World War 2.0

Game: Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
System: Xbox 360
Release date: November 6, 2007
Developed by: Infinity Ward
Published by: Activision

Every now and then a video game franchise will release a game which redefines the series and which sometimes is revolutionary enough to transcend an entire genre. Titles like Resident Evil 4 and Grand Theft Auto III naturally come to mind. Although Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare has done very little to change the momentum of the first-person shooter, it represents an important progression within the Call of Duty franchise. It is easily the best Call of Duty game and boasts the best story (and storytelling), atmosphere and multiplayer modes.

Since 2003 the Call of Duty games have dominated the pool of WWII first-person shooters, but in Call of Duty 4 developed Infinity Ward fast-forwarded the action into the not-too-distant future, when American marines and British Special Forces are pitched in a global battle against Russian ultranationalists and Middle Eastern radicals. Like many other Call of Duty games, players control soldiers from more than one unit.


Because of its emphasis on the rules of modern warfare, Call of Duty 4 introduces weapons and technology which never before appeared in previous installments: soldiers can fire high-powered sniper rifles, use night-vision goggles and call in air strikes on unsuspecting targets. The rules of engagement are noticably different in Call of Duty 4 also: special forces tactics replace the squad formations from Call of Duty 1-3.

The multiplayer modes in Call of Duty 4 are especially good, rivaling Halo 3 in terms of replay value and intensity. In each match, players can select one of several classes of soldier, each with its own weapons and “perks.” Perk effects include increased weapon damage, the ability to withstand enemy fire, and radar invisibility.

Although Call of Duty 4 represents a huge leap forward in terms of the Call of Duty franchise, it has done almost nothing to revolutionize the genre. This fact, combined with the brevity of its single-player campaign, keeps Call of Duty 4 from being the masterwork that some critics claim it to be.

Score: 94/100