PS3 Review – Battlefield: Bad Company 2
While the single-player experience has its ups and downs, few will purchase Battlefield: Bad Company 2 looking for a thrilling single-player experience. This is where the online multi-player experience comes into play. There are 3 different modes to play online, along with 6 maps, with plenty of DLC already announced. You will have your choice of Rush, Conquest, and newly created Squad Deathmatch. Conquest is your typical capture and hold mission, while Rush has attackers and defenders fighting over M-Com stations in a race against depleting reinforcements. The highlight for me, though, was the Squad Deathmatch, which pitted four 4 Man squads against each other in close quarters combat. It’s the first squad to 50 kills, and this is a lot of fun, especially if you can find yourself a good squad full of smart players with good communication.
Squads end up playing a huge role in Bad Company 2, like they have throughout the Battlefield series. Squads have a max of 4 players. The benefit of being in one is that a player can spawn near any one of their other 3 squadmates. This adds a very strategic element to the game, as facing one enemy can quickly turn into facing 4, and vice versa. Just make sure to pay attention, because if you are the last one alive in the squad, it might be best to find a quiet spot and let people spawn to you, rather then give up your position. If you get tired of fighting on foot, the game offers plenty of vehicles for players to try their hands at. You can go from flying a UAV or Chopper to rolling around in a Tank or APC.
The online here does not have perks, but rather specializations. These are unlocked by gaining experience with one of the 4 classes in the game: Assault, Medic, Recon, and Engineer. Each of these classes has a special gadget that it can use; for example, the medic can resurrect people, and the Engineer can repair tanks and other vehicles. Each class also carries its own set of weapons, with plenty of new weapons to unlock through exp. gained and new ranks acquired. The game also gives you a choice to play on hardcore mode which gives players less HUD and less health, but increases weapon damage.
The online plays incredibly smoothly considering all the chaos that can be going on at one time.. The online parties also seem to be fixed, so you will always be on the side of the friends you joined up with. The online really has no glaring issues, as the weapons feels balanced, the classes all have their advantages, and the maps are very well laid out. The group over at DICE knows how to make a fun online experience that is rewarding for all types of players.
Overall, I feel Battlefield: Bad Company 2 did exactly what it set out to do — compete with the big boys. While the core gameplay isn’t perfect, the scale and grand design of the title prove to be a huge success. The single-player story could use a bit more emotion and detail, but is still enjoyable enough to play more than once. The first time you find yourself running out of a collapsing house looking for cover, you will be hooked. If you are looking for a good online shooter to waste away hours upon hours playing while earning unlocks, making friends, communicating and destroying the environment, you have just found your match. Now squad up soldier, its time for battle.
PlayStation LifeStyle’s Final Score
Online is deep and engaging Story could use more emotion |  |
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19 Responses to “PS3 Review – Battlefield: Bad Company 2”
Nice. How long does it take to complete SP? gosh, if its longer that MW2′s skimpy 5 hours, then maybe it should get that 5th point back.
It took me around 10 hours to complete the single player. There are some collectables and trophies that will extend the playtime by a few more hours too.
I know I’ve definitely played more than 5 hours already and haven’t finished the single player yet, and I’m not one to go around looking for all the collectibles. I kind of have the same problem with BC2 as I did with MW2. I just don’t think there has been much improvement in anything from the first title. The destructible environments are always cool and they have made it slightly more realistic but I feel like that is where the improvements end other than some new modes and the ability to squad spawn in multiplayer. I feel like the graphics don’t look any better than BC1 and I feel they went backwards with having to restart at the last checkpoint if you die in single player rather than just re-spawning like you did in the first. It’s still a fun game, but I just haven’t seen much innovation in the latest onslaught of blockbuster FPS.
i enjoy this story much more than MW2, but i have to agree the AI is funny sometimes. i am really enjoying the SP mode, and do look forward to the third game. i am waiting for them to fix the servers for MP, does anyone know if it has happened yet?
I highly recommend this title. I personally think the multiplayer is superior to Modern Warfare 2 in many ways. This is my third favorite shooter of all-time behind Counter-Strike and Battlefield 2.
screw Modern Warfare 2! why does everything now have to compare to that MW2 piece of crap?
ps great review
@ Jonathan – I’m with you, this is a great MP FPS. Counter-Strike and Battlefield 2 are my top two FPS of all time as well, and BFBC2 brings me back to my Battlefield 2 days. I just wish the campaign supported co-op.
Parts of the review I agree with, but others I don’t. The campaign needs more emotion? Regardless, I love the online. It’s the funnest multiplayer I’ve played in quite some time.
Although this is a thorough review, I have to disagree with the score.
How does this game get 4/5 but Modern Warfare 2 gets 5/5 AND Editor’s Choice? In a scoring scheme, everything is relative. By giving this a 4/5 and MW2 a 5/5+EC its implied that MW2 is just so much superior to BC2, which I disagree with, as I’m sure most of those that have played both games will.
I don’t think either game deserves Editor’s Choice, but BC2 should definitely at least get the same score as MW2. At the end of the day, gameplay is what matters and keeps brining players back. And in that regard, imo, BC2 is vastly superior to MW2 with more balanced gameplay and inclusion of vehicles.
And as Delta_Canuckian said, the storyline for BC2 was enjoyable. MW2′s story was not “gripping”, it was only the cinematics and animations that made the writing seem better than it actually was. They were both very good in their own respect, but to say that MW2 is a 5/5+EC… very far-fetched score.
All these 10/10, 100%, Editor’s Choice, etc. being given to MW2 is just a byproduct of the mass hype that accompanies the release of a past favorite, by a huge publisher. It is entirely non-deserving.
I also feel that giving out a 5/5+EC to MW2 brings the credibility of the EC way down. MW2 should not be put on the same pedestal as GW3 and U2. It just does not work.
After sharing my views, I feel inclined to say that I am a long fan of the website and all the news and reviews you guys provide. Thank you for your excellent and hard work.
I personally found the AI to rather useless but i felt the same about Modern Warfare 2, Now while the MW2 story was a mess, it atleast dragged me in a bit emotionally, made me feel a part of something.. In my opinon, Bad Company 2 never did that and thats why i felt they could have used more passion or gripping scenes in BFBC2
also i did not review Modern Warfare 2 so i was not responsible for that score,
This game kills crappy Modern Gayfare 2.
MW2= rubbish emotionless single and terrible online death matches.
BC= great single player story and variety online.
“I come here to kick ass and chew bubble gum and Im all out of the bubble gum”.
Sorry Cameron, your where deffo on acid if MW2 dragged you in, it was running around with a big squad getting killed every 5 seconds. The SAS parts where ok I suppose, but the US soldier stuff was terrible, i felt nothing apart from Boredom. Then the mutli player was DEATH MATCH all over again. COMPLETE SHIT, the most over hyped game ever. Give me Uncharted 2 any day.
Bad company is different and has more fun elements: Vehicles, destruction, better modes..etc.
“Sorry dudes but my cock has turned blue”
Awesome review! Awesome game!!
I was personally upset i’d spent £6 on a hire copy with its 5-6hrs sp story and the online was pointless with camprs and glitchin mofos a plenty….. Time will tell i guess but Bc2 for me 100%….
BC2 kicks arse! Not really a war type fps fan but bc2 has me gripped!! The online is a total riot (just grabbed my 24hr insignia lol)!! MW2 was a total let down
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this game is definitely better than Modern Warfare 2 in my books. the single player is definitely twice the length of MW2 and the multiplayer is fantastic! it’s definitely in my top 5 games that i play constantly.
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