5. No Russian – Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
There is perhaps no more controversial a mission in an FPS than Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2’s No Russian. It was so controversial that many countries censored the level — with Russian releases removing it entirely — and the game gave the option to skip the content with a warning screen at the beginning of the campaign. In the mission, players assume the role of Joseph Allen, a covert CIA agent who must gain the trust of a Russian terrorist cell. In order to do so, Allen must participate in a mass shooting carried out at Zakhaev International Airport carried out by the terrorists as they try to frame the US for the attack.
Unsurprisingly, the level drew a bevy of opinions and reactions from game critics and fans of the series alike, as the moral question was raised, “Should video games feature such controversial content?” From a content perspective, the mission advanced the story and created a believable scenario in which Russia declared war on the US while at the same time presented questions of morality. In the post 9/11 world, No Russian gave players an interesting and grim look into the thought processes and internal workings of a terrorist organization. Though uncomfortable and extremely jarring, the mission served as an important reminder that games can be more than just an avenue for entertainment, they can also facilitate discussion around difficult topics.
