Many gaming critics moan about the lack of innovation in the gaming industry, ourselves included. But after seeing Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (COD4) in action, we’ve realised that games don’t always need to innovate to entertain. You see, this game stays very true to earlier games in the series. It doesn’t feel the need to reinvent the wheel. It’s still a festival ride of military action, leading the player through heavily scripted scenes, comprised of more action than ten Black Hawk Down films combined. It remains a relatively linear process, allowing the designers to finely craft the experience to deliver the most explosive battles yet seen in a video game. And, just like its predecessors, we can say that even though we’ve only witnessed a mere twenty minute hands-off demo, it’s one of the most exciting first person shooters we’ve ever seen.

Where COD4 differs most from its predecessors is its setting. Kiss goodbye to your Nazi friends, as COD4 hauls the game into the 21st century - this time you’ll be facing off against Russian Ultra-nationalists trying to resurrect the ghost of Communism, alongside plotting Middle Eastern collaborators. When facing off against the Russkis in Europe you’ll play as a British SAS trooper, while the Middle Eastern fight sees you inhabiting the boots of a Force Recon US Marine.