Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare is one of the rare games that I feel will become the “standard” to which other games in the genre will be compared. Not being the biggest FPS fan in the world, I approached this title with a general lack of excitement…. until I played it. Stunning visuals, engaging story, and a full online experience have made me a believer. If FPSs are your thing, then go buy this right now. If not, go try it right now with an open mind.
I think the one aspect of the game that I found really engaging is that the game is contemporary. I’m not guarding a bridge from Germans in WW2, or fighting off hordes of aliens. The game is set in modern day with weapons and equipment that I have seen and am familiar with to some degree. It just adds a gritty realism to the experience that is lost in many other FPSs. It is almost surreal to be using some of the gear that we see our soldiers using on a daily basis.
Visually, Call of Duty 4 is nothing short of stunning. Finally the horsepower of the next gen consoles is being put to good use. The fact that it runs smoothly in 1080p helps make the visuals pop off the screen. There are a ton of extra little touches in the graphic presentation that just truly put it over the top, and the HUD is very clean and rather intuitive to use. The sound is also quite nice, including an above average score. The clang and clatter of the firearms rings in Dolby 5.1 sound.
The offline campaign content is extremely well done. It is centered around a fictitious story, which could almost actually happen, to showcase the locals and the exotic weaponry the game has to offer. Just when you think it cannot get any better, it ends… The solo campaign is brilliant, but brilliantly short. It will only last 6-7 hours for a decent player. Although short, it is still a fantastically satisfying experience. Cranking up the difficulty will make it last longer, as the enemies seem to turn into highly trained marksmen overnight. This is definitely not a happy go lucky story. Get ready for some shocking revelations as well as some twists and turns along the way.
The true joy is in the multiplayer, online experience. It has all the standard bells and whistles, including an RPG-style element. As you play through games, your character can “level up” and gain access to additional gear and abilities, as well as a unique system called “perks”. Also, the in-game support features add a whole additional layer of fun and strategy. Based on a string of enemy kills without dying, you can call for help. This aid comes in the form of air strikes and chopper cover fire, as well as enhanced perception of the enemy units’ location. This just adds another layer of fun and strategy to the game. You can choose from a few different game play modes including Team Deathmatch and other objective-based missions.
Final Verdict
Top notch graphics and sound lead Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare to unrivaled heights. Throw in an engaging offline game albeit short and you have a nominee for Game of the Year. Rich, deep online play will keep fans of the genre and Call of Duty enthralled for months. Anyone who is remotely interested in FPSs needs to take the time and check this game out.
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I have this game and have been playing it for a while, my only complaint with it is that the multiplayer is too good. this left me uninterested with the single player!