We get ourselves some SAS action
Sometimes you have to love the demands of the human body. I only say this because the poor chap detailed to walk me through Call Of Duty 4 on the Xbox 360 in Activision’s lounge at Games Convention was desperate for a drink and some grub, so he let me have a play whilst he went of to get fed… bliss!
The game’s full title, Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, should give you a pretty major hint as to the subject matter. Having pretty much expended all other arenas of battle in World War 2, Activision have leapt forwards to a near future (as in possible to happen anytime soon) conflict.
Click for larger imageWell, when I say conflict, it’s not so much an all out war as a series of missions which see you playing as SAS or Marines (with a few Russian troops thrown in for good measure). The reason you’re working you way through these missions is because a Russian old-skool general, Zakiev, has taken it upon himself to try and re-launch the Cold War.
But he’s a bit crafty and, by helping equip a coup in Africa which the US responds to, he knows he can then launch his coup and land-grab in Russia while US force are stretched… which is where the SAS come in.
Click for larger imageNow, this is where I took up the joypad as my band of SAS troops attack a cargo ship at sea in search of some intel and looking for a stolen nuclear warhead.
Right from the get-go Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfare looks the business. No, really, it looks bloody good. Perhaps not as visually cool as Gears of War but certainly on a par with GRAW. The level itself starts with you fast roping onto the bridge of the cargo ship and straight away you’re in a firefight with African rebels who obviously take offence to elite troops dropping from the skies.
The gameplay itself is actually quite similar to GRAW but with a couple of major differences. Sure, you’re part of a squad but you have no control over their actions. GRAW’s stop/start gameplay where everyone waits for you to perform an action or give them orders is not something that you’ll find in Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfare. One of the series’ hallmarks is the fast, fluid gameplay and that’s still firmly in place here as your squad might advance ahead of you but will then wait for you to catch up at various key points.
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