8-Bit #1  Dexter works for the video game world record organization Parallel Universes and he has more VHS tapes of player scores than he can handle. When Dexter drifts off while watching a high score attempt, he finds the game has come to life and he is in the middle of a new 8-Bit reality.
Jack Che Guevara Burton T-Shirt  Start your own Chinese stand off just by wearing this shirt. You'll truly shake the pillars of heaven. |
News > Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
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 This is the first Call of Duty game I've truly said that I was interested in playing. And, not since my Battlefield 1942 days was I interested in playing another World War II game, or real war simulation game. When I saw the trailer for Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, I was intrigued, amazed, nigh blown away. I was hooked. And this game is one big 5 out of 5.
The game is set in the events of today, but also gives us a short history lesson as we play a small mission in the Desert Storm era. But you'll most likely find yourself playing as a buddy of yours who is off fighting in Iraq (yes, this game feels that real). You play as two different characters from different groups (sorry, I don't know all the military titles or divisions). One group is working in Europe and Russia gathering intelligence and investigating to save the lives of the fighters in the desert, while the other group is fighting the good fight in the Middle-East, awaiting the results of the former's investigation. Each are working towards the common goal, but it's cool that you get to see both sides.
Gameplay is fast and visceral. With the chaos of explosions, bullets whizzing everywhere, your enemies shouting commands and taunts, and your allies screaming in agony, it isn't just the relevance to today's current situation that makes the combat engaging and terrifying. I had a harder learning curve, because I am a natural run-and-gun'r. YOU WILL NOT SURVIVE WITH RUNNING AND GUNNING IN THIS GAME OR REAL LIFE COMBAT. I had to spend a considerable portion of my gameplay time remembering to take cover rather than run behind enemy lines. The slower sniper levels are more relaxed because it loses plenty of the noise, but your adrenaline leaps back up when you have to stay still as an enemy infantry walks right over your platoon lying in the grass. Also, try running as fast as you can from a sinking ship that's tilting furiously from side to side. And the fact that there's no health bar really keeps the tension alive and your head in the game, rather than on the HUD.
Usually when I play through a game with ally characters, I don't mind shooting them a bit. In Call of Duty 4, I was ready to lose it when I end up shooting one of my allies down. This is the first game I've played where I honestly felt sorry for accidental friendly fire. I chalk it up to a combination of elaborate and true-to-life combat mechanics, superb character animations and eerily real voice acting.
The sound design in this game has hit it's peak. Each gun fires differently, and therefore has its own sound to boot. Flash grenades ring in your ear if you're too close, explosions rattle your brain, bullets wiz by, ricocheting off your flimsy partical board cover. I'd challenge you to just stop and listen to the ambient battle noises going on in the city firefights, but the enemy AI doesn't usually give you enough time for that. Listen to the helicopter whenever you're in one, or to the jeeps when they drive up. If you have a surround sound system, please play the game at least once with this system on. You've never felt so engulfed in a game.
Call of Duty 4 is more than pretty to look at. As I've been stating in this review, everything is so real, its eerie and almost uncomfortable. The visuals are so polished and everything moves so perfectly, it almost hits too close to home. Though the thing that impressed me the most was the smoke color, shape, and animation. Be sure to give a good look for that (you won't have to look too hard). Lighting effects are perfect, gravity is spot on, and, well, need I say more?
One thing about this game is, when all's said and done, it's pretty short. I logged about 13 hours, but only because I spent so much time trying to train myself away from my natural run-and-gun instincts. Through each level, there are several pieces of enemy intel you can pick up that unlock different render modes (like silent film, high contrast, etc) and other bonuses, so there is incentive to use the mission select after completing the campaign to retrieve those pieces. Replay value is pretty respectable here.
The multiplayer for both the 360 and PS3 versions are almost identical, so don't feel like you're getting the shaft without Xbox Live. I personally didn't get into the online experience as much as others might, but I'm waiving the flag of personal preference on that one. I prefer a less realistic experience for multiplayer games, like one you might get from Warhawk, or even Halo. You know, where the game doesn't exactly follow real life rules. The pairing system didn't seem very intuitive, or very customizable, but I'm sure it will expand with software updates.
Overall, this Call of Duty finally lives up to its name. Everything has come together, the team's past experiences with other Call of Duty games, and the choice to set this game in the confetti of current events makes this game a more complete combat experience. If you ever get the chance, just play through the campaign at least once. You won't be sorry.
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Jack Burton Adventures #2  While Jack has been tying up lose ends with his insurance company and causing mayhem at the wheel of his truck, Mao Yin and Wang Chi have been busy. Wang and Mao’s wedded bliss is about to be shattered when the prayer scroll reveals more about Mao Yin’s future than she expected. Bukeey #1  What Bukeey lacks in skill, he makes up for in bravery. Even though he is young, he thinks he is a great warrior which ends up getting him into a lot of trouble. With his best friend Dez, Bukeey is always looking for danger. Join this hilarious and thrilling adventure for the whole family. |