Still, Call of Duty 4 has some spectacularly memorable sequences that had us gasping out loud. Several on-the-rails “god-missions” put us in control of devastating firepower. In the infrared vision equipped gunner’s seat of an AC130 gunship, we peppered enemies with explosive shells as they ran for their lives. Another awe-inspiring aerial mission let us fire rockets at the same rooftop forces that had assaulted us in previous encounters. We also need to give special note to the game’s playable cut-scenes, which let you experience dramatic cinematics from a truly fresh and terrifying point of view.
And even if you’re not taken with the six-hour single-player campaign, the multiplayer is so addictive it should be a controlled substance. In the online arena, urban settings like the Crossfire and District maps feel like real-world war zones where you’re never safe. Here, battling against human players forced us to use gameplay mechanics like penetrable walls and exploding cars to survive skirmishes. We love the Headquarters and Search and Destroy game modes, which feel like the perfect combination of Battlefield and Counter-Strike play styles.
Team games with 32 players are delightfully frenzied, rewarding skilled players with UAV drones and Helicopter support for impressive kill streaks. Persistent statistics tracking is sure to keep us playing for months as we grind to unlock new weapons, attachments, and ranks. Each player can also customize their own class with personalized weapons and Perks – special in-game abilities like longer sprint or faster reload. We especially like the ability to drop grenades once we’ve died to get revenge on players who’ve out-dueled us.
Unpretentious and unrelenting, Call of Duty 4 is perfect for gamers who just want to experience a terrific cinematic shooter. The breathtaking spectacle may feel forced at times, but it’s a rousing thrill ride that’s definitely worth taking.
Gritty war drama full of scripted spectacle and superb storytelling. Multiplayer’s even better.
Linear and short. Pushover AI hinders the immersion
razr90
November 16, 2009 at 10:56pm
razr90-IT Student
Your right, the multiplayer is addictive. More than once I lost track of the hours at my gaming rig with my eyes feeling like someone packed them with sand, and my hand permanately molded to my mouse. Unaware that it's now night time.
Long live PC gaming!!
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