Activision was demoing Spec Ops, a new cooperative mode in Modern Warfare 2 that is completely independent from the single-player campaign and online multiplayer modes. Spec Ops places you and a partner in a series of short and medium-length missions with varying objectives and settings. The missions are meant to be standalone affairs, similar to the airplane rescue mission at the end of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, and each mission will see players controlling different operatives with a pre-determined arsenal of weaponry and equipment. Activision was mum on how many missions will ship on the retail disc, but did state that the architecture of the game would allow for additional missions to be added via downloadable content. Start saving your money now!

The Spec Ops mission that we were shown involved the two operatives attempting to eliminate a terrorist cell of unknown allegiance after breaching through a wall with an explosive charge. The players began by priming and placing the charge on the wall, then waiting patiently for the charge to announce their arrival. When the charge exploded and the players spun into action, the game entered slow-motion, illustrating the confusion amongst the terrorist ranks while the room filled with dust and debris. The operatives wasted little time and used this confusion to their advantage, eliminating several enemies before the speed returned to normal and the terrorists regrouped. Moments later, as the dust cleared, the operatives found themselves in what appeared to be the shower room of an abandoned prison. If you seen The Rock with Sean Connery and Nicholas Cage, the inspiration for this scene is immediately obvious. Targeting lasers swept across the room from the balconies above, enemy soldiers took cover and engaged in suppressing fire, and the room erupted into utter chaos.

The action seemed very similar to that of the original Modern Warfare, with knife kills and penetrating cover, but with a few new gameplay additions, like the ability to pick up and use a riot shield. With experienced players at the helm, it wasn’t long before the mission was over, but Activision encouraged us to try it again, stating that each experience will be different. We were more than happy to oblige.

Similar to the Terrorist Hunt mode found in Rainbow Six: Vegas, the missions in Spec Ops will involve a variety of random components. The enemies will spawn in random places, and each one will be outfitted with a random assortment of equipment. Activision also stated that there are some rare enemies that will be tougher to beat that will make an appearance from time to time to keep players on their toes. The mission objectives and player characters will remain specific to each individual mission, but beyond that, nothing is set in stone.

As players complete missions, new ones will unlock and may be played in any order. Once again, we were not told how many missions will appear in the final version of the game, but we were told that Spec Ops mode actually rivals the single-player campaign in length, so we expect there to be plenty. Spec Ops mode can be played with a maximum of two players via online or local split-screen, so find a friend and start training now.

With an exciting single-player campaign, an extremely robust multiplayer mode, and the addition of Spec Ops, Modern Warfare 2 will have plenty to offer. It’s easy to see why many have predicted that this game will surpass sales records worldwide, as it has already surpassed our expectations.

Ahem.

GameNorth spent the a day in London yesterday. Not London, England, or even London, Ontario, but This is London, a trendy nightclub nestled in the heart of Toronto’s fashion district. Typically home to dance parties and fashion shows, This is London hosted a different kind of event yesterday: Microsoft Canada’s annual holiday gaming preview, X’09.

The venue was smaller than the one used last year, but that didn’t stop Microsoft Canada from filling it wall to wall with their most anticipated first and third-party titles of the upcoming holiday season. And if you were unable to make the trip out to London yesterday, have no fear, GameNorth took one for the team and played each and every one of them.

Throughout the remainder of the week, our Microsoft X’09 coverage will include previews and impressions of Splinter Cell: Conviction, Left 4 Dead 2, Modern Warfare 2, and more, as well as interviews from the event floor. We may even provide details on a top secret project out of Harmonix that involves the one and only MC Hammer!

Also noteworthy were the games and developers that were absent from X’09 this year. BioWare was a no-show, leaving many who were hoping to see Mass Effect 2 and Dragon Age: Origins disappointed. Alan Wake and Crackdown 2 were also absent, and several third-party developers, such as SEGA and Namco, chose not to make an appearance at the show. Regardless, we had a great time, played some great games, and met some great people. We can’t wait to do it all over again next year!

If you have any X’09 stories, feel free to post them in our comments below.

After little effort on my end I found out that a pair of similar goggles costs anywhere from $150-$300 CAN on the Internet. The Limited Edition is about $130 CAN, meaning that they will be on the low end and next to useless if and when you choose to use them. The only way I would even consider upgrading my pre-order would be if I read a review of them and am thoroughly convinced that they are worth another $50 dollars on my end. Thanks Infinity Ward, but I prefer thermal vision anyway.

Modern Warfare 2 is scheduled for release on November 10th, 2009.

Click here to watch the video

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