Is “No Russian” in the MW2 Remake? Exploring the Controversial Mission and its Legacy

Yes and no. The mission “No Russian” was included in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Campaign Remastered, released in 2020. However, it is not present in the 2022 game, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II, which is a reimagining of the original Modern Warfare series, not a direct remake. While the 2022 game touches upon themes of international conflict and covert operations, the specific “No Russian” mission, with its graphic depiction of a civilian massacre, was omitted. The rationale behind this decision likely stems from the intense controversy surrounding the mission upon its initial release and a desire to steer the narrative in a different direction.

The Original “No Russian” and Its Impact

“No Russian,” the fourth mission of the original Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009), remains one of the most talked-about and controversial moments in video game history. The mission places the player in the role of Joseph Allen, an undercover CIA agent infiltrating a Russian terrorist group led by Vladimir Makarov. The player participates in a mass shooting at Zakhaev International Airport in Moscow, killing hundreds of unarmed civilians.

The impact of “No Russian” was immediate and widespread. Some critics condemned the mission as gratuitous violence, arguing that it crossed the line into exploitative content. Others defended it as a powerful narrative tool, highlighting the horrors of terrorism and the moral complexities of war. The mission allowed players to skip the segment entirely, with a disclaimer warning of its graphic content. Despite the controversy, “No Russian” undoubtedly left a lasting mark on the gaming landscape, raising important questions about the role of violence in interactive storytelling.

Why the Omission in Modern Warfare II (2022)?

The decision not to include “No Russian” in the Modern Warfare II reimagining (2022) was likely influenced by several factors:

• Avoiding Controversy: The original mission generated significant controversy and negative publicity. Re-introducing it would have undoubtedly rekindled the debate and potentially alienated a significant portion of the audience.

• Narrative Shift: The 2022 Modern Warfare II aims for a more nuanced and complex portrayal of modern warfare. While still dealing with dark themes, the developers may have felt that “No Russian” would be tonally inconsistent with their overall vision. The narrative instead focused on different scenarios such as international drug cartels and geopolitical tensions.

• Market Considerations: The gaming industry has evolved significantly since 2009. What was considered shocking then may be perceived differently now. However, the sensitivity towards depicting mass violence, especially in the context of terrorism, remains high.

• Desire for Originality: As a reimagining, Modern Warfare II aimed to tell its own story while still drawing inspiration from the original. Replicating “No Russian” would have limited their creative freedom and potentially overshadowed the new narrative elements.

What the New Modern Warfare II Offered Instead

While it lacked a direct equivalent to “No Russian,” the 2022 Modern Warfare II still explored morally gray areas and featured intense combat scenarios. The game focused on covert operations, political intrigue, and the human cost of war. The developers emphasized realistic visuals, sophisticated AI, and a more grounded narrative approach to immerse players in the world of modern warfare.

FAQs About “No Russian” and the Modern Warfare Series

Here are 15 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding “No Russian” and its place within the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare universe:

1. What exactly happens in the “No Russian” mission?

The player, as undercover agent Joseph Allen, participates in a mass shooting at Zakhaev International Airport in Moscow, killing hundreds of civilians alongside Vladimir Makarov’s terrorist group.

2. Can you skip the “No Russian” mission?

Yes, in the original Modern Warfare 2 and its remastered version, players were given the option to skip the “No Russian” mission before starting it. A content warning was also displayed.

3. Why is the mission called “No Russian”?

Vladimir Makarov tells his fellow terrorists, “Remember, no Russian,” as a reminder not to speak Russian during the attack. His plan was to frame the United States for the massacre, inciting a war between Russia and the US.

4. Was “No Russian” censored in any versions of the game?

Yes, some international versions of Modern Warfare 2 censored the “No Russian” mission, either by removing the player’s ability to participate in the shooting or by outright removing the entire mission.

5. Did the Modern Warfare 2 Campaign Remastered include “No Russian”?

Yes, the Modern Warfare 2 Campaign Remastered (2020) included the “No Russian” mission in its entirety, albeit with updated graphics and visuals.

6. Why was “No Russian” so controversial?

The controversy stemmed from the graphic depiction of the player participating in the mass murder of unarmed civilians, which some deemed gratuitous and morally objectionable.

7. Who is Vladimir Makarov?

Vladimir Makarov is a Russian ultranationalist terrorist leader and the primary antagonist of the original Modern Warfare trilogy. He seeks to ignite a war between the United States and Russia.

8. Is Makarov in the 2022 Modern Warfare II?

While Makarov is not directly present in the 2022 Modern Warfare II campaign, the game sets the stage for his eventual appearance in later installments of the reimagined series. He is teased as a looming threat.

9. What is Makarov’s ultimate goal?

Makarov aims to destabilize the world order and trigger a global conflict, particularly between the United States and Russia, to advance his own ultranationalist agenda.

10. What happened to Makarov?

In the original Modern Warfare 3, Makarov is killed by Captain Price in a dramatic final showdown. The new Modern Warfare timeline may tell a different story.

11. What other controversial moments are in the Modern Warfare series?

Besides “No Russian,” other controversial moments include the execution of prisoners, torture scenes, and depictions of chemical warfare. The Games Learning Society has resources on the ethical considerations of these types of choices in gaming, more information available at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.

12. Who is Captain Price?

Captain John Price is a central character in the Modern Warfare series, known for his leadership, experience, and willingness to bend the rules to achieve his goals.

13. What is Task Force 141?

Task Force 141 is an elite multinational special operations unit featured prominently in the Modern Warfare series. It includes characters like Captain Price, Soap MacTavish, and Ghost.

14. Was “No Russian” based on a real event?

While not directly based on a specific real-world event, “No Russian” draws inspiration from the broader history of terrorism and false flag operations.

15. What is the overall theme of the Modern Warfare series?

The Modern Warfare series explores the complexities and moral ambiguities of modern warfare, focusing on themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the human cost of conflict. The ethical implications are often a focus in this series.

Conclusion

While the “No Russian” mission is a controversial and defining moment in video game history, it was not included in the 2022 Modern Warfare II game. The developers chose to focus on a new narrative direction, likely to avoid controversy and offer a fresh take on the modern warfare theme. While the new game still explores mature themes, the specific civilian massacre depicted in “No Russian” was deemed inconsistent with their overall vision for this reimagining. The mission remains a significant point of discussion when exploring video game ethics.