Can You Skip Cutscenes in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Campaign? The Complete Guide
As a passionate Call of Duty gamer and content creator, one question I see frequently asked is: can you skip cutscenes in Modern Warfare 2‘s campaign? The answer is yes, you can skip cutscenes across all platforms.
Exact Controls for Skipping Cutscenes
Here are the exact buttons needed to instantly skip cutscenes in MW2 campaign:
PC
- Left Mouse Button
- Or Keyboard Action Key (Spacebar, E key, etc)
PlayStation
- Press the X button
Xbox
- Press the A button
On PC you can spam the button for quick repeated skips. On console, you often need to hold for a second or two. But overall the process is seamless.
Evaluating Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2‘s Campaign Length
- With All Cutscenes: ~8 hours
- Skipping All Cutscenes: ~6 hours
So MW2‘s campaign takes between 6-8 hours depending on your taste for cinematics. How does this stack up?
Critics and players alike praise MW2‘s pacing. The story moves briskly from globe-spanning mission to mission. Fan-favorite characters like Soap, Price, and newcomer Alejandro keep things compelling between firefights.
For reference, here are campaign lengths for previous Call of Duty games:
| Game | Length (Hours) |
|---|---|
| Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare | 6-8 |
| Call of Duty: World at War | 6-8 |
| Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 | 6-8 |
| Call of Duty: Black Ops | 6-10 |
| Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 | 5-7 |
| Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 | 6-8 |
So MW2 fits snuggle into the sweet spot established by earlier CoD campaigns. It avoids the pacing issues introduced later when trying to balloon playtime with filler.
Personally, I wish the MW2 story was longer! Price and Soap are two of my favorite video game characters. The globe-trotting missions keep things fresh and exciting at all times. I would happily take a 10+ hour expanded campaign. But 6 hours offers tight pacing for replays.
The Controversial "No Russian" Level
One of the most talked about missions is "No Russian" early in the game. In it, you play as an undercover CIA agent joining Russian terrorist Vladimer Makarov as his squad guns down hundreds of civilians in a Moscow airport.
The level sparked debates about violence in video games when MW2 originally launched in 2009. Recently the level received attention again with the 2022 MW2 remaster.
Thankfully, the controversial mission can be skipped entirely without penalty in both the original and remaster. A warning message gives you the option to avoid the graphic content while still progressing the story.
Personally I think the mission, while extreme, provides crucial context on Makarov‘s brutal tactics. The horrific acts highlight why Task Force 141 makes eliminating him their top priority. But allowing players to skip understandably caters to different comfort levels with violence.
Ranking MW2‘s Best Campaign Missions
While fans debate which Call of Duty has the best campaign overall, most agree MW2 provides some of the most memorable missions ever in the franchise.
Here are my personal top 5 best levels:
5. Wolverines! – This daring rescue operation shows off the global scale as you fight through the snowy mountains. The setting and survival stakes make it stand out.
4. Loose Ends – Chasing Rojas through Rio then barely escaping the favelas capture‘s MW2‘s signature intensity.
3. Cliffhanger – The fast-paced climb up the icy mountainside provides a memorable start to the game.
2. Takedown – Infiltrating the Brazilian militia safehouse to capture Rojas turns into an all-out war.
But my #1 vote goes to…
1. The Gulag – Escaping the Russian prison with Soap remains MW2’s most iconic moment. The close-quarters combat, stealth, and set pieces make it exceptionally thrilling.
Final Thoughts: Does MW2‘s Campaign Hold Up?
13 years later, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2‘s campaign absolutely holds up. The ability to swiftly skip cutscenes lets you trim the playtime down to a concise 6 hours. But every minute remains bursting with stellar combat, settings, and characters.
As a life-long Call of Duty gamer myself, I consider MW2‘s campaign one of the best in the entire franchise. The definition video game blockbuster experience.
I can‘t wait to replay it, skip those cutscenes, and dive back into Task Force 141‘s globe-trotting war against Makarov and his forces. See you online!
