Should I Play Modern Warfare 1 Before Modern Warfare 2?
The short answer is: yes, you should definitely play the original Modern Warfare trilogy before jumping into the 2022 Modern Warfare 2 release.
Are the Modern Warfare Games Connected?
While 2022‘s MW2 is not a direct remake of the 2009 game, it is a reboot that shares many key characters, themes and ideas. The developers have confirmed it takes place in the same narrative universe and is intended to be a sequel to 2019‘s Modern Warfare soft reboot.
So the stories are directly connected across the trilogy. Many plot points and references in MW2 will make much more sense if you‘ve played the first two games.
What Order Should I Play the Games In?
- Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007)
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009)
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2011)
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019)
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II (2022)
The 2019 MW serves as a soft reboot of the series, restarting the storyline with the same characters in a modern setting. MW2 (2022) then continues this new storyline.
What If I Only Have Time To Play One Game First?
If you only have time for one game, the 2019 Modern Warfare is absolutely essential. MW2 directly follows the story of Task Force 141 from that game, featuring many of the same main characters like Captain Price.
You‘ll miss a lot of references if you skip the 2019 release.
Do I Need To Buy Anything to Play MW2?
The multiplayer mode of MW2 requires a full purchase. But the free-to-play Warzone 2.0 battle royale features some content and maps from MW2 for free.
So you can get a small taste of Modern Warfare 2 without spending money.
Bottom Line
Playing the past Modern Warfare games first, especially the 2019 soft reboot, will make the experience of MW2 much richer and more rewarding. You‘ll understand the full context of the story being told and pick up on more of the nostalgic references.
