Customer Reviews

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare

5 star:		(366)
4 star:		(87)
3 star:		(15)
2 star:		(12)
1 star:		(11)

 

 

When it comes to FPS's, and any other shooter for that matter, you have your current kings, namely: Halo, Rainbow Six (and all of it's "spawns", like GRAW) and Gears of War (still). Throw BioShock in there if you want... whatever. You get the point. Now - take from each of those games the best aspects... throw them together, and you have Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare.

Simply put - you'll love this game, even if you don't like military or first-person shooters. If you're the type that strictly plays the single-player mode, then I'd rent first, just to be sure it's for you. For me, even the story mode keeps me coming back. This game is a BEAST, and it's a BEAST on every platform it's on - 360, PS3 and PC.

Infinity Ward understands FPS's - their absence was noticed immediately in Call of Duty 3, which sucked. They're back. This game is a few MINOR elements away from absolute perfection, in my opinion. And you don't get better than perfection.

I'll get the little gripes out of the way:

1. No Co-Op campaign. As frantic as every stage is, coupled with the fact that there's really no point on the game where you're not at least with ONE other player - usually more - I thought this should be available. It's pretty much standard now in the next-gen FPS's, but surprisingly absent here. Hmmm...

2. The whole 'friendly-fire' thing... I realize that this is realistic, but it's pretty frustrating sometimes - moreso here than in a game like Rainbow Six, simply because there's no easily identifiable icon or marker. I don't need THAT level of realism in a game - just my opinion. Yes, your recticle is red if it's on an enemy and green for a friendly, but during all of the fighting, that's really hard to see. Coupled with the fact that a lot of the enemies are wearing uniforms pretty similar to YOURS, you may end up accidentally shooting your squad more than you'd care to admit, especially on the Veteran difficulty level.

(That's really it for the 'gripes' - the other is more of an personal preference for me. I'd rather have more gameplay modes available in the multiplayer right off the bat, but I can also see how starting off with just the initial two works.

You may notice that I haven't complained about the duration of the story mode... while short, I doubt that any of the other reviewers that are slamming it have "breezed through in a few hours" on any difficulty higher than Sick Infant - that's before Rookie, if you're wondering. The story is compelling; there are actual moments where your chest and heart actually POUND - tell me the "All Ghillied Up" stage didn't have you holding your breath in real life, I dare you. Other games, while significantly longer, don't always fill their time with substance. A game like BioShock doesn't have an online mode, so it's story HAS to carry it entirely. Halo 3 is longer, sure... but most of it is retracing your steps back through previously played boards. No thank you. Apart from an effective story mode, this game's "bread and butter" is in the online multiplayer. Just like Halo 3. Just like RB6: Vegas. Just like Gears of War. Online play is what will keep this game, and others, being played for years to come.)

...and that's it, folks. Nothing else bad here. AT ALL. Period.

Gameplay - the game is phenomenal. Even if the campaign is rather on the short side (took about 6 or so hours playing on Normal - Veteran or Hardened will probably double that time, plus some) it is undeniably entertaining. While it may not necessarily be breaking new ground as far as plot, it STILL is far more engaging that Rainbow Six: Vegas's campaign mode, which is great, as well as Gears of War and even the mighty Halo 3. (just my opinion) (A+)

Graphics - arguably the best on any console, period. I give it the nod over Gears of War and BioShock - this is the best looking game I have ever played, and it runs (with all the chaos going on) at a smooth 60 frames per second is 1080P HD glory. The word gets thrown around alot with these newer systems, but this game is truly Photo-Realistic. The only thing I've seen comparable would be Crysis, another military shooter -and that's (not surprisingly) a PC-only game at the moment. It absolutely does not get any better than COD4. (A++)

Sound - as good as anything out now. The musical numbers are all spot-on, and the dialogue and combat chatter is phenomenal. Top notch all the way around - no "forced" sounding acting here. This games sounds like it was recorded during actual combat. (A+)

Multiplayer - time will tell if it will stand up to the insanely deep Halo Multiplayer mode, or the ridiculously addictive multiplayer modes on GoW or RB6, but even in this early stage COD4 is more than holding it's own. Choose from a preset variety of classes - sniper, assault, heavy gunner, etc. and get to killing. Kill enough and eventually unlock the ability to create your OWN class - and that's where the fun really gets going. There's a rank structure, but with there being absolutly ZERO offical multiplayer achievements, hopefully this will minimize people's tendency to cheat. (big problem on RB6) Ranking up does have it's privileges, however... different weapons, customizations for those weapons (scopes, skins, etc.) How new players feel about playing months from now when the majority of their combatants have superior equipment remains to be seen... balancing could be an issue there. The way it's set up though, if you're good at FPS's (and you know who you are), you will be alright. There's some work to be done with the team balancing... and I would prefer the ability to choose which maps I play on during ranked matches, but all in all, pretty solid. (A)

Replay Value - extremely high, even with a relatively short campaign. All of the achievements for the game come from the Campaign mode, yet over half of them require you to beat the game on one of the two harder difficulty levels. (not recommended for first-timers - frustration WILL ensue... as well as bullets, grenades and dog bites) Hell, even the TRAINING MODULE is fun and gets replay - Halo can't say that. This game is ridiculous. Even as varied as multiplayer is by nature, the Prestige Mode adds a new level to it. Make it all the way to Level 55, then you have "a tough decision" to make... (A+)

Overall - Dangerously Good. I give it an A+, or a solid 9.9998 out of 10 (I stand by the fact that a co-op campaign would render a potential Call of Duty 5 pointless) This is one of the best games ever. After playing the Beta earlier this year, I proclaimed that this could be a sleeper for Game of the Year, while everyone else was obviously sold on Halo... maybe a few for BioShock. This has them both, hands down. The only surprising part is how convincingly better this game is than the other GOTY frontrunners. All other FPS's (particularly military FPS's) need to take notice - this is BY FAR the best ever. (Note to Tom Clancy and the folks at UbiSoft: you have work to do for that next Rainbow Six. The bar is WAY up there now... don't disappoint)

A definite must own, especially for XBox Live subscribers - this is the best for this year. No not Halo - Call of Duty 4. Period. The only thing I see that could pull people away from this even for a moment would potentially be Grand Theft Auto 4.

I was one of the Lucky ones to be part of the beta of this game. Ever since then I was totally addicted to the realism of this game. In this game you don't "get owned" as in halo. You always have a chance to have a good game because of all the options that make each player unique. Combining the right perks with the right weapons will be the key to this game. The graphics are just JAW DROPPING! The frame rate is FLAWLESS! You will not feel dizzy after playing this game, guaranteed! Most importantly this game is PURE FUN! Easy to pick up and just play without any previous experience. This is a MUST HAVE for Xbox 360 0wners!!! I promise YOU!

For the fourth installment of the series once set in World War II, the Call of Duty series moves to the present day (thankfully), and what results is by far the best Call of Duty game to see the light of day yet. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare may very well be one of the best first person shooter's you'll ever play on any system, as it features astounding production values and brilliant multiplayer modes on XBox Live. The graphics and visual presentation are simply gorgeous, as are the spectacular sound effects, which is something the series has always done particularly well. Controls are sharp and the multiplayer elements make Call of Duty 4 worth picking up alone, but there is one glaring flaw that is unavoidable to notice. The single player campaign is short, quite short in fact. You could probably finish the game's single player campaign in an afternoon if you so desired, which is a big time drawback if multiplayer gaming isn't your thing. If it is your thing though, you'll find it a blast here, and even though the single player campaign is lacking, Call of Duty 4 is still definitely worth picking up. All in all, Call of Duty 4 is by far the best game in the series yet, and if you're leary of the change of scenery, fear not, war shooters don't get any better than this.

(Multiplayer Details and highlights)Exciting Top notch well balanced online play,lag is nonexistent .There's a Party System plus a ton of game modes like Deathmatch,Search & Destroy,Domination,one-on-one duel, a one-shot/one-kill hardcore mode,Heaquarters,Oldschool mode,etc.Also Matchmaking playlists, 16 multiplayer maps right out of the box,Four player split screen.Also your online player will get 'upgrade' perks like faster re-load,detect claymores through walls,asorb more damage,all this is gained through playing and gaining experience points which is a part of the fantastic online leveling system in which everything you do while playing gains experience points that leads to new ranks. And once your promoted to new ranks you'll get added player bonuses like calling in air-strikes,temporary radar,new weapons and attachments,matchmaking playlists,and create-a-class. You MAX out at level 55 but your able to create-a-class at level 4 ,which includes,primary-secondary weapons-grenade type-etc,With 5 slots total to customize. You can tweak your custom class between rounds,according to your tastes for each map and gametype,things like radar jammer-steady aim-sleight of hand/juggernaut-quiet footsteps,etc.All In All Multiplayer is awesome ,COD4 is a must own if your a XboxLive FPS fan.Onto the single player portion ,wow what can I say its beautiful and each mission looks better than the last. There's the standard intense COD action that you'd expect as well as some new 'stealth' type missions (with newly introduced night vision)that makes the game all that much more immersive. The weather,lighting,and textures all look fantastic, and all at an impressive 60fps. The only negative (if there is even just one) is that the campaign is only 10 hours give or take depending on difficulty and how much you explore the levels. But that being said this game hits it on all levels ,fantastic gameplay,stunning graphics,excellent multiplayer,COD4 has all the right things a FPS fan needs and wants. There are some kool 'cheats' too after you collect the (30) laptops scattered throughout the campaign that have the usual cheats like infinite ammo and a wierd but funny cheat that when an enemy gets killed they explode into a pile of car tires..lol..and with the same cheat if you shoot down a chopper the sky rains Goodyears..lol. Also another perk, after beating the campaign 'Arcade' mode opens up , you now get scored on the camapaign based on performance like headshots-blowing up cars-string togeter kills,like mutiple headshots etc. You'll see a score meter that tracks your progress in 'Arcade' mode.What an awesome game the campaign alone really is worthy but its the multiplayer that seals the deal as COD4 is one of the best FPS to hit the consoles in a long time. Definitely 'do not miss' this stellar game.PEACE

you come home from work everyday and play it just as much as you did when it came out over a year ago....I love this game. Its addictive, the graphics are insane, the story mode is excellent, and multiplayer is incredible. When you die in MP, you know its because of what you did/didnt do. This isnt Halo where you can 'nade someone, empty a clip into them, and then they turn around and 1 shot you. You kill, its because you were better. You die, its because you weren't.....Absolutely incredible game and worth every penny.....

I realize this is one of the greatest games on the market, hands down. The single player campaign is simply crazy. But on multiplayer it doesn't even come close to a game like Rainbow Six Vegas. I've spent hours with my serious gamers playing those maps over and over, but with this game, I'm done after I beat it on single player campaign. That was the feeling for most of the people I played with online. Co-Op would have made this the perfect game.

I'm sorry, but even with the modernizing that's been done - its the same game as Call of Duty 2 (and 3 for that matter - which they seem to be intent on mocking). The moment it really hit was when I heard the oft shouted "Enemies behind those crates over there" line that was repeated over and over again in CoD2. It is essentially the same game. The story, though pieced together from every season of 24, is enjoyable however (even if the end was kind of weak). This is not a bad game. It's just not the greatest thing ever to revolve in your 360. Graphically, this game is amazing, however. Most of the points I give this game stem from just how wonderful everything looks. It is shockingly beautiful.

IW however seems content on simply updating the graphics and leading the gameplay to suffer. Certain things astound me. A dog can kill me in one bite, but I have to shoot it three times with an AK before it dies? A single bullet wouldn't deter these dogs. No. These are super dogs. Shot them once and they keep coming, without even slowing down. The wave after wave of AI enemies (and allies) seem the same. They don't respond to being shot except to stutter then they just keep on unloading at you. And seemingly only you. Do I have a beacon on me that marks me as the most important person on the field. I mean there are so many others to shoot at. Why do they always shoot at me? Why do I have to stand in a door to throw a flash? Was a cover system really so unwanted? As always I'm amazed at how sturdy most structures are in VGs. They can take an endless barrage of bullets, RPGs, C4, etc. and not even crumble. I, as with most every next-gen title, was hoping for more in the way of changing the way the game plays - not just looks.

Basically, this game made me realize that it wasn't WWII that was tired - It was the run'n'gun gameplay that got tired.

Wow, this game is cool. I have a Samsung 50" DLP 1080p and this game looks great. It is the most photo-realistic console game I have ever played; The colors are rich and textured very well.
Game play is fun. The single player campaign is shorter than some games but still worth every penny. The weapons are cool and the levels are beautiful. I can only ask that it is longer.
Multiplayer is awsome. Compared to Halo 3, I prefer Call of Duty 4. Not that I think Halo 3 sucks, It is just a matter of what style of game play I prefer.
The fact that you have to earn weapons and weapon upgrades is appealing to me, it keeps me coming back. The waiting time for a match is short unlike the 5-10 minute waits in Call of Duty 3.
The sub-machine guns are weak in this game. The AK47 is horribly inaccurate, the M-16 is too powerful, the Barrett .50 cal sniper doesn't always kill in one shot, and sometimes you get spawned right in front of the enemy, which can be annoying. Give it a shot, good game.

Considering how much i hated Call of Duty 3..i wasn't looking forward to another WW2 shoot em up. And it seems neither was Activision as the developers decided to take the COD franchise in a new direction

Hello fictional yet modern day warfare!

Like most of Call of Duty games. The action is pretty intense and exciting. Never a dull moment. Unlike most COD games, the multiplayer as been changed to be ten times better then previous installments

The multiplayer on Xbox live sort of resembles something like Battlefield 2. In which you fight matches and gain xp. The more xp and challenges beat, the more unlockables you can get. And wow are their a lot of unlockables! You can unlock everything from new weapons, new perks, to new multiplayer type games even. Going on a kill streak in a game will allow you to really bring the ownage in terms of calling a helicopter or air strike to rain hell and fury on your enemy. This is of course the difference from previous games. Their are probably millions of ways to kill your enemy in multiplayer and you'll probably want to switch weapons often just to beat the challenges and unlock more stuff.

The single player is fun although pretty short. You mostly play as the SAS although their are also a few USMC missions. Like most COD's, it feels like it's you vs an entire army at times. But that is of course the fun of a COD game. The AI is pretty intelligent and will throw back grenades and give a last ditch effort to kill you when they're about to die. The coolest mission is probably the Spectre gunner mission in which you rain death from above on you're enemies, nothing cooler then killing a group of enemies with one shoot from the Spectre cannon. A sniper mission that takes place in Chernobyl is also a fun mission that adds elements of stealth to a pretty much run and gun game

When you completed the game you unlock "Arcade mode" which takes the single player experience to a whole new level. In this mode you are timed in each mission and have to score as many points as possible. Head shots as well as kill streaks boost your score up while dying and lost of time will hurt it. It allows for some replay if the player isn't interested in multiplayer

Graphics and Sound are good as well. Music is kind of repetitive but then again it really won't matter over the sounds of explosions and bullets.

All in all..this game is a must have! I can't think of anything bad to say about this game....

I will start off by saying that I am not a hardcore gamer. I've only had the Xbox 360 for a month or two now. I've played maybe 5 or 6 different games, including Halo 3, CoD 2 and 3, Bioshock, Gears of War, etc.

CoD4 is by far the best out of anything I have played. What everyone has said so far is absolutely true. Graphics, sound, game play, they are all great.

Many have said that it only takes 6 hours to get through the single player mode. I am not that good, so it is taking me a lot longer than that. And I am playing on the regular setting. In the more difficult modes it will take me significantly longer to complete, but it will be well worth it.

The game is incredibly absorbing, really pulling you into the action. Certainly there has to be some linearity to the game, otherwise you'd never finish it, but along that linear path is a tremendous amount of variability in play that should keep your attention for a good while.

The AI, both friend and foe, is very well done and keeps you on your toes. I have never had a game make my heart race, or where I found myself holding my breath, like while shooting a sniper rifle, or just because of the intensity of the action.

One complaint I have, and it's not really a complaint, but rather a preference, is that I think it would be much better if bodily injury caused the same consequences as in real life. If I get shot by a sniper, or lit up by an AK, I should be dead. Yes, that would make the game that much more difficult, but then I think it would make it that much more interesting too because you would really have to think through your strategy. While I am playing I judge my success not only by completing a mission, but by keeping a mental note of how many times I got shot. The fewer the better, obviously.

I played online for the first time last night and the online play is infinitely better than CoD2 or 3. If you think the single player mode is enveloping, online multi-player is a whole new world. Intense. Engaging.

If you like FPS, then it would be impossible to go wrong with this game.