Battlefield: Bad Company 2

I'd like to say first off that a lot of the problems with the servers for this game have already been ironed out, many reviews were extremely premature as anybody with sense knows that many games which focus heavily on multiplayer mode will have teething problems.

Onto the game itself now, SP mode in FPS are secondary to the MP, if you want a deep and complex plot then you shouldn't be looking to FPS for the answer, with the possible exception of Half-Life 2. The whole point of these games is action, and that's precisely what you get from Bad Company 2. The SP is action-packed, exciting and challenging, but serves only as a taster for the meat of the game which is undoubtedly online.

Now for the multiplayer, which provides 4 distinctive game modes, Conquest (Essentially Domination to CoD players) Rush (Which involves the attacking team destroying strategic points on a map thus forcing the defenders back to other positions) as well as two squad game modes including a squad deathmatch. An absolute deliverance is that unlike CoD, you can choose which map you want to play on at any time. With a series of enormous maps, a wide variety of weapons and 4 player classes to choose from, from Assault to Medic, from Recon to Engineer there is something for everybody. It wouldn't be Battlefield without vehicles, again there is a wide variety on offer, helicopter gunships, heavy/light tanks, IFVs, humvees, quad bikes and assault boats, even a UAV you can control and spot targets for your team on the ground or guide missiles to targets yourself.

The real differences between this and Modern Warfare, is that MW is more of a blisteringly fast skirmish, this truly is a battlefield, with large open spaces, buildings, plenty of cover, as the terrain plays a key role. Bad Company 2 also massively encourages teamwork, too often on CoD, players would run off alone and never be seen again, with the classes available teamwork is a necessity.

For example if you are driving a tank and it takes damage, it isn't at all uncommon to see another player who is an Engineer run over and begin repairing said damage. He gains points and you stay alive. The same with Medics, they are encouraged to handout med-kits and revive fallen comrades for points and to save the tickets your team uses for every life, it all creates a real feeling of teamwork. Many vehicles are also best utilised with other players, upto 4 people can enter an IFV for example, one driving and operating the main cannon, another the heavy machine gun and 2 others using the side windows to provide cover. You simply can't play this game properly by yourself.

Graphically the game is fantastic, I wouldn't say in every way superior to MW2, but it has an authentic feel about it, when you fight on the desert maps for example, very often the wind will carry clouds of dust and sand which will obscure your view and the same goes for the snow. It feels like a real battlefield and not a symmetrical square no bigger than a football pitch as in other FPS.

The rank system is challenging as you must work hard to gain enough points to advance, new weapons and perks have to be earned through hard graft, they aren't just handed to you. There are many insignias and pins to aim for as you complete various tasks and achievements along the way.

All in all this is a quality game, I recommend you buy it new as you will receive a VIP pass to gain access to two additional maps which you would otherwise have to pay for. This is a quality game which comes to life online, it's a more mature, sophisticated and challenging first person shooter, and most importantly, bloody good fun.

I am trying to think of a negative that I can put into this review to give a balanced opinion, but I really struggle to find one, perhaps some will be disappointed by the SP mode, but if you expect action and excitement you won't be. Any instability with servers has largely been eliminated and further updates are upcoming. There are just far less problems to contend with in game, the knife isn't absurdly overpowered like in CoD, camping is less of a problem on maps which are much larger, it's nicely balanced, the maps provide different challenges, and the squad system....just makes sense.

I doubt the vast majority of even casual FPS followers will be disappointed. I hope this review helps you decide to purchase this fine game.

Well...Where to start?

With everyone raving about COD:MW2 ... I felt as though I was the over one who felt it was over rated. I felt there was limited change from MW1. The game was basically same, just the typical update to graphics etc. BFBC2 vs BFBC...there's a BIG difference and A LOT has changed.

Destruction 2.0 - Destruction was the point of BFBC...and it's been upgraded. Now facusing on mini destruction, it's posible to shoot holes through walls and poke your gun out and fire. Paint chips off walls when you shoot and ENTIRE buildings fall to the ground - its now posible to knock a house down, killing all inside!!!

Visuals - BFBC was laking in this department. Yeah the graphics were good but the game was missing the polish - the finish that COD:MW had. Now it's changed. BFBC2 is very well polished, with huge upgrades to textures and general graphics. Animations are smooth and characters die as they would in real life.

Dark - BFBC was known for it its cheesy gameplay - mocking 21st century warfare - not in BFBC2. Now it's serious, now it's dark - but, if you're like me, and you like Sweetwater and Haggards humourous exchanges - they're still there :D!

Enviroments - So from the desert and grasslands that were in BFBC - In BFBC2 - there's snow, there's jungles, there's swamps in added in - making for really intense warfare!

Sounds - The sound quality in this is intense...if you got surround sound or powerful speakers. this will blow you away. In comparision, sound effects in COD sound like toy guns...

SINGLE PLAYER REVIEW!!!!

Flexablity - once more the game relies on flexaiblity...you play the game your way!

First Mission - Not sure how to call this - but the first mission takes you into WW2. Thats right - confusing...its starts off JUST LIKE W@W. Dark warfare in the jungles of japan. The weapons and vechicles are all straight from BF43 ... which means...you do start of thinking "There's nothign new here...enviroments like W@W, weapons from BF43" - but that's not nessiarly a bad thing. Why fix something that isn't broken. BUT DON'T WORRY ...the game goes straight back to its routes and returns to the open ended gameplay of BFBC

Open Ended - Well...after finishing the game, I felt that the Single Player was not as open as it was in BFBC. No more multiple routes to an objective, no more exploring. No more sneaking around the back of a base...choosing your route. In BFBC2 Its still retains the large maps...but there's a lot less exploring one route to an objective - which for me...is a big downside. Saying that!! Thats just compared to BFBC1...compared to other FPSs like COD it is very open. loads of flexbility and loads of exploring.

Gameplay - so now the game plays a lot tighter, spenidng most of your time in compact towns, villages or jungles. This makes it a lot more intense and a lot more enjoyable and regretably...at times, it does feel a little bit like COD - that is uintuil you fall an entire building with your grenade laucnher. But good marks for more intense action yet retainning the BFBC notion of flexablity and maps. PERFECT mix of the two.

Exploration - You still have to look for collectable weapons and destroy Ncom stataions (just like gold crates in BC1). It would have been awesome if you got to fly a helicopter like in BC1 (so we can practice for online mode!)

MULTIPLAYER REVIEW!!!!!

Classes - There's four classes: Assult - all rounders, Medics - to heal and revive, Engineers - destroy and repair vechniles, Recon - long range attack. Choose wisely ;)

Weapon select - Now, unlike BFBC and more like MW2 - choose your class, then your primary weapn. Each class has different weapons, Recon has sniper, Medic has LMG...you get the gist - BUT...ANY KIT CAN EQUIPMENT SHOTGUNS....so...you can ahve all of the bonus of a Recon but have a shotgun instead...which is an AWESOME idea. Choose your secondary weapon also.

Speicalizations - Think of them like 'Perks'. You can choose 3. Two for your character (more health, more ammo etc) and one for your vechilke (more armour, stronger weapons etc). Not only this...and unlike MW choosing weapons and perks is quick and can be done in literally seconds.

Game Modes - So the old Gold Rush (now named 'Rush') and Conquest are in BFBC2 but as are two new game modes. Squad Rush...same thing as Rush but squad based. and Squad teamdeath match - 4 teams of 4 in all out warfare...you are outnumbered 2 to 1...teamwork is the onyl way you can win. - and of course...ther'es now hardcore mode. Okay taken from MW...Less HUD, less health...but hey, it's great!!! and fits nicely into BFBC2!

Teamwork - if you're unfamiliar to BFBC the game is all amount teamwork. Now more every-man-for-himself like in MW...its teamwork..not the best player its the best team.

DLC - way before the game's release DLC had been annoucned and DICE have made it clear they're going to support this game for longer than BFBC. they've promised there'll be weapons, maps and specialisation DLC...and as a sign of dedication the games first DLC has ALREADY BEEN RELEASED...The online store already states their second map pack due to be released at the end of the month with, inviduual class upgrades (such as Assulat upgrade DLC) which includes new character skins, new weapon skins, new trophys and new awards....with one of these upgrades epr kit...its going to be a great new additions - altough released date/price isn;t confirmed.

Weapons - From BFBC...all of the old weapons are here...But there are some new ones. The Thompson is in this version as is the M1 Garand. The G3 and M14 are also added in to vary the game play a bit

Clan - The most requested feature from BFBC was the inclusion of clan support - that's now added. Granted, limited, no more than MW2. It doesnt have rankings and stuff like that - but you can create private games which is great!

MY ADVICE:

BFBC2 is completey different to any FPS on the market. Its pace is slower...maps are huge and since its team work rather than solo...it takes getting used to. It will take dedication - things work differently on here than on other FPS. The game...may not be for you...

but in all...This game is unbeliveable...best game I have played - EVER!

That's a sound you'll hear a lot in BBC2, be it a building, tank or squad of grunts being hurled across the screen. It's also the sound of DICE dropping a daisy cutter on MW2.

The original BBC was a good but not outstanding game, featuring wide open levels and a novel destruction system. A few years on and in the wake of MW2 DICE have upped the ante.

The controls have been tightened up and are now similar to MW2 (looking 'down the barrel' even has the same sort of 'snap-to' enemy lock on), but that's where comparrisons end. Where MW2 is all about Bruckheimer set pieces with an excellent FPS built around (admit it, the story(?) stinks), BBC2 is an excellent FPS with you making your own set pieces.

At the heart of this is the new destruction system which now allows whole buildings to collapse, great for taking out stubborn snipers or online campers. This also works against you too, as enemies will often try and bring down buildings on your head if you hang around too long. One particular level sees you in sub-zero conditions and you have to sprint from building to building to keep warm, you find yourself fragging walls to open up new 'doorways' to get about quicker.

It's not only MW2 that's been an influence, BBC1 was a pretty game but there are some real Uncharted moments of gorgeousness and some stunning vistas.

On the downside the levels are more linear and don't seem as open as the 1st game, the enemy types are also fairly generic with same 4-5 troops popping up all the time but these are minor gripes against a game that is so much fun to play.

Online is where BBC2 really shines, the large levels, destruction and team modes are a joy to play (although you will die, lots) everything is so much more tactical than MW2 (and with less idiots playing it!)

Move over COD the real war game is here