Battlefield: Bad Company 2 was a "Surprize" released on Xbox Live yesterday 28th Jan 2010 after much anticipation from fans of first-person shooters. The Playstation 3 version already had its beta late last year and the PC received its beta starting today. So, how does the “non-beta” multiplayer demo on Xbox 360 version shape-up?

 

 

The demo is set in snowy Port Valdez, Alaska and finds you and three teammates either defending or attacking objectives set squeezed in between a coast line and a range of snowy mountains. The multiplayer mode is called 'Rush' and pits the U.S. (defenders) against the Russians (attackers). The objective is for the attackers to set off explosive crates located at two strategic points on the map and the defenders to prevent that. If the crates are detonated, then a new section of the map is opened up with two new objectives that the defenders must fall back to defend while the attackers push forward with a fresh set of tickets (lives). This goes on until either all the four sets of objectives are destroyed or the pool of tickets of the attackers is used up.

 

 

The comparisons between Battlefield: Bad Company 2 and Modern Warfare 2 are obvious and inevitable given the closeness of their releases and the fact that they are set in modern to near-future times. Beyond that, however, the games are actually distinctly different. Most notably the addition of land vehicles from tanks to Bradley fighting vehicles to 4-wheelers and aerial vehicles including Apaches, Blackhawks, and UAVs. Other obvious differences for Bad Company 2 include much larger maps, destructible environments, no time limit, less classes along with less class customization, and no perks. Less obvious differences between the two games include unlimited sprinting, faster weapon switching, and less forgiving aiming. After playing a month or more of Modern Warfare 2, your first game or two will likely to be a bit jarring as you adjust.

 

 

How does Bad Company 2 play? If you've ever played any of the previous Battlefield games, you'll be in familiar (if not smaller) territory. The up to 24 person combat can be a bit grating to those familiar with the Battlefield series' history of up to 64 players but the ability to spawn with your squad alleviates this somewhat by keeping you and your team together to make the battle feel bigger than it is. And you'll definitely want to join a squad. Otherwise, you'll be stuck spawning at the previous base. The squads help facilitate teamwork as well since it is essential. The side that has a bunch of lone wolves will likely be the side that loses against the other team with just one or two competent squads.

 

The destructible environments definitely give Bad Company 2 a leg up over other multiplayer games as it is truly perversely satisfying to watch buildings disintegrate under heavy tank fire and trees fall as they are cut down by gunfire and explosions. It also adds a certain level of tenseness to the game as there really is no cover among the building, trees, and other structures. The only cover that will offer sure protection is behind rocks and other natural ground elements.

 

I did experience a few glitches in the game other than those related to connection issues and lag (which was light but not unexpected with a newly released popular demo). Clipping was noticeable as player's bodies stuck out through walls while crouched. I even fell through the stairs on the tower by the construction site. Though, I'm not sure if that was necessarily a glitch or lag related. I also unexpectedly fell to my death once while parachuting even though I only had my controller resting in my hands and touched no buttons. Was someone firing at me? Didn't seem like it. Overall though, the glitches were light in my several play-throughs.

 

So, how does the Battlefield: Bad Company 2 multiplayer demo rate? Very promising actually. There's enough uniqueness to differentiate it between the other shooters in the genre and it is an enjoyable play complete with the “one more round” syndrome that all good games should possess.