The game is set during World War II and the campaign mode is experienced through the perspectives of four soldiers: 1️⃣ one in the Red Army, one in the United States Army, and two in the British Army. It contains four 1️⃣ individual campaigns, split into three stories, with a total of 27 missions. Many features were added and changed from the 1️⃣ original Call of Duty, notably regenerating health and an icon that indicates a nearby grenade about to explode.
Each PC multiplayer 1️⃣ server can hold a maximum of 64 players, while the limit is eight players on Xbox.[19] In the Xbox 360 1️⃣ version, players can play on Xbox Live and get new map packs. There are 13 official maps, including three remakes 1️⃣ from the original Call of Duty. There are three extra map packs (Bonus Pack, Skirmish Pack, and Invasion Pack) that 1️⃣ add a total of eight maps.[20]
The player controls Private Vasili Koslov of the 13th Guards Rifle Division, initially involved in 1️⃣ the defense of Moscow from the advancing German troops. The next level involves the destruction of a German stronghold in 1️⃣ Stalingrad during September 1942. The next objective involves battling for strongholds throughout Stalingrad throughout December 1942, including re-connecting cut telephone 1️⃣ wires and re-capturing the rail-yard and train-station. The final mission takes place during the final Soviet offensive in Stalingrad in 1️⃣ January 1943, which involves the re-capture and defense of city blocks and Stalingrad city hall.
The game's budget wasR$14.5 million.[30] Development 1️⃣ time was 2 years with 75 people.[30] Despite being first on the new Xbox 360 platform, the game was developed 1️⃣ with no mandatory overtime or weekend work.[31]
The editors of Computer Games Magazine named Call of Duty 2 the seventh-best computer 1️⃣ game of 2005. They called it "the ultimate WWII shooter".[57]