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One of the most dependable names in the hallowed halls of first-person shooting is Infinity Ward, the company behind the long-running string of hits known as the Call of Duty series. Call of Duty 2 took its rightful place as one of the strongest launch titles of all time, and, two long years and one Treyarch-developed sequel later, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare has arrived to usher the series’ setting into the 21st century.

Back to the Future

Call of Duty 4 follows a US Marine and a British SAS soldier through a series of increasingly complex and escalating events in the Eastern Hemisphere. Eventually, the machinations of a Russian arms dealer and a bloody coup in a destabilized Middle Eastern nation collide in a plot to unleash hell on an unsuspecting world populace. Naturally, your job is to ensure that this major international incident is contained as quietly and efficiently as possible. Surviving would be good, too.

In moving away from the World War II settings of previous Call of Duty games, the fourth installment not only breaks from what has become an increasingly well-worn environment, but frees up the campaign to be surprising and unpredictable. With no real-life battles or outcomes to represent, Call of Duty 4 is free to throw in twists and turns that are far more likely to catch players off guard than yet another German counterattack.

Modern Sgt. Rock

Call of Duty fans shouldn’t be concerned about the change in era affecting the game they love. Even with M-16s and AK-47s taking the place of M1 Garands and MP40s, Call of Duty 4 feels very much like a Call of Duty game. The responsive controls are in place, as is the reliable iron sight aiming, the quick-response grenade tossing, and the regenerating lifebar that keeps the action moving at all times. The added power of the modern weapons does mean that you’re not always safe behind all types of cover. Flimsy barriers can be penetrated by gunfire, offering no protection to the unfortunate soldiers behind them, so you even have to evaluate what you’re hiding behind.

Call of Duty 3 introduced the ability to pick up an enemy grenade and toss it back before it explodes. The fourth installment refines this action to a single press of the Right Bumper button, making it a vital element of gameplay. Brand new is the sprint ability, which lets you get to cover quickly and cross dangerous stretches of terrain without exposing yourself to too much enemy fire. This blends seamlessly in with the existing control scheme, and only serves to make you feel more like part of the game’s world.

And You Are There

Call of Duty 4 features some of the most impressive visuals and sound yet seen in a videogame. Every level and environment features jaw-dropping special effects, ranging from tremendous explosions to subtle lighting changes over the course of a mission. On top of this, all of the hyper-detailed realism is somehow running at a rock-solid 60 frames per second. We don’t know how Infinity Ward did it, but the current theory rests on the idea that their programmers are in fact magical beings.

Audio is equally impressive, creating a rich and thick soundscape that places you firmly in the middle of modern warfare. As with the other Call of Duty titles, a large amount of information comes to you via the soundtrack. Surround sound is essential for pinpointing where enemy fire is coming from or hearing your comrades call out the locations of ambushes.

World War

Online play is exceptionally deep and full of customization options. Call of Duty 4 uses a unique level-up system online. Almost every action earns you experience points, and as your online character gains levels, new weapons, equipment, game types, and perks are unlocked for use. Even the basic gameplay contains elements that force strategy and teamwork. Three unanswered kills award you a UVA, which sends up a drone to provide mini-map radar for your team that lasts 30 seconds. Five kills and you can call in an air strike. Seven and you get chopper support, bringing in a gunship that hovers over the battlefield, pumping hot lead into your opponents.

Perks are one of Call of Duty 4’s great innovations. Your character can equip up to three perks, which do various things to enhance his abilities. Some perks let you run faster, aim steadier, or carry more grenades. Fancier ones allow you to live a few seconds longer after death to fire off some pistol shots at your assailants. Our favorite is Martyrdom. When equipped with this perk, you’ll automatically drop a live grenade whenever you’re killed, ensuring that any nearby foe will pay for his transgression.

The online mode has over a dozen gametypes. Standard deathmatch types are available, but advanced players will want to try out the excellent Hardcore mode, where damage is sky-high, friendly fire is turned on, and you don’t respawn when killed. Fans of the original Call of Duty will be pleased with Arcade, a more leap-happy, freeform gametype.

We Want You

Rarely does a game shine in every area and accomplish everything it sets out to do. Call of Duty 4 is unquestionably one of those rare titles. With the deluge of first-person shooters out this holiday, most gamers are going to have to decide which are must-buys and which belong in the bargain bin. Call of Duty 4 is the definition of a must-buy. It may not revolutionize the shooter genre, but it comes damn close to perfecting it.

Review by: Matt Keil
Video Produced by: Scott Robison & Matt Keil