Battlefield: Bad Company 2
- March 2, 2010
- DICE
- 65h median play time
Battlefield: Bad Company 2 hasn't revolutionized the shooter genre, but it takes everything good about FPS's and combines it in one fantastic game.
Battlefield: Bad Company 2 is a first-person shooter game that offers a destructible environment and a variety of weapons. The single-player campaign follows a group of misfits fighting in a fictional war, while the multiplayer mode supports up to 24 players in diverse locations. The game is known for its intense vehicular combat and squad-based gameplay.
Reviews
- story1,069 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 51 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The story of "Battlefield: Bad Company 2" is generally viewed as a mix of entertaining and cliché elements, featuring a ragtag group of soldiers on a mission to thwart a Russian superweapon plot. While some players appreciate the humor and character interactions, many find the narrative predictable and lacking depth compared to earlier titles in the series. Overall, the campaign is considered enjoyable for its action and character dynamics, despite its shortcomings in originality and coherence.
“The campaign story of the game is your generic and unilateral 'America good, Russia bad', but the characters are actually reasonable, stereotyped, but sometimes the story is just self-aware.”
“The story, while lighthearted at times, also manages to strike a balance with moments of seriousness and genuine emotional connection to the characters.”
“The single-player campaign has a great story, which will pull you really into the game.”
“The story is bland and the gameplay for single player is boring as hell.”
“The campaign is short, but the design is so bad and the story (more like the writing) is plain stupid.”
“The story is pretty much non-existent and it feels like there is way less gameplay than there was in the first one.”
- graphics854 mentions
- 54 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Battlefield: Bad Company 2" are generally regarded as impressive for a game released in 2010, with many players noting that they have aged well and still hold up against modern titles. While some reviews mention that the graphics can appear dated in certain aspects, the detailed environments, destructible scenery, and overall visual quality contribute to a visually appealing experience. Overall, the game is praised for its solid graphics, which enhance the immersive gameplay and sound design.
“The graphics are impressive, with detailed environments and destruction effects that stand out.”
“The graphics in the game are also extraordinarily well designed.”
“This game is a masterpiece, from its sound design and visuals to its amazing gameplay and exciting action.”
“Integrated graphics are still far too underpowered to get an acceptable framerate.”
“The texture resolution is the most dated part of the graphics, and the fog and glare/bloom can be downright opaque in some areas where you need to see.”
“The graphics are dated, the AI is buggy, and the campaign is very short (only about 8 hours at most).”
- gameplay841 mentions
- 46 % positive mentions
- 49 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The gameplay of *Battlefield: Bad Company 2* is widely praised for its engaging mechanics, dynamic environments, and extensive destruction features, which enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the balance between tactical squad-based gameplay and fast-paced action, complemented by a variety of weapons and vehicles that encourage strategic play. Despite some criticisms regarding its age and occasional bugs, the game remains a beloved classic in the FPS genre, noted for its fun and immersive multiplayer experience.
“Considered one of the best games in the franchise, the game offers an exceptional combination of tactical gameplay, engaging narrative, and a robust multiplayer experience.”
“The gameplay itself is dynamic, with a variety of missions and scenarios that keep the player engaged from start to finish.”
“Its groundbreaking destruction system, vehicular combat, and teamwork-focused gameplay set it apart as a classic in the Battlefield franchise.”
“The gameplay is terrible; no recoil, the gun stats are false since you can have a shot killing gun at any part of the body.”
“The gameplay feels very static, and the levels are just boring.”
“The gameplay was shallow and weird, and it didn't feel solid.”
- humor246 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -1 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised, characterized by witty banter and memorable character interactions that enhance both the single-player campaign and multiplayer experience. Players appreciate the blend of comedic dialogue and chaotic action, often likening it to a humorous take on military tropes, though some feel the humor can be hit or miss. Overall, the game's lighthearted tone and funny moments contribute significantly to its charm and enjoyment.
“The game effectively blends humor and action, delivering a captivating narrative that stands out for its sharp writing and character development.”
“You'll be laughing your butt off as your squadmates bicker and make inappropriate jokes, all while blowing things up and taking out enemy soldiers.”
“The conversations between the team are hilarious and witty; you look forward to the dialogue and funny one-liners.”
“They try to be funny, but it just isn't.”
“The humor falls flat and feels forced.”
“I expected laughs, but the jokes missed the mark.”
- stability90 mentions
- 9 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 91 % negative mentions
The game's stability is widely criticized, with numerous reports of bugs, glitches, and crashes that significantly detract from the overall experience. While some players find the gameplay enjoyable despite these issues, many express frustration over the frequency and severity of the problems, particularly in the campaign mode. Overall, the game is considered somewhat unstable, with a mix of minor and major technical flaws that can hinder playability.
“The gameplay - nearly five years later - is still entertaining, and with the hardware requirements no longer near top end, the game runs great on most modern systems.”
“It has a good campaign, has great multiplayer and runs great on bad PCs.”
“Runs great on lower end PCs.”
“The campaign is buggy as hell.”
“It's literally unplayable because of the bugs and glitches.”
“The single-player is still unfixed, there are too many glitches and bugs that I faced while playing the game that I don't know what's going on.”
- music76 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its high quality and ability to enhance the gaming experience, particularly in the Vietnam DLC, which features nostalgic tracks that fit the setting well. However, some players noted that the in-game music can be sparse or repetitive, with a few expressing that they hardly noticed it during gameplay. Overall, while the soundtrack is generally appreciated, its impact varies among players, with some finding it immersive and others feeling it lacks memorability.
“The soundtrack, a blend of adrenaline-pumping action and poignant melodies, was the perfect accompaniment to our most memorable battles.”
“The music fits well, adding to the immersion and atmosphere.”
“Fantastic, Vietnam really transports you to a different time and lets you explore the terrors of combat during the Vietnam War through period weapons, sounds, vehicles, and even music.”
“When it comes to music, to be honest, I didn't even notice it.”
“I don't know if that's good or bad, but in my 2-hour campaign the only song I noticed was the main menu one.”
“The single player campaign is short, linear, full of bad dialogue, boring, shallow characters (except for maybe your squad's sergeant), and even worse music.”
- optimization68 mentions
- 37 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The game's optimization varies significantly across different hardware configurations, with many users reporting excellent performance on modern PCs and even low-end systems, while others experience severe issues, particularly with Intel graphics. Overall, the game is praised for its graphics and smooth gameplay on capable machines, but it suffers from bugs and performance drops on certain setups, especially older or less powerful hardware. Despite these inconsistencies, many players find it well-optimized for a game of its age, particularly when using the right settings.
“The PC version of this game supports a higher player count per server compared to consoles, and graphic options and performance scale much beyond the original console version settings. It is missing the co-operative 'onslaught' mode DLC, though.”
“And it is very well optimized as well, so even with a low-end PC, you can still run this game well.”
“This game is amazing; you would not know until you play it. This game is really well optimized, making it easy to work with cars and helicopters!”
“Badly optimized on Intel GPUs, causing crashes, bugs, and issues. I can't believe this is worse than BF3 with bugs; I had to restart this game like 10 times just to get in the tank. Anyway, do not buy if you have Intel graphics or CPU.”
“The only problem with it is the Frostbite engine, which has always been a bit unoptimized and it 'eats' around 40 FPS, which is a lot, but don’t mind the frames.”
“It's very buggy, poorly optimized, and just isn't as much fun as it is when I play it on the console.”
- atmosphere55 mentions
- 65 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in the game is widely praised for its immersive sound design, detailed graphics, and engaging environments, creating a chaotic yet captivating battlefield experience. Players appreciate the combination of ambient noises, music, and environmental effects that enhance the overall immersion, making it feel authentic and alive. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to evoke strong emotions and a sense of presence, particularly in multiplayer modes, solidifying its reputation as one of the most atmospheric entries in the genre.
“The graphics and gameplay create such a unique atmosphere; I can keep playing it for hours and just keep coming back for more.”
“The atmosphere alone is incredible, making it feel and sound like you're really in the game.”
“The most fantastic, thrilling, and intense military atmosphere I have ever played in an FPS.”
“The game is okay, I guess; a saturated atmosphere with sound, particles, and invisible enemies coming from all sides.”
“People tend to buy this game when it's cheap and they ruin the whole atmosphere.”
“The atmosphere is just spot-on with the radio chatter in the background when the game loads up, making everything come together.”
- replayability50 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
Overall, the game boasts high replayability, particularly in its multiplayer modes, where extensive weapon and vehicle customization, along with destructible environments, enhance the experience. Players appreciate the varied gameplay options and the ability to approach levels differently, contributing to a sense of longevity. However, some users note that the single-player campaign offers limited replay value outside of difficulty adjustments, while multiplayer remains a strong draw.
“The customization of weapons and vehicles, as well as the progression system, add depth and replayability to the multiplayer.”
“Another strength of the game is its replayability and longevity.”
“The game's multiplayer modes also provide a high level of replayability, as players can team up with friends or join online communities to compete against other players from around the world.”
“Very linear gameplay with little replayability outside of PvP.”
“Nothing special... no replay value, really.”
“It's much easier to unlock everything, making its replay value much lower than BF3.”
- grinding22 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 27 % neutral mentions
- 73 % negative mentions
The reviews consistently highlight that grinding in the game is excessively tedious and time-consuming, often requiring players to invest significant effort to progress. Many users express frustration with the grind, describing it as boring and generic, while some mention modded servers that alleviate this issue by offering faster progression options. Overall, the grinding aspect detracts from the enjoyment of the game, making it feel sluggish and aimless.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“It's tedious to the point that I started not wanting to play the game.”
“Battlefield: Bad Company 2 is difficult to pick up and play, as it requires an obscene amount of grinding to give you any ability within the multiplayer, and the campaign is as boring and shallow as any other FPS.”
- monetization20 mentions
- 15 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its lack of microtransactions, providing a refreshing experience free from the typical monetization pitfalls seen in many modern titles. Players appreciate that it focuses on gameplay rather than pushing in-game purchases, although some express concerns about potential future monetization trends. Overall, the absence of microtransactions is highlighted as a significant positive aspect of the game.
“Finally a game without annoying microtransactions that just works and is actually fun.”
“Good campaign and multiplayer with no microtransactions.”
“Some of the most fun I've had in a FPS ever, plus no microtransactions which is a plus.”
“Where is the loot boxes and microtransactions?”
“Just wait before the franchise turns into a free-to-play game with microtransactions and before it invades the Android platform.”
“Worse, they pre-sell the map packs and rope you into other microtransactions.”
- emotional17 mentions
- 94 % positive mentions
- -12 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
Reviews highlight a mix of emotional experiences in the game, with some players appreciating the balance between lighthearted moments and serious themes that foster genuine connections to characters. However, others criticize the inconsistent emotional weight of the story and find certain attempts at emotional depth to be overshadowed by comedic elements. Overall, while some players feel a strong sense of camaraderie and emotional investment, others find the narrative lacking in impactful moments.
“The story, while lighthearted at times, also manages to strike a balance with moments of seriousness and genuine emotional connection to the characters.”
“The storyline is so perfectly written, the Aurora mission at the start, set in WWII, then later in the campaign you find out what actually happened; after hearing what happened at the Aurora mission made me feel a little empty inside.”
“Rarely has a shooter ever made me feel so much like a part of a team trying to win, not just boost stats.”
“The story was incredibly dull and failed to evoke any emotional response.”
“I found the narrative to be unengaging, making it hard to connect with the characters.”
“The emotional moments felt forced and lacked the depth needed to resonate with players.”
- character development6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is a mixed bag; while some reviews praise the sharp writing and humorous, flawed characters that contribute to a captivating narrative, others feel it falls short, lacking depth and complexity. The character design is noted as iconic and adds to the overall experience, but the brevity of the campaign limits the potential for deeper development. Overall, the main characters receive commendation for their engaging arcs, though opinions vary on the overall effectiveness of character growth throughout the game.
“The game effectively blends humor and action, delivering a captivating narrative that stands out for its sharp writing and character development.”
“They are flawed, full of piss and vinegar, and spout humor and character development instead of angst and cigar-chomping rage.”
“Singleplayer story is great, and the game's main characters are the best; their character development is also very good.”
“It's an ok campaign but the character development wasn't there and it felt short.”
“Lasting less than 5 hours at best, on absolutely highest difficulty sports some comedic character development, military satire and not much else.”
“They are flawed, full of piss and vinegar and spout humor and character development instead of angst and cigar-chomping rage.”
Critic Reviews
Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Review
A polished entry in the Battlefield series, with a deep and engaging multiplayer component.
85%Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Review
Battlefield: Bad Company 2 hasn't revolutionized the shooter genre, but it takes everything good about FPS's and combines it in one fantastic game.
95%Battlefield Bad Company 2 review
90%