Rating

A-

Specific Ratings

GameplayA
GraphicsA
Learning CurveB
Replay ValueA-
SoundB+

Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Top notch production
  • Graphical makeover from previous installments
  • Rock solid campaign
  • Online is extremely addictive
  • Precise controls
  • Steady framerate
Cons
  • 12 year old prepubescent voices in my headset
  • No host migration for online (patch could fix it)
  • While campaign is amazing, ME WANT MORE
  • Some may argue that weapons aren't balanced (MP)

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (Xbox 360)

Reviewed by:
Reviewed on:

Summary

A breath of fresh air in the world of FPS. Infinity Ward shows how to take a proven formula & add some true innovation to create one of the most enjoyable FPS experiences on a next-gen console

Images


Description

For every Call Of Duty title, loads of expectations & criticism are sure to follow, and i must say that switching the good ol' WW2 scene brought a lot of expectations to this title, even from a Call Of Duty standpoint. Many people were excited that Infinity Ward (creators of COD2) was at the helm again, including me, in the Whitney Houston-Bobby Brown like relationship that exists between Treyarch & Infinity Ward. Thankfully the developers at Infinity Ward did not disappoint, lets get to the specifics here...

Gameplay

While Call Of Duty 4 doesn't exactly change the entire landscape of controls from previous iterations of the series, it builds upon what was an already solid tried & true scheme. New offerings such as night vision simply add to the gameplay, without affecting the good qualities. One thing that I didn't enjoy was the new Jack The Ripper-like knife kills for the melee attack. I could understand if it's from behind, but I still think frontal melee should be a two-hitter, now this is only a minor complaint & doesn't really take away from the game as a whole

Graphics

Call Of Duty 4 makes use of an entirely different setting than previous versions, and it proves to be very refreshing and crisp experience, the framerate is extremely solid and seemingly never drops, even in multiplayer (if the connection is right of course). With maps ranging from battle-torn streets in the middle east, to being on a sinking ship, to being at a missile launch base, and I could go on, but I don't feel like getting carpal tunnel today. The graphics rival some of the top games of this gen.

Sound

The sound is everything you would expect from Infinity Ward, with a little cherry on top. There's always great ambiance in the background such as muffled bullets and a subtle but effective musical presence. Every gun has a unique "pow" effect, ranging from the roaring Barrett .50 cal sniper to the minute Mini-Uzi. There is also some voice during gameplay, from the typical "tossing smoke grenade" to some foreign blabbering from those pesky Op-for. Overall its very fitting at all times and keeps you immersed in the experience

Campaign

Ah, the campaign... like taking a shot in the nuts while riding a waterslide, it is an epic & sometimes painful experience that rarely contains lulls & somehow still remains extremely fun at all times. You play as two different soldiers throughout the missions, one is a British S.A.S & the other a US Marine. While switching roles throughout the campaign is nothing new to the Call Of Duty series, this title does as good a job as previous titles at filling in on details & stories behind the character, & it never gets confusing along the way.

While there are definitely some breathtaking moments in the game where it made me get out of my seat and "spartan kick" my fellow gamer conveniently right beside me, a lot of the game is on par with what we've come to love in the series, which is vicious gun battles & non-stop action with above average voice overs & great CG's. And the only negative aspect about this campaign is that it is shorter than two Danny DeVito's stacked on top of each other, but that is only half the game my reader, lets get to the multiplayer.

Multiplayer

This multiplayer stinks. It stinks with the scent of success! The multiplayer in COD4 is a lot faster than previous titles, but that doesn't mean a negative here. There is a wealth of maps right out of the box & all are uniquely designed strategically, some are more varied than others, but lets face it, they cant all be winners, right?

There are a boatload of guns to chose from, some a lot more useful than others, but all can be used effectively with the right set of hands. The biggest addition i would say is the "Perks" system. This element adds increased strategy & gameplay compared to standard shooters, & never seems to get too unbalanced. There is a leveling up system with rankings & as you continue to level up you can unlock new perks, weapons, and challenges. The amount of multiplayer gametypes is fantastic and ranges from standard death matches to Sabotage & Search & Destroy, with many other types also. There are some minor negatives such as no host migration, which means the game abruptly ends if a host leaves, but this can be easily fixed with a patch. All in all the multiplayer easily makes up for the somewhat growth stunted campaign and will keep you busy for hours & hours.

Overall

Call Of Duty 4 is a must own for FPS lovers and even those who don't like to dip their toes into the muddy blood-filled water that we call war. The single player while short is still a blast & the multiplayer has endless hours of fun. If you're still reading this & haven't already bought the game, then I ask, "Whats the freakin' holdup dude?" Go buy it.

Review Page Hits: 0 today (543 total)