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Battlefield: Bad Company 2

Battlefield: Bad Company 2
Reviewed by: Joaby
04:39pm 09/03/10
11 member comments

Genre: First Person Shooter
Developer: Digital Illusions
Publisher: EA
Classification: MA15+
Consumer Advice: Strong violence
Release Date: 4th Mar 2010
Platforms: PC


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The singleplayer portion of Battlefield Bad Company 2 is like the salad side which comes with a T-Bone and chips at a pub lunch. Most people won't even touch it - they picked up BFBC2 for the multiplayer, not some greens smothered in vinegar. In Battlefield Bad Company 2's situation though the side salad is a good thing. It's not just a good addition to the game, it's almost necessary as EA sort out their current (as of publishing) server
Screenshot
issues surrounding the multiplayer.

The singleplayer continues on from the first game's story, but not in any way which requires you to have played that game. Marlowe - the player character - is the silent thoughtful type, though a highly efficient killing machine when it's needed. Sweetwater is a computer hacker extraordinaire and something of a nerd - a very relatable character, if somewhat out of place in B company. Haggard is the dumb jock - a hick out of Texas who likes blowing stuff up, he's been toned down since the last game. And finally there's Redford - the squad's leader, who has like one week left until retirement and is getting too old for this ****. No, really.

The charm of the singleplayer is primarily in the writing - the gameplay feels more like a eight hour long tutorial for the multiplayer, but the story is interesting enough to keep you rolling. The key to this is the sense of humour - the characters are shallow but funny, and the tongue-in-cheek is reminiscent of Marky Mark vehicle Three Kings - without the depressing realisation that Three Kings is grounded in an element of reality.

The twists are telegraphed from miles away but the fantastic atmosphere (created by some exemplary sound work and outstanding graphics) keeps you on the edge of your seat regardless. When the bullets fly in BC2 it's easy to forget the vaguely silly nature of what you're doing, or where. BFBC2 drags you from the jungles to deserts to islands to mountains in its attempt to provide you with interesting environments to blow up - and amusing quips to deliver - but the whole time you can't help but feel that the reason it does this is to justify the multiplayer.

In a way, this isn't a terrible thing. Despite the effort put into Battlefield Bad Company 2's singleplayer campaign it was always going to take a back seat to the multiplayer - it's in the nature of the series. Battlefield moments can happen in singleplayer, but they're always going to feel a little canned - the level of unpredictability provided by other gamers simply isn't present.

BFBC2 delivers on those moments too. Picture this - I'm standing on the top of a warehouse in the Panama Canal. A UAV drone site overhead, the pilot raining down death from an unassailable location. My team-mates are busy letting it happen, but I've had enough. The little RC helicopter is swinging around too much to get a decent shot off with my RPG, so I use my submachine gun instead. Short bursts are best - three rounds here, two rounds there, and the familiar X hit recognition symbol flashes up constantly. The inevitable occurs, just too soon, and the tiny unmanned vehicle swings around at me.

Screenshot


If it had eyes they'd be locked with mine as I continue to spray bullets its way. I continue to shoot when I see an orange light in the sky behind it, and I realise what's happening. It's decided to take me out with a missile designed to kill tanks. The only way to live through this is to run directly at the UAV - it can't swing to aim below it as easily as it can swing to aim away from it, so I sprint in its direction as the missile streaks towards me. I run out of rooftop a second before the missile hits and as I leap from the warehouse an explosion like something from Michael Bay's wet dreams roars behind me. I land on the ground unharmed and swing my gun into the air - three more bullets is all it takes. This is what makes Battlefield such a memorable game - what it delivers that other games can't.

And the new game modes deliver as well. Rush isn't terribly original, but Squad Rush is one of the most focused game modes I've played in a long time. It's four verse four in a miniature version of the normal Rush game mode. Suddenly tactics come into play, even when playing with people you've never encountered before. Whereas Conquest and Rush are just a hectic explosion fest, Squad Rush - and it's slightly larger brother Squad Deathmatch - are thoughtfully considered games. Teams stick together, take up firepoints and support one another in a way you don't see in most public games - and it's fantastic.

The meat of BFBC2 is Conquest mode - an anarchic legacy mode from the first Battlefield game. Each map has multiple points for capture, each team has a reinforcement ticker. As your team captures more points it bleeds the other teams reinforcement ticker faster - meaning capturing points is important if you're hoping to win. Kills bleed the ticker as well - so running in like cannon fodder isn't the greatest idea, but it can be necessary sometimes. It still works phenomenally well - though the difference destructible environments makes is huge. Taking cover is harder than ever now, making taking points a multiple person affair more often than not.

Of course, all of the above only counts when you actually manage to get into a server - and getting into a server isn't easy at this stage. At present the game's Server browser isn't good enough to deal with the massive amounts of servers available - EA are working on fixing it, but it's still broken right now. There's no quick refresh of just the server you're currently looking at - only a Full Refresh option, which can take 30 seconds to complete. Your best bet is to favourite a few key servers and just play those - fully refreshing two or three servers takes a lot less time.

The singleplayer isn't going to win awards, but it's a great training ground for new players. You'll finish it with a feeling of accomplishment but you probably won't talk about it later - save for laughing with friends at the game's digs at its competition. The multiplayer is amazing but a little broken - the only major problems with the game are server browser related, meaning demand to play the game is too high. It's ludicrous to think that too many people want to play a game, but it's literally the case right now - and it's
Screenshot
because when you do actually join a server it's exactly the experience you wanted to see last November.

Pub servers of Conquest and Rush are a mishmosh of Battlefield moments and determination as you strive to kill that sniper/tank. Pub servers of the squad modes are fantastically tactical, something you'd never expect to say about pub games. Battlefield Bad Company 2 is definitely worth a purchase, even if getting a MP game isn't easy right now. Finish the singleplayer while you wait - the dedicated servers will (hopefuly) be there when you do.
Comments
7.0
Game Comment by jayson.ak

Ok, gearing up for battlefield 3, thought I would check this out. Problems right off the top, first part of the game could not even knife the guy. So after a few updates and setting changes I'm in.
Ok, now if I am to match this game to other FPS games, call of duty modernwarfare even counter strike for multi. Would I pick this to be better? NO. Haven said that I did like the destructable terrain, nice work Dice. That is the one thing I did love the most of the game.
You can run but you can't hide. The down side was the AI, god it was poor. Wait for battle 3 I know I am :-)


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Game Comment by mystic1984

nice comments guys, keep in mind though who your praisin up, EA is a publisher DICE did the work


9.0
Game Comment by Goose

Has loads of choices with weponry to play with to suit all players, easy controls. Definately worth the money.
Yes is has a few glitchs, but nothing like 2142.


8.0
Game Comment by drez13

Think dumbed down BF2:
-theres no clays
-theres no prone
-radio comms are less useful - aimed at people who haven't played bf2
-overall works more consistently
-still the same physics - all slippery/wobbly
-pretty hard to hit moving targets

Think COD4:
-instagib knife
-headshots less than lethal in all but bolt snipers
-normal weapons have no bullet drop (unlike bf2)
-normal weapons all pretty damn accurate when sighted
-nobody's gonna thank u for anything
-lots of nooby noobs with autoshotties camping in corners
-physics and reg not as solid as COD4


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Game Comment by natrat26

Just to let you know I played Battlefield 2 a lot so this review is mainly comparing these 2 games and is only on the multiplayer section.
Battlefield was all about massive battlefields, 64 players, and a lot of vehicles. In Battlefield Bad Company 2, the maps are quite small, only 32 players and no fighter planes. They have removed the prone system meaning when you need to take cover your finger has to stay on the crouch button (does not toggle crouch). They have also removed a lot of the communication.
Instead of holding Q (default communication key) so you can select what to say, all it does is make your guy say something for you. So when you are trying to ask for a medic, whichttp://www.gamearena.com.au/pc/games/title/battlefield-bad-company-2/addreview.php#h should do this when you tap Q and your health is low, make sure you are not pointing at an enemy otherwise all it will do is spot the enemy.(which in Hardcore mode this does not work.) Also sometimes your soldier will not even ask for a medic. You can still choose who you want to talk to; squad; team; and all chat. But when you want to type in 'medic needed' because pressing Q isn't doing anything, it can be quite difficult when you already have a finger on the crouch button while you are taking cover.
Now, like Call of Duty: modern warfare series, there are 2 different modes: Normal and Hardcore. Hardcore mode is like Battlefield 2 where all you need is a good burst shot to the head to kill, except now sniper rifles are one shot kill (keep your head down). In Normal mode it takes an entire clip and then pulling out your pistol just to finish them. So just best off using your knife which unlike Battlefield 2 where you need to select your knife, you just need to press a key and the knife swings down into attack which is also instant kill (Again just like Call Of Duty).
The most annoying thing I have found while playing this is the M60 Light Machine Gun is extremely over powered and used too often. Also you will find rocket spam annoying.
Again like Call Of Duty there are some perks to add to your class such as better armour and even perks for vehicles that increases reload speed.
But luckily it is still has some features of Battlefield 2: No extreme killstreaks. I did say the maps are small but are still suitable for 32 players meaning no crowded streets like Call Of Duty.
The lowest ping i have seen is around 100. So just remember to aim a little bit more in front of a moving target when sniping.
The server browser is quite terrible. Not caps friendly meaning to find the actual Game Arena servers you can't just type in gamearena, it has to be GameArena.
Now For the great bits: Graphics are really good and the destructible buildings are insane. The new game type: Squad Rush is really fun to play and i recommend this. Conquest is still there but with around 3-4 flag points, why bother?

Some Random Comments:
This game I think should have just stayed on console like it's previous title Battlefield Bad Company.
It did however give us something to play while we rage about Call Of Duty 6 not having dedicated servers.
As a Battlefield 2 fan i want to know where the G36E, L85A1 and claymores went to? Why no Commander? WHY NO PRONE?
In my opinion this game does not deserve to be called Battlefield.



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Game Comment by mitchman007

It is an awesome game, excellent overall multiplayer gameplay and an interesting campaign make this game a wonderul first person shooter.


9.0
Game Comment by *Schoon* Moiysture

Bad Company is a great game as a whole; the graphics are sensational, the sound is vibrant and really makes you feel like some retard with M60 is firing right over your right ear while you’re trying to snipe a mounted gun.

It’s no gem though, more like and an uncut diamond. There is plenty of potential but until someone takes to it with some heavy machinery it’s quite rough around the edges.

Realism is something a lot of game developers have been trying to capture in order to give their games the edge over others. It is also however a tough balance to manage; enough realism yet still playable without hours of learning.

Bad Company 2 has hit and missed this point depending on which game mode you play. But then at least you are given the choice which way you prefer to play the game.

A borrowed terminology from Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 'Hardcore' is how EA differentiate between realism and retardation.

There are two game types, 'Hardcore' and 'Normal'.
In the normal game mode you have full use of your HUD, crosshair, death cams are enabled and people take more shots to bring down, too many in my opinion.

Likewise the hardcore mode removes your HUD and crosshair and requires you to hit enemies with very few bullets in order to bring them down.

This where I believe opinion effects things greatly, in my opinion what EA call ‘Hardcore’ should be normal and ‘Normal’ should be called ‘easymode’ or ‘retardmode’ because shooting someone with more bullets then you can count on two hands in order to kill them makes it more of an arcade game where you should have massive health bars and cool combos instead of useless weapons which seem to be firing BB’s instead of bullets.

With Bad Company 2 a lot of the things which have made it a great game has also made it bad when compared to previous Battlefield releases.

Battlefield always used to be about massive maps with large quantities of vehicles and an almost unlimited number of ways to travel to any given point on the map.

With Bad Company 2 you see regulated choke points and an artificial flow of player traffic.

This has been achieved by making the maps smaller and making much of the outskirts of the map 'No man’s land' whereby you are killed if you stray into it.
This is not all bad however; it means the maps seem much more alive with smaller amounts of people without having the cramped feeling of Modern Warfare 2.

Having played the Battlefield games ever since 1942 it is my opinion that this is the best one so far as a whole though EA should revisit certain aspects of the original battlefield releases to ensure they do not alienate their pre-existing player base. At times it does feel like Modern Warfare on a Battlefield minus the mad killstreaks and easy server finding...

I still give this game a 9.0 because I can travel from house to house blowing holes in the walls instead of walking along streets with a target on my head.


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Game Comment by tackster

for call of duty players, its difficult to get used to the slow aiming, jumpy movements, strange sprint forward function, and no going prone.

the personal weapons even in hardcore seem weak.

going to take a lot of time to learn this system.


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Game Comment by Smokinxp

If you can even login to the game, and not get kicked by EA within a minute or refused login, or Punkbuster doesn't kick you for initialisation errors randomly, you get presented with a horrendously slow browser that's filters don't work and pings showing is hit and miss.

A Game options screen that only has a few options which won't save too i might add, infact there's not even a save button. There are a lot of other options you can change for the game that aren't even included on this screen, you have to add them to the gamesettings.ini or settings.ini files manually.

A friends list that you can and can't add people too and can and can't join there servers, not to mention the screen for that menu flickers constantly.

So, lets say for reviews sake you get into a server "finally" the game within isn't that bad. It's fast gameplay, but thats about the only good thing it's got going for it.

If you were to compare this with Battlefield 2 which this is the grandchild of. BF2 is 1000's of times smoother, more squad based, and generally more fun.

Only squad thing you can do is spawn on any squad member, the ingame voice doesn't work for alot of people, that and the.

If you want help or want to spot someone it's the same button "Q" bey default but atleast 50% of the time this button doesn't do anything. No more tactic options like BF2 and no commander, which isn't a bad thing.

Hackers have infultrated the game b4 it even went live and punkbuster not working doesn't help the situation. On release day 6 people were banned for using hacks.

Overall this game sucks. The general gameplay is ok, but it's missing alot of things that should've bene included even if it was a console export.


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Game Comment by Beef

If you want to run and gun like Rambo, you're better off playing Modern Warfare 2 or something like Unreal Tournament . Bad Company 2 is much more tactical and team based oriented.

You feel compelled to work together with your team, as you need each other to succeed. But more than that, it's not a frustrating part of the game, it actually makes it much more exciting.

I can't pick the difference in quality between the graphics of Modern Warfare 2 and Bad Company 2, however this game has the best sound of any game I've played. It really feels like you're in the game.

The biggest issue right now is connecting to a server. You can see a lot, but connecting to many of them causes Punkbuster problems, while others just refuse to connect.

The other problem is the game is so dammed popular, most of the server are full!!!

I read from the developer that after the first 3 days of Bad Company 2 going live, there were more concurrent players than at any time for Battlefield 2. That's amazing and a testament to how fabulous this game is for multiplayer.

If you like first person multiplayer shooters with a military theme, this is the best in the market today.

I rate it a 9 based on the gameplay. I have not factored in the current server problems which I would think is only a short term issue.

Highly recommended from a gamer that has played multiplayer FPS since 1996 with Duke Nukem 3D.


7.0
Game Comment by billus08

EA has to be praised for finally making a decent port of the game Bad Company 2 for the PC. The game is fully optimised for the PC and users now have the ability to change basically every graphic option as well as keyboard and mouse bindings. The game also makes full use for a gamepad or Xbox 360 controller.

The main focus of this game is multiplayer but one cannot refuse to look at the single player aspect of the game. It continues where the first one left off which was released in 2008 and did not make the PC.

The first thing gamers will notice about the single player is how closely it resembles Modern Warfare 2. From the action packed vehicle chases to the sniping missions in the snow. The story may be slightly different but it is really hard not to compare these two. Single player does tend to get a little dull and tedious after a handful of missions as the story takes no real direction. I think I may have been spoiled too much with Mass Effect.

Multiplayer however is where the game really shines. The destructible environments add a whole new dimension as to how the game is played. Cover is no longer safe as a few shots will penetrate through anything so players will constantly be sprinting away from incoming fire not to mention tanks and heli's. Prone however as been taken out which can be either good or bad. The good is that campers can no longer stay in one spot for to long as they are more easily spotter, the bad however is that your more easy to spot.

A few little things I have to pick at though is how difficult it can be to connect and stay connected to a game in multiplayer. I found that the "Play Now" option gives the best chance to stay in a server. Many servers simply do not connect or when they do, kick you out due to a Punkbuster glitch which EA says they are working on. The thing I hate most about these types of games is the community aspect or lack off. In games like Team Fortress 2, you have a set of personal favourites that you often play and over time, you build up your list of Steam friends or have a friendly (or not so friendly) chat over the mic. I sadly find this lacking in Bad Company 2.

Overall, this game is pleasantly enjoyable, particularly online. The destructible environment and good graphics make up for a great online experience.


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