So, for my first review I will be looking at the recently released Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare game for the Playstation 3, Xbox 360 and the PC.
So let's start off with the basics. I was pleasantly surprised when it was revealed that Infinity Ward would be taking a new route in the Call of Duty series. While the previous 3 games where good in their own right, the series most certainly needed refreshing and that's exactly what we have here. The basic mechanics stay the same and it feels very similar to the other games with only one notable exception. Yep, it's based around the modern conflicts and not the wars of old.
Graphics
Call of Duty 4 looks damn amazing. Environments are recreated realistically, weapon and character models are fantastic. The lighting and especially the night vision sections are a sight to behold. Moving away from the heavenly praise however and you notice some of the flaws. Some of the textures in certain areas look like they were plucked straight from an old N64 game but these are so rare and sparse that they do not impact in anyway other than the slight annoyance. The settings for your missions are varied nicely and all look top notch especially when a fully fledged firefight breaks out. This is where you truly become amazed at the way the game looks. I won’t spoil anything but some of the set pieces are pretty damn impressive to see. And all this graphical loveliness, without a hint of slowdown. A very impressive feat, I must say.
Sound/Audio
Exactly what you would expect from a game based around conflict. Gun shots are recreated nicely, enemy screams can be heard clearly and background noise is littered with a myriad of explosions. There isn’t much in the way of BGM but when the music does kick in, it’s never over the top, nor does it distract from what is going on around you. Voice acting is also very good and the banter between the team is a nice addition at certain points. Another top effort here.
Gameplay
For me, the most important aspect of any game, be it a shooter or a racer is the gameplay. And Call of Duty continues with the tradition of previous games in its series with another top performance. Controls are tight and perfectly suited to the sixaxis controller, making newer players and series veterans feel right at home. The shooting element is done well with most guns feeling fairly balanced and powerful, while it stays true to tradition by leaving no crosshair visible whilst moving. You will then be relying on the iron sights which are recreated perfectly. The single player campaign is great fun and littered with many explosive moments which are done well. This does however come at a cost as the campaign is extremely linear. You won’t mind one bit for the 6 or 7 hours that it takes you to complete the game, but there is no incentive for a second play through unless you want to take a pop at a different difficulty setting.
Multiplayer
The Call of Duty series has always been blessed with brilliant multiplayer and it’s no different here. This is where the titles shines and you can forgive Infinity Ward for the short campaign because of all the effort that has gone into making a brilliant online arena. There are 16 maps in all, each one different from the last and all are balanced and fun to play. The multiplayer's longevity is also increased by having many different game modes which are again, addictive and exciting. Old favorites like Team Deathmatch and Free for All return accompanied by newer modes such as Search and Destroy and Domination. More notable additions include the customizable class and perk system and the fabulous ranking system. There are however, some problems. Lag is an issue at times as is the frequent communication problems. The party system is also severely flawed but these should be fixed in an upcoming patch.
All in all, this game is fantastic and a true example of how a next gen FPS should be. Slight annoyances such as the single player campaign length and certain multiplayer issues can be forgiven as quite obviously a lot of time and effort has gone into making this game and the result is never anything less than spectacular.
9.2/10
