Video: Gunning down civilians in “Call of Duty 4″

Interest in the game generally and this sequence in particular is sky high so here’s some free publicity. I’d read about it and shrugged it off, but now having seen it, I’m shocked at how disturbing it is. Maybe that’s a reaction to the proximity of Fort Hood, maybe it’s the amazing realism of the scene, or maybe it’s the first-person perspective, but somehow this is way more unnerving than it would be in a movie. Minor mitigating factor: The shooters are, indeed, presented as very bad guys.

Russia is where the already-controversial “No Russian” scene goes down. As Army Ranger Pvt. Allen, players go undercover with Vladimir Makarov — an underling of the villain from “Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare.”

Along with Makarov and other terrorists, the player finds themselves in the midst of a terrible situation. The fully armed Makarov and crew waltz into a Russian airport and open fire on civilians standing in a security line.

As Allen, the player can take part in the bloodshed or simply walk alongside the cold-blooded killers as they execute hundreds of innocents.

Reminds me of the original “Scarface,” which was presented (of course) as an indictment of gangsterism yet adored by audiences for the shoot-’em-up thrill of it all. What could go wrong?

Exit question: Anyone know what the game’s backstory is for Makarov’s homicidal rage? It’s not PTSD, is it? Content warning.

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