Battlefield Bad Company 2 Review
DICE's console-centric Bad Company makes its return in the aptly titled Bad Company 2.
EA has quietly built the best collection of FPS developers in the business. They have DICE, Criterion (who are still, allegedly, going to make a Black sequel), Respawn (the former Infinity Ward guys), and the upcoming Epic/People Can Fly gem Bulletstorm all under their banner at present. It's a Murderer's Row of gaming that has not been matched, possibly, ever (and I'm still hoping...admittedly, it isn't likely to happen...for a Mirror's Edge sequel as well). Activision's dominance in this arena is now possibly killed permanently.
Bravo Squad returns and they are still a ragtag --- yet exceedingly qualified --- collection of soldiers with a bit of an issue with authority. One thing that comes through loud and clear is that your teammates and you are exceptionally tight...and that you happen to enjoy engaging in some weird-ass dialogue. From discussion of Harrison Ford roles to discussions of the proper way to pronounce 50 Cent's name, they will discuss any absurd topic that they can think of. Whomever wrote the dialogue deserves an award because it is genuinely amusing, but it doesn't seem forced and simply serves to really make the characters seem more real.
The plot has some odd twists and turns...but none of it seems far-fetched. They manage to make the plot perfectly logical, if not a little weird.
You get a really intriguing opening level where you are shown all the basics while being stuck in Japan during World War II at, arguably, the worst possible time somebody can be stuck in Japan. You are then thrown into the modern day setting where your overriding goal is to prevent a Russian general from gaining control of a superweapon. Of course, the plot does not remotely move in a straight line, but the ride you are taken on is one you really need to sit back and enjoy.
One thing the game does exceedingly well is ambient sound. Your guns sound truly powerful. Sniper rifles provide a nerve-wracking crackle that you hear far away right before either you or your target cease breathing. Your other guns all sound powerful and have the impact a weapon such as these should have, Unlike a lot of shooters, enemies aren't bullet sponges (and, in the higher difficulties, you aren't one, either). Your AI teammates will do enough to help you along, but it is impossible to rely on them alone to drag you through a level.
The developers even manage to cram in several different mechanics. In one area, you have to find fire to prevent from freezing to death while traversing the level. You get the pilot tanks, control UAV's, fire remote controlled rockets at helicopters, etc. The game doesn't really get boring, nor does the relentless pace ever seem to let up.
Everything feels properly visceral...chaotic in a way that only war can truly feel chaotic. The vehicle sequences all seem to feel like you're holding on by the skin of your teeth, but in those sequences, that is precisely what you are doing. The vehicles control pretty well, although they do seem awfully fragile. It doesn't take a lot to explode your vehicle.
DICE showed that they can actually do single player gaming. Before this, in Battlefield games, they were quite content to simply slap bots into multi-player maps and call it a single player affair. The prior game had some solid signs, but the storyline was pretty disjointed and it didn't really feel like they put any thought into the sole affair. This time out, though, they have produced a phenomenal single player campaign that is well worth your time and energy to play.
Multiplayer has the same problem all MP games have (namely, there are always a selection of pathetic losers who spend all day playing this one game, so most people will simply get into a match and get slaughtered in seconds...repeatedly). I am not sure how this issue can be fixed (a lot of these trolls would play in a set-aside noob area if they could). This is a growing problem and could end up severely hurting MP gaming online, much as the assorted freaks who became insanely good at fighting games helped kill the appeal of fighting games in arcades.
The single player game alone makes this one a must-buy. If you like the online, it is only that much better.
Battlefield Bad Company 2 Feature
- 8 huge multiplayer maps and 15 land, sea and air vehicles, including the ATV and the UH-60 transport helicopter.
- All-new squad gameplay where players team up with 3 others and fight together to unlock special awards and achievements in 2 squad-specific game modes. These are in addition to awards and ranks achieved individually.
- Destruction 2.0. Take down entire buildings, create firepoints or blow it up entirely. In Battlefield Bad Company 2 there is no place to hide.
Battlefield Bad Company 2 is a first-person shooter, and sequel to Electronic Arts' 2008 release, Battlefield Bad Company. Following the continuing combat adventures of misfits of the US Army's Company "B," Bad Company 2 features the characteristic humor and grit of the Bad Company series, as well as a variety of gameplay improvements and additions, including 2-24 player online support; all-new four man squad gameplay; and more.
Like the original Battlefield: Bad Company game, Bad Company 2 is a first-person shooter following the exploits of Company "B" of the US Army's 222nd Battalion. In this new adventure, the more mature yet still infamous company of misfits are tasked with interceding in a series of conflicts that have the potential to ignite of a new World War. Game environments cover snowy mountains, all the way to jungles and deserts.
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Customer Reviews
This game is so underrated - M-Dub - Phoenix, AZ
I've been a Halo nut for ten years now, and have loved the COD Modern Warfare series. Im telling you if you like fist person shooters then you HAVE to try this game. Rent it first if you have to, but give it a shot. And if you're one of those that complains about the graphics in Bad Company 2 then you're just trying too hard to find something wrong with the game. This is COD MW but add in tanks, helicopters, humvees with mounted 50 cal. machine guns...two words: so sick.
There is definitely a bit of a learning curve, but once you get used to the fact that it is different than Modern Warfare, the game gets really addicting. Go out and get it, you wont regret it.
Best 1st person shooter I've ever played - T. Reeves - Los Angeles, CA
I've played all the Call of Duties and BFBC2 beats them all hands down. The single player is long and detailed with great actions. The multiplayer has awesome maps, amazing details (right down to the exploding buidings you shoot), and the team oriented competition is unbeatable. The realism is unmatched. You won't be disappointed. Call of Duty MW2 has taken a seat on the shelf since I've bought BC2. The best part is that EA has dedicated game servers unlike COD which requires a host so if people leave the game, its doesn't end it for everyone else.
Jul 19, 2010 09:47:05
