Look, let’s be real. If you’re searching for a cod modern warfare 2 walkthrough, you aren’t looking for someone to tell you to "shoot the bad guys." You’re probably stuck on Contingency or trying to figure out how to survive the literal chaos of The Enemy of My Enemy without getting turned into Swiss cheese by two different armies.
Modern Warfare 2 (2009) remains the high-water mark for the franchise. It’s loud. It’s fast. It’s occasionally very frustrating.
Whether you are playing the original or the high-definition Remastered version, the campaign logic stays the same. The AI is aggressive. Grenades will land at your feet with terrifying precision. You’ve basically got to learn the rhythm of the game, or you’ll spend three hours on a single checkpoint in Rio de Janeiro.
Stop Running into the Favela
Seriously. Stop it.
Takedown is the mission where most people realize their standard "run and gun" tactics are useless. You’re in the Rio de Janeiro favelas, chasing a guy named Rojas. It’s a maze.
The most important tip for any cod modern warfare 2 walkthrough in these tight spaces is verticality. The militia aren't just in front of you; they are on the rooftops, behind the colorful fences, and under the stairs.
If you try to sprint through the alleys, you’re dead. Instead, hug the walls. Clear the rooftops first. I’ve found that the semi-auto shotguns or a scoped AR are your best friends here. You have to treat it like a tactical shooter, not a race. If you hear a dog bark, stop. If you see a red barrel, keep your distance because the AI will absolutely blow it up while you're standing next to it.
Survival is about the "Hook"
What I mean by "the hook" is how you enter rooms. Don't just walk through the center of a door. Slice the pie. Peek the corners.
In missions like The Gulag, you’re dealing with extremely cramped corridors. Most players get overwhelmed because they don't use their tactical grenades. Flashbangs are the difference between life and death. If you aren't throwing a flashbang into every dark room, you’re doing it wrong.
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The Sniper’s Dilemma in Contingency
The mission Contingency is a fan favorite for a reason. You’re back with Captain Price in the snowy woods of Russia. It feels like All Ghillied Up from the first game, but it gets loud much faster.
People struggle here because they miss the timing on the patrols. Price gives you instructions, but he won't do the work for you. You need to time your shots so bodies aren't discovered.
When you get to the bridge with the BTR, don't engage it. Just don't. Stay prone in the snow. It’s tempting to try and be a hero, but the stealth mechanics in this game are binary—either they see you or they don't. Once that alarm goes off, the difficulty spikes 300%.
Once you reach the submarine base, you have a time limit. It’s tight. You need to move.
- Use the Predator missile drone immediately when it's available to clear out the clusters of vehicles.
- Don't waste time on individual infantry if the path to the objective is clear.
- Smoke grenades are actually useful here for crossing the open docks.
That Ending Though
We have to talk about Just Like Old Times and Endgame.
General Shepherd is a nightmare on Veteran. The final push through the caves is a test of patience. You’re fighting Shadow Company, and they are way smarter than the militia or the Russian Ultranationalists. They use smoke. They use flashbangs. They actually move to flank you.
When you’re in the caves, watch the shadows. The lighting engine was ahead of its time, and you can often see the shadow of an enemy around a corner before they actually appear. Use that.
The boat chase at the end is basically a scripted sequence, but if you stop steering for even a second to shoot, you might hit a rock and reset the whole thing. Focus on driving. Price will handle most of the shooting until the very end.
Why the Remaster Feels Different
If you’re using this cod modern warfare 2 walkthrough for the Remastered version released a few years back, you’ll notice the enemy AI feels a bit "stickier." They track you through walls slightly more effectively than in the 2009 original.
The graphics are better, sure, but the timing for the "Breach and Clear" slow-motion sequences is more precise. In the original, you could almost spray and pray. In the Remaster, you need headshots to clear the room in time, especially on the higher difficulties.
Hard-Earned Insights for Veteran Runners
If you are going for the Platinum trophy or all the Achievements, you’re playing on Veteran. It’s a different game.
Health doesn't exist. Two bullets and you're watching the red screen fade to black. The trick isn't being a better shot; it's being a better coward. Hide. Wait for your screen to clear.
The AI has a "leash." If you back up far enough, they often won't follow you past a certain point. Use this to thin out the herd from a distance.
Also, the M14 EBR is arguably the best gun in the campaign. If you find one, keep it. It’s a one-hit kill on almost anything, and the recoil is manageable if you pace your shots.
Actionable Next Steps
To actually beat the game without losing your mind, follow this workflow:
- Prioritize the "Heavy" units: In missions like Whites of Their Eyes, take out the guys with the shields first using a well-placed frag behind them or a 40mm grenade launcher.
- Check your corners: The favela and the Gulag are designed to trap you. Always look up.
- Use your tools: The Predator drone isn't just for the big targets; use it to scout where the infantry is grouping up.
- Don't skip the Intel: If you're following a walkthrough anyway, grab the 45 Intel items. They unlock "Museum" and "Cheat" modes that make second playthroughs much more fun.
Get back into the fight. Shepherd isn't going to take himself down. Use the cover, watch your flank, and remember that "Switching to your pistol is always faster than reloading."