Modern Warfare 2 vs. Modern Warfare 1 comparison

How does Modern Warfare 2 compete with its predecessor? Check it out in this comparison gallery where you find screens with similar settings from the two games.

[Alcon Caper]

Although the differences at first glance seem minimal, I see a noticeable amount of improvement between the two games (taking into consideration that they're the same engine).

[NecrumSlavery]

Only major difference is the fluidity of the game, looks like it runs much smoother. The only other major thing is the destructable environments. Not more grenades bouncing of windows. Lot's of small details.

Best comparison is what Smash Bros. BRAWL was to Melee. Graphically improved a small amount, but the content that was added is ungodly huge.

[DiffusionE]

So the small improvement in lighting is worth an extra $10? Pathetic.

[Saaking]

Looks the same just like

Gears 1 to Gears 2
Forza 2 to Forza 3
Halo 3 to Halo ODST

etc, etc. Is it really so hard to up the graphics? Just look at what ND did and PD (from GT5p to GT5).

From what I've seen it simply doesn't look like that big of a jump, graphically. Of course, some people would say there's a big difference. To me, they look fairly the same. Running at 60 FPS is an improvement, but it doesn't do much for the graphics. Especially when compared to games like KZ2 and UC2.

[Killjoy3000]

The visual fidelity between MW1 to part 2 is simply staggering. To say there is no difference is just stupid. And although it may not be the best looking games, it sits head and shoulders above at least every 360 game including Gears 2 and even Splinter Cell Conviction. The lighting is incredible, as are the particle and smoke effects. The fact that it runs as buttery smooth as it does is a true technical feat, and to say otherwise is simply ignorant.

Are you sure you've played the game? I'm not here to throw around baseless claims, but certainly if you've played it then you would notice all of the huge differences present. It looks good and plays better. What more do you want? I think you're jumping on the hate train just because it's the current fad here on N4G.

I had my doubts too, but once I played it on my 40" 1080p Plasma, all of those doubts were immediately put to rest.

[APOFISBORICUA]

improvement in the ligthning and color. Thats all, It has the same crap textures and the same characters models. To me COD4 looked better than this just for the time, now we heve been spoiled by other games. Anyway the game looks "above average" as one guy in Gamespot said about K2 one time upon its release.

OHH I like the Ketchup on the screen when I get hit...It make me hungry for fried fries!! LOL!!!

PEACE AND GAMING!!!!

[Anorexorcist]

I can immediately notice a great improvement in the weapon models, the reload animations, and the motion-capture animations (killing enemies in the SP campaign appears so much more satisfying.)

Only idiot fanboys would degrade MW2 and consider it a failure or not worthy!!!

[Teh Cell]

Yep, easily worth it. If you've played it, you would have realized that.

[thewhoopimen]

I would hardly call this a technical upgrade, though I do believe IW added new features.

To me it looks like they mainly used higher quality textures on the gun. The character polygon counts are exactly the same. The lighting system is exactly the same.

What I see different is a smarter use of matching texture design to the lighting they planned to use for the level. I think they chose the level lighting and environment work first and then designed textures to match the lighting used. Why do I say this? The texture resolution is as low as ever, but the color contrasts are much more noticeable and vivid.

[D4RkNIKON]

I have been waiting for this!

Edit, there is a slight difference but thinking back on a past article that said MW2 was graphically better than UC2 just makes me laugh.

[Teh Cell]

For the love of god, don't base your purchase on still screens. I guarantee you will be amazed when you see the MP in motion.

[rdgneoz3]

If you can get on...

[kaveti6616]

Finally, a comparison that doesn't divide the gaming community. Well, not as much as the other comparisons.

[DonCorneo]

the opening of mw2 stole that line from shawshank redemption

[tmt345]

not a very big improvement besides the lighting

[josh50187]

the only difference is we can actully play cod4 online

[edwineverready]

Bad now.

[Teh Cell]

Another clueless person that probably never even played the game!

[bigrudowsky]

i think the graphics are fine they looked good then and they look good now... Of course if your a graphics enthusiast then you can definitely find somthing wrong... All in all the visuals are great.

[Cregan4584]

IGN gave MW2 the same score for graphics as UC2. I'm not disappointed by that as much as how pissed I am about it. World at War had better graphics IMO.

[King_many_layers]

actually, IGN gave UC2 a 10 for graphics and this a 9.

it's really difficult to tell what on earth actually makes good graphics at IGN. KZ2 was clearly head and shoulders above all else on a technical level, yet scored 9.5

honestly don't understand as to why people are claiming these graphics to be "great". They're good, but they're certainly not great.

[KingKionic]

There`s more stuff going on in the game this time around .

I mean you would think it would because modern ware fare 2 is on a upgraded engine .

Modern ware fare 2 is great .

:)

[Gago]

MW2 has alot more stuff going on onscreen

[Gobot]

My eyes must be messing with my head. i read "Mw2 vs Mw1 comparison, not mw1 vs mw1.

[Teh Cell]

Yep, MW1 versus MW2. Your eyes were right.

[MajestieBeast]

Has any1 seen the textures on the cars its downright ps1 quality i mean come on and its not only 1 object plenty look like this on 1920X1200 4x AA and pretty much everything on high and extra.

http://img40.imageshack.us/...

[Sircolby45]

Yes as I hid behind the card and the bullets were bouncing off I was like OMG look at the textures on this car!!! /sarcasm

Personally I will take gameplay over graphics any day of the week.(Although I think MW2 graphics look pretty dang good personally)

[Baka-akaB]

I would too , and i usually like that expression , but seriously what new great gameplay feats has mw2 traded for better graphics ?

If remaining so close to MW1 so greatly improved the gameplay , i'm not seeing it . Especially when everything points to a less efficient online , at least right now .

[MajestieBeast]

For a game thats suppose to be sequel there should be a difference in graphics especially on pc just cause you like to get half assed products doesnt mean everyone does but hey if sheep like you keep buying these half assed games well be playing beta phase cod games.

[cyclindk]

Someone PLEASE tell me how reviewers rate graphics nowadays!!! This game keeps getting amazing scores for graphics and don't get me wrong I enjoy this game and it's predecessor, but I'm not biased, or blind; the graphics blow..

[keysy420]

their are some good ones and bad ones

[Cregan4584]

The game is garbage. It was way over hyped. We are comparing the first game (when was that, 2006?) vs a game three years later and the only differences are lighting and "more stuff going on". Modern Warfare 2 was letdown of the year for me.

[DiffusionE]

Don't forget, they've given us "better MP experience" by removing dedicated servers.

How is MW1 supposed to compete with MW2 when it has "custom stuff like mouse support, in-game text chat, graphics options"?

/sarcasm

[SpartanZero]

Graphics are bit better but Call of Duty is the best example of games that look better in motion especially with 60fps.

[testerg35]

There's definitely an improvement. I've watched my son play both and MW2 has definitely improved graphically.

[ambientFLIER]

I've been playing it for two days, and all I can say is "HOLY SH[T". Multiplayer looks better than COD4's campaign...it's like a whole new game. It's insane how much detail and objects there are. The killstreak rewards are loads of fun, and the lighting is top-notch as well. Bravo IW.

[Teh Cell]

Hey chumps...

Have any of you actually PLAYED this game, let alone the multiplayer portion? It's an insane difference. There are at least twice as many objects on the screen, more particle effects, 99% of objects have physics, and the lighting is much better. The art direction in the campaign is superb as well.

Why don't you stop crying about the screenshots, and play both games back to back in multiplayer Then you can come here and tell us all about what idiots you guys were.

Here...do this, before leaving any more hateful comments:

Go on the highrise map, and throw a grenade into one of the office cubicles, where all the computers and papers are. Watch how much stuff explodes, moves, or flies through the air...

[Ninji]

Both versions are equal.

[STONEY4]

The faces look better. The blood effect looks nice. The lighting is alot better, and there's no more of that stupid shiny outline around the soldiers.