Like its predecessor, the game takes place in a realistic and modern setting. The campaign follows multi-national special operations unit Task Force 141 and Mexican Special Forces unit Los Vaqueros as they attempt to track down terrorist leader, who is in possession of American-made ballistic missiles.

Modern Warfare 2 is a soft reboot rather than a remake of the original. Modern Warfare 2 (2024) is not a remake but a soft reboot of the original story, which has been enhanced for modern storytelling. It follows a similar storyline, with many connections and links to the previous trilogy.