Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Review (PC)

[XoRn]

It’s nearly impossible to talk about WWII based video games without Call of Duty being brought up. The newest iteration to the series however leaves the weapons and technology of yesteryear behind to take a crack at modern combat. Does it retain its reign of intensity or has Infinity Ward left what it knows best and sold out?

When I first heard the concept of Call of Duty 4 I nearly wept. I had long since lost faith in the Medal of Honor franchise (Airborne was great disappointment to me) and the tactical realism of Brothers in Arms was never to appealing to begin with. I no longer had a WWII FPS to my liking to look forward to. All my favorite weapons would be gone I sadly realized. Still, I picked up the game, I installed the game, and I played the game. I will never touch a World War II FPS again.

I can say without a doubt Call of Duty 4 has my vote for game of the year thus far (and yes, I have played Crysis). Delivering what is sure to be the single most intense games ever released, I find it hard to believe I ever doubted Infinity Ward. Not only does this newest addition to the franchise improve just about everything in the single player from the previous games, it adds a slew of new content to create what’s sure to be one of the most popular multiplayer components released this year.


Look familiar?

First and foremost I must address the graphics, and by address, I mean strongly praise them. Where everyone is talking about DX10 hands down spanking DX9, this game is surprisingly attractive and easily within competition of today’s best. The sound production is also top notch (as always). Every weapon has its own intricate and unique sound effect tree it derives upon. The musical score is incredibly immersive and suitable for the game as well. I found it hard not to get sucked in with productive values as high as Infinity War implemented as it was but that’s only the sensory half of it.



Destruction has never looked this beautiful before.


Add in the furious cyclone of game play and story elements and I discovered there isn’t enough ice in the world to sooth over the ass kicking this game delivers. I thought I knew what to expect and in a sense I did. At the very core of Modern Warfare you will probably find much of the same coding in Call of Duty 2. That isn’t to say, however, that Modern Warfare is the same game, or even delivers remotely the same experience. Gone are the amphibious beach landings, done away for the equally intense helicopter rappel drops. Bullets can now rip through walls, grenades are once again cookable, and vehicles and gas canisters ignite and explode with brutal devastation. Every mission delivers several unique new memorable experiences ranging from sneaking through enemy lines to assassinate a terrorist leader to fighting the clock to avert a nuclear disaster. All these moments provide top notch action movie like encounters that left my jaw dropped to the floor.




If you don't remember this happening to you in any of the previous games, thats because it hasn't


If the amazing single player wasn’t enough the multiplayer has been completely overhauled. Modern Warfare introduces a new class based system each with its own perks and the ability to make a custom class that allows you to add attachments to each weapon, designate camouflage, and add perks to that class to fill a specific role. For instance, one of my classes I made was the grenadier. He totes an AK47 with a bottom mounted grenade launcher, Sonic Boom perk which increases grenades effective radius and damage, and the Martyrdom perk which causes my guy to drop a live fragmentation grenade when he dies. With over 20 different perks, and 7 different special weapons (claymore, C4, stun grenades and more) there are several ways to make a specialized class to your likening. There is also a ranking system similar to Battlefield 2. Each rank you unlock new weapons, equipment, perks or gun attachments until rank 55 (the highest rank of General). Actual ranking is much easier achieved then Battlefield 2 however. Currently I have 20 hours played and I’m a rank 40 online. Taking a hint from Xbox Live, Infinity Ward added challenges that players can complete online for special rewards such as extra XP, new camouflage, and a Gold Plated AK47 (or Desert Eagle or 4 other weapons). Not only do they add great replay value, they help you rank up faster. Their is also an immediate reward system for scoring kills in game. 3 in a row gets you a UAV that shows everyones location on your radar, 6 gets you a air strike, and 8 will let you call in your own allied helicopter complete with mini gun to mow down any enemies to dumb to take cover.

Of the actual game modes there is only one notably new mode called Sabotage, in which two teams battle for a single neutral bomb to plant at the enemy base. Unlike the similar Search and Destroy game mode respawns are infinite so the game becomes a massive tug of war. All the old favorites are back as well (including Headquarters which was excluded from Infinity Wards, Game of the Year, Call of Duty 2)

When it’s all said and done Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare is going to be a huge contender for game of the year. With spectacular graphics and unholy intense game play, visceral sound and an immersive new multiplayer Modern Warfare is going to be in my DVD tray for the next six months.

Minimum Requirements

Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 2.4 GHz or AMD(R) Athlon(TM) 64 2800+ processor or any 1.8Ghz Dual Core Processor or better supported
512MB RAM (768MB for Vista)
NVIDIA(R) Geforce(TM) 6600 or better or ATI(R) Radeon(R) 9800 Pro or better

+ Who needs DX10? This game is beautiful
+ Reaches a new level of intensity
+ Multiplayer is fresh and rewarding
+ Another tremendous sound track to back the game
+ I almost cried at the end
- It made me cry damn it!
- Not enough custom class save slots
? How can Infinity Ward top this

Final Verdict: 96% (out of a possible 100%)
-XoRn

[PrOLifIC_onE]

Nice review. I have only played the demo. Based on all my demo experiences lately, I have to agree that this is the best game I have played lately. I am primarily an FPS guy and the demo had all the things I love about FPSs and awesome graphics. I also like that it didn't overload the player with too much, like how it had a lot of options for movements and weapons but didn't overload me to the point where every key on the keyboard performed a function...

[Capper]

yeah, we need to limit your macros to gun, coffee, and donut.

[JazzyJake]

Nice review, i think that it would be nice if you included some screen shots of explosions, more multiplayer stuff, etc.
I have beaten it as well, and have 5hrs, (lvl 29) in the multiplayer, and those are 2 things that are huge in this game. I think a short compilation video would be good as well, i'd be willing to do that if you'd like, (finals are almost over!)

[onebxr]

I agree with you 100%, this is the most fun I have had gaming in a while. This game is awesome, I have spent all of my free time playing this sucker. I have acheived Commander in multiplayer, so its time for me to start over. If you like FPS this is the one to get.
-1

[Dr. V]

Isn't it Modern Warfare...?

In any case, I can safely say that this is one of the very best games I've ever played - ever - period.

Good review.

[PrOLifIC_onE]

Originally Posted by ST!X

Isn't it Modern Warfare...?

In any case, I can safely say that this is one of the very best games I've ever played - ever - period.

Good review.

Yes, fixed.

[Quakindude]

Very well done XoRn! So well, I Dugg it!

[PrOLifIC_onE]

Originally Posted by Capper

yeah, we need to limit your macros to gun, coffee, and donut.

Works for me

[XoRn]

As requested a few more screen shots.


You need to use teamwork to be combat effective in multiplayer


Boom!