I promise I'm not trying to start a COD4 vs. Halo3 argument. I just wanted to say that I have been playing the COD4 beta a lot recently, and at first, was really impressed by the presentation. I wondered whether it could really compete with Halo3. Now granted, it is still just a beta and there is plenty of time to make it even better than it already is, but something about COD4 is missing.
Even while I'm actually playing COD4 and having fun, it somehow doesn't add up to the chemistry halo brings. I long for Halo3. Even with all the improved graphics, perk additions, and improvements, COD4 is still just another Call of Duty game. If you enjoyed COD2, then you'll enjoy COD4, but if it doesn't prove better than Halo for you, this isn't going to pull you over to the Call of Duty side.
The weapons, combined with the level-design, pretty much encourage people to just hide in a corner the whole game, and pick off random people as they run by, especially for snipers. I became disenchanted with seeing the top scorers at the post game lobbies, knowing that the majority of them just camped for their kills. And while there is quite a variety of weapons, they generally all do the same things. You either have a machine gun, a sniper rifle, or a shotgun.
I think I just wanted to post about this because, ever since E3, the Call of Duty fans have been going bonkers. And I know COD4 will be an awesome game, but somehow I am at peace now, knowing that playing the COD4 beta makes me miss playing Halo. That is a good sign. It's like I passed the test or something, like in The Lord of the Rings when Galadriel lets go of the ring of power. I'm an open minded gamer and am fully ready to accept when that game comes along that is better than halo. But for me, COD4 didn't do it. I CAN'T WAIT FOR HALO3!