Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Review

After last year's Call of Duty 3 seemed to be one WWII battle too many for some, Infinity Ward makes a welcome return to the series from their absence with a change of pace for the release of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare on PC, Xbox 360, and PlayStation3.

Following the events of SAS operative John 'Soap' Mactavish and USMC Paul Jackson as they attempt to deal with the threat of a nuclear attack, Modern Warfare changes the theme from historical WWII accuracy to one based on a fictional threat from the near future. Despite the switch, Modern Warfare retains the impact through authenticity that has become a staple ingredient of the series. Although we won't ruin any plot details, Modern Warfare's portrayal of what could happen with 'lost' nuclear materials in the wrong hands is particularly harrowing - perhaps all you need to know is that it's not always a patriotic 'save the day' storyline.

After a tutorial brings you and 'Soap' the fresh SAS recruit up to speed and adjusts aspects such as difficulty and control settings based on your performance and preference, Modern Warfare begins with an immediate impact. Split between three different acts, Modern Warfare primarily takes place in the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and along the Russian edges as Mactavish, Jackson, and their assorted divisions attempt to deal with Middle East insurgents and an ultranationalist Russian faction.

Not Another Lost Nuke

Sandwiched between the intense battles that have become a staple element of the series, Infinity Ward have taken every opportunity to push the series forwards with a creative approach to the game. While the level designs still follow the traditional waypoint design, it seems as though the year sabbatical and switch has allowed Infinity Ward to be more imaginative when it comes to challenging the player. Whether it's making the jump from a sinking tanker onto the evac chopper, rescuing a downed chopper pilot before the rebels capture her, or assuming the role of a president on a fateful journey to his own execution, Modern Warfare is packed full of sequences that you will never forget. The inclusion of a time limit to several of the missions introduces a sense of pace and urgency to the proceedings, whilst occasionally a challenge that has no bearing on the success or failure of the mission becomes apparent, such as a split-second chance to save a citizen from execution.

Because of these subtle introductions, Modern Warfare mixed approach to intensity and the nature of the missions ensures repetition never becomes an issue with the game. Infinity Ward have approached this aspect of the game with the touches of genius you'd expect, which coupled with the game's checkpoint system, means you won't be putting the pad down for anything until the final credits roll. Jam packed with distinctly memorable sequences, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare implements these in a manner that is subtle enough to ensure each has a dramatic impact, as opposed to turning Call of Duty into a gung-ho Jerry Bruckheimer flick. Retaining the key idea behind the series, Modern Warfare may be intensely entertaining to play, but never does the action feel gratuitous, never are Infinity Ward glorifying war, in fact it's quite the opposite - if your heart isn't pounding during the last sequences then you're probably already dead.

Another Notch To Infinity Ward's Belt Of Classics

We've come to expect excellent AI with the Call of Duty series, but it seems as though Infinity Ward have surpassed themselves with Modern Warfare. Employing a mixture of striking scripted moment and advanced AI techniques, Modern Warfare (much like its predecessors) feels more genuine than any other shooter around. The scripted events lend a sense of cinematic purpose to the events, meaning that you're not just fighting against a bunch of mindless AI goons, whilst the high level of AI ensures that even the standard gun-fight packs a punch above most shooters. Fully aware of the environment around them, Modern Warfare rarely dilutes to the pop-up/cover stand-offs that typically classify shooters, which coupled with the sublime animation creates a brutal portrayal of the battlefield without equal, regardless of series or setting. A new trick in the opponent AI, which they will use heavily in the game's interior sequences, is their ability to peek through doors and fire blindly. Thankfully, one of the game's most significant technological advances allows players to take advantage of this with various materials reacting to bullet penetration accordingly; opponents hiding behind wooden doors and crates are easy targets, whilst sturdier objects will still be vulnerable to larger weapons.

Although it's hard to look at anything particularly original or innovative, Modern Warfare does have a smattering of new features, some of which originated with TreyArch's Call of Duty 3. When the incoming grenade icon becomes visible you can frantically track down its position to chuck it back before it blows, whilst interacting with the environment has been made easier with the ability to vault over objects. As a result of the modern setting and the need for smaller squads, there can be times when it begins to feel as though you're playing Ubisoft's latest shooter. That said, Modern Warfare manages to retain enough of the series trademark qualities to ensure the experience stands out as the future direction for the Call of Duty series.

There's only one downside to an otherwise overwhelmingly successful transition for Infinity Ward and Call of Duty. As with many classics, it's all over before you really want it to finish. If you're a veteran of tackling the Nazi invasion in past Call of Duty titles then you'll probably rush through Modern Warfare in less than 10 hours. Admittedly, Modern Warfare is so packed full of hard-hitting sequences, memorable moments, and heart-pounding action, that by the end, it doesn't feel short or cheap; particularly the end sequence is of such striking quality that you can't possibly have any complaints. Nevertheless be advised, probably as a result of the game's brilliance most CoD fans will be able to rush through this in a day - just make sure to opt for the higher difficulty and enjoy every minute the game has to offer. Further replay value stems from the unlocked Arcade mode that introduces a time limit, score and combo multipliers to the equation, which as the name suggests provides an experience quite unlike Call of Duty. It's a fun way to play through the game again, collecting the hidden intel that you missed the first time around.

Fortunately, after those 10 hours are up Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare continues the series tradition with a strong multiplayer offering that's likely to keep the disc whirring for many months after. Featuring 9 maps lifted from the game, Modern Warfare develops the series online multiplayer with a wide range of game types and classes to choose between. Based around a persistent online career, Modern Warfare restricts what you can and can't do to begin with, and only by earning XP through kills and victories can you begin to dig into some of the depth that the game offers. Thankfully leaving the arcadey gimmick of vehicles in the past, Modern Warfare focuses its efforts as a pure shooter with an assortment of online options to tinker with that provides the diversity and long-term value that's to be expected from Infinity Ward. With a range of 'Perks' such as Air Strikes and Radars tied directly to your skill on the battlefield, Modern Warfare provides a fantastic sense of reward for your efforts. More satisfying than Halo 3 with the same edge that has defined previous Call of Duty titles, Modern Warfare can write its own chapter in the great book of videogame classics.