I had some doubts at first, even after initial beta play, but CDWW delivers, combing all the best aspects of previous 4.
However, as I gained facility with the maps and weapons, I came to appreciate COD World at War as yet another FPS hit in the ongoing franchise.
In CODWW, artillery and attack dogs have replaced the air strikes and helicopters of COD4 for kill streak bonuses, and provide an interesting change of pace, as do the availability of tanks on various maps. Of course, everybody wants to know what that flame thrower will bring at level 65. I guess if you've played the solo game all the way through, you already know. Similarly, I found the high powered weaponry at the tail end of ranking up really awesome.
COD 5, if you will, seems to combine all the best elements of the all the previous Call of Duty titles: sophisticated and numerous maps, incredible graphics (even you haven't bought that HDTV yet, you need to so that you can fully appreciate the artistry here--and in the last game too), realistic weaponry, plenty of challenges, and unlimited (all night) fun on XBOX LIVE.
True, this is not COD4, but then again, COD4 is not COD World at War. Both have their merits, and though moving backward in history, COD5 has evolved one step further in the series and insured Activision continued bragging rights at the top of the heap. Hence, like COD4, Call of Duty, World at War should be in the running for Best Game, Best First Person Shooter, Best Live (Multiplayer), and Best Graphics Game of the year for 2008-2009--unless and until COD6 comes out!