Call of Duty 4 - the Review

This is my first answer to the call of "The Astley Challenge." This one goes all the way out to J.D. Evans. And the ladies. But mostly J.D. Evans, since he requested this.

To preface my review, the reader should know that although I'm a blogger about video games and that I love video games, I'm not really very good at video games, particularly first-person shooters.

Aside from that, "Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare" must be in the top ten most intricate video games out today. Joining the likes of "Half-Life 2" and other games akin to its genre, the graphics for "Call of Duty 4" are mind-blowing. From the waves crashing in the water below your helicopter to the smoke that emanates from the bullets crashing against the walls.

But it isn't only the realism in the graphics or the sound quality or even the chilling soundtrack that makes this game. It's the story. Now I could go on to explain all of the details of what's going on in the war and what your character's missions are, but none of that matters. All you need to know is that after a short training session, you are pushed onto the battlefield with Sgt. Price (whose mustache makes one think that he's evil).

This game gives you the impression that it isn't a game at all. It makes you firmly believe that you are in the midst of war. Now I've played some of the "Medal of Honor" games before and I've certainly played many first-person shooters. However, no game has put fear into my system quite like this one. I don't know if it's because I've been playing a lot of "Super Mario Galaxy" lately, but regardless, this game was a rude awakening.

It was fun, don't get me wrong. I couldn't put the thing down. And if you like first-person shooters and war games, buy it. Buy it now! However, this game really brought out my inner-hippie. After so much killing and the thought of somebody shooting at you at any moment, I start to question why I'm there (or why there's war in the first place and why can't we all just get along and a lot of other thoughts you could hear about in The Grateful Dead's "American Beauty").

The game is incredible, but it made me scream in terror once every other minute - an accomplishment only held by two other games: "Resident Evil 4" and "Luigi's Mansion." It just caused a lot of strain on my muscles, one Jimmy Stewart impression (in which I yelled, "Take five, commies!" over and over again), and I kid you not, one bad dream where everybody had the same mustache as the sergeant.

"Call of Duty 4" is in a league of its own. The realism of the thing is pretty mind-blowing. The multi-player is great, the gameplay is addictive as all get-out, and I highly recommend it. But if you've been playing "Super Mario Galaxy," I'd watch "Full Metal Jacket" or something beforehand.

Happy, J.D.?