Today's Gamers

[GSZX1337]

COD4 is at least as significant a game this generation as Contra or Sonic or Mario (or name your favorite classic) was in its time.

I'm not saying it's a bad game but, how the hell is CoD4 as significant as Mario? It's just another modern FPS.

It deserves its praise in part because of graphics

CoD doesn't look ugly, but it's not some kind of leap in graphics technology. Crysis was released the same year and even on the less system raping settings, it looks better than CoD 4.

but also because of its gameplay, innovation,

What did it do differently?

care in design/programming and just plain fun level.

It was a well put together game and I fun playing it.

[dsheinem]

COD4 is at least as significant a game this generation as Contra or Sonic or Mario (or name your favorite classic) was in its time.

I'm not saying it's a bad game but, how the hell is CoD4 as significant as Mario? It's just another modern FPS.

By the same logic SMB was just another early 80s platformer. Both are loved not because they did something entirely new, but because they perfected a certain popular formula.

It deserves its praise in part because of graphics

CoD doesn't look ugly, but it's not some kind of leap in graphics technology. Crysis was released the same year and even on the less system raping settings, it looks better than CoD 4.

For consoles, COD4 was probably the most realistic looking game upon release. It has been surpassed since of course, but it would have been hard to argue that there was a more realistic-looking console FPS when it was released.

but also because of its gameplay, innovation,

What did it do differently?

Again, there isn't really anything done in COD4 that hadn't been done in other FPS games for the PC - but bringing all of this to consoles was a feat. I once made a lengthy post defending COD4 on here and I can't find it right now. If I can, I'll put it up as I don't want to rehash it all again!

[pepharytheworm]

^^^
How many platformer sidescrollers came out before Super Mario Bros.? How many sidescroller run-n-guns before Contra?I know there were tons of 3D FPS before Call of Duty 4 even if you add online play to the equation, since its the fourth I could even name 3 easy

I would compare CoD4 to Sonic 3. Both were nowhere near the first of their genre but both perfected their series and many believe are the best versions. But Mario and CoD4 tsk tsk shame on you.

[Mr.White555]

I agree with dsheinem. CoD4 was/is an institution. It is going to be one of those games we look 10 years down the road and everyone is going to have a nostalgia filter on and herald it as the greatest fps ever(GOLDEN EYE ANYONE!!!?).

Back to the OP though. Most of the people playing "Modern" games today weren't born yet to play Contra or Megaman 2(Includes me). How can you appreciate something you were unaware of? Despite that, I see what you mean about "Modern" gamers; how some hate on old games because they aren't the newest thing or the best graphics. But then again couldn't you argue about that with any given topic in culture?

Video games are an extension of Pop Culture. The population(mainstream) will favor what ever isPOPULAR. 2D games are old and not popular therefore they are not held in high regard to the masses.

[dsheinem]

^^^
How many platformer sidescrollers came out before Super Mario Bros.?

Off the top of my head - Pitfall, Jungle Hunt, Flicky, and stuff like Moon Patrol and Defender. But point taken.

I know there were tons of 3D FPS before Call of Duty 4 even if you add online play to the equation, since its the fourth I could even name 3 easy

Fair enough. But like I said, both SMB and COD4 perfected a formula. Both built on what had come before and set precedent for much of what would follow.

I would compare CoD4 to Sonic 3. Both were nowhere near the first of their genre but both perfected their series and many believe are the best versions. But Mario and CoD4 tsk tsk shame on you.

See, you agree with me on the "perfected" thing.

Anyway...Sonic 3 was never anywhere near as popular as COD4 and thus it didn't shape the gaming landscape for years to come. I still think SMB or Contra is a more apt comparison, and I would guess that future nostalgiac players would feel the same way about that game as you may feel about these particular NES titles.

[GSZX1337]

By the same logic SMB was just another early 80s platformer. Both are loved not because they did something entirely new, but because they perfected a certain popular formula.

Maybe I'm missing something, but CoD didn't even perfect the formula. It feels like Battlefield.

For consoles, COD4 was probably the most realistic looking game upon release. It has been surpassed since of course, but it would have been hard to argue that there was a more realistic-looking console FPS when it was released.

I don't separate games into consoles and PCs. If we're just going to do console games, I'd have to say that Uncharted: Drake's Fortune looks more realistic than CoD4.

Again, there isn't really anything done in COD4 that hadn't been done in other FPS games for the PC - but bringing all of this to consoles was a feat.

It's not really even a feat on the consoles, everything that CoD 4 did has been done before even on the consoles. (Keep in mind, most PC FPSes have console ports)

It's not some innovative title, but it's popularity does make it a noteworthy title. Especially considering most Xboxers only know Halo when it came to FPS.

[Mr.White555]

By the same logic SMB was just another early 80s platformer. Both are loved not because they did something entirely new, but because they perfected a certain popular formula.

Maybe I'm missing something, but CoD didn't even perfect the formula. It feels like Battlefield.

Seriously? You must rarely play FPS's because that is like saying Street Fighter feels like Virtua Fighter. Battlefield heavily emphasizes vehicle with a rock vs paper style gameplay while CoD emphasis is on sporadic close quarter fire fights and no vehicles.

CoD4 is basically the Goldeneye of this generation. It brought console FPS's up to the PC standards gameplay wise for the mainstream. Even though you might not delineate the differences between consoles and PC, that doesn't mean you can ignore the results and impact of each platform. On another note due to CoD4's popularity it has started the trend of porting console games to PC. This used to be the other way around so this is just a little bit important to the future history of video games.

[GSZX1337]

By the same logic SMB was just another early 80s platformer. Both are loved not because they did something entirely new, but because they perfected a certain popular formula.

Maybe I'm missing something, but CoD didn't even perfect the formula. It feels like Battlefield.

Seriously? You must rarely play FPS's because that is like saying Street Fighter feels like Virtua Fighter.

Um, no. I play FPSes all the time. Half of my game collection is FPSes. Also, your example is a bit extreme.

Battlefield heavily emphasizes vehicle with a rock vs paper style gameplay

Depends on the map. Some maps don't have that much emphasis on vehicles.

while CoD emphasis is on sporadic close quarter fire fights and no vehicles.

Again, depends on the map. There are some real close quarters maps in BF like Stalingrad in BF1942.

Let me elaborate on my comparison:
You pick a class
You go participate in close quarters firefights with realistic guns (I already mentioned that Battlefield has close quarter maps)
There's a slight bent on realism (You can't bunnyhop, you have to reload, can't rocketjump, etc.)
You increase in level, earning new upgrades
When you die, you go to a menu and wait for the timer before you can respawn again.

CoD4 feels like Battlefield without vehicles, with smaller maps, most realism removed (I know that BF wasn't that realistic), and no emphasis on strategy. I guess I could just say it's like a DeathMatch Battlefield.

CoD4 is basically the Goldeneye of this generation. It brought console FPS's up to the PC standards gameplay wise for the mainstream.

How? This is what I want to know. How? Most of the major PC FPSes have gotten PC ports (or the other way around). What has CoD4 done that hasn't been done before? How has it perfected anything?

Even though you might not delineate the differences between consoles and PC, that doesn't mean you can ignore the results and impact of each platform.

The reason why I don't separate games to consoles or PCs is because it removes the excuse "Well, it's a good console FPS." or "It's a good PC fighting game." It just makes excuses.

On another note due to CoD4's popularity it has started the trend of porting console games to PC. This used to be the other way around so this is just a little bit important to the future history of video games.

This has happened before CoD4 came around. Riddick, Project: Snowblind, Halo (of course), BioShock, etc.

[pepharytheworm]

Alright, enough on Call of Duty 4.