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.
The single-player campaign feels
more linear than the one in the first Bad Company, but this can be attributed to
the more cinematic approach to the storytelling. The game moves along at a
pretty intense pace, with cut scenes explaining a good portion of the story,
while your squadmates will provide some banter and comic relief through the
campaign’s 13 missions.
Speaking of your squadmates, they
react pretty intelligently throughout the campaign. Whereas other shooters might
have them simply waiting in the rafters while you take the brunt of the gunfire
and deal with most of your enemies, your squad in Bad Company 2 actually
contribute their fair share to the combat, reacting to demolished cover and
taking out enemies with some great maneuvers. The AI has definitely gotten a
boost this time around, and it’s much appreciated.
The game’s arsenal is also handled
very well. Each of the weapons reacts realistically and feels great, whether
you’re shooting a sub-machine gun or heavy weaponry. Another great feature is
the much improved environmental destruction model. While the original Bad
Company had a fine system in place, the sequel builds upon this, allowing you to
not just knock down pieces of a building, but blow the whole thing to the ground
so that not a piece is standing. However, it’s also possible to make smaller
damage to objects in the environment, which helps add to the realism.
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.
The multiplayer portion of the game
is also very scalable, allowing you to customize a match pretty much any way you
want going in. You’re able to choose from a variety of different gameplay modes
(including a newly revised “Gold Rush” mode simply called “Rush”) and maps, as
well as upgrade your character with new weapons and special perks as you play
through the multiplayer component, something that Call of Duty fans will be
immediately familiar with and enjoy.
Graphically, Bad Company 2 is
definitely a great looking game. There are several tweaks and improvements to
the engine that make it much more of a looker than its predecessor, including
some great depth of field effects and fantastic levels that add to the cinematic
feel of the campaign. While there are a few hitches in the gameplay, including
some pauses that go on a bit too long, the game performs generally well at a
solid clip. However, the real winner here is the destructible environment, which
is a great touch that adds to the realism.
The sound is also done very well.
The soundtrack does a great job of sticking with the intensity of the action,
and the voice acting is pretty good. The silly quips from the original Bad
Company have been scaled back a bit, but that’s not to say that your squadmates
don’t drop some one-liners here and there. The banter does a pretty good job of
keeping you invested with the characters.
Battlefield: Bad Company 2 is
definitely an improvement over its predecessor, and a solid experience for any
shooter fan. While the single-player campaign could still use a little more love
and attention, the multiplayer will keep you coming back again and again.
|
|
Gameplay: 8.5
The game features a host of improvements over its predecessor, playing much
better and more polished than the original in just about every way. The
environmental destruction model has been improved quite a bit, and the cinematic
approach to the campaign is a blast from start to finish. Unfortunately, the
whole affair is awfully short-lived, feeling over far too quickly.
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.
