This game would have received a 9, but the campaign will slap you upside the head with an abrupt end.
That said, the campaign is a lot of fun up until that point, and the game play for 2004 was top notch. The multi-player wasn't particularly exciting, but it was a solid addition.
I'm honestly surprised the masses were willing to rate this game so highly, given the campaign's jolt to the head after many hours of escalating story. I give this game an overall rating of 8.0. If you've already played through more modern game releases and are looking for an enjoyable game experience, then consider adding this game to your collection.