by Jeff Clinard-Staff Writer

Two main video game franchises have dominated the public eye over the past several years. By public eye I mean my xbox. Call of Duty Modern Warfare and Halo. It is a rivalry for sure. They are the Pepsi and coke of first person shooters video games.  Both fighting for the prime spot in my entertainment “fridge.”

So hear is my take:

Modern Warfare 2 has one big con.  Insanely rough learning curve.  If you don’t understand how to play this game instantly, you will be frustrated until you are forced to go back to playing mario kart with all of the other women we know.

It’s big plus is that it is intense.  It is competitive. With the amazing graphics and realistic sounds and feel… it does a great job of imitating the real war experience.  Including the long periods of time away from your significant other.  

And if you have the privilege to play in  full surround-sound with the volume turned up then you will literally sh*t your pants.

Halo Reach Multiplayer BETA has a big plus for me, incredibly nostalgic game play. And the updated graphics that this Beta is showcasing are breathtaking.  Right on par with Modern Warfare 2.

The con, it is still cartoon-like. With the use of “energy shields” in Halo… you have to be shot 5 times in the head to die.  The need to react doesn’t kick in till bullet 4. I just don’t find myself holding my breath.

Also, Halo is now copying aspects of MW2.   It has “Load Out” menus.  Giving the gamer the chance to spawn into the match with different power-ups and different weapons.  It is a copy and paste of the “class” aspect of MW2.  Imitation is the best form of flattery and the obvious sign of who is ahead.

It happened when Apple copied Windows in the 90′s, it is happening with the cell phones that Verizon is releasing to compete with At&t, and it happened when Subway started toasting their subs.  Practically calling themselves “Quiznos… the sequel.”

This Subway sandwich keeps dropping calls.

final verdict

Modern Warfare 2 is just faster and better.  It makes my heart pump.  It takes a lot to win a game of MW2.  So the wins mean more, and the deaths in the game hit you harder.  Hell, I still pour one out for a guy who took a grenade for me on a team death match on derail, your family and I miss you ##DARTHnoodber25##.  Halo never does that.  With unrealistic game dynamics… like super-human jumping… it has a feeling of a more “cartoonie” world.  The storyline is awesome.  It is a cross between Soldier, and Enders Game.  But Sadly MW2 has swooped in and set the realism and intensity so high that it even with the super human jumping ability of the Spartans in halo… it is hard for them to reach.  Even with Reach.

What are your thoughts?? Master Chief or Soap? Halo or MW2??