or Xbox. Now, it’s as simple as buying the “Cross-Gen” version of the game and playing the best version of Modern Warfare II on whichever system you own – with no fear of paying extra if and when you choose to upgrade to a PS5 or Xbox Series X.

Those looking for something with a little more virtual bang for their buck can pick up the “Vault Edition” of the game. This awards players with the default “Cross-Gen” version of MWII, as well as a range of digital goodies across Warzone, Modern Warfare (2019), Warzone 2.0 and Modern Warfare II. An offering of limited skins branded as Red Team 141 is an easy highlight of this bundle, and it includes alternate costumes for Ghost, Farah, Price and Soap for use in MWII’s multiplayer modes and Warzone 2.0. This also includes the mysterious FJX Cinder Weapon Vault – something that the developers at Infinity Ward claim they’ll brief us on in the near future. If that weren’t enough, it also includes the impending Season 1 Pass for the new game, as well as a whopping 50 tier skips to throw you right into the action.

Finally, those that pre-order the “Vault Edition” will receive the Ghost Legacy Pack for use in Modern Warfare (2019) and Warzone right away. This pack includes 10 weapon blueprints and 12 Operator skins for none other than Modern Warfare II cover star Ghost. It’s certainly a great reward for those looking to jump into the action while they await the arrival of the newest CoD title.

Fortunately, the wait won’t be all that long until you’re jumping into the action alongside Task Force 141 this October. And who knows? Maybe in between Warzone sessions, you can begin improving your gaming setup with the likes of a new TCL TV.