"Linear but excellent at it"

CoD is structured like most fps games, a series of levels that run through some sort of storyline. There are three sections (british, us and russian forces) each with different weapons etc. The weapons do seem fairly similar, I didn't notice that much whether it was a kar98 or a m1garand I was firing.

Graphics 8/10
They are showing their age a little now but the draw distance is excellent and there are some very pretty scenes. Looking back over the Volga river is a particular joy. Your teammates are well animated and some of the facial expressions at points are brilliant. I was running a 2500+ and a radeon 9600pro and the game ran smoothly at 1152 without any slow down at all.

Sound 7/10
Lots of whistling artillery and bullets, and some good music. Shame about the cliched British voices but overall good. The germans also speak in german, which is a nice touch.

Gameplay 9/10
Although linear, this is a stunning game. Lots of varied tasks, with some gorgeous set pieces (the Volga river crossing a particular highlight - imagine MoHAA beach landing crossed with the opening of Enemy at the Gates). Burnville also was great, with lots of mini tasks all centered on the one map. You play as part of team for once, and they often do help you out. They take cover when necessary and storm opposing machine guns with real bravery! The intelligence seems to be fairly high too, and although it is up to you to kill most of the enemy they wil often take out a few. Towards the end of the game I swear I saw them flank a pillbox while others drew the fire!
Some of the enemy AI is occasionally dodgy, but most of the time its pretty good. They do scatter nicely, when you throw a grenade, and occasionally throw it back!

Ocasionally it does seem like the enemy ignore your teammates and go straight for you. They'll watch your team run and then opo up to get you. But its rare and doesnt detract too much.

Map Design 9/10
Burnville is a fantastic map and so well used. At one point you'll be defending one end, then get flanked and have to rush to new cover to fire back! The Volga river map too is brilliant but some of the others suffer from a lack of purpose. The turn into the normal run round the corner, shoot the guy, run round the next corner......
The game is also very linear, which it does very well but there is only ever one way to complete a mission. I have to say this didn't bother me too much as it was done so well, but to others this may be a massive drawback.

Other design elements
For some missions you are employed as a gunner on a truck, a car or a tank driver. I felt these were very weak missions and lost the flow of the game. The tank especially was a bad mission, the mao was rubbish and it felt wrong to me.
The car was was better, where you have to lean out the window to fire

Multiplayer:7/10
This got a tad lower rating since there is some hacking. There needs to be another patch which I hear is coming out soon. It works right out of the box. Its a above-average net code so it runs fine. You play through various maps and there is more to add. There is a level editor out now. You can play Search and Destroy, Team Deathmatch, Behind Enemy Lines(You are outnumbered by axis and you and your allies must stay alive). I've only played it a tiny bit, but it seems ok. Not sure how much it'll be played in 6 months though.

My only complaint is the very short length of the single-player campaign. Even on the very hardest setting, it only took me 12 hours to complete. And a large amount of that was the constant reloading after the enemy get off ridiculous shots.
Having said that I think I'd still play through it again on a cold sunday afternoon :D

Overall a very, very good game. Thoroughly recommended.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 06/27/04