On the way there, you are given an opportunity to drink in the detail, and it's a wondrous thing. You're then sent to something called The Pit, a test of your skills that yields a recommended difficulty level. It's literally a shooting gallery, teaching you the basics of wielding a weapon on the pretence of showing some locals the ropes. The game begins in obligatory newbie friendly mode at a boot camp in Afghanistan as you take control of new recruit Joseph Allen. In terms of incongruity it's a bit like watching a Carry On film only for Sid James to whip out his, tumescent phallus 10 minutes in. Now I'm a big horrible ugly man who has seen many disturbing things, yet the first time I encountered the No Russian level is still seared into my brain, even in its befuddled post-party 4am state. This is, of course, the now notorious fourth level of the game, a morally reprehensible atrocity exhibition that marks a watershed for gaming from which there may be no return. Not as seismic as what will probably be referred to indefinitely as 'That Level'. There are at least three maps - Favela, Afghan, and High Rise - and two new multiplayer modes - Capture the Flag (really, it's new - don't question it) and Demolition, which involves planting a couple of bombs. When there's nothing ground-breakingly new, but a lot of little tweaky improvements, it's difficult to summarise why a game's better, especially in a way that won't alienate people that haven't played the first Modern Warfare multiplayer. Modern Warfare 2s multiplayer is nothing desperately innovative, but it's a completely slick and friendly experience that looks set to easily replace its predecessor in the multiplayer throne. When you get that balance right, thrilling the hardcore and letting the ungifted join in, you're onto something pretty big. Killing someone who's nearing a kill streak or who's recently killed you or a teammate using a variety of weapons - all these things offer an XP boost and awards that can lend even the worst player a sense of dignity. In the potentially intimidating world of online shooters, MW2 tries to be friendly, offering bonuses for every notable situation. This is connected to Accolades - end-of-game awards given to those with high kill-to-death ratios, or who've done good at protecting their flag. Now you unlock emblems through a separate achievements system. Now, you don't just get to show off with a badge that proves you've voluntarily given up your top-level soldier 10 times, like some kind of suicidal maniac. The prestige elements have I also been built up. Level three grants access to all five predefined classes, and level five lets you create five custom classes.Р”Р„ class load-out now consists of your unlocked primary and secondary weapon, two pieces of equipment, three of your unlocked perks, and a death streak. For prestige - well, you could trade all your progress for a shiny badge that proves you're awesome.Р”Вeath streaks give heroic losers the chance to redeem themselves, with health boosts and the ability to steal your killer's class, to see how he was kitted out The unlocks are constant too. In terms of progress, the kill streak awards were instant reward for persistent murder, and the levelling and unlock system provided a compelling wider picture to keep you going.

Pie multiplayer side of Modern Warfare was characterised by two things: progress and prestige.

Finally there's High Rise, which breaks with the dusty theme and lets you wage war around an office block and on roof-tops. Then there's the dusty expanses of Afghan, with mountainous brown terrain and bunkers providing hiding places and sniping spots. Favela is your dusty shanty town, with tight maze-like roads occasionally opening up into areas filled with burnt-out cars and fizzing pylons. Today, though, it's all about the PvP multiplayer side - with three new maps cycling on the 32 machines. So far, we've had a glimpse of MW2s single-player campaign, and the Special Ops co-op mode has been showcased briefly.

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