Is MW2 a Reboot or a Prequel? Unraveling the Modern Warfare Timeline
The question of whether Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2022) is a reboot or a prequel is a common one amongst fans of the franchise. The short answer is: MW2 (2022) is a reboot, not a prequel. It’s a continuity reboot to be precise. This means that while it shares characters and themes with the original Modern Warfare trilogy, it exists in a separate timeline with a completely different story. It’s not an origin story or a lead-in to the events of the original Modern Warfare games; instead, it reimagines those familiar elements for a modern audience within a new narrative framework. The game seeks to capture the spirit of the originals, not directly copy them, making it a standalone experience while drawing inspiration from the legacy. Let’s dive deeper into this intricate timeline and address some of the confusion.
Understanding the Reboot Concept
A reboot in entertainment terms isn’t the same as a remake. A remake retells the original story, often aiming for a one-to-one recreation, maybe with better visuals and technology. A reboot, on the other hand, reimagines the source material. It keeps the core characters, settings, or themes but crafts a new narrative, often altering the timeline or motivations behind the characters. Think of it as a fresh start, using the elements of a known property but forging a new path. This is exactly what Modern Warfare (2019) started, and Modern Warfare II (2022) continued. It’s why some fans may get confused, seeing familiar faces but experiencing different plot points. The 2022 release was designed as a continuation of the 2019 reboot and has no direct ties to the original trilogy.
The Modern Warfare Timeline Explained
The original Modern Warfare trilogy (Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, Modern Warfare 2 (2009), and Modern Warfare 3) exists in its own, now classic timeline. The rebooted Modern Warfare series that began in 2019 and continued with Modern Warfare II (2022) and Modern Warfare III (2023) is set in a completely separate timeline. Though the reboots do have some common threads with the original games, it is fundamentally a new storyline. For instance, the 2022 MWII is not a straight retelling of the 2009 release, the events unfold in a different timeline, meaning that it doesn’t need to adhere to the original plot. The events of the original trilogy did not take place within the world of the reboot and will not happen in the future of this current storyline.
The 2019 reboot, sets the stage for the creation of Price’s team, but it doesn’t act as a prequel to the original trilogy. It is a new origin story for many of the characters and concepts that fans recognize. The 2019 game’s campaign takes place in the year 2019, while MWII (2022) is set in late 2022, which illustrates how far the timeline has progressed within the reboot series. This new timeline isn’t meant to be a bridge to the old, rather, it stands apart, allowing the developers to explore different plot possibilities and scenarios.
Why Reboot Modern Warfare?
The decision to reboot Modern Warfare was driven by a desire to create a more relevant and grounded narrative. The developers aimed to capture a sense of realism and urgency, taking inspiration from current global events. This required a clean slate, as the original narrative had reached a point where the stakes were no longer felt to be on a human scale. The reboot was a chance to tell new stories with familiar characters, recontextualizing them in a way that feels more in line with modern storytelling and player expectations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some of the most common questions about the new Modern Warfare series, clarifying the reboot and its relationship with the original games:
1. Is the new MW2 a prequel to the original Modern Warfare trilogy?
No, it is not. The new MW2 (2022) is part of a rebooted series, existing in its own timeline, separate from the original trilogy. It does not lead into the events of the original games.
2. Is MW2 (2022) a remake of the old MW2 (2009)?
No, MW2 (2022) is not a remake. It’s a soft reboot that shares characters, themes, and ideas with the original, but it tells a new story in a new timeline.
3. Does MW2 (2022) take place in the same timeline as the original MW2 (2009)?
No, they are set in different timelines. The original MW2 (2009) is part of the original Modern Warfare timeline, while MW2 (2022) is part of the rebooted Modern Warfare timeline.
4. Is the Modern Warfare reboot connected to the old ones?
The new Modern Warfare series is not a direct continuation of the old ones. However, there are references and thematic similarities to the original series, but they exist in their own universe.
5. Why did they reboot Modern Warfare?
The reboot was done to allow for more relevant and contemporary storylines with familiar characters, which felt necessary when the original storyline had seemingly ran out of human-scale stakes.
6. Is Modern Warfare 2 set before Modern Warfare?
No. Modern Warfare 2 (2022) is a continuation of Modern Warfare (2019), taking place in the year 2022, five years after the events of the 2019 game.
7. Is MW2 reboot the same story?
It is not the same story. Though it has a similar narrative arc and character connections to the previous trilogy, it is a soft reboot with a completely original storyline.
8. Is the new Modern Warfare series in the same universe?
No, the original and rebooted Modern Warfare series are set in different universes. Although they share some narrative and character similarities, these series exist in separate timelines.
9. Does anything transfer from MW2 to MW3?
Yes. All unlocked Operators, Operator Skins, and attachments from Modern Warfare II will carry over into Modern Warfare III.
10. Will Modern Warfare 3 have Zombies?
Yes. Modern Warfare III includes a Zombies mode with unique gameplay and mechanics, incorporating elements from the Modern Warfare universe.
11. What year does MW2 reboot take place?
The campaign of Modern Warfare II (2022) takes place in late 2022, a continuation of the events of Modern Warfare (2019), which was set in 2019.
12. Did Ghost survive MW2?
The original Ghost died in the original Modern Warfare 2. In the rebooted series, he survives and appears in both Modern Warfare (2019) and Modern Warfare II (2022), as they take place in different timelines.
13. Is Modern Warfare (2019) a prequel?
Modern Warfare (2019) is not a prequel to the original Modern Warfare trilogy. It is a soft reboot of the series, setting the stage for a new storyline.
14. Is the Modern Warfare reboot in the Black Ops timeline?
The Modern Warfare reboot series does exist in the same overarching timeline as the Black Ops games, but they are separated into their own sub-series.
15. Why did Graves betray Soap and Ghost?
In Modern Warfare II (2022), Graves betrayed Task Force 141 on Shepherd’s orders, to cover up the loss of American missiles and protect the truth about Shepherd’s involvement in the conflict.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Modern Warfare series is complex, but understanding the concept of a reboot clarifies the timeline significantly. MW2 (2022) is not a prequel to the original games; instead, it’s part of a rebooted series that uses familiar characters and settings to tell a new story, setting the scene for Modern Warfare III. This approach allows developers to explore new narrative opportunities while respecting the legacy of the original games, providing players with both nostalgia and fresh experiences.