Although Call Of Duty 2 and Dead Or Alive 4 were delivered with style, imagination and flair, most 360 titles have been criticised for being virtually identical to old-school Xbox games, only with polished graphics. But if youve been waiting for a game that screams next generation, Advanced Warfighter is a jewel in the 360s blossoming library.
Playing in a similar way to previous games in Ubisofts strategic series, where Advanced Warfigher most impresses is in terms of presentation; players are thrust into a sprawling, stylised vision of Mexico City that stretches as far as the eye can see, taking in crumbling shanty towns, high-rise financial districts and twisting residential streets. The lighting effects are also astounding, players being constantly blinded by scorching sunlight as they emerge from indoor locations into the dusty streets, while the games palette of washed-out colours and hazy visuals also help create the illusion that youre battling in a region close to the equator.
The multiplayer modes are also bigger and better than before - including a delirious co-operative mode where you can team up with 15 mates against a computer-controlled guerrilla army - making Advanced Warfighter the most impressive Xbox 360 release to date.