MW2 DLC: Stimulus Package (DLC) – Review – Xbox 360

Modern Warfare 2 launched with huge success and to no surprise, within the first day, rose to the top of the Xbox Live charts. To this day it still remains number one with other great multiplayer games leading closely behind. Of course this success is only possible by the multiplayer. Even with the hacks and glitches that plagued the service weeks after launch, players can’t get enough. However, since November, they’ve been playing the same maps over and over. To help cure this sickness, a viral marketing campaign was released called “Mapathy”. Out of it came new info, pictures, and mostly discussed – the price. Titled Stimulus Package, the price of the DLC does anything but stimulate a purchase. However if you can’t get enough Modern Warfare 2 and are dying for new maps, the content might be all you care about; five new maps – 3 new, 2 old, and a price of 1200 points ($15). Is it worth it? Let’s find out.

The first of the three new maps is Bailout. Players will be put in a location where war was previously fought in and around an apartment complex. Supply crates are littered around the map but only to provide cover. The size of the map is small to medium with plenty of cover. However, if running from building to building, opponents will be watching through the windows and rain fire from above. Out of the three new maps, Bailout is my favourite. Great map for FFA games, but provides some good team games as well.

The second of the three is Salvage. This map is an asymmetrical snow covered junkyard. Huge cement drainage pipes and crushed scrap cubes make up most of the map. Small buildings provide inside battles and minor cover to and from your objective. Lots of fast paced action as Salvage is a small, but somewhat open map. Although small, it’s best played in team playlists.

The last of the new maps is Storm. Another asymmetrical map set in fenced in warehouse area. Players will mostly be fighting outside as the warehouse inside is dark. Provides good camping areas, but almost a suicide zone upon entry. Outside, paths are made up from stacked storage containers. A building in the middle provides great coverage from all areas. Great for team and FFA games but provides intense team battles.

Two classic maps are also included. Fans of the multiplayer maps Crash and Overgrown in Call of Duty 4 won’t have a problem playing them in Modern Warfare 2. Infinity Ward knew the fans enjoyed these maps and brought direct ports from the original. There are no spiritual successors, or upgrades. I don’t think I need to detail these maps too much but, to refresh your memory or to fill in newcomers of the series, here is a little information.

Crash consists of a downed helicopter in the middle of a desert town. It’s a small asymmetrical map with plenty of routes to and from your objective. Best played in team based gametypes and provides plenty of fast paced matches. Too many games were played on this map, but even with the addition to MW2, the map still provides the great gameplay experience from the previous game.

Overgrown is a map set in a large rural area in Russia. The houses provide cover when running across the map but also provide good locations for snipers to hide out. This is definitely not a map for fast paced, close quarter’s matches. If you’re not careful you’ll constantly get picked off by cleverly hidden snipers. But then again, Overgrown encourages the use of snipers due to the size.

So there are five maps – three new to add to the Modern Warfare 2 setting, and 2 highly favourited maps from the previous game. Is it worth the money?  It’s a tough choice. On day one the demand was so high for the DLC that it practically crashed Xbox Live. Well actually what really happened was backend stuff. The maps were released to the players before the game update and as a result, the game was confused. Anyways,  it’s all up to the player. For the hardcore players that play every day and just can’t live without playing will have made the purchase the second the DLC was available. Casual players who play occasional likely won’t purchase this DLC. However, there are other players who are in between and the decision will be decided by many different factors. Five maps does sound like a decent amount for $15, however 2 of them were in the previous game. Although upgraded visually for MW2, the older maps should have been at a reduced price. Overall, the DLC did “stimulate” me to play multiplayer again, but for what’s included and the price I was not impressed. Out of the five maps, Bailout was my personal favourite, with Crash right behind. If you have the chance, play the maps at a friend’s house or watch some multiplayer matches before making a purchase. With added missions to Spec Ops, this would of been a great DLC pack, however there is no doubt it still would of felt overpriced. Don’t get me wrong, I did have fun with the new content, but the price makes me second guess a purchase.

Score: 7 out of 10

A code for the MW2 DLC was provided to us for review purposes from the publisher

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