The mode currently is broken down into 5 stages; Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta and Echo; with each stage having around 5 scenarios in each, although the final number is still subject to change – in the current build, the on-screen indicator revealed 23 scenarios. Each scenario has a target time, a star rating (based on 3 stars for completing it on veteran, two on hardened and one on normal), your oppositional resistance (for instance, heavy) and a scenario classification (i.e. assault). It should also be worth mentioning that you don’t have to meet the target times in certain instances to pass the scenario.

On show at GamesCom was the co-op scenario, “Breach and Clear,” the second mission of the Charlie bracket, where the objective is as it says … you have to breach and clear. The scenario has an estimated target time of 1 minute 30 seconds, describes the opposition as heavy and classifies the scenario as “assault.” You’ll start the mission on the outside of a wall that leads into an abandoned, but occupied building - judging by the visuals, it was an old rundown prison shower room. The thin corridor where you start is where you’ll have the chance to choose your weaponry and gadgets before you breach the wall and attempt to clear the room, allowing players to equip themselves as they wish. On this occasion, Infinity Ward chose to go heavy with an assault rifle with a grenade launcher attachment.

(this screen is totally unrelated to Spec Ops, but due to a distinct lack of Spec Ops screens, we made do with a new, but pretty screen to act as accompanying eye candy)

(same as above ... we just went with eye candy due to a lack of assets. Oooohh, sexy orange glow)

After two and a half minutes of intense, relentless combat and plenty of strategically placed grenades from the launcher attachment, the room was cleared and the scenario passed. Infinity Ward told onlookers that this was just a sample of what’s to come, stating that they were shooting for a large variety of scenarios, both in terms of objectives and how you tackle them. When asked whether the feature would have its own leaderboard, Fennel was unsure but didn’t dismiss the possibility totally, so let’s hope that’s something we see this coming November.

Spec Ops is certainly shaping up to be a fantastic addition to the Modern Warfare franchise and on some levels is more appealing to us than maybe the multiplayer. I know, I know, sacrilegious, right? We did love Mile High Club though. Loved it a lot, which is why a series of these short and sweet scenarios sounds so appealing to us.

Modern Warfare 2 is coming to the Xbox 360, PS3 and PC this coming November 10th.