Call of Duty 4 Modern Warfare preview for Xbox 360

The Call of Duty franchise is moving on in time - the newest incarnation, Call of Duty 4 Modern Warfare, takes place in the modern field of combat, instead of the WW2 setting of its predecessors. It's not out until November, but we've had a hands on look at CoD4 in all its glory this month and it's fair to say we're impressed. Fans of the series won't be disappointed by the move to the modern battlefields of the Middle East and Eastern Europe - the gameplay is as solid as ever. Could this be the game to rival Halo 3 this autumn? Find out more in our Call of Duty 4 Modern Warfare preview now!
Click here to read our Call of Duty 4 Modern Warfare preview for Xbox 360 now!

Call of Duty 4 Modern Warfare preview for Xbox 360
Call of Duty has moved into a new era - in terms of both setting and gameplay. Series creator Infinity Ward has left behind its superb World War II campaigns, transplanting the core DNA of the gameplay into the modern battlefield. Translated into the most basic terms, battling Hitler with your MP40 and armful of grenades is a thing of the past - now you're heading for Eastern Europe and the Middle East armed to the teeth with the very latest in combat weaponry and toys with a little more sophistication than the old sticky bombs. But make no mistake, the essential Call of Duty experience is still there, it's just been evolved, expanded upon and improved beyond all recognition.

The majority of our gameplay time has been based on Activision's recent beta programme, which concentrates on the multiplayer aspect of the game, allowing up to 16 players to battle each other over Xbox Live. Three maps are on offer, ranging from the crash site of a helicopter in a Middle Eastern town, to a blasted East European city and an open agricultural setting known only as ‘Overgrown'. ‘Crash' offers up a mixture of gameplay styles, ‘Vacant' concentrates on closeup gunplay, while ‘Overgrown' is king for those with a sniping fetish.

Click here to continue reading our Call of Duty 4 Modern Warfare preview for Xbox 360 now!