An incredible look into combat. The perfect view of Modern Warfare.
The Call of Duty 4 engine is an amazing piece to create something like this. Environments, people, weapons, you name it. Just like it says on the back cover, everything is incredibly photo realistic. Sure, environments aren't destructible [I'm sure that is one concept that would've made these graphics perfect for this period of gameplay], but everything else works just fine. The only glitches I've noticed are the occasional body hanging by an ankle from a guard rail on a balcony of a house. But something like that won't take anything away from the breathtaking environments.
Concept:
Threats of Ultra nationalists and terrorists threaten the world. Play as a British S.A.S. Commando and American Marine to stop them. A very welcome change from the overdone [but don't get me wrong, exciting] WW II era. Modern enemies, modern weapons, and modern threats. I think its perfect.
Gameplay - Controls and Learning Curve:
The controls are like other FPS games. Theres the shoot trigger, aiming, melee, reload, grenades, and everything else you need to save the world. You pick up the controls fast. The very first level, if you can call it that, is a training level. Your S.A.S. squad puts you through training. Not like other training levels, though, this one isn't long, and isn't annoying. Its simple to pick up and finish. Now knife the watermelon.
Enemy AI/Difficulty:
Theres your Easy difficulty, Normal, Hard, and then you've got Veteran. The enemy AI reacts how you would think with every one. On Easy, the AI is...easy, what do you expect? Normal is good for starters, Hard will give you a challenge. On Veteran is where you'll see the jump in difference. I still haven't concluded if the enemies on Veteran are smarter, or the damage you take is just more realistic. Probably both. No matter how you are with FPS games, this game will give you a challenge.
Multiplayer:
Now don't get me wrong, the storyline of this Call of Duty is my favorite, but Multiplayer is where this game shines for most people. Perks, unlockable weapons, Prestige mode, incredible maps, good game modes for anyone, and a community that you would expect from a game like this...moderately annoying. Ignore the jerks on this community. Just enjoy the game for what it is. Now, there are many things to do in Multiplayer. Elements from RPG games hit home here. You gain experience for getting a kill, planting a bomb, defusing said bomb, recovering or destroying headquarters, completeing weapon challenges, etc. This experience helps you to level up. Leveling up gets you more weapons, with new challenges to help you level up farther. Once you hit 55, you can make the choice of going up in rank with Prestige Mode. Start back at Level 1, lose your weapons, your challenges, everything. All for the Prestige of saying you did so. The choice is your's. Multiplayer for Call of Duty 4 is an amazing experience, and I personally, can admit that I almost gave up my social life fort it.
Sound EFX/Voices:
One of the important things I love of this game is the dead on sound efx. Each gun its distinct sound to it. Not one gun sounds the same as another -cough ARMY OF TWO cough-. Grenades, airstrikes, helicopters, everything blends to make one thing: the noise of war. And its an experience in its own with good speakers. The voice overs for the storyline, in my opinion were flawless. Don't what else to say about them.
Replay Value: Fairly High -
There is plenty to do here in this game. You can collect all the Intel in the Storyline, which unlocks amusing in-game cheats. Then you've got Arcade mode, or you can turn your sights on Veteran. Multiplayer will offer you just as much, if not more things to challenge.
I highly recommend giving this game a try if you haven't already.
I know this review is late in the game, but I thank you for reading, and hope that its helped.