The sequel to 2019’s Call of Duty: Modern Warfare is finally here. If you have been playing COD games for a long, then you will want to try your luck at the hardest difficulty level the game can offer. Like the #YOLO (You Only Live Once) difficulty from Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare, in new MW2, Realism Mode is the highest difficulty. So today we will look at how to unlock & get Realism mode in the Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 Campaign.
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How to Unlock & Get Realism Mode in Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2
In Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2, you need to complete all 17 Campaign missions in your playthrough on any one of the available difficulty levels to unlock Realism mode. The other available difficulty levels are Recruit, Regular, Hardened, and Veteran modes. Realism is a difficulty level that was initially featured in “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare”, afterward which also appears in “Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War” before returning to the new “Modern Warfare II”.
You can also unlock an achievement for 100 Gamerscore on Xbox & a gold trophy on PlayStation for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II called “Cutting Heads off Snakes”. Here you need to “Finish all Campaign missions on Veteran or Realism difficulty”. So you can either finish the game in any difficulty and then play through Realism mode to get the achievement or get it directly in Veteran difficulty, which also will unlock Realism mode.
As the Modern Warfare 2 description says “Veteran with limited HUD” explains the difficulty. Ranked above the Veteran level, it is the hardest difficulty of MW2. But when it comes to carrying the same damage and weapon mechanics as Veteran difficulty, the Realism option is almost similar. The reduced HUD display is the sole distinction, though. In this difficulty, the bulk of the HUD display, including the gun display, grenade slots, ammo value, friendly NPC nametags, and more are missing in this difficulty.
Why Realism Difficulty is the Best Mode to Play MW2?
If you have played Insurgency: Sandstorm, then you will remember its commitment to a ‘sense of realism is what made that game work. With the Realism difficulty mode, Infinity Ward brought the same sense of feeling in both 2019’s Modern Warfare & Modern Warfare II.
The MW2 campaign seemed generally more challenging than most prior games. This is because NPCs now have more complex AI than in previous games, excellent reaction speeds, greater accuracy, and “see-through wall vision” (just joking, but they always just know where you are). Add this the fact that there isn’t a Minimap or Compass counterpart in the HUD, you will be immersed throughout the playthrough.
Therefore, you must be careful to use your Molotov cocktails and flashbangs effectively, paying attention to replenishing your ammo, and picking up new weapons (if required) whenever you have a chance. In addition, AI will kill you with one or two shots. All of these elements working together in Realism mode with no HUD will keep you on your toes throughout the whole game campaign. To successfully complete missions on the Realism difficulty, you’ll need to utilize a mix of great care, prior understanding of the mission, extensive use of hiding, and perseverance.
What is the Difference Between the Difficulty Levels in Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2?
If you are new to the series, then we will try to differentiate the difficulty levels in Modern Warfare 2 to help you understand them better:
- Recruit
- Regular
- Hardened
- Veteran
- Realism
Recruit
The “easiest” of the five levels, it is advised for gamers who are new to First Person Shooter games. Players will only get a little amount of damage from weapons on this setting, and the AI’s aim is typically imprecise.
Regular
Regular, which is a little harder than Recruit but softer than Hardened and Veteran, might be thought of as the “normal” difficulty option. Enemies deal average damage to players, and the AI is somewhat more precise than in Recruit but less precise than in Hardened.
Hardened
Most COD players choose this difficulty level while collecting achievements. Without actually playing on Veteran, players may gain many of the trophies and milestones that are only available by playing on the harsher difficulties by using the Hardened mode. However, it is simpler than Veteran and Realism and tougher than Recruit and Regular. Players’ health is lower than it was on prior difficulties, while the AI is a little bit more precise and efficient. When playing the 2009 Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 game on Hardened, the player’s aim will kick up, but not as much as if they were playing on Veteran.
Veteran
The hardest difficulty setting in MW2 is Veteran, which includes a complete HUD. The player discovers they have extremely little health and take far more harm. The main difference is that adversaries now deal far more damage, have more health, are more accurate, and respond faster.
Realism
Realism, as described above, is almost equal to Veteran difficulty, but with fewer squadmate nametags and HUD elements.
That’s all about how to unlock & get Realism mode in the Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 Campaign. While you are here, make sure to check out more COD tips & tricks in our Modern Warfare 2 Guides, like where to find a Sharp Weapon, all El Sin Nombre Answers, all Gold Gun locations, and more.