Call of Duty 4: Five Things to Know
1. That was then, this is now.
Goodbye Nazis, hello terrorists. After exploring every nook and cranny of the oversaturated World War II genre, the Call of Duty franchise does an about-face and focuses its crosshairs squarely on contemporary conflict. Globetrotting gamers will find new guns, new gadgets and a whole new kind of enemy to take down. It's a smart move that should help breathe new life into the series...and more importantly, your stale war-game collection.
2. Perk up, soldier.
Call of Duty 4 pulls a page from the Balco playbook by letting its players pump themselves up with a variety of power-ups called Perks. Equippable in multiplayer matches, these arcade-style boosts can bolster stamina, dole out special weapons or change your tactics altogether. For instance, 'Deep Impact' will let your bullets plow through thicker surfaces, while 'Last Stand' lets you squeeze off a few extra revenge shots right before you keel over. Death from beyond the grave!
3. Infinity returns.
Nothing against Treyarch, but the developers of the console-only Call of Duty 3 just didn't do justice to the two outstanding games that came before it. So we're pleased as Punch that Infinity Ward, the folks behind the original and its beloved sequel, have strapped on their combat boots to head up Call of Duty 4. There's no place like home.
4. If looks could kill...
...we'd be buried before finishing this sentence. At its initial unveiling earlier this year, Call of Duty 4 awed critics with its stunning graphics. A new physics engine brings the battlefield to life like never before, and a blazing framerate admirably carries the weight of huge firefights without so much as a hitch in its stride. You want next-gen, you got it.
5. Customize your commando
Gain enough experience points by playing online and you'll unlock the ability to build your very own unique class. That means you can mix and match weapons to suit your particular play style rather than be forced to play with the same toys as everyone else. You can use more sophisticated weapons by ranking up, so the customization carousel won't grind to a halt after a few fights.