Call of Duty 4: Beta (Xbox 360)

[dickie]

Anyone playing this? My roommate got hooked up with this last week and I must say I am impressed.

Graphics - Beautiful. I feel like this is the closest thing (visually) to actually being in the warzone. This is on a Dell 50-something inch HD flat panel, and I wouldn't have it any other way (unless that way was bigger and better). The tiniest details were included and the lighting effects are nice, excepting the weird negative-outlines around the players in low-light environments. Another weird feature: blowing leaves and debris seems to have been added simply for the "oohs and aahs," and it gets annoying to see the same stuff blowing in the same direction over and over again (not to mention distracting).

Gameplay - Decent. Online play is probably the best example of console FPS gaming I have seen so far. Play with a team of your peers or in free-for-all mode to rack up as many kills as you can.

Maps are small and closed-in. Urban door-to-door fighting is emphasized; there are plenty of open buildings but each is filled with obstacles that make close-quarters combat your primary option. Certain maps allow for some interesting sniper action, but there is nowhere you aren't at least as vulnerable as your target.

Rounds are based on frag limits. Points are awarded for each kill and assist, and first team/player to reach the preset score wins. Since the action is fast-paced and frantic, rounds generally last just long enough to hold your interest without disappointing you in the middle of a streak or comeback.

Scoring is based on kills and kill assists. Get 3 kills in a row for UAV overflight, 5 for computer-controlled gunship support and 10 earns you the ability to call in a devastating airstrike that can be placed with deadly accuracy on your opponents' position. When certain conditions are met, points can be multiplied creating a very ingenious incentive to be original in your work. Challenges based on methods of killing were also implemented and award the player with weapon upgrades when completed. Accumulate points to rank up.

Kits are fully customizable. Create a profile and outfit your soldier as you see fit. Slots are available for primary and secondary weapons as well as grenades. No medic kits or equipment is available; instead players' health regenerates after a small amount of time (think Halo).

Weapons are accurately modeled and animated, and handle much like their real-life counterparts. A variety of guns including pistols, submachine guns, carbines, rifles and even RPG's (!) are available and can be modified with unlockable scopes, silencers, camo patterns and features. All of the usual grenades are available and effective (almost encouraged) in their use. The knife, as always, is a one-hit-kill item and mapped to a separate button on the controller for quick access. This feature does NOT disappoint.

Controls - As with any console FPS, controls are sluggish and can be frustrating for this type of action. Apparently this game will be available on PC as well with better online support, so while I enjoy the 360 beta a great deal, the simple fact it's a console game has the potential to kill it before it's even released.

Overall, I give Call of Duty 4 an apropos 4 out of 5. It is really polished and fleshed out for a beta, and if this is any indication of the full-version to come it could be a must-have title for those of you that have such a hard-on for the system you're willing to ignore the obvious console handicaps when comparing it to the PC version.

You can't play the beta if you didn't get one of the reserved slots (or know someone who knows someone ), so take my word for it: you will want to buy this game!

[socal_S13Demon]

This Game is so much fun I got my slot though Gamespot.com...very easy to get, they gave me a token right away didn't have to answer any questions or whatever. (Got my Token today)

i'm playing on a ****ty 27" T.v. and it still looks great wish I had HD

[dickie]

look for swifty when youre on.

[Loki]

I still gots no token or anything...gonna try the GS route tomorrow but I don't have much hope.

[Defcon86]

Been playing since the beta was launched and I have to say it is amazing.

[Loki]

Got to 16 in about three hours, but now I'm kind of getting bored with it. I don't like how every weapon has the same upgrades. Full automatic rifle with little recoil and a scope? ARGH! And I can't even imagine trying to get headshots with the shtogun.

Also HATE the objective games (Search and Destroy in particular). Every game I've played has just been a half-finished game of S&D in which my team is losing horribly, and my team is a bunch of retarded penguins that have never played before. Every single one.

[C-Kwik]

Pretty amazing game. My cousin was in the room using the PC when he turned around to see what I was playing. His comment was, "Woah! that looks so real." Funny thing is I just realized a day later that I still have my 360 set to 480p so it doesn't stretch out Halo/Halo2 on my widescreen. I bumped it up to 720p last night and looks even better.

I have a few complaints though. I'd love to see some more open maps. I like some close combat every now and then, but a little bit of open battlefield is fun too. I also don't like the way you can't lay down if you're backed up to something. Hell, push me forward automatically. It's just not realistic to be unable to lie down since we would be able to compensate quickly in real life. There should be something on the screen to show you if your crouching or laying down as well. It can be hard to discern sometimes. Don't get me wrong, though, it's a great game. I'm definitely looking forward to the campaign. I'll be doing some multi-player as well...how much will depend on how well it compares to the Halo 3 multiplayer...