Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
- November 12, 2007
- Infinity Ward
- 7h median play time
Combining an intense single-player campaign with addicting online multiplayer, Call of Duty 4 is one of the first must buy titles of the holiday season.
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Get on Xbox Games Store"Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare" is a first-person shooter game that takes players to deadly hotspots around the world in a battle against a rogue group threatening global security. As a U.S Marine and British S.A.S. soldier, players use advanced firepower and technology to complete missions. The game also features an extensive multiplayer mode with customizable persistent perks and addictive gameplay. It offers an authentic and expansive arsenal of over 70 new weapons and gear.
Mac OS
PC
Windows
Xbox One
Xbox Series X|S
Xbox
Xbox 360
Reviews
- story1,795 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The story of "Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare" is widely praised for its engaging narrative and memorable characters, particularly in iconic missions like "All Ghillied Up" and "One Shot, One Kill." Players appreciate the game's ability to blend intense action with a coherent plot that explores themes of modern warfare, terrorism, and camaraderie among soldiers. While some critiques mention the story's brevity and occasional confusion, the overall consensus is that it sets a high standard for storytelling in first-person shooters, making it a classic in the genre.
“Easily the best Call of Duty campaign story!”
“The game offers an intense and immersive narrative, which follows a plot full of twists and turns and memorable characters.”
“The story, which revolves around the fight against a terrorist group and the collapse of political regimes, is told with a depth that effectively combines drama and action.”
“The story is the epitome of generic, lacks memorable characters and feels tacked on.”
“The story doesn't make sense, the enemies' placement is plain dumb, the difficulty pacing doesn't exist.”
“The story is short, I beat the campaign in less than 5 hours and I'm not a pro.”
- gameplay726 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare" is widely praised for its fast-paced, engaging mechanics that blend cinematic action with strategic elements. Players appreciate the refined shooting mechanics, diverse mission designs, and the introduction of features like killstreaks and perks, which have become staples in the FPS genre. While some critiques mention the linearity and occasional repetitiveness of the campaign, the overall experience remains enjoyable and influential, solidifying its status as a classic in gaming history.
“Modern Warfare delivers an exhilarating single-player experience, with fast-paced gameplay, a cinematic narrative, and responsive gunplay.”
“The variety of weapons and the implementation of a more efficient cover system contribute to the depth of the gameplay.”
“The gameplay mechanics that have become the staple mark for the series shine as bright as the sun with its smooth and streamlined shooting that is extremely easy to understand and master.”
“The story is soulless and generic, the gameplay is genuinely painful.”
“The gameplay in the campaign is extremely repetitive.”
“It's just run of the mill run and gun gameplay with constantly respawning enemies.”
- graphics578 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 51 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare," released in 2007, were considered cutting-edge at the time and still hold up reasonably well today, especially when played on modern hardware. While some players note that the visuals appear dated compared to contemporary titles, many appreciate the game's gritty realism and attention to detail, which contribute to an immersive experience. Overall, the graphics are praised for their quality relative to the game's release period, though some recommend the remastered version for enhanced visuals.
“Visually, Call of Duty® 4: Modern Warfare® impresses with its detailed and well-designed graphics, which help create an immersive and realistic experience.”
“The graphics, while not up to today's high standards, still hold a certain charm with their gritty realism and attention to detail.”
“For its time, being a console game, the graphics were stunning.”
“Graphics have changed little since the previous game in 2005.”
“The only problem I have is that the graphics are a bit outdated and the audio can sound really distorted and troublesome to listen to sometimes.”
“The game is remade and the graphics still seem bad.”
- music124 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its high quality and ability to enhance the overall atmosphere, with standout contributions from composers like Harry Gregson-Williams and Stephen Barton. Many players noted that the soundtrack effectively complements the game's narrative and gameplay, creating memorable moments, although some expressed a desire for options to adjust or mute the music. Overall, the soundtrack is often described as iconic and integral to the game's emotional impact, solidifying its status as a classic in the franchise.
“The soundtrack and audio design, which includes realistic sound effects and a striking score, intensify the atmosphere of the game.”
“From the moment the game boots up, the iconic soundtrack by Harry Gregson-Williams and Stephen Barton instantly transports you back in time.”
“The in-game music composed by Harry Gregson-Williams suits the pace and atmosphere perfectly, whether it is the middle-eastern showdown, or the desolate Pripyat city, or the ICBM launch field, the music always brings the scene to life.”
“Not only did they throw in audio from what sounded like a pitch meeting for the game, but they then got someone to rap that audio and quotes from the game like Will Smith trying to add himself to a movie's soundtrack.”
“I wish there was an option to turn off the music to add realism to the scene.”
“The music is not really up to much; the game largely relies on the noise of battle, and that works well for what it is.”
- atmosphere56 mentions
- 48 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and chilling qualities, enhanced by detailed environments, realistic sound effects, and a fitting soundtrack that complements the intense gameplay. Players appreciate the variety of settings and the way the game captures the harsh realities of war, creating a unique and engaging experience. Overall, the atmosphere is considered one of the standout features, contributing significantly to the game's appeal and emotional impact.
“The soundtrack and audio design, which includes realistic sound effects and a striking score, intensify the atmosphere of the game.”
“The attention to detail in environments, character models, and weapon designs contributes significantly to the game's immersive atmosphere.”
“The atmosphere immerses you in every mission that you play.”
“Overall, this is just one example and I could probably ramble on for so much longer and there are still some aspects I like about these missions and all of the missions in MW1 (atmospheres and music are spot-on), but most are forgettable and others downright tedious.”
“Atmosphere...a little sense of realism and characteristics...these are something that are missing in the latest COD games.”
“Most of the time the atmosphere is manic and you need to fight and complete objectives in constant danger of getting a bullet.”
- replayability54 mentions
- 37 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
Replayability in the game varies significantly among players, with some praising its high value due to engaging multiplayer modes, custom mods, and unique campaign elements, while others criticize the single-player experience for its linearity and limited mission replay options. Many players find the multiplayer aspect to be endlessly replayable, but the single-player campaign often lacks substantial replay value beyond initial playthroughs, despite some features like collectibles and arcade modes that encourage revisiting the game. Overall, while some aspects offer strong replayability, particularly through multiplayer and mods, others fall short, leading to mixed opinions on the game's overall replay value.
“It is quite an interesting, fun to play game, with an extremely high rate of replayability.”
“The story is great, filled with memorable moments, and with the arcade mode, it has tons of replayability.”
“Furthermore, the campaign is quite replayable, with collectibles in practically every level, four different difficulties to play through, and a special score-based mode that is unlocked after first beating the campaign, you can certainly come back to it again.”
“Not much replay value, but that's not necessary for every game.”
“There isn't much replayability apart from individual missions, get it on a sale.”
“At the same time, the singleplayer doesn't have too much replayability due to its straight line cinematic nature, except to play those key moments in the game again.”
- optimization50 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 24 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game receives mixed reviews, with some players praising its performance on modern systems and noting good framerates and graphics options, while others report significant stuttering and frame dips, particularly on lower-end hardware. Despite being an older title, many find it better optimized than newer entries in the series, though issues like lack of a field of view slider and inconsistent performance persist. Overall, while some players enjoy smooth gameplay, others experience frustrating performance problems that detract from the experience.
“The game runs almost without a hitch, with expectedly excellent framerates (no fps cap), it's well-optimized, and it still looks good enough while doing so.”
“It also is a phenomenal PC port with many graphics options, great optimization, and even mod support.”
“While most Call of Duty games nowadays are full of broken game mechanics and poor PC optimization, COD 4 is a nice breath of fresh air.”
“Endless stuttering on modern systems.”
“Stuttering at over 500 fps, no volume mixing options, FOV resets to 65 constantly.”
“Game is not optimized or supported anymore and you may get errors on Windows 10 that will not at all allow you to even run the multiplayer portion of the game.”
- grinding40 mentions
- 5 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The reviews overwhelmingly indicate that grinding in the game is excessively tedious, often requiring an unrealistic time commitment likened to needing "a second life." While some players appreciate certain aspects of the gameplay, many find the grinding experience to be a major detractor, leading to feelings of boredom and frustration. Overall, the grinding mechanics are seen as a significant hurdle that detracts from the enjoyment of the game.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“A bit grindy... sometimes.”
“This takes 'boring and tedious' to a whole new level.”
“One long, tedious grind.”
“What I got instead was a tedious, vaguely-plotted slog of endless gunfights punctuated here and there with various novelty toys of varying usefulness.”
- stability38 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 3 % neutral mentions
- 76 % negative mentions
The stability of the game is a mixed bag, with many users reporting it runs well on older PCs and has only minor glitches that can enhance gameplay. However, several players have experienced significant issues, including crashes during cutscenes, freezing, and bugs that affect game performance. Overall, while the game is generally playable, it is not without its stability problems, particularly on newer systems.
“Classic game, runs great for older PCs so you don't have to have the latest gear or upgrade graphics cards.”
“The game is so much fun, I don't have the best hardware and it still runs great!”
“It's a classic that looks great and runs great.”
“I love this game when it actually works, but it's so buggy; some weeks it works, others it just exits without an error!”
“PC port is really buggy, crashing on cut scenes and not saving.”
“Game freezes up and crashes.”
- humor35 mentions
- 97 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely appreciated, with players highlighting its over-the-top action, witty dialogue, and memorable characters like Captain Price and Soap MacTavish. Many reviews mention the game's ability to blend serious themes with comedic moments, creating a charming and entertaining experience. Additionally, nostalgic elements and humorous multiplayer interactions contribute to the overall comedic appeal, making it a fun choice for fans of the genre.
“Great soundtrack, charming Source Engine-esque graphics, and a plot that takes itself very seriously in a funny over-the-top action movie kind of way.”
“Love the introduction to Captain Price and the hilarious commentary of Griggs.”
“The game is hilariously broken in terms of balance; however, that is part of its charm.”
“So badly scripted it's not funny.”
- monetization28 mentions
- 11 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 32 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game is praised for its absence of microtransactions, DLC, and other predatory practices, offering a straightforward and enjoyable experience reminiscent of classic titles. Players appreciate the lack of cash grabs, such as loot boxes and overpriced content, which allows for a more authentic and engaging gameplay experience. Overall, the game is celebrated for its commitment to providing a complete package without the modern monetization pitfalls that have plagued newer releases.
“It is lovingly uncomplicated with its simple premise, unadulterated with predatory monetization practices, and authentic with its richly down-to-earth presentation and remarkable level of restraint whether engaged in single-player campaign or multiplayer.”
“It's the right blend of customization options and balance without any microtransactions or any of that modern nonsense.”
“Great arcade shooter experience, no microtransactions, free DLC, custom maps, etc. fun!”
“Too bad the developer lost their way and became a bunch of greedy pigs; they keep releasing crappy Call of Duty games every year, full of microtransactions, day one DLC, and pre-order bonus crap.”
“The trilogy itself was pure gold, but now that these games have become so saturated with skins, in-game purchases, and more and more money for multiplayer content that should be free.”
“I don't believe in supporting Activision products at full price due to their greedy pricing and microtransactions for 2014 and beyond titles.”
- emotional27 mentions
- 96 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game has been widely praised for its powerful storytelling and character development, with many players expressing deep connections to the characters and feeling genuine sadness during pivotal moments, such as character deaths. The campaign effectively blends intense action with heartfelt narratives, evoking a range of emotions from nostalgia to frustration, and leaving a lasting impact on players. However, some critiques mention that the emotional depth can feel inconsistent, particularly when juxtaposed with the game's violence.
“The game expertly blends intense action sequences with thought-provoking moments, creating an immersive and emotionally charged experience.”
“This campaign made me cry manly tears at the end for the characters that were killed off!”
“Lets skip to the end, everyone is dying, I saw one of my comrades get shot right in the head when he was trying to get me to cover, Gaz was shot dead in front of my eyes... it left me with a huge sadness, it feels like I already knew them for years.”
“I went into this game thinking it would be yet another title from Activision that features unlikeable characters and boring storylines.”
- character development6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is a mixed bag; while some reviews praise the depth and complexity of the characters and their designs, others note a lack of focus on character growth in favor of larger narrative events. The traditional storytelling approach, reminiscent of classic titles, offers a cinematic experience but may leave some players wanting more in terms of character exploration. Overall, the atmosphere and character design are highlighted as strong points, despite some inconsistencies in execution.
“Good campaign and story complexity; good character development, good weapons and sounds.”
“The absence of in-game cutscenes or elaborate embellishments is noteworthy; the game adheres to the traditional Call of Duty approach for storytelling and character development with a cinematic feel on top of it.”
“The character development and atmosphere have no match.”
“The absence of in-game cutscenes or elaborate embellishments is noteworthy; the game adheres to the traditional Call of Duty approach for storytelling and character development, with a cinematic feel on top of it.”
