An interesting experiment, the original Battlefield: Bad Company was a solid take on the Battlefield franchise, opting to put a new focus on a story-driven single-player element instead of a purely multiplayer one. The result wasn’t quite an instant classic, and had a couple of issues that kept it from being truly great. However, the framework was laid down, and now Bad Company is back in this much-improved sequel that moves out of its predecessor’s WWII setting an into modern times.
Bad Company 2 ups the ante with a great graphical engine, solid AI, and a better, more cohesive storyline. The game plays extremely well too with solid gun mechanics and fluid controls. While there are a few pacing problems with the single-player campaign, this is a great improvement over the original game, and features an excellent multiplayer component to boot.
In Bad Company 2, you play as the leader of Bravo Two squad (formerly B-Company in the first game) as they search out a secret weapon called “Aurora”, revealed in a prologue set in the Pacific Theater of World War II. After this prologue, you are put into Preston Marlow, the leader of Bravo Two, to search out this weapon, a mission that will take you to a variety of locations, including Russia, the jungles of South America, and even locations throughout North America.
With all the work that went into the single-player campaign, it still plays second fiddle to the multiplayer element. The campaign is awfully short, clocking in at around the six hour mark. There are some incentives to go back, as completists will want to make sure to grab all of the collectible weapons, but most people should get their fill from just one go-through.
The people who will definitely get the most out of Bad Company 2 are online shooter fans, as the game delivers a great multiplayer component. The game features a similar brand of harrowing firefights as other Battlefield titles, allowing tons of players to take each other on in huge environments, complete with a host of vehicles. The game features a very deep class system as well, allowing you to find a class that suits your specific gameplay style quite easily. Each class has their own unique abilities that they can bring to their squad, and working in tandem with your group will allow you to strategically dominate the map. Additionally, the improved environmental destruction model adds a great new element to matches, as cover can often be short-lived and razed to the ground with some heavy explosives, meaning that you’ve always got to be on the move.
Graphics: 9.0
The graphics have received a nice boost from the original game, with more detailed character models and great looking levels, as well as special effects like depth of field pulling you into the action.
Sound: 8.5
The voice acting is nicely done, with your squadmates letting loose with some one-liners that give them a bit of character. The music does a good job of building the intensity.
Difficulty: Medium
Concept: 9.0
The campaign is a bit too short, but the story-driven campaign is engaging from start to finish.
Multiplayer: 9.5
A fantastic suite of online modes and maps, Bad Company 2 has a deep and engaging multiplayer element that will keep you playing for months to come.
Overall: 9.0
Even though the single-player campaign still isn’t where it needs to be, Bad Company 2 is definitely a great sequel that builds on its predecessor in every way, making for one that no shooter fan will want to miss, especially if you go online for your gaming.
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