Single Player Campaign

Both games have major points taken off for having very short campaigns. You can complete both campaigns in about five to six hours each on normal setting. Both games are also quite linear with little freedom to accomplish objectives beyond what the designers put in place. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare has the advantage of being Infinity Ward's first in the series to use a modern day setting instead of World War II, and the switch in scenery is refreshing. (SPOILER WARNING) The death of one of your player characters by a nuclear detonation was also a huge surprise. (END SPOILER)

(SPOILER WARNING) Modern Warfare 2 tried to duplicate that kind of surprise in with the airport massacre scene (END SPOILER), but instead made you feel icky, even if you didn't participate. Call of Duty 4 also had some sense of closure in its ending but Modern Warfare 2's conclusion just sets you up for yet another sequel.

Winner: Call of Duty 4

Graphics and Sound

Both games use versions of id Software's technology but extremely modified by Infinity Ward's programmers. The visuals can, at times, be very impressive from Call of Duty 4's assault on a storm-rocked ship to Modern Warfare 2's snowmobile chase. Modern Warfare 2 does have a few visual effect improvements and animation upgrades, but both games suffer when looking at things up close, as the textures flaws start to show. Sound effects, music and voice acting are top notch in both games. In the end, we will give this very close category to the new game.

Winner: Modern Warfare 2 (barely)

Multiplayer Content

Infinity Ward brought in some all new features to the multiplayer side of Call of Duty 4 including persistent player characters, "killstreaks" that unlock bonuses and more. Modern Warfare 2 puts in even more content to the multiplayer side including customizable killstreaks, the introduction of "deathstreaks" and other additions. There's no doubt that in terms of multiplayer content there's even more to the new game than the original. Modern Warfare 2's Spec Ops mode adds co-op levels that the original game did not have.

Winner: Modern Warfare 2

Multiplayer Experience

Call of Duty 4 allowed PC gamers the freedom to establish dedicated servers for their own private place to play online without having to deal with cheaters. Modern Warfare 2 has done away with offering dedicated servers and uses Infinity Ward's own matchmaking system for its online networking system. However, the actual matchmaking can be uneven with some inexperienced players match up with those with hours of gameplay time. Also the system has already been hacked by cheaters and even with Infinity Ward's pledge to go after them it's unlikely they will be able to get them all banned. Having a dedicated server option where at least some players can have a truly lag free and cheat free experience is not an option for the new game.

Winner: Call of Duty 4

Mod and DLC support

There was a time that Infinity Ward not only released mod tools but actively engaged the mod community that made new maps, game modes, weapons and more for Call of Duty 4. That has turned 180 degrees around for Modern Warfare 2, as the developer has given no indication to the mod community that will ever be plans to release mod tools. There's been no real explanation for this switch in policy. As far as downloadable content, it's still unclear if Activision will make PC games pay for additional future map packs for Modern Warfare 2.

Winner: Call of Duty 4



Overall:

Modern Warfare 2's additional multiplayer content compared to Call of Duty 4 is definitely a plus. Having a way to go through a series of levels and challenges with a friend via the co-op Spec Ops mod is also a big improvement compared to Call of Duty 4. We will even give Modern Warfare 2 the nod for having better graphics. However, Call of Duty 4's single player campaign experience was more memorable and the original game's support for dedicated servers makes the online playing experience better for the PC port. Call of Duty 4's support for mods extend its life and lower price point also makes it a better bargain than Modern Warfare 2. While the final decision is an extremely close one we are going to give the overall nod to the two year old game.

Overall Winner: Call of Duty 4