Date: 2007/11/28
Platform: PC (also available for XBOX 360)
Call of Duty 4: Modern Combat finally takes the Call of Duty series out of World War II and puts it into the modern era. COD4 features an incredible single player campaign as well as an addictive multiplayer mode. The graphics and presentation are amazing. This could well be my personal Game of The Year.
The combat can be overly hectic and difficult in some places, but overall it's one of the best first person shooter experiences available. One problem is the campaign is a bit on the short side, but on the other hand it's probably one worth repeating. Also on occasion things are so crazy you may not be sure what to do next and it can be frustrating listening to a commander repeat orders over and over when you don't even know where you're supposed to be going.
Multiplayer is great and they have included a levelling system with challenges. Complete challenges (or just score points) to gain XP to increase your rank. Increasing in ranks unlocks weapons, accessories (silencers, scopes etc), and "perks". Perks are little bonuses that you can select such as firing through heavier walls or making yourself undetectable to spy planes. You get to pick one from each of the three categories which prevents stacking perks in an overpowering way. You also get 5 custom class slots, which means if you don't like the default sniper class, you can make your own class, choose the weapons, attachments, and perks.
COD4 really surprised me as I didn't especially like the other games in the series, and I highly recommend giving it a shot.
Discuss in our forums.
Call of Duty 2: COD4 is a more polished, fast paced experience. Unless you're insistent on the WWII theme, you'll enjoy COD4 a lot. The pacing is faster than older COD games, but it's not as crazy as an Unreal Tournament either.
Halo 3: I liked the single and multiplayer modes a lot better in COD4. Better graphics, better gameplay overall. When you're tired of Halo 3's extensive MP give COD4 a shot!
Crysis: A lot more fun than Crysis, though it's pretty much "on rails" for the whole game, whereas Crysis at least starts off open-ended. Surprisingly the graphics even give Crysis a run for its money at times.
Half Life 2: Episode Two: COD4 is very similar in a lot of ways, but it generally was a better game than HL2. I think you'd probably enjoy COD4 if you enjoyed HL2. COD4 is more action oriented than HL2. Both are excellent games.
FEAR: FEAR probably sports better AI than COD4 but not by much. Both are great, fast paced first person shooters with COD4 throwing in some variety here and there. I think COD4 would be fun for a FEAR fan.