Siren Studios in Hollywood, California was prepped and ready to become ground zero for the multiplayer reveal of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. And as gaming press flown in from around the world descended upon those hallowed grounds, expectation levels were above and beyond common hype.

Almost every other video game publisher has resigned to the fact that MW2 will dominate holiday sales this year, and have pushed their titles further into 2010 and beyond. MW2 has already been proclaimed by COD4 fans as Game of the Year. There is so little that has been disclosed about MW2, but the excitement and anticipation for this title could not be greater.

The over 13 million copies of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare that have been sold serve as a good indication of how well MW2 could perform in the market, but there is a clear expectation that MW2 actually be superior to its critically-acclaimed predecessor.

Years after its release, COD4 is still one of the most played games over Xbox Live due to its captivating multiplayer component. Yes, COD4 had one of the most compelling single-player experiences ever, but the multiplayer is what has gamers keeping the game in their Xbox 360’s tray.

I pondered these thoughts as we were ushered into the press conference room. Microsoft’s Larry Hyrb’s presence was not entirely unexpected, but it was curious, for a game that will be published across all platforms. After a brief introduction, Hyrb took the stage and announced the MW2 custom-designed Xbox 360. This console is adored with minimalistic military markings, and is crowned with a 25oGB hard drive. Bundled with two wireless controllers and of course, the MW2 game, with this package (priced at $399), Microsoft seems to have delivered a resounding answer to the PS3 Slim.

Before we were unleashed to get our hands on MW2, Infinity Ward Community Relations Manager Robert Bowling presented a quick look at the new multiplayer features in MW2. The basic, winning formula has not changed since COD4, but there are additional weapons and equipment to customize a loadout. Additionally, there are customizable titles, emblems, and even killstreak perks. Some new perks include the ability to scavenge a dead enemy’s equipment, or to set your own spawn point.

It was finally time for the press to make the mad rush into the demo room, where dozens of stations awaited. The multiplayer beta build that was available included three maps, which took place in Afghanistan, Rio de Janeiro, and atop a building complex. The three game modes that were available, capture the flag, team deathmatch, and demolition allowed each map to be explored and studied.

Members of the media were not given access to all the weapons, equipment, and perks, and every couple of rounds, all stats were reset, allowing no one to fully explore the demo. However, even with the limited number of loadouts available, the game was simply awe-inspiring.

Controls in this sequel just felt smoother and more in tune with my intended aiming and movements. The improved graphics may have something to do with this, but Infinity Ward definitely seemed to have made just the right amount of tweaking to get the controls even more refined.

The graphics, having been honed with streaming (and gorgeous, I might add) textures, improved character models, and increased special effects no longer make multiplayer look “gimped” compared to visuals in a single player campaign. The environments in the levels are just as alive as the characters with dust winds, debris, and the right amount of destructible (and exploding) items. “Scorched earth” indeed.

For those looking for a game as realistically-sounding as it looks, MW2 simply delivers, bringing the sounds of hellish war to the auditory senses. From the thunder of a distant grenade to the menacing buzzing of an attack chopper’s gun, the audio department at Infinity Ward seemed to have held nothing back.

Being such a tremendous experience in itself, I wondered what a tremendous value MW2 will be. The multiplayer experience alone is well worth the price of the game, but the addition of an outstanding single-player campaign that promises to deliver a more dramatic experience than the first Modern Warfare makes MW2 the perfect package that will prove to deliver a lasting gaming experience.

For more information about the multiplayer reveal of MW2, be sure to check out other hands-on impressions from Parris Lilly (talkingaboutgames.com), Sarkis Daglian (ve3tro.com), and Peter Toledo (gamertagradio.com).

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written by Rick Kim