This site will cover only the multiplayer aspect of COD4, the major selling point of the game. Below you will see a list of some of the guns in the game and some of the maps currently present as of March 2008. The weapons will be described in terms of use, suggested perks/attachments, and other observations. The maps will be analyzed for how they are built, meant to be played, and how they are actually played, along with some more recommendations. I hope this site is useful to you, and I will try to give you "An Unbiased Explanation"

The fire power that isn't expected

Like the past Call of Duty’s, Infinity Ward did do their research on just about every gun in the game. They nailed the realism from the sound to the reload action. They, however, did drop the ball drastically when it came to power and accuracy of several of the guns. I am here to warn you of the guns that may not give you the results that you might expect.

The legendary M16A4 is the do anything gun in COD4. Its high power and rapid three round bursts can take out enemies in about one to two pulls of a trigger. With stopping power and an ACOG/Red dot, the M16 can make a great semi-sniper, perfect for picking enemies from medium to short range. However, its burst fire does limit its potential as a CQC weapon, but with good aiming it can still hold its own.

There is some speculation that specefic camouflage patters can give the M16 greater power. Some rumors say that the Red Tiger gives the gun additional power. I personally have really confirm this myth, but its worth trying.

Suggest perk layout:
Blue: RPG 7 x2 or Frag x3
Red: Stopping Power
Yellow: Steady Aim, Last Stand, or Extreme Conditioning.

The G36C in simple terms is basically the M4 Carbine with a little more power. But, for some reason, still does not have the right amount of power. Many times I had to empty about half a magazine to kill someone. In the real world, the G36C makes a decent CQC and medium range rifle. But in the realm of COD, it works most effectively as a CQC weapon. While it is possible to take out targets at 50+ yards, you better have the Bandolier perk because, unless you score a head shot, it will take close to a quarter to half a magazine to kill.

The AK-47 is probably the most effective weapon to use for the Steady Aim perk. Due to its high power, the AK is one of the few assault rifles that can be deadly without stopping power. Overall its a great gun, just like the real world one that’s been used by almost every military for over sixty years.

This accuracy comes in handy since it takes more than three shots to kill without stopping power. A handy trick for this gun is to use Double Tap in case there are many enemies in a small area. The Russian RPD is probably the most reliable LMG in the game next to the M60E, and guarantees at least over 10 kills a game.

This gun should not require Stopping power to kill in one shot. Without Stopping Power, about 4-5 out of 10 targets will continue to walk away after getting hit--whether they had Juggernaut or not. Accompanied with this gun’s tremendous kick, bang and muzzle flash, I unfortunately do not recommend this rifle. This gun should have been the Holy Grail of sniping and COD4 in general, but sadly it’s no different than any other sniper rifle in the game.

Favoring those who detest this weapon: IT IS A NOOB WEAPON, I WON’T LIE. I for one have used it and killed with it. But I have also been killed by it, many, many times. It is almost an unfair fight. The gun simply fires so fast; those opposing it have little time to react or even fight back when they realize they are being fired upon. Also, many “nooby” players take advantage of the P90’s large magazine capacity, often firing around corners before they see an enemy. By the time that player has turned the corner, he still has 50+ rounds to engage the enemy he’s already damaged from shooting through the wall. Use it, and you will be happy. Get killed by it once, and you will get killed by it many more times. Watch out for those “P90 only” clans, usually with the clan tag (wouldn’t you guess it) [P90]. Those that brag their better than you after they used this gun—aren’t. The P90 is the epitome of cheapness.

Maps abused...what happened IW?

The last few Call of Duty games for the next gen consoles have presented players with beautiful, large, and detailed maps. Each is modeled completely different than the last, ensuring different strategies and tactics for each in order to achieve victory. Call of Duty 4 has probably the most photo realistic graphics of any game out to date. Each map visually seems to preach how it should be played. Grassy forests are good for sniping, urban environments are good for medium range and powerful rifles, building to building CQC is excellent for SMGs and shotguns...right? Unfortunately this is not so much the case for most of the maps. It seems that certain maps that were built for one game play tactic have been reduced to run and gun nearly all of the time. Personally, I think if a player wants to run and gun in a sniper map, they should go back to playing Halo 3, a game with very little strategy, where the only key to success is picking up the Rocket Launcher before anyone else does. (Yes I said I would be unbiased, but that’s just a personal opinion). I have chosen to detail several of the 16 maps available in COD4 in order to warn you how a game might play out. Trust me, these maps almost never are played the way Infinity Ward anticipated.

The other usual occurrence on this map is random, sporadic firefights all around the map. So say you and another teammate are just running around and find another small group of enemies. The two groups fight, usually by conventional tactics, but because everyone is scattered around the map, these kind of battles can end anticlimactically. A random group of allies could come up behind the enemy and steal your kills, or a random group of enemies comes up behind you when you where just about to kill your target. Also this map really exaggerates the accuracy of most weapons. District is a circle map of long streets, where nearly every game there is a battle between two enemies trying to hit the other guy first. So it isn’t so much a tactical, I’m-better-then-you battle, but more of a my-gun-happen-to-hit-you-first battle. Most of these conflicts can have cheap endings that can seem unfair. All in all, in this map, a weapon with far range and high accuracy is needed, but it can help if you can pick up a better CQC weapon. Overkill is useful on this map.

And how about the map? The map was designed well, but it is very easy to go about Overgrown without even worrying about getting sniped. For some reason, while Overgrown does favor snipers a little, snipers can still be easily overpowered by only a couple enemies with SMGs and shotguns. Look out for the magical guy who can snipe the guy in the Ghillie suit across the map with a Scorpion. Yeah, it will happen to you. Basically, those wide open spaces meant for sniping...they just give the guy with the auto a better chance at killing you. If your sniping, you better hope your target has his back to you, or else that first shot might not kill him and he will just spin and empty on you. Sniper map for well experianced snipers, campers will have trouble, I suggest high powered rifles.

Sniping is most effective during Ground War and Sabotage, so that campers of the central building can give sniper over-watch while the enemy is preoccupied with the bomb or the half dozen other players out there. Good map, but run and gunners can ruin sniping opportunities. Use Claymores....a lot.

So Crossfire favors both campers and veteran snipers alike, as long as they have something covering their back (those Claymores run out soon). And as I said before, rifles, SMGs and shotguns will also be effective throughout the map. Crossfire’s only problem is when one team favors one type of class. All snipers (usually on the Marines team), versus all SMGs (the Opfor) can cause many problems and a quick loss for the Marines. This map requires a balanced fighting force, and Claymores...lots and lots of Claymores.

The only way to not get shot in the back is to take refuge in the many buildings available in this map. However, all the safe buildings have very small vantage points, so don’t count on racking up many kills in one of these buildings. The only buildings that do have decent vantage points, offer a couple ways for the enemy to frag you or sneak up behind you. There is, however, a few places a player can get too that offer nearly 360 degrees of sight, without any easy entrances for the enemy to use. But in order to reach these places, you need time, skill, and the fighting to be on the other side of the map, because the technique to reach these places requires you to expose yourself completely. These magical camping positions you will have to find on your own, like I did. This map favors most weapon types; shotgun users might have some trouble. Many places to camp...and to get shot in the back.