Few series in the world of video games have been as varied in terms of quality as Call of Duty. Many console owners have only had experience with the third game in the series, an Xbox 360 exclusive installment that was developed by a different company than the original games. Call of Duty 3, while not a terrible game, was not a great example of what the series can accomplish in the right direction.
Thankfully, Call of Duty 4 sees a return from developers Infinity Ward and a change of pace for the series. Traditionally set during WWII, COD 4 has brought the series to the present day, swapping traditional Japanese and Nazi foes for a more contemporary battlefield focused on terrorism.
A modern first-person shooter game predominantly set against Middle Eastern terrorists may not sound exactly original, but the story turns out to be one of the game’s main selling points. The usual bravado and macho junk you often find associated with FPS games is completely absent, replaced by some incredibly varied environments, realistic characters, and a sense of the futility of war rather than the promotion of it.
The plot is supported by an incredible level design. All the epic pieces that made Call of Duty 2 so awesome have returned in full force with the advantage of modern graphics and modern weaponry that make the game even more explosive and dynamic than before. The levels involve a mix of the linear and the open, and while there is nothing close to Farcry’s level of ‘choosing’ how to fight, there are many areas where you have enough options to allow for a variety of playstyles and tactics .
Artificial intelligence is one of the best we’ve seen in an FPS. Combined with plenty of opportunities to make smart use of weapons and terrain, there is a strategy level in COD 4 that is slightly more advanced than most other shooter games on Xbox 360. Even the required stealth section is pleasant rather than frustrating. The AI is good enough to make the game quite difficult, even in easier settings, so players will be faced with a challenge.
Call of Duty 4 looks brilliant. Modern FPS games typically conjure up an image of boring gray-brown colors and endless battles set in brownish Middle Eastern cities with no personality. COD 4 really breaks the mold with varied environments, from arid deserts to lush forests that are almost too pleasant to be destroyed by the battles that take place within them. The audio is particularly outstanding; if you have a good sound system, its quality is almost cinematic and makes great use of directional audio.
At approximately six hours, the duration will be the biggest detour for many players looking to get more out of their investment. However, what you get with COD 4 is not so much about quantity as it is about the fact that each level and each fight has a purpose. Nothing has been added as a filler just to fill the game. It is honest and genuine quality from start to finish and is worth every penny.