Gaming

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II Hands-On: Old fan meets new game

Prepare for multiplayer

Published

October 26, 2022

Luigi Leonardo

I remember playing the first Call of Duty. It was a simple time. Crawling through the different theaters of World War II, Activision’s fledgling first-person shooter was a simple game of finding the coolest gun and shooting targets with it. Now, the decades-long franchise is anything but. Inside a typical Call of Duty game today, players will find an endless barrage of overpowered abilities and perpetually optimizable loadouts.

As an old-but-lapsed fan of Call of Duty, my hands-on of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II can easily devolve into a nostalgic waxing for days past when things were supposedly simple. However, this isn’t that. This isn’t the tale of an aging millennial wagging a 1940s Thompson at a zoomer’s decked out M16. This is quite the opposite. I find that I really want to play with that M16 with its dozens of knickknacks and its cheesy Doritos skin.

A mishmash of good ideas

Teasing fans with a tiny dose of FOMO, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II offers early access to its single-player campaign through the Vault Edition, among other gizmos once the game launches for everyone. While players don’t necessarily need the access a week in advance, it does provide a good glimpse of what’s to come for the modern shooting series. And, boy, it’s a doozy.

First of all, the graphics are astonishing. While I won’t claim to know how a modern war would look like up close, Modern Warfare II takes players to a wide variety of locations; each of which was painstakingly rendered to detail. Each level felt fresh and novel.

Of course, I can also thank the level design for that funky fresh feeling. Levels aren’t just simple shoot-em-ups. While most have their share of shooting, each level contains a new idea. For example, one has players controlling the recon and fighting arms of a helicopter. Another will have players reenact Sniper Elite and puzzle out the best way to take out targets with a rifle.

A particular standout has the player sneaking through the streets of Mexico using only scrap metal. It’s a new crafting system that just blends well and offers a great change of pace for the game.

For the most part, the game’s unique mechanics doesn’t overstay their welcome. Most will end and have you thinking, “hey, that was a great idea.” Naturally, the risk of offering so many mechanics is the loss of the game’s identity. Purely based on the campaign, there isn’t much that screams Call of Duty. To its credit, it’s a strength. I’d rather play a mishmash of interesting ideas, instead of a monotonous shooter for several hours. Obviously, it’s a taste test for the coming of multiplayer.

Not a perfect package

Unfortunately, it’s not all candy and flowers. Because it’s a chopseuy of guns, the bad levels end up as real stinkers. One particular pain point is a car chase mission. Though vehicles have existed in the franchise through some form, Call of Duty is not a car game. Movement was simple enough. But, besides the inherent difficulty of shooting a gun from a moving car to another moving car with limited ammo, the sequence also has players physically abandoning their current vehicles, jumping onto a fresh one, and hijacking it ad nauseum. Oh, and the bad guys have tiny drones and mines that are almost impossible to see or shoot.

The story isn’t a blockbuster either. It’s almost a blast-from-the-past recreation of 24. I was almost certain Jack Bauer was going to make a cameo after the credits. Then again, playing a Call of Duty game for the plot is as much a lie as saying everyone watches Pornhub for the story. It only serves to hurry players along to the multiplayer, and it does that job quite well.

Can’t wait for more

Coincidentally, the last Call of Duty I truly played was the first Modern Warfare 2. Even then, the franchise’s mechanics already started showing signs of mania towards absurd powers. Though the past iterations initially steered me away, the fresher and more polished ideas of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II has me clamoring for more, eager for the launch later this week.

Related Topics:Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II

Gaming

Kingdom Hearts IV gets new trailer, confirms Switch 2 release

Collection [I~III] launches October 8

Published

June 11, 2026

GadgetMatch

Square Enix has released a new trailer for Kingdom Hearts IV, offering another look at Sora’s next adventure and confirming the game is coming to Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

Alongside the update, the company announced that Kingdom Hearts Collection [I~III] will launch on October 8, 2026 for Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Windows PC. Pre-orders are now open, while a free Nintendo Switch 2 demo for Kingdom Hearts III + Re Mind is available starting today.

Kingdom Hearts IV returns

The new trailer offers another look at Quadratum, the mysterious city first revealed when Kingdom Hearts IV was announced.

According to Square Enix, Sora will encounter new characters, visit new worlds, and awaken new powers as the next chapter of the long-running action RPG series unfolds.

The publisher did not announce a release date for the game, saying more details will be revealed in the future.

Kingdom Hearts IV will launch for Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

Collection bundles the series’ major releases

Square Enix also confirmed that Kingdom Hearts Collection [I~III] brings together Kingdom Hearts -HD 1.5+2.5 ReMIX-, Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue, and Kingdom Hearts III + Re Mind in a single package.

The collection includes Kingdom Hearts Final Mix, Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories, Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix, Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep Final Mix, Kingdom Hearts Dream Drop Distance HD, Kingdom Hearts 0.2 Birth by Sleep, Kingdom Hearts III, and the Re Mind DLC, alongside several movie and cutscene compilations.

The release marks the arrival of native versions of these titles on Nintendo Switch 2. Previously, the games were available on Nintendo’s platform through cloud versions.

Free demo available now

Players can download a free Nintendo Switch 2 demo for Kingdom Hearts III + Re Mind starting today.

The demo includes the opening portion of the game through Olympus, with save data carrying over to the full release. It also features a separate section set in Toy Box, the Toy Story-inspired world, although progress from that segment will not transfer.

Players who purchase the collection or Kingdom Hearts III + Re Mind will receive platform-exclusive Keyblades. Nintendo Switch 2 players get Long Night, PlayStation 5 players receive Midnight Blue, while Xbox Series X|S players receive Phantom Green.

Digital pre-orders on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S also include 48-hour early access for Kingdom Hearts Collection [I~III] and Kingdom Hearts III + Re Mind.

Gaming

Final Fantasy fans have two big reasons to look forward to 2026

HD remasters and HD-2D

Published

June 11, 2026

Rodneil Quiteles

Final Fantasy X-X2 | Final Fantasy Resonance

The latest Nintendo Direct delivered a pair of announcements for Final Fantasy fans, with Square Enix confirming the arrival of classic remasters on Nintendo Switch 2 and unveiling an all-new HD-2D adventure.

First, Square Enix announced that Final Fantasy X HD Remaster and Final Fantasy X-2 HD Remaster are coming to Nintendo Switch 2 on July 23. Both physical and digital versions will be available.

The release coincides with the 25th anniversary of the original Final Fantasy X launch in Japan. It also gives longtime fans and newcomers another way to experience two of the series’ most beloved RPGs at home or on the go.

Square Enix also released a new trailer alongside the announcement.

Final Fantasy Resonance launches this October

The bigger surprise from the showcase was Final Fantasy Resonance. It is the first HD-2D title in the Final Fantasy series.

The game launches on October 22, 2026 for Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. The Steam version arrives a day later on October 23.

Square Enix will also offer a Digital Deluxe Edition with the base game and additional in-game items.

A Collector’s Edition is planned as well. It includes the game, an artbook, a soundtrack, and a promotional Final Fantasy Trading Card Game card.

A modern take on a classic Final Fantasy formula

Square Enix describes Final Fantasy Resonance as a celebration of both classic and modern Final Fantasy. The game combines retro-inspired HD-2D visuals with a strategic turn-based battle system that adds modern mechanics to the traditional formula.

Players can expect familiar series staples including chocobos, espers, and airships. The game will also feature appearances from iconic characters such as Cloud Strife, Tidus, and Warrior of Light.

While Resonance draws from the first story arc of Final Fantasy Brave Exvius, Square Enix says it is far more than a direct port. The title has been extensively rebuilt into a full-fledged console RPG experience.

More details about Final Fantasy Resonance will be revealed closer to launch.

Gaming

Dragon’s Dogma 2: Dark Arisen to launch on October 9

A massive expansion and a two-phase roadmap revealed

Published

June 10, 2026

GadgetMatch

Capcom has officially announced Dragon’s Dogma 2: Dark Arisen, a massive new expansion slated to launch on October 9.

Arriving as a complete bundle, the title will mark the franchise’s highly anticipated debut on the Nintendo Switch 2, while simultaneously launching as separate expansion DLC for players on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam.

The Dark Arisen expansion aims to enrich the base game’s dynamic fantasy world with three goals in mind: enhanced gameplay, expanded adventures, and enticing value.

Update roadmap underway

To prepare the realm for the expansion, Capcom has laid out a comprehensive, two-phase update roadmap for the base game:

Title Update 3.1: Focuses heavily on immediate quality-of-life improvements, most notably more significantly accessible map traversal through highly requested Eternal Ferrystone.
Title Update 3.2: Shifts focus toward system and engine adjustments; patch will deliver crucial performance and frame rate improvements, introduce additional save slots, implement system-level save adjustments, alter Dragonsplague mechanics, and further refine pawn and enemy actions.

Three major additions coming

When the expansion officially drops in October, players will be able to dive into a wealth of brand-new content built to push the Arisen to their limits:

Forsaken Dominion: Players will travel to Norgan, a frozen, long-abandoned northern region of Vermund blanketed in heavy snow. Home to savage hordes and creatures of immense power, the Arisen must team up with an enigmatic figure named Eir to uncover the dark secrets of an undying Fallen Dragon.
The Relic System: Defeating monsters and exploring the icy wastes of Norgan will yield powerful, hidden spoils of war known as relics. Taking these back to the Norgandian Settlement for appraisal unlocks high-tier gear boasting enhanced offensive and defensive capabilities.
Lost Rites Dungeons: For those looking to truly test their mettle, the expansion introduces 12 unique dungeon challenges. Overseen by the Pathfinder, these trials task players with clearing deadly gauntlets to reclaim legendary, dormant treasures once wielded by past Arisens.

The robust character creator is also receiving an update with a fresh wave of hairstyles and tattoos via Meszeteres Cosmetics, giving players even more ways to personalize their Arisen and Main Pawn.

Pre-order bonuses and editions

Dragon’s Dogma 2: Dark Arisen will be available in both digital and physical formats. The standalone Switch 2 release will include both the base game and expansion content right out of the box, while existing owners on PS5, Xbox, and PC can simply purchase the separate expansion DLC.

Players who pre-order the digital version or secure an early physical copy will receive the Explorer’s Camping Kit, the Dragon’s Dogma Music & Sound Collection, and the exclusive Norgan Fashion Set: Northern Attire.