The benchmark for First Person Shooters on any console!
My review will be focused on the multiplayer since that is pretty much all I play. I have done the first few levels of the campaign and I found it to be very well done. I signed into xbox live to try it and never looked back. The multiplayer experience on this game is second to none. One of the best features of the game is the controls. It is so fluid. Play the game for 30 minutes then play Halo3 and you will see what I am talking about. It has the smoothest controls of any fps I have played on a console.
The leveling system is almost perfect. The only flaw in my opinion is the lack of any rewards for going into prestige. I myself am a 3rd level prestige but since I just lose my perks I love I am thinking of just staying at 3. Other than that issue, the leveling and customization are phenominal. I love the fact that you can start with just an m16 and build in it with scopes and perks that carry you all the way to level 55. You can really build your own style into your classes. I have experimented with many different setups and I am very suprised how they changed my effectiveness.
The sound in the game is amazing. I personally use either my 7.1 surround sound or my turtle beach earforce headset. I recommend the headset. I would say half of the ability to be great in that is how well you pay attention to the sounds around you. I have won many matches as the last man standing just by sitting and listening for movement. You can really pinpoint the enemies location based on sound. The sounds also tie into the how great the "perks" are. I use dead silence and if you dont think its worth using I assure you will be impressed by the effectiveness of that perk.
And last but for sure not least the graphics and physics are top notch. I would have to say that it is the first game I have ever played where the camo really works. You can lay in a field as a sniper and an enemy will walk literally right over you if you stay still. The realism of the game is amazing. The accuracy of the different weapons are very polished. As someone who has actually fired some of these guns. They behave much like their real life counterparts.
Overall Call of Duty 4 is the best First Person Shooter to date. I know its not perfect. But I believe it will be difficult to raise the bar beyond what was accomplished in this game.