First off, I beta tested this game before it ever came out. I was just a multiplayer online beta but it gave me a feel of how the game was going to be. Before the actual game had come out, I was a little on the fence about buying another FPS especially after playing HALO 3 everyday. I wasn’t sure how the campaign mission would be in CoD4 so I was a little iffy on whether or not to buy this game. Wow, am I glad I did.

First off, don’t listen to any reviews you have read about the campaign mode being very short. All those reviewers play the game on NORMAL! If you a re reviewing a game, why review the game on kiddie settings??? Of course you are going to finish the game in 4-6 hours by playing it on kiddie mode. Duh. Where is the challenge in that? Its like reviewing Halo 3 on NORMAL setting. On Halo 3 I can finish each normal setting game in like 15-20 minutes. On Veteran mode in CoD4, it took me about a week or so to beat the entire campaign. This is from playing maybe 2-3 hours per day. Some levels took me all night to play due to their difficulty. Honestly, what real gamer doesn’t play the campaign on the hardest or second hardest setting?? No real gamer would play the game on easy unless you are just messing around in the game.

The campaign mode however does have its faults, but the length is not one of them. The biggest fault I see with campaign mode is the fact that enemies continuously respawn in certain places unless you advance your position. On the one hand, this is good because it keeps you from camping out and adds a level of challenge. On the other hand, it can get kind of annoying, especially when you are running low on ammo. Enemies also seem to know exactly where you position is at all times. They have super human reflexes but that might be because I was playing it on veteran. It does help keep you on your toes though and I think it makes you a better player if you have to figure out ways around those situations. I wish however Infinity Ward had included a Co-Op campaign mode like in Halo 3. I would have loved to play some of these missions with my friends over LIVE. These little things keep the campaign mode from being perfect, but it is very close.

Now, on to the meat and potatoes. Multiplayer. After playing multiplayer extensively since the game came out, I dare say that I like playing this a lot better then Halo 3 multiplayer. Sure its missing bonuses like being able to watch replay of your games or the extensive stat tracking that Halo 3 has, but what it lacks in extras, it makes up for in gameplay while adding its own little inovations to the mix. Why do I enjoy it more? Here’s why:

1. Radar. I love how you do not show up on enemy radar until you fire your weapon. This is great and adds to the strategy aspect of the game. If you’re a sniper, you can sneak up on people like a sniper is suppose to do, not like in Halo where everyone knows your position, even if you are on the other side of the map. Which brings me to another aspect, only friendlies show their gamertag from a distance. If you are on the opposite team, your tag does not show up. This also plays well to sniper player as they will keep their position hidden. In Halo 3, you can also see the gamertag from the other side of the map. Halo 3 does not lend itself well to sneaking around.

2. Real ranking system. In Halo 3, you basically rank up by how many games you win. Even if you had the top score in the game, but your team loses, you do not gain any xp points. And each game is only worth 1 xp point. I would have to play a shitload of games just to reach General. Either that or cheat. In CoD4, your xp points are determained by # of kills and if your team wins. If your team loses, you still get xp points based on your performance. I find this to be a more realistic and fair way to add xp points. I mean its not your fault if you’re stuck on a shitty team. Also, ranking up allows you to use better weapons and perks. This gives you a reason to rank up. Halo 3, there was really no real reason to rank up except for the name.

3. Extras. I love how Inifinity Ward has added challenges to the game inorder to open up new items for customizing your weapons. You are no longer limited to the stock weapon. Challenges also add xp points when they are completed. This gives you good reason to try and complete challenges. I also love the perks in the game. This is similar to power ups in Halo 3, except that you start out the game with these but you must earn them in order to use them. I think it adds a fun little element to the game.

4. Maps. By far this outshines Halo 3 in every aspect. The maps in CoD4 are gorgeous. Each are multi leveled with plenty of cover, places to hide, ladders to climb, traps to be set, etc. Each level lends itself greatly to whatever type of player you are whether it be sniper or run and gun. The levels are also fairly large, but not too large where you are traying to find someone to kill for 5 minutes.

In the end, CoD4 is a great experience and I would highly recommend this game to anyone who loves a great FPS and multiplayer game.