Battlefield Bad Company 2 - Game Informer Review

Game Informer magazine march 2010.

• Graphics
The heavy use of particle effects in the desert sandstorms and mountain peak blizzards adds a wild card elements to firefights.

• Sound
From head-rattling explosions to the clatterof bullet cassings hitting the ground, this is the best sound design in the genre.It's so detailed you can hear the footsteps of soldiers approaching from behind.

• Playability
Smoother aiming and tightened vehicle controls improve the moment-to-moment experience, and the new health regeneration system greatly aids the pacing of the single-player campaign.

• Entertainment
A vastly improved single-player campaign complements some of the best tactical multiplayer action on the planet

• Replay value
High

Score: 9.5 - Second opinion: 9.5

[NateNater]

Nice review. Looking forward to this game. Too bad I already knew what score they were giving so it wasn't really a surprise to me.

[deadreckoning666]

Man, this an God of War 3 are gunna take over March! DICE deserves it too. The beta was the most entertaining FPS I've ever played. If KZ3 ends up having large scale destructibility, we'll know why :)

[darkmurder]

Take that COD!

[AliTheBrit19]

Don't forget Metro 2033

March FTW

[tehReaper]

The beta is pretty good. Sniping is actually really fun if you get a good squad and travel on the sides of the hills.

Day one purchase!

[Saaking]

I expect great things from this game. I played the PS3 beta and I've been playing the 360 demo. It's just so much fun.

[Kevin ButIer]

Third opinion: 100

Owned :P

[Millah]

This is such a great game, they deserve this score. Everything is so well designed and polished. Best online shooter thats out there right now.

The sound in this game is also pretty incredible. Probably the best sound in any shooter out there. You really need to experience this game with a pair of high quality headphones like the ATH AD-700s or Senn HD555s. It is so engrossing you just feel like you're in a real battle. Plus you can really pinpoint where enemies are, especially with the AD700s.

[solar]

the game is an a-load of fun with mates in a squad. or mates on the other team. playing by yourself its fun, but not as fun. i cant wait for the full version.

[captain-obvious]

man i really cant wait to get my hands on my limited edition
i cant get my hands of the demo
lol
i just love pwnin n00bs and blow sh!t up

[hazardman]

I played the demo this morning..the game is frikkin FIRE!!!! Day 1 buy for me..

[Maddens Raiders]

would develop a great looking fps, with kickass gameplay, ATV's, tanks, Humvees, UAV's, choppers, and destructible environs. Oh...wait a minute....nvmd lol

[ar]

Why on earth would I want to use headphones when I got a 2000€ surround system? ;)

[Old Greg]

I look forward to picking it up, the demo can get tiring, only b/c its the same thing over and over and im ready for some new maps, weapons, and vehicles. I usually play a single player campaign all the way thru first, then play multiplayer, but i might actually tap into multiplayer first with this one.

is there supposed to be a demo of Metro 2033?

[TheBand1t]

Add me if anyone is interested in playing a bit of BC2 together.

PSN: TheBand1t. Specialize in anti-vehicle warfare and helicopter piloting.

[-Alpha]

This game will be ace.

Edit: Ha.

By the way, did they play the full MP or not? Review seems early, is there an embargo or something?

[Endless_X]

You have a dirty mind.

[xabmol]

"Thought it was an anime porn site when I first opened it.."

*clicks link* x]

The only bad thing I can say about this game is that there needs to be a way to talk to people outside your 4 man squad. It gets rather frustrating when you need ammo and the person next to you, with ammo, just walks away. Other then that this game looks ACE! D1P

[Lemmiwinks]

theres to many games to buy. lol ill get it for PC for sure

[Umbrella Corp]

Not surprised DICE gets the job done and nicely as well.

[Endless_X]

- "Review seems early, is there an embargo or something?"

I guess this is a exclusive review.

- "did they play the full MP or not?"

Yes, they did.

Here are the review scans, courtesy of 'Entei7':

http://www.imgxc.com/fullim...
http://www.imgxc.com/fullim...

[-Alpha]

Thanks for the scans.

By the way, on a random note, I am getting MAG, so that should kill my boredom before BC2 arrives.

[Lou Ferrigno]

great score of course.. though for me the beta was ALOT more fun then the recent demo.

ill keep an eye on this game still,ive got MAG witch is keeping me on my gaming buzz so far soo ill see.

[Major Kanimo]

i remember the ps3 beta was pretty epic felt like a war movie when i was rocking the abrams on that desert map, i cant wait for the full game :)

[evrfighter]

im gonna agree. That desert map was fun. It would have been the perfect map for the pc beta.

Port Valdez is kinda linear which is why you see snipers everywhere. But still a fun map....Just I'm not gonna play for a long long time after bc2 launches

[happy_gilmore]

EA must have been handing out blank cheques to bribe these blind reviewers.

why no mention of jaggies galore, pop-ups, and low res textures when mag was blasted for its graphics? btw, mag has no pop-ups and no jaggies. poor textures should have been forgiven because it's a 256 player game.

@alfalfa are you saying that bc2 is a tactical shooter? LMAO, bro. that game is as arcade as mw2. bc2 is unreal tournament 3 with modern warfare setting. btw, UT3 looks 10 times better than this POS.

[MerkinMax]

Grow up and play something else.

[ALFAxD_CENTAURO]

Who cares about Graphics when you have the most amazing intense/tactical gameplay.

I mean, MAG is a revolutionary game, making a difference the history, in online FPS for the videoconsoles (no one can denied that).

If MAG sucks, then why thousands of gamers are playing right now MAG? Leaving behind MW2 or others shooter...

------------------------

About BFBC2, amazing FPS.
Also the Sound and special FX is the best design I ever heard in Games.

[Ultra Gamer]

We get it, you hate the game. Posting the same retarded comment on every BC2 article isn't going to change our minds. Go play something else and f*ck off!

[Gobuz]

I have never enjoyed a multiplayer demo more than BC2, in fact i love the demo more than the whole MW2 game. This is a must buy for me and my son, 2 x BC2 limited Edition on pre-order.

[ALFAxD_CENTAURO]

@happy_gilmore

''are you saying that bc2 is a tactical shooter? LMAO, bro. that game is as arcade as mw2. bc2 is unreal tournament 3 with modern warfare setting. btw, UT3 looks 10 times better than this POS.''

Im saying MAG is Tactical, more tactical than others.

BC2 is tactical too, you are with a Squad trying to make a plan to attack or defend, but if you want more tactics, go for MAG.

MW2 is not even worth to mention.

[Foxgod]

Damn, i wasnt really interested in this game, because the last one offered a terrible single player experience, and i dont care so much about multiplayer.
But this one seems to make all up for it

[Jorrel56]

Been playing a TON of the demo. March 2nd can't come soon enough!

Make sure you hit up the Amazon deal if you're looking to get it. $20 Amazon credit for pre-ordering!

[jessupj]

I'd love to, but I'm Australian and as far as Amazon is concerned, I don't exist.

[subzero-08]

Awesome, I'm pumped for this game.

[Dutch Boogie]

Great review. Can't wait to own noobs in the multiplayer right after the single player campaign ofcourse hehe.

[bjornbear]

you get to own n00bs early =D

[KilZoneGeneralStrife]

Is freakin sweet! Day 1 buy for me!this is the best everyday shooter for me.besides the fact that after my university classes everyday,I get home play the Port Valdez demo and it helps me wind down and relax.epic.Im verrrry impressed.I know it cant top MW2 sales..but it deserves to

[Faztkiller]

I hate DICE multiplayer games But since they made the single play good may pick this up later when price comes down

[LostCypher11]

IMO DICE does 2 things better then anyone else in the industry. MP and Sound. MP is nothing really new. but it's always Fun and doesn't seem to grow stale. Still play BF2 on PC and BC1 on 360 all the time. And well sound. No one Comes close when it comes to that

[TrevorPhillips]

Definitly buying this game day one, love the demo :)

Also getting these following games this year:

- Perfect Dark XBLA
- Halo: Reach
- Alan Wake
- God of War 3
- Gran Turismo 5
- Heavy Rain
- Super Street Fighter 4
- Resident Evil 5 Gold Edition

[proximately]

*beholds as the person in question flails his arms around and jump like a donkey playing Super Mario Bros while screaming "LOOK! I'M NOT A FANBOY, I'M SO AWESOME!" and then continues on to read the full review*

[Killjoy3000]

I have almost 2000 kills in the demo alone. One game I got 7500 points!! Man I love this game!! March cannot come soon enough.

[orange-skittle]

I had 24,000 point in one match. 10,000 for the 100 headshot pin. I went 47/6 and earned at least 20 other pins. Too bad it's just a demo. I have racked up of 250,000 points in 3 weeks and that's w/o playing everyday. I was fooling around one night and wasn't really targeting anyone but kept getting shot while I was exploring. I ended the match with 6/6 and I wasn't ever trying. Wait until the real game comes out and people see the perk system and customizable weapons. They are gonna freak when they unlock bigger weapons cache's, red dot scopes, mortar strikes, and better armor.

[jessupj]

I'm pretty sure he just ment his combat score. Of course it's easy to get 25k if you include your pins.

I mostly care about my kill ratio since I don't play the sniper role much. At the moment it's 1.57 with 1055 kills/670 deaths. So a little above average.

[TheBand1t]

I'm sitting pretty at a 3.18 K/D ratio. Currently ranked 471 in the Leaderboards. 2677 kills to 841 deaths.

[frankymv]

Absolutely awesome game!! Even playing the same map and game mode over and over is incredible fun. DAY 1.

[ballsofsteel]

ugh BFBC2 wasn't even on my map but after playing the demo i can't not get this game. which means i'm now going to buy heavy rain, FF13, and GOW3 along with BFBC2. thats about $250 in less than a month!!!!

[Close_Second]

...is to limit the number of snipers on a team at a given time. Too many times I end up in a squad where the other 3 players are sitting at the back of the map sniping.

Also, the number if times the defending team storm the first hill and effectively spawn kill the incoming team is annoying. Sure you can do it but its not fun for those players hoping for a bit more strategy.

Other than that I frigging love this game and I will be buying 2 copies so I can play on-line with my brother!

[psycho360]

I agree with the snipers issue. WTH when you die and want to spawn you either spawn from your base or captured point or from way back where your sniping team members are. You need to run again all the way and before you know it u're sniped by the opposing side. Gets frustrated at times. I also preferred MW2's kill cam better than when you're shot shown a clip of the guy after he's killed you, taken a shower had breakfast.

[razielsparadox]

hope its a good port dammit...!!!

[Maddens Raiders]

2 comments in and already making ^^^^ those illogical statements? You do realize that the PS3 was the 1st beta test vehicle for this game? So yeah it will be a good "port". >_>
Fail.

[DelbertGrady]

And Ghostbusters was developed with the PS3 as lead platform. Look how that turned out.

Here's a pointer for BC2: http://n4g.com/NewsCom-4755...

[TheBand1t]

So....pretty much identical there, Soda?

[twoheadedturtle]

You aren't countering Madden's arguement, cuz he is saying we've already tried it out and know how it is. We didn't have the chance to compare Ghostbusters beforehand.

[RiceKrispies]

this game looks amazing

[Dave1351]

God happy gilmore i hope you get a tumor (not the real one the loser posing as him). if you dont like the game dont play it. you dont have to whine about it in every article

It's not about the graphics its about how fun and entertaining the game is, they look fine anyway

[XDF]

I spent and will spend more on Games this 1/2 half of 2010 than I did all of 2009.

1.Bayonetta(X360) Purchased
2. Darksiders (X360) Purchased
3. Mass Effect 2 (X360) Purchased
4. Dante's Inferno (PS3) Purchased
5. Bioshock 2 (X360) Purchased
6. Aliens vs Predator (X360) Prepaid
7. Heavy Rain (PS3) Will buy at end of Feb
8. Battlefied: BC 2 (X360) Will buy Middle of March
9. GOW3 (PS3) Prepaid
10. FF13 (PS3) Prepaid
11. Metro 2033 Will buy end of March
12. Splinter Cell Conviction (X360) Prepaid
13. Red Dead Redemption (X360) Day One
14. Alan Wake CE (X360) Prepaid
15. Lost Planet 2 (X360) Will buy End of May
16. SSF4 (PS3) Will Buy End of May
17. Crackdown 2 (X360) Jun day one

I think that should do it.

[AEtherbane]

Thats over $1,100 USD with tax

[DirtyLary]

So how much are you spending on your gf?

[M0t0rBreath]

What I really like from BC2 is the diversity of the game. The maps look very diverse as well as the game modes.

[bobrea]

Awesome review. I'll be picking this up once I finally have some money to spend!

[spektical]

wow cant wait.
i really cant take the crap on MW2 anymore i have 2.09 k/d ratio but lately i've been rage quitting whenever is see someone glitching the drops, or using akimbo 1887's >.>

[MysticStrummer]

I'll be playing this game for the single player only. Played the demo for about 10 minutes before I deleted. I didn't like it at all.

[The Meerkat]

I'm with you.

Played it for about an hour and thought is was awful.
I get a feeling that people are saying they like this just as a way of bashing MW2.

[xabmol]

Does your family have a history of mental illness?

That demo is FRIKIN sweet!! Me and some of my MGO friends have decided to move on to BFBC2 because we all think it's so awesome! The aiming is smooth and responsive, movement is great, classes are well balanced, map size is perfect, vehicles are amazing, and the bullet fall is somthing I've never seen before in a MP game. I've played the demo for 36+ hours, got the 24 hour pin a while ago, and every time I look over at my clock it's like 3am and I'm like o_O oh shi... I need to get to bed!

And that's one map, one game mode!

You, Sir, must love your MW2 A LOT!! I personally don't care for the game, no. It was fun for what it was, but it is also broken and unbalanced(10 kill steak now I get a hovering free kill machine). It just isn't the kind of competitive MP game I am looking for. I'd honestly say that MW2 is about as serious a competitive game as UC2. Not at all. Fun, no doubt, but not to be taken seriously, imo.

[dbieon12]

The demo does not do this game justice.

I played the beta extensively and it destroyed a "full release" MW2. Not even close.

In all honesty, a beta version of MAG destroyed a "full release" MW2.

[darx]

No need to bash MW2 the is head and shoulders a better game. IMO.

[DirtyLary]

A whole hour?

lol gtfo

[chak_]

bc2 + metro 2033 + just cause 2 = best march ever.

ever

[tigertron]

Good review, day one buy for me!

[cpuchess]

The demo has been awesome, can't wait for the full version!

[belowradar]

I'm glad to hear that a lot of you guys are interested in picking this game up. I've never been a fan of the battlefield series. I've played the beta and wasn't interested. They have a ton of cool ideas in play and I hope that other developers take heed and implement some of things DICE does in their game. Destructible environments in this gen should be something that all multiplayers should have.
I've been having a ton of fun with Bioshock MP and I have MAG as well so right now I'm gonna pass.
It's in my Gamefly que so if they grab me from the actual game then I'll admit I'm full of hot air.
I'd don't go for GI reviews anyways. I cancelled my subscription because I never agreed with their reviews. Don't with rant. Sorry :>/

[N4BmpS]

Woow 9.5/10 aka 95/100 Nice. This is going to take MW2's seat as king of modern day shooters. Simply because IW can't get their sh1t together. I think IW need to Omega test MW2 if they're gonna do it that is.

[Daves]

That made me chuckle :) Shall use that phrase at work.

[DirtyLary]

IW don't care. They already have your money.

[Sheikah]

March is going to be killer... Firstly, following in the wake of Heavy Rain and Red Steel II... Those titles are going to be hard to put down.

Come March, with massive titles such as BC2, GOW3, FFXIII... I'm going to be a busy/poor man :(

but MAN am I excited. 'I luv ma choppers!' in this game.

[Phish]

I played the PS3 beta, and the 360 demo and loved them both. I ended up pre-ordering the 360 version although I'm still not sure if there is going to be any difference between each version.

[ZILLA]

BATTLEFIELD BAAAAAAAAAD COMPANY 2 is the GREATEST SHOOTER OF ALL TIME!!theres a storm coming..............3/2/10

[karan8624]

I LIKE TYPING IN CAPS TOO!!!

[jalen247]

Excellent score. Can't wait to play the game.

[chasegarcia]

I can't see what game informer sees in this game. Its not a 9.5. I will say maybe an 8. I got an hdtv and this game does not look that good and game-play is also not that great. Where is prone? lol I read the magazine yesterday. They gave Alien vs Predator like a 5. A freaking 5?!?! AvP is just as good as this game if not better. if you plan on buying this buy it at amazon.com and get $20 credit.

[Ashriel]

maybe they reviewed the PC version. It's so much better looking than consoles.

[wutangkillabees]

man everyone always rags on the snipers. i play sniper and i am at the top three every single game. most of the time i have to plant the bomb and defuse. spotting is key in the game and i spot out everyone so its easier for my team to kill. also snipers kill the tanks the majority of the time so i dont know why people rag on the snipers so much. in the beta i went with the t88 with red dot scope and i wrecked people. add me on psn WUTANGKILLABEES and snipers are key to winning the game. along with all the classes.

[TheBand1t]

haha, I played with you once before. Don't recall how well you did though.

[wutangkillabees]

were you on my team?

[Ashriel]

Isn't gameinformer too generous with their scores? :/

Whatever, I was in the beta and I f*cking loved it. So the full game can only be better.

[mr mintleaf]

The beta and demo were only highlighting the RUSH game mode, or same as Gold Rush from BadCo 1... battlefield games are traditionally known for their Conquest mode, which will also be in BC2, plus, if you read internets, 3 squad deathmatch, and whatever else might surprise..

The Beta was so solid, I consider it a 1st demo, the current one, the second.

Peace. (or war, in this case)

[cmrbe]

i knew this game is a must buy. I also knew then that i will never ever need to buy a COD again.

[scruffie1]

The only thing that disapointed me was the 4 square mile multiplayer maps. Took a bloody age to get from one side of the map to the other.

[Rhezin]

glad to see soo many BC2 fans over MW fans. Finally, people that can see a great game when its in their face! See you on the battlefield fellow soldiers on 3/2/2010!

[Dead_Cell]

My god the sound is just ear porn.

[Daves]

Thanks to Ben Minto and the rest of the team there.

[AEtherbane]

Makes me all warm and fuzzy inside. lets jsut hope there wont be terrible glitches in online MP.

[Daves]

22 hours of play so far.

Can't wait for the full game.

Some things I wish for though:

* More than 4 in a squad / clan support (or comms between squads)
* The ability to quit a game at the end, without having to start a new one in order to then exit.
* Why oh why can't I just jump into another squad without having to go to xmb and send invite etc... (I can kinda see why as ppl would jump squad all the time to find the best spawn) Could be a little more elegant.

TBH, minor gripes aside, loving it. Deffo purchase.

[Kev2077]

great game ..love the demo dose anyone know how many maps there will be for online ?

[Toman85]

Get this one on day one :)
Hope it will be better experience than Modern Glitchfare 2

[ATi_Elite]

I wont' get a chance to play till LAn PArty on the 5th (work)
I can't wait play.
BBC2 FTW.

[Grimhammer00]

I'm having trouble wth bc2! I recognize it's awesomeness....but
I'm ready to go vet. in MAG.
Is there different skins or are you limited to whatever faction the game chooses for you?
Why does the textures look so muddy inthe demo? I play on a 720p 50"..
I'm a huge fan of shooters..i'll be getting this day 1, but I feel like the hype is too much.

[stuntman_mike]

i think if you want top marks for your games this year you better turn it into a FPS regardless the background.

Sonic FPS 95/100
sonic adventure 01/100

who said variety was dead lol :S

[Grimhammer00]

So true! But it seems like FPS's are the mainstay of console gaming.
Who here though thinks the move stop turn move while running is good? I'm not looking for MW2 - in fact I'm selling it tomorrow as trade in. But, the running is odd.
Or what's up with the wobbling while moving.... It seems horribly exaggerated