[review] Bad Company 2 – PC/360/PS

Tip: Scroll all the way down this post for the new “tl;dr” review





Note: The author of this review has only played the PC version for an upwards of 20 hours. This review applies solely to the PC, but can be also used as a console review if the PC exclusive sections are strictly ignored. Thanks and don’t get mad.





A lot of times we see something building, and we almost never anticipate it properly. This method of preparation, or lack thereof, eventually strikes us cold with one of two feelings. But Bad Company 2 has avoided that gradual path. Instead, its pin of greatness lies in harmonial balance in all spectrums.

A wise man once said that the greatest key to immersion are visuals. Maybe that wasn’t all, because you definitely have to throw the prominent element of sound into the mix. In video games, the combination is savored when it all seems to flow together.

When I first began to play the Bad Company 2 beta, I was not impressed by the graphics. However, I still did enjoy them, save for the frequent frame rate inconsistencies. But what struck me most is the level of improvement and dedication DICE seemed to put into polishing and optimizing Bad Company 2. On the beta, I had to tweak the settings to run the game exclusively on DirectX9, so that I could achieve desired frame rates that normally lied ~60+ FPS with no Vsync.

Let’s face it, Bad Company 2 is a visually superior and technically phenomenal game to look at… or stare, if that’s how you go. Paired up with a great headset and computer and max settings (or HDTV for you console guys) this is shaping up to be one of the best looking games out there. The explosions in the distance are jaw dropping (and in most cases framerate dropping as well). For PC gamers, a good processor is more prominent here than would be a great GPU.

To complement the great visuals, DICE has given us ear shattering sound effects. While they are most evident during the multi player, you will be sure to hear a variety of bullets whizzing by, helicopters soaring above, explosions in the distance, and in the corner of your mind that enemy approaching from behind. All of these elements are crafted together to bring you top of the line battlefield style immersion that the series was always known for. Even after some time of playing one may become de sensitized to the amazing sound – but fire up your other average FPS, and the difference is clear. Bad Company 2 excels in the sound department.

While in the campaign all this is experienced, it presents itself better in the multi player. But what the campaign does have to offer is a great way to get warmed up for the multi player. In the campaign, you will travel dense jungle, cold mountainous terrain, and sightless desert. You may even come across towns or small villages. The single player of Bad Company 2, in comparison to the first, is largely more linear. While I don’t prefer this myself, since I personally see it as a setback, what the linear nature of the game allows it to do is to better reveal the story within and mend a closer relationship to your squadmates.

One of the ways that relationship between you and your squadmates is strengthened is by the humor in the game. During battle, one may hear Haggard or Sweetwater shout satire insults at the other. Multiple jests are made at Modern Warfare 2 as well. Some interaction and character development is furthered in the cut scenes, which are identical to in game, visual wise. In the end, it results in a bond between you and your squadmates that ultimately gives you the desire to accomplish your mission.

The mission is skewed, though. At times you will find yourself wondering where you are, or what you’re doing and why. The first half of the single player seems dull and something difficult to trek through, but it speeds up in the latter half of the game. That said, the game is only around five to six hours long on normal or easy difficulty. The story, at its core, works well for an FPS game and leaves interest, but takes a while to pick up. It is not very replayable, but at most you can go back and collect various weapons and destroy M-COM stations. Each unique weapon you collect is housed in a supply drop. These supply drops are located at various checkpoints in the campaign, where you may receive ammo and switch out equipment.

Overall, Bad Company 2’s campaign may not be the heart of the game, but it is something that one should definitely try to beat once.

The true relic of Bad Company 2 is its explosive multiplayer. Ranging from a 24 player max on the consoles to the 32 player max amount on the PC, it is where the name Battlefield is truly distinguished.

In multiplayer, you have your signature Battlefield experience. While a slight repitition, it is a formula done right, but this one also ushers in some new techniques. Like the specialization system, where you may apply up to 3 specializations (one being a vehicle spec) that increase your performance in one way or another. For example, I have the increased accuracy for my vehicles, and the 4X optical sight for my Engineer. I haven’t unlocked the final slot yet, but I did in the beta.

Some specializations seem to be outrageously advantageous over the others in one particular category (that happens to be very broad), giving an edge to those who have unlocked it. Generally, they seem to be somewhat balanced. On top of those specializations, you also have your four classes of Assault, Engineer, Medic, and Recon. Recon is by far the most played, and often the smallest contribution ingame to actually completing the objective. Then you have your main weapon, side arm, and gadgets. All side arms are usable by all classes, but most weapons and all gadgets are exlusive to their particular class.

From resemblance, Bad Company 2 is closest put to Battlefield 2. The setting is very roughly similar, but similar it is. Bad Company 2 improves the general FPS mechanics, by having squads, with the ability to create and lock them, and huge bonuses for teamwork done within the squad (points in particular, some badges included).

There is a metric ton of content in the multiplayer. Allow me to briefly (if possible) describe them:

1) Four game modes, Rush, Conquest, Squad Rush, and Squad Deathmatch. Rush is attackers vs defenders, where the defenders must kill an allotted amount of attackers, and the attackers must destroy M-COM stations while the bases constantly move forward, providing more M-COM stations to destroy. Conquest is multiple flags, which can be freely controlled by either faction. Each team starts with an amount of tickets. The more flags you have, the better. Having the majority of flags basically puts you in the winning race, for each flag you have a ticket will decrease in a consistent manner from the enemy team’s ticket bank. Squad Rush is just rush with squads only, and Squad Deathmatch is a kill by kill elimination game between Squads only.

2) The stats system allows you to view your kills to deaths, veteran status, skill level, and other stuff. You can also check out the leaderboards to see your spot in the world, and your comparison your friends. Friends can be added through the friends tab. Very basic, search for a friend and add him. He will have to accept your request. From there, you can directly compare stats, remove, or join the game together. The server browser is extensive, but not as I would have hoped. The filters for ranked, not empty, not full, punkbuster, and map/game mode are there, but they do not seem to allow all options. For example, I can only pick one map that I would like to show up. Rather, I would prefer two out of all the maps, etc, which the system does not allow.

3) Next to all this is the Squad system. You can freely join Squads on your team, you can create squads. There are enough squads for the whole team to have two players to each squad. Of course, a one man squad is completely unnecessary, but is possible. You may also lock squads, to prevent those who aren’t your buddies from getting in. You may also join the game in an open squad. There is a huge issue though, while the squads are vastly improved from the first game, you cannot choose to not be spawned on (individually), and you cannot kick people from squads. But, there are huge point bonuses for doing things squad related. Anything you would do in other situations, if done with a squadmate, yields more points. There are also tons of badges and pins for your trouble, which add onto your score. Stuff like dog tags for knifing people. But the knifing in this game isn’t any improved over the first’s, because now you have a wacky animation which can cost you your life.

There’s a lot to say about Bad Company 2. There’s even more to say about how good it is. When it comes down to it, there’s really very little to say bad about Bad Company 2. While the game is currently plagued by connectivity issues because of hordes of players wanting to rack up and rank up, we are positive that DICE and EA will ammend these issues as soon as possible. There are often complaints about the kill delays, and those small things that ruin the game for some people. But most of the time, they are fine. We are sure DICE, along with multiple patches, will add plenty of extra content to keep that hunger of Bad Company 2 going, as was evident from the first game.

What makes Bad Company 2 what it is, though? There’s one crucial thing that I’ve saved for last, and that is the destruction 2.0 system. Throughout the various landscapes that are prevalent in multiplayer and single player, you, as the man behind the weapon, hold the privilege of destroying terrain as you see fit. However, saying terrain is rather the wrong word, as it is more of destroying structure. Small holes can be put into the ground as cover, but most of the destruction occurs above ground. Whole buildings can collapse with proper planning, and you can even blow through that wall your enemy is hiding behind. Its an action packed innovative way to keep the rounds fresh and new each time. It is what makes Bad Company 2 more of Bad Company 2 than the generic FPS game. All in all, Bad Company 2 is a great FPS. There are flaws, yes, but those flaws will not leave you disliking the game anymore, but those flaws are overshadowed by the unique things that Bad Company 2 has begun and done right. An FPS fan of any kind is sure to find something he leaves in this hallmark of the genre.