If you were under a rock and didn't game much, this changes all perception of what a FPS is.
Call of Duty Modern Warfare was the first one to successfully break away from the World War 2 Monopoly of FPS. We all questioned it with the first press releases, we all anticipated it with the first trailer, and we were blown away when we dropped on board the first level, and escaped the sinking ship.
Up until MW, the average FPS had a fair to pretty good story line, that saved most twists, turns, and edge of seat happenings for the end levels. Modern Warfare made every level feel like the last in that case, because there wasn't a single moment I wasn't totally engrossed into the blood soaked world of the American and British soldier.
The story in this is pretty basic of course, Capture the leader of the terrorists, however the gripping chills that run down ones spine as the basic story gives way to the story of the common soldier that I highly admire. This isn't about the big picture, the brass in Washington, or the Generals trying to bring about peace. This is about the people who volunteered their lives to keep you and I safe, and you feel ever scary, thrilling, and heart warming second of it. When you die, you truly feel for your character, that's what pushed me to do so well in this.
As for the graphics, SPECTACULAR, ever inch of the landscape is beautiful, it's almost a shame that there's never a moment to stop and enjoy the smoldering beauty of the PS3PCXbox360 battlefield, this is the peak, the best.
It is true, the game is over in a flash, but it's a flash that I will remember, a flash that redefined FPS. In this one instance this isn't a bad thing either. What they bring to you is a soldiers story from start to finish, without adding extra missions that will clutter and garble the feel of the game.
The one part I felt I could find a slight disappointment about was, (this will be a subject to some debate,) is the multiplayer. Yes, it did redefine this as well, the leveling up elements bring an addictive addition to the game that I haven't felt with any other multiplayer out their. Yes, the controls are awesome and there is no lag. And I have been recently told by Cuki8191 that it does have 21 multiplayer maps. To be honest I never realized it had more than 5 or 6, because in my opinion they were of similar format, and not as engaging as some out there. Of course once again this part is my opinion, please take as much or as little out of it as you wish! :) However over all, the multiplayer is still pretty cool.