Modern Warfare 2 has left a sour taste in many people's mouths since it's release in November 2009, but like a number of people I continue to play it despite the laughable state of the online multiplayer.  The announcement of the "Stimulus Pack" failed to excite players and did nothing but "stimulate" our anger.  But, like more than 2 million people, I purchased the map pack at it's ridiculously inflated price so I might as well let you know what I think of them and maybe offer some tips.  I'm no expert at this game but I enjoy lending a helping hand.

I know that for almost anyone who plays video games, 1200 MS points (roughly 15 US dollars) isn't really a big deal since we know it's an expensive hobby, but it's less about price and more about principle.  Paying that figure for 3 new maps and 2 recycled ones is--and I think most would agree--ridiculous.  But anyway, enough about the outlandish price, lets talk about the content, shall we?

I'll rank the maps separately based on a 5 star rating, starting with the rehashes from Call of Duty 4. (Note my experiences with these maps have been in mainly Team Deathmatch & Domination)

Crash
Crash is a fairly condensed map consisting of several buildings and narrow roadways.  In the center of the map is a downed plane broken into 3 pieces.  This map has both long range and close quarters combat, meaning your deaths will most likely be caused by a sniper rifle bullet to the skull or a shot gun blast to the chest.  The general battle seems to take place in the three-story building at the center of the map, which is prime sniping territory as both spawns funnel players to the center of the map.  From what I can tell it hasn't changed from COD4, aside from the slight graphical upgrade.  Overall a decent map, though I didn't really enjoy it in COD4 and it doesn't seem to play much better for me in MW2.  One of this maps major flaws is that it's far too easy to spawn trap or become spawn trapped at the rear spawn near the C Flag on Domination, generally unpleasant if you're on the receiving end of the spawn trapping...

Overgrown
This map is the second reincarnation, remaining the same aside from the gloss of a graphical upgrade.  Overgrown is pretty much what this title says it is, it's an abandoned farm/village that's been taken over by foliage.  It seems you're most likely to get sniped in this map, as it's openness and spread of broken down buildings provide excellent sniping positions.  You can lock down a building with claymores, shotguns, and a sniper rifle if you're inclined.  The enemy will keep coming back for you, but if you're smart it's fairly easy to stay alive using this strategy.  If you're not a sniper, cold-blooded is a must, just like in Afghan and Derail.  Overgrown is an excellent level for AC-130s and Chopper Gunners.  Get inside when these badboys roll out or prepare to be decimated.  Running and gunning isn't going to work so well in this level, combat campers and snipers with the under-mounted grenade launcher, or as it is so affectionately called, "The Noob Tube."

Bailout
I hate this map.  End discussion.  No, just kidding, but I do hate this map.  Bailout is a broken down apartment complex that encompasses several buildings and a courtyard/parking lot.  You'll die, A LOT.  I haven't figured out a good strategy for this level yet aside from camping in a corner with a shot gun and waiting for the frustrated fools just like myself to come rushing by.  Because there are so many tight corners and levels I've taken countless bullets to the back of the skull.  This level doesn't so much encourage sniping, which is a good thing for a fairly large map, but it certainly encourages camping in corners, behind pool tables, and on top of vending machines.  Flashbangs, stuns, and grenades are your friends in this levels.  An assault rifle with a shotgun for your secondary will probably get you the most kills.  Not a great level for air support, but I can't seem to get a killstreak over 5 in this map anyway...

Salvage
Like Scrapyard but... well... a scrapyard.  This new map is a snow-covered salvage or scrapyard full of crushed cars, a few warehouses, and a cliche doghouse for the cliche junkyard dog.  It's a small map with very few open spaces and lots of tight corners, extremely fun to play on domination with a group of friends.  It's mid-range combat oriented and I usually run with a silenced sub-machine gun with a shotgun as my secondary.  I've had a lot of fun playing this level because of the lack of buildings.  The combat generally takes place on one level and it comes down to who has the fastest trigger finger.  Run around with an RPG for LULZ...

Storm
My personal favorite.  This map is reminiscent of Downpour from COD4, or at least that's how it feels for me. It's dark and rainy and the mannequins in the hallways add a nice touch to the dark atmosphere.  I've had the most fun playing this map because all of the buildings offer multiple entrances and their general openness means campers eat the barrel of your shotgun for dessert.  This map, like Salvage, is more about you and your ability to use your gun.  It's a decent level for air support as the roofs of the buildings tend to have openings your killstreaks can squeeze some shots through.  Some of my best games have been played on this map, but as always it's about personal preference and your style of gameplay...

As with any multiplayer, opinions will vary, as will your experiences.  Some of you probably love Bailout and hate Storm, some of you might hate all the new maps or love them all.  Overall my experience with the new maps has been positive, yes the price is a bit ludicrous but I know I'll get my money's worth.  I have almost 11 days ingame play time so for me the purchase was justified.  If you play a lot of MW2 and enjoy the multiplayer (which is at many times extremely frustrating) then I'd say purchase the map pack, if you're play time with the game is limited, then don't, there are probably a few things you can think of to put that money or those MS points toward (Like a full arcade game, perhaps even two or three?)

In closing, this steeply priced map pack is only worth your while if you're logging a lot of hours on MW2.  I don't regret my purchase, though it does sting to have paid for 2 maps I've been playing on since the summer of 2007.  Kind of leaves you with the feeling you've walked out of this deal with your pants around your ankles...