Metareview: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare - Reflex
by David Hinkle 
{ Nov 12th 2009 at 7:00PM } 
- Nintendo Dpad (85/100): "Overall, the game is just what you would expect from an HD game like Call of Duty 4 being ported to Wii. Everything is there, from the great multiplayer and single player modes, to Wii specific controls that really trump those found on other consoles. The only real bad part is that the graphics needed a major step down for the port, and we would have liked WiiSpeak support for those who prefer that, though it is not necessary."
- ONM UK (80/100): "Given the extra two years Treyarch had to squeeze every last drop of polish from the Wii, this is underwhelming visually. It looks okay for a Wii game - that's the dreaded caveat - but it's not even up there with Metroid Prime: Corruption. Having said that, Modern Warfare is still an excellent shooter packed with options and it should be a big player online so we can welcome it to the Wii family."
- IGN (70/100): "Unfortunately, Reflex Edition on Wii just doesn't cut it as a Call of Duty branded game or as a top-tier Wii first-person shooter. The framerate is jumpy, the pointer tracking needs some serious polish, and while most of the elements of COD4 are included, none of them are given enough fine-tuning to truly excel."
Gallery: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (Wii)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
SpyderTaco (PSN: Ar4chNova89) @ Nov 12th 2009 7:05PM
Sigh..
Brysonial the Bison @ Nov 12th 2009 10:05PM
REALLY! REALLY!!!
Come on you've gotta be kidding me thats about as good as really really bad gamecube graphics and just for the record I got nothin against the cube!
Darth Bradwart, The Dark Lord of the Sith-ATDF Co-Founder @ Nov 12th 2009 7:05PM
Those are about what I expected. If people hadn't played the main version of CoD4 first, would they rate this higher, I wonder?
C'mon, Joystiq! Give me my damn NPD numbers!
Captain Planet [Planeteer | Power of Captain Planet] @ Nov 12th 2009 7:06PM
This is the last time I'm going to tell you Joystiq...the iPhone tag is missing...AGAIN.
SpyderTaco (PSN: Ar4chNova89) @ Nov 12th 2009 7:32PM
This game had so much potential.
It's a shame Nokia no longer supports the N-Gage.
Darth Bradwart, The Dark Lord of the Sith-ATDF Co-Founder @ Nov 12th 2009 7:34PM
I'm thinking a Gizmondo port will be announced any day now.
SpyderTaco (PSN: Ar4chNova89) @ Nov 12th 2009 7:36PM
You always have something to say..
Traceur_Ryuk [Founder of The Anti-EMCB(tm) and co-leader of ATDF] (PSN: Ryuk_shinigami) @ Nov 12th 2009 8:00PM
It's not THAT bad of graphics. It looks pretty much like COD2. You kids and your fancy schmancy graphics. Back in my day we had to use imagination, those little white guys in space invaders, yeah, I pretended they were cats.
Victor @ Nov 12th 2009 8:25PM
@Traceur_Ryuk, like COD2?
This is COD2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlO7VVBKA78
If you want to compare it to a previous COD game, compare it to COD1...
I find it hard to believe that I'm the only person who finds it unnaceptable that developers keep releasing games with PS2 graphics on a system that's capable of much more. This is supposed to be 2 duct-taped GCs, and 1 GC is enough hardware to make a game much better looking than this port.
The first Xbox had a Half-Life 2 port that looked better than 90% Wii games, it was less frustrating when only shovelware looked like crap, but a CoD4 port?
Gah :T
Papa Midnight @ Nov 12th 2009 8:41PM
How dare you down-vote the all power Captain Plan-
Latin_Trident @ Nov 12th 2009 7:07PM
No surprise. I honestly believe that true gamers have a wii, a real next-gen console (360 or PS3). Harcore gamers have a PC. ANyways, true and hardcore gamers will have MW2 instead of reflex. And some PC Hardcore gamers won't have MW2 because ... well you know. No need to bring up that topic again.
Darth Bradwart, The Dark Lord of the Sith-ATDF Co-Founder @ Nov 12th 2009 7:09PM
Did you see the hilarious pic on Kotaku a while ago? It showed the list of MW2 boycotters. Over half were playing, you guessed it, MW2...
Kris120890 @ Nov 12th 2009 7:18PM
Can you give us a link to the article Darth.
Kris120890 @ Nov 12th 2009 7:22PM
Doesn't matter I found it. I think we all new that was going to happen.
RKN (Steam ID: nerdydesi) @ Nov 12th 2009 7:24PM
I'm still having a slight sense that screenshot was fake.
It goes to show what an evil alliance Infinity Ward and Activision have with each other, they take away such important features such as dedicated servers and people still buy MW2 in droves.
I have never ever played online MP and MW2 has been my first try at it and I had a lot of fun yesterday. I will now have to try out MW1's superior multiplayer and see how it is, it certainly isn't going away anytime soon thanks to MW2.
mian @ Nov 12th 2009 7:11PM
Massive disappointment. It should have been the shooter on Wii, but it's mediocre at best. Treyarch did a much better job on WaWii, but apparently the timeframe and resources provided for MW Reflex led to an odd rush to market... apparently Activision would rather deliver absolute crap 2 years late than be 2.5 years late and deliver a game that was actually completed.
But what the hey, maybe those stupid Wii owners will think it's Modern Warfare 2 and read the wrong reviews. Oh, btw, your two non-IGN reviews sound like they barely know how to evaluate this title. You should have just passed up the metareview opportunity if those are what you needed to fill it up.
mian @ Nov 12th 2009 7:12PM
* should have been the /best/ shooter on Wii
Flo @ Nov 12th 2009 7:12PM
I'm going to download this and see if it is any good.
tmacairjordan87 @ Nov 12th 2009 7:14PM
Wierd, I didn't see this when I was browsing the gamecube section yesterday, thought they stopped making new GC games.
CheeziePotato (ATDF's Super Saiyan) @ Nov 12th 2009 7:16PM
This game isn't even good enough to be a Gamecube game.
ChuckBartowski (ATDF Technical Consultant) @ Nov 12th 2009 8:39PM
K not funny anymore. People making jokes like that are retarded. Yes we know that it doesnt look good, but seriously, the whole iphone/older console thing is getting old.
tmacairjordan87 @ Nov 12th 2009 8:41PM
"he whole iphone/older console thing is getting old."
So are current gen games that look like them.
Brendan H @ Nov 12th 2009 7:14PM
Shoulda' called it Call of Duty: Modern Warfare - REFLUX Edition, and packaged it with some Zantac.
PSN: John-Paul-Jones (click for last.fm profile!) @ Nov 12th 2009 7:16PM
How do you play Veteran mode with a Wii stick? =O
Darth Bradwart, The Dark Lord of the Sith-ATDF Co-Founder @ Nov 12th 2009 7:18PM
Step 1: Attempt to kill bad guy.
Step 2: Fail three dozen times.
Step 3: Throw Wiimote in anger, cracking TV.
Step 4: Trade the game back in and say you beat it.
dagevert01 @ Nov 12th 2009 7:23PM
So that's, what, two terrible ports in a single week?
Good job Infinity Ward. You guys sure know how to fail.
Guess_Who @ Nov 12th 2009 7:28PM
IW didn't port this. Treyarch did.
Darth Bradwart, The Dark Lord of the Sith-ATDF Co-Founder @ Nov 12th 2009 7:30PM
Comprehension fail.
ChuckBartowski (ATDF Technical Consultant) @ Nov 12th 2009 8:40PM
Criticism fail.
mian @ Nov 12th 2009 9:18PM
Don't blame Treyarch, they've done solid work on Wii in the past--WaWii is one of the highest quality 3rd party titles on the system. I strongly suspect Treyarch was given two dimes and a week to complete it by Activision, and no one can do well under those circumstances.
gaddes @ Nov 12th 2009 11:58PM
Don't blame Treyarch, blame Activision for probably pushing this on them.
Mr Khan @ Nov 12th 2009 7:37PM
That IGN review was insane, from what i've heard from people who have the game. The pointer is not inaccurate
That the game was really rushed seems to be it's biggest flaw, i mean, it seems like they made it in less than a year, which should be a death sentence.
Mr. Fister @ Nov 12th 2009 8:07PM
Definitely don't trust IGN's review, especially since they insist on using those horrible pre-beta screenshots of the game. Seriously,at least show pictures of the final product if you're gonna badmouth a game's graphics.
Travis @ Nov 12th 2009 7:41PM
i think everything on the wii should be cel shaded like borderlands.
Jesus (PSN: Luttdawg) @ Nov 12th 2009 7:45PM
"Wii specific controls that really trump those found on other consoles" this dude needs to be lined up and shot!
Mr Khan @ Nov 12th 2009 7:56PM
Let's not start this argument again. We just had it yesterday
bm @ Nov 12th 2009 8:33PM
There's no arguing with someone who just can't bear to hear the Wii has any advantages at all over his favourite big people's console that he gets his self worth from. I can just picture this guy turning red in front of his computer screen at the mere mention of it.
Jesus (PSN: Luttdawg) @ Nov 13th 2009 2:57AM
I'm not starting anything, I just don't like the Wii all that much, simply my thoughts. You don't really seem to have an interest in the ps3/360 Khan. I especially think that the controls do not suit Call of Duty, come on, seriously think about it.
@bm I don't think the Wii has any real advantages for an adult gamer such as myself. I don't get red in front of my computer. The thought of you playing Mario Party 12 while I play Uncharted or Gears keeps me very content.
What is this I don't even...? @ Nov 13th 2009 5:11AM
While we are still playing who's the most elitist :
PS360 graphics are so outdated they can't even play Crysis 1. On top of that their silly little analog sticks can't even come close to a mouse, hell, only the Wii remote comes close to the mouse!
The Dark Wayne [Planeteer: Power of the Batusi] ATDFs Financier and Batman @ Nov 13th 2009 7:21AM
fucking A, i hardly think being unable to match what is basically the most graphically intensive game of all time that brought everything but the most expensive computers to their knees. Also, every PC gamer ever, needs to shut the fuck up about the mouse and keyboard. You can zoom in to an accuracy of 1 pixel? That's great, I don't give a fuck, that doesn't make any game more fun. Only the absolute shittiest of console shooters have accuracy problems so bad they ruin the game, and this means shit worse than darkest of days if you can imagine. Also, while the Wii absolutely does not come close to the (useless) precision of a mouse, that doesn't mean it's without it's merits, there is more than one way to play a game, so get over yourselves fanboy fucks
bm @ Nov 13th 2009 8:45AM
adult gamer such as myself hahahahahahaha
ponceturtle @ Nov 12th 2009 8:01PM
Wow i believe those bashing the game haven't even played it first. This game is great and i mean great the experience of modern warfare is here is all just the graphics. don't believe the whole frame rate issue thing because i have it and beat it already and is a good game. The problem is that they have modern warfare 2 so much up their ass that they just give a brief play to this version. This game deserve a getter view. Just look at the videos at you tube is not metroid prime 3 but at least is something.
Darth Bradwart, The Dark Lord of the Sith-ATDF Co-Founder @ Nov 12th 2009 8:05PM
The problem is, CoD4 was built around a consistent 60FPS experience, with good graphics. It's gotta be harder to snipe without the draw distance necessary. (How would the scene after All Ghillied Up work?). It's great that you enjoy it, but the port is inferior, which means its scores will be lower.
Drewcifer @ Nov 12th 2009 8:04PM
I own Reflex, and the IGN review was way off base. The controls are good, there's no cursor-control stutter, there's no lag on-line, etc. The on-line multi-player is a BLAST (no pun intended). The Conduit's on-line was "meh" for me, so that's why I got rid of it a week after I bought it.
Most pics I've seen are of the pre-build engine. I hate saying "for the Wii...", BUT... for the Wii, this game looks good. Sure, it's no Metroid Prime:3, but that game was based on art design, not realistic sets. I'd rather get two more people on-line than have some cleaner textures. The graphics (or lack thereof) don't detract from the experience.
Mr. Fister @ Nov 12th 2009 8:13PM
I'm glad to see the game get some decent reviews (IGN's nonsense aside.) It's just a shame that no matter how well the game looks or runs, everyone will inevitably call it the "inferior" version simply because it has worse graphics and a limited online experience.
Personally, if it means more immersive controls, I'll take a hit in the graphics department anyday, and I'm more of a single-player/local multiplayer kinda player anyway.
finnith @ Nov 12th 2009 9:14PM
How much are immersive controls worth though? The heart of Call of Duty 4 was the online component. Sure the campaign was fun, but in comparison to the multiplayer it was nothing more than a short romp through the Middle East and Eastern Europe. And I just don't see multiplayer being fun on the same console.
Fun DMC @ Nov 13th 2009 6:56AM
*sigh*
"no matter how well the game looks or runs"
the reason people don't like this port is because it neither looks good or runs well.
come on. :/
the fact of the matter is that you're not just taking a hit in the 'graphics' department here. everything about this game is scaled down in comparison to the other versions. the visuals lack the grit and pseudo-realism that made CoD4 look good in the first place. the textures look flat a lot of the time and the lighting and ai have taken such considerable hits that you'd swear you're playing a ps2 game - not to mention the framerate issues, which I only ran into once or twice so far - but that's two more times than I should have, and two more times than I did in MW's campaign for the PS3. you're limited to 10 players at once on any map in multiplayer, and you're probably not gonna find anyone to chat with since the only microphone option is proprietary, kind of expensive, and not all that great if ya ask me.
it's the 'inferior' version because of all sorts of things. which is what every review for the game i've read said. sure, the controls are pretty good, and if controls are worth the tradeoff to ya, that's just nifty. considering everything you forfeit to play this game with Wii controls, though... let's just say I see absolutely no reason for a multiconsole owner to pick up this version of the game.
NintendoJunkie @ Nov 12th 2009 8:37PM
Although I have no interest in playing or buying this game, the jokes & puns are so stale.
ChuckBartowski (ATDF Technical Consultant) @ Nov 12th 2009 8:41PM
Id wait for it to be lower than 50 bucks. Maybe if it gets to like 30 or less. Before that its not really worth it.
Richard @ Nov 12th 2009 9:02PM
The controls are fantastic. I'd say it's even better than mouse and keyboard once you get used to it. The graphics are pretty bad, even compared to other Wii games. Metroid looked way better. And it'd be nice to be able to talk to your team and strategize, thats my biggest problem with the game. But the controls are great, much better than 2 analog sticks, so don't believe IGN. Fantastic game, but could have been much more.