To this day, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 remains one of the most popular Call of Duty games of all time. Kickstarting the franchise’s “golden era” that ran from 2009-2012, the game delivered in many ways. The campaign’s more action-packed approach blew fans away, as Call of Duty introduced more setpiece moments than ever before. Multiplayer, while unbalanced, thrived due to fun weaponry and spectacular map design. Spec Ops gave fans a terrific co-op distraction on top of these modes, making the second Call of Duty: Modern Warfare a masterpiece in the eyes of many.

With 2019’s Modern Warfare reboot supposedly getting a sequel in 2022, the “new” Modern Warfare has some massive shoes to fill. Infinity Ward is facing an uphill battle when it comes to surpassing the first, as many hardcore Call of Duty fans are loyal to the original Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. However, by leaning into gamers’ nostalgia, the reboot’s sequel could prove to be a massive success. While fans of the 2019 game may have preferred the tactical approach to gameplay, most would like to see something more akin to the 2009 release. As such, 2022’s Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 could re-use more than just a name.

RELATED: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Ghost Actor Apologizes Over Controversy

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2019’s ending doubles as a major teaser for the sequel, as it sees Task Force 141 being reformed. Captain Price’s group of heroes served as the backbone of the original Modern Warfare trilogy, with gamers adoring characters like Soap and Ghost. As such, the tease of the group coming back together in the reboot could be a lot of fun, with the special forces unit comprised of many of the same members as the original. If the sequel wants to meet expectations, making these characters just as likable as the originals will be important. Task Force 141 also needs to go on standout missions like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2’s Cliffhanger, toning down the realism slightly — though not going overboard is important.

However, while using Task Force 141 properly is a great way to play off nostalgia and please fans, expectations should be subverted as well. One great way to do this is with Commander Shepherd, who was name-dropped in the final scene of the 2019 game. If he plays a role, fans will automatically be expecting him to be a traitor. As such, making him a turncoat once again would be far too predictable, and Infinity Ward would be smart to avoid this. Instead, it should play with these presumptions, having Shepard be an ally while another character is revealed to be a villain. While the reboot has kept Captain Price largely the same, its changes to Gaz show a willingness to surprise fans, and that should continue in the sequel.

Lastly, Infinity Ward should continue to set up Makarov in the background. Players can find easter eggs referencing the villain in the reboot, and it would be great to see Captain Price’s nemesis return one day. However, this should be held off until the trilogy’s finale, with Makarov being used as the cliffhanger ending of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. While it remains to be seen if the villain can cause controversy like he did in the No Russian mission, building up to his debut would be a wise move. Like Thanos in the MCU, making players wait for the payoff could make Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 even more satisfying. With Task Force 141 coming in the next game, Infinity Ward already has plenty to play with in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2.

The spec ops mode is undoubtedly the biggest area that Infinity Ward needs to work on when it comes to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. The 2019 game’s version of Spec Ops was considered a massive disappointment by most fans, as the mode lacked what made the original special. Players were thrown into random parts of Verdansk, carrying out repetitive and buggy objectives. Every mission felt the same, and if that was not enough, they were brutally difficult. A ridiculous amount of enemies spawned in every area, with gamers taking an absurd amount of damage from their gunfire. With the mode being unfun and unbalanced, it quickly became an afterthought that was forgotten about by Infinity Ward and players alike.

However, the original Spec Ops mode was a different beast entirely. From snowmobile missions to stealth levels, players had several different objectives to complete. The two-player focus also saw more cinematic moments becoming possible, with certain missions seeing a player guide their co-op partner using an AC-130. A mixture of locations from the campaign and multiplayer were also seen, while the use of Star ratings gave Call of Duty fans a goal to chase after. Whether players were defending an area or breaching doors together, there was a new experience in every level, and the presentation of every mission was well thought out.

The next version of Spec Ops needs to go back to these roots, with missions that feel custom-made as opposed to being haphazardly put together in part of a battle royale map. On top of regular missions, Spec Ops’ Survival mode cannot be PlayStation exclusive. Limiting the audience led to this wave-based mode become dead on arrival for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2019. When Spec Ops finally launched for PC and Xbox One, it was a year later, meaning that any interest in the mode was already lost. If Survival is available on all platforms from day one, though, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 will be off to a better start when it comes to co-op.

RELATED: Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War Fan Recreates Menu Theme Using Modern Warfare Guns

Finally, and most importantly, there is Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2’s multiplayer. While it would be impossible to match the nostalgia of the original, as fans love everything from the menu noises to the lobby layouts, there are some steps that could be taken to make the game more popular with old school fans. First, including some classic guns would go a long way to pleasing players, with the akimbo Model 1887 and Ranger shotguns being an example of this. The weapons from the second Modern Warfare remain iconic, with everything from the Intervention sniper rifle to the ACR assault rifle being instantly recognizable for fans.

While Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 map remakes would also help the sequel keep fans excited, it does need to have its own identity and some original maps. However, a similar approach to map designs could be taken, with locations like Highrise and Terminal used as a blueprint for fresh locations. Fans loved these maps for their hidden spots, with Highrise’s complex roof position being one of the most iconic tricks in the series’ history. Including hidden spots like this would make maps more fun for fans, while having a diversity of maps would help as well. Massive playgrounds like Wasteland may not be for everyone, but those who love that kind of map should have access to them.

Lastly, while Call of Duty: Modern Warfare’s engine will allow for a visually impressive sequel, concepts like doors and the lack of a ninja perk should be rethought. A proper mini map should also be worked in, with the core values of Call of Duty seen across each game. If a vibe like the original Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is desired, balancing should be rethought as well. Instead of nerfing every weapon, buffing everything to the point of absurd strength would create a feeling like the original MW2. In the 2009 game, everything from perks to grenade launchers were broken. While this unbalanced nature sounds bad on paper, everything being so strong essentially made the game fair. All guns were fun to use, too, allowing for a variety of playstyles as opposed to a specific meta. While some would love another slow, camper-heavy Call of Duty game like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2019, fast-paced action that relies on buffs instead of nerfs could prove even more beneficial.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is not confirmed to be in development.

MORE: 80s Action Heroes That Should Crossover with Call of Duty: Warzone Next