Like Keith I've been enjoying Call of Duty 4 - it's a fantastic game - but I've been spending more time on the single player mode. Don't get me wrong, the online stuff is hugely entertaining, with the RPG-lite elements really dragging you back in for one more go. But the majority of people who buy COD will be playing it offline only. And the good news for them is that the single player campaign is right up there with the best. The 24-style story and sense of place is spot on, as is the feeling of being part of a team. And those trademark Call of Duty moments - crouching by a wall feeling helpless while bullets ping around and your comrades shout orders - are more intense than ever. Oh and the Brits play a pivotal role in the game, which is nice, even if the "cockney" actors sound like extras from The Bill.
The game rarely lets up but some nice changes of pace ratchet up the tension. One level - I won't spoil it - is stealth based and is quite frankly terrifying. But what about the supposed "short" length of the game? It took me around 8 hours to complete on normal settings and experienced players will probably knock an hour or two off that. But you know what - I loved every minute. I'd much rather have 8 hours of full on exhilaration than a drawn out 20. And that's without the multiplayer.
The only real issue is one of realism. The move to modern day and a top-notch graphics engine makes COD4 uncomfortably realistic. Listening to your US co-pilot congratulate you as you mow down a bunch of assailants is surprisingly jarring. Sure it's "just a game" - and the plot does help justify your actions - but gunning down enemies in the Middle East feels more political than shooting Nazis ever did. But this aside Call of Duty 4 is a cracker and yet another must-have in what is turning out to be a very expensive 2007.
