It's not going to bring you back but will satisfy current player
I want to start this review by saying, ‘if you are one of those people who enjoyed Modern Warefare 2’s multiplayer for the first few weeks of its release but, then proceeded to move on to something new, due to frustration with core game mechanics or select individuals who choose to glitch their way to victory. The ‘Resurgence Map Pack’ will not bring you back, most people would look at the rather large price tag of 1200 MS points, and expect there to be some significant expansion on the multiplayer portion of the game ( new perks, weapons or even challenges?). But no, there is none of that, even though it is blatantly obvious that if you wanted to breathe new life into a multiplayer title, you would do some of the things I have suggested. The Resurgence Map Pack delivers exactly what the title advertises: New maps.
Now, for those who have not lost interest in MW2’s multiplayer, this is probably a good thing for you. The Resurgence Map Pack contains five new maps, two of which have been recycled from Infinity Ward’s previous title, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare.
Vacant is an arrangement of eroded concrete Russian offices, which strongly promotes close-quarters combat. I enjoy playing objective based games on Vacant, as the multitude of entrances to each command point/ flag room or bomb site generates a good sense of tension in each match, and when assaulting the opposing team’s base, you are given a wide range routes to attack. This map still functions and looks exactly the same as it did in Call of Duty 4 but, there has been some tweaking to adjust to the nuances that exist Modern Warfare 2.
The second returning map is Strike. I am not a huge fan of Strike, because when it is compared to the other offerings of MW2’s multiplayer, it just doesn’t come across to me as one of the stronger contenders. Set in yet another obliterated Middle Eastern street, with nice high building’s so the cool kid on the second level can gun you down with his machine gun all day long. It’s kind of ridiculous that gametypes like Domination, and Search and Destroy are featured on this map, as due to the extremely small number of spawn points of the map, you end up becoming a respawning bulletbag for the opposition. As some idiots employ the use of capturing two points, and leaving the third, so they can spawn camp you over and over again. The only fatal flaw with Modern Warfare 2’s multiplayer (the spawn system) really ‘shines’ in this map, and creates a lot of unnecessary frustration.
Carnival is an odd map. Atheistically, I love it, I think it looks great and chuckle when I flinch at the various manikins scattered across the map, mistaking them for enemies. I can’t quite pinpoint the reason as to why I don’t enjoy playing on Carnival, maybe my suicidal playstyle and this map just don’t work well together but, I can those who primarily use long range, accurate weapons enjoying this map. But, its great to play in a completely different environment that is not represented in any other of MW2’s offerings.
On to Fuel, perhaps one of the largest maps available in Modern Warfare 2. Fuel is essentially the hot, sandy version of Derail; it has huge wide open areas, mixed with factories, offices and warehouses. It’s a combination that works well; it gives the snipers somewhere to nest and the others a place to duel. Due to this maps immense size, it’s nearly required that you have the marathon perk applied to the class that you are using, as you can spawn hundreds of metres from the action. Also the real beauty of this map is spawn points, a fatal flaw that exists in some of MW2’s smaller maps. Due to its size, I never felt like I had been cheated by the spawn system, I never spawned right into my rivals sights while playing this map.
Trailer Park is my favourite map of the five in the Resurgence Map Pack. I really enjoy the pace that this map generates; playing with a shotgun zipping in and out of caravans, ducking for cover and constantly sprinting is super fun. Objective gametypes work fairly well on Trailer Park, as there multiple entrances to each point, it also forces you to travel in groups of two or more, because it is so easy to get gunned down while trying to arm a bomb or capture a point. This map really just works to my playing style, and the chaotic dashes from caravan to caravan really make this map stand out from the rest.
So, is the Resurgence Map Pack worth the hefty price of 1200MS points? It is a subjective question, if you are part of the group who plays Modern Warfare 2 on a semi-regular basis, yes, it is worth the money.
For those who haven’t really played the game since launch then, I would suggest that you just save your money and spend it on a good Xbox Live Arcade game or put it towards Black Ops.
If you’re sitting somewhere in the middle, the high price really does create a problem, I would suggest that you play a few hours of the current multiplayer, and if you’re having fun, get the maps. Although I enjoyed the 15 or so hours that I spent with these maps, I probably won’t be playing much Call of Duty online until Black Ops is sent out, because the pull of unlocking new weapons, killstreaks and perks isn’t there anymore after the many hours that I have invested in this game.
