Joystiq hands-on: Bad Company 2 (multiplayer)
by Kevin Kelly 
{ May 22nd 2009 at 11:00AM } 
It took 45 minutes to peel myself out of the chair, ears ringing, and come back into the space where EA was hosting a recent preview event in Los Angeles. I'd finally pried myself away from an intense Battlefield: Bad Company 2 multiplayer session where I'd joined three other attendees and eight remote EA staffers in a characteristically chaotic, 12-on-12 battle. It was the most fun I'd had playing an online, multiplayer FPS in a long while.
The destructible environments, of course, are the returning gameplay gimmick, but it's still just as satisfying as in the first game to pulverize the foundation of a enemy's refuge, bringing the building down and a pesky sniper with it. I turned every building in site into piles of sheet rock and debris. It's not as much fun when your opponents aren't hiding inside, but I really didn't need much of an excuse to launch another mortar shell from inside my tank. No structure was safe.
The destructible environments, of course, are the returning gameplay gimmick, but it's still just as satisfying as in the first game to pulverize the foundation of a enemy's refuge, bringing the building down and a pesky sniper with it. I turned every building in site into piles of sheet rock and debris. It's not as much fun when your opponents aren't hiding inside, but I really didn't need much of an excuse to launch another mortar shell from inside my tank. No structure was safe.
Gallery: Battlefield: Bad Company 2
I opted for the cozy confines of the M-1 Abrams tank, mostly because I kept spawning near it, but there was a variety of vehicles to commandeer, from ordinary jeeps to a Blackhawk helicopter that could accommodate an entire five-solider squad.
I didn't get to test out the flying, since, the one time I did hop into a small chopper, the match ended just after liftoff. Still, quite a few folks seemed to be digging the view from above, as there was no shortage of players in the match who took to the skies.
I noticed that the medic is now equipped with shock paddles instead of magical health packs. While I loved knowing he was nearby to shock me back to life, I didn't actually embody the character myself. Being the medic just isn't sexy. At least, being the medic means you can't be the guy who blows everything up. Maybe the paddle action will entice people to give the ol' red-cross a whirl, but a medic only has ten seconds to locate a downed ally and administer the life-saving zap. Besides, the worst kind of medic is a dead medic, and I had plenty of trouble staying alive. I wonder if you can self-administer a jolt ... I need to check into that next time.
While we were confined to a single map, Snowbound, I enjoyed the multiplayer preview immensely. The map was dotted with plenty of nooks and crannies to seek shelter in, if only temporarily, and various mounted weapons to use. The game looked extremely polished, and the controls were solid both on foot and behind the wheel. Unfortunately, I didn't learn anything new about the single-player missions or get a taste of that patented Bad Company humor. The game is still a few months away, though, so we're expecting to see a lot more soon enough.
Being the medic just isn't sexy. |
I noticed that the medic is now equipped with shock paddles instead of magical health packs. While I loved knowing he was nearby to shock me back to life, I didn't actually embody the character myself. Being the medic just isn't sexy. At least, being the medic means you can't be the guy who blows everything up. Maybe the paddle action will entice people to give the ol' red-cross a whirl, but a medic only has ten seconds to locate a downed ally and administer the life-saving zap. Besides, the worst kind of medic is a dead medic, and I had plenty of trouble staying alive. I wonder if you can self-administer a jolt ... I need to check into that next time.
While we were confined to a single map, Snowbound, I enjoyed the multiplayer preview immensely. The map was dotted with plenty of nooks and crannies to seek shelter in, if only temporarily, and various mounted weapons to use. The game looked extremely polished, and the controls were solid both on foot and behind the wheel. Unfortunately, I didn't learn anything new about the single-player missions or get a taste of that patented Bad Company humor. The game is still a few months away, though, so we're expecting to see a lot more soon enough.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Premature ejaculation man @ May 22nd 2009 11:13AM
I'm surprised at my inability to tire of the Battlefield franchise. I loved Bad Company 1, so chances are I'll be getting this too... Though it depends on how much is different, because preorder offer in the trailer, Joystiq saying its polished leads me to believe it'll be a holiday contender.
phinnvr6 @ May 22nd 2009 12:33PM
Same here, the Battlefield franchise is by far the best there is in shooters out there. The games never get old. It's Bad Company 2 and MAG this winter/spring and I'm pretty sure nothing will stop me from getting BC2.
gonintendo @ May 22nd 2009 5:17PM
I still play Bad company and I got it at launch. matter of fact, im playing it right now.
Storm Eagle @ May 22nd 2009 11:14AM
OK 2 things:
#1: I loved the first game. Just everyone wanted to play COD 4 instead.
#2: Is it just me, or did the score at the end resemble the Terminator theme?
Premature ejaculation man @ May 22nd 2009 11:24AM
I'm thinking it resembled the theme of the last game...Because it was in it
=p
Storm Eagle @ May 22nd 2009 11:26AM
Didn't really pay attention to the music in BC1, I was too busy blowin' shit up.
Brian @ May 22nd 2009 11:30AM
That music at the end was a mini-tribute to the original Battlefield soundtrack (Battlefield 1942).
I can't wait for this one but I am really looking forward to the 1942 "re-do" (BF1943).
Premature ejaculation man @ May 22nd 2009 11:42AM
Oooooh cool. You are right about it being the original theme. They reorchestrated it for Bad company 1 (they've probably done it for all of them).
If one does manage to stop blowing stuff up for a second, the music in bad company can be pretty good I thnk.
phinnvr6 @ May 22nd 2009 12:32PM
Every time I give COD4 another chance I'm reminded of just how much better Bad Company is, WAY better graphics, WAY better animation, WAY better sound effects, WAY better environments. The Battlefield series is amazing and I can't wait for Bad Company 2. Even with newer games like Killzone 2 and Socom, Bad Company is the game I always go back to, it never gets old.
Averna @ May 23rd 2009 7:34AM
I really really wanted to love Bad Company, but the server support outside of the US is terrible. I havent played a single round without horrendous lag, which is really upsetting because I know there is a great hidden behind that lag :(
ice~ @ May 22nd 2009 11:14AM
OMG I can't freaking wait. Bad Company was quite possibly my favorite online FPS experience, everything just felt so different from the other console games. The weapons, the vehicles, the destruction, even the medals, it was all so much fun! Grrr...the anticipation is killing me
superklye @ May 22nd 2009 11:15AM
Yes! Can't wait. Bad Company is my favorite multiplayer game of all time so I'm super-excited to see how they've made it better! :D
pete @ May 22nd 2009 11:16AM
i couldn't get into the multiplayer. it was either way too much planning or zero communication, resulting in one of the most annoying gameplay experiences ive had in a while. not to mention the fact that respawning was a hassle.
Popfrogs @ May 22nd 2009 3:35PM
Respawning was kind of a hassle but it depended on squad leaders. Since the game gave you zero control of who lead a squad, that sucked. Should be more like Killzone2 where people opt to be squad leaders and invite others to join (and others can petition to join).
McWilly @ May 22nd 2009 11:18AM
Those defibrillators made me laugh. Seems so out of place. Looking forward to this though
baby sea tuna @ May 22nd 2009 11:23AM
Just be happy no one was trying to stuff a tampon into a bullet hole to stop the bleeding.
PedoJokerBear (aka Deeznuts) @ May 22nd 2009 2:37PM
*fist bumps*
Hedgeson @ May 22nd 2009 11:33PM
Tampons in bullet holes is a technique used by US Navy Seals. They also use pads as bandages and condoms to seal detonators. Pantyhose makes good makeshift drysuits.
Note that this information comes from a fiction war novel, but the author seems knowledgeable. He was Airborne. John Ringo writes great action novels. Look him up, I really recommend his books.
ronald.raygun @ May 23rd 2009 5:56AM
i like how he didnt check for a pulse first. couldn't he have just been unconscious?
i'll have to get bc1, never played the online only the sp but loved it.
Cr4sh Dummy @ May 22nd 2009 11:21AM
Sweeetm DICE us adding A 10 Warthogs and Blackhawks.
Cr4sh Dummy @ May 22nd 2009 11:22AM
Goddamn typos! There should be no m in sweet and us = is.
Sean @ May 22nd 2009 11:23AM
I can't wait until this game comes out! I loved the first Bad Company!
Wizzleteets @ May 22nd 2009 11:30AM
Loved the original, hated the "humor."
Neuromancer @ May 22nd 2009 11:58AM
Really I liked it. Well sounds like they're toning it down in this one anyway.
Manly Mcbeefington (Mr. ESC) @ May 22nd 2009 12:31PM
Well certainly it wasn't as funny as the ads but it was good and I rather have comedy than a cheap drama and I'm looking at you Killzone 2 and F.E.A.R 2.
Wizzleteets @ May 22nd 2009 12:53PM
It really reminded my of Blue Collar Comedy stuff - just not my thing, I guess.
Mikey @ May 22nd 2009 11:39AM
i just jizzed my pants... that was f**king awesome!!!!! This is the battlefield game ive been waiting for. I'm glad they went back to the hardcore roots of gameplay.
PG @ May 22nd 2009 12:08PM
what?? it looks exactly the same as the first bad company...hardcore roots? you can't even go prone...
Mikey @ May 22nd 2009 12:35PM
Hey Undo, they will have prone now! Check out the first trailer they released they show the sniper laying in prone position. I have a feeling they did that for a reason.
Damian @ May 22nd 2009 11:46AM
Cant wait , I love the Battlefield Series so much . Nice to hear that the Black Hawks are making a return to the series , I often wondered why they weren't in BF-BC . Also I am even more hyped for 1943 , not too long to wait now I'm sure Gordon Van Dyke said it was coming in June .
Otis @ May 22nd 2009 11:56AM
Is Dice ever going to make a proper BF ever again? :(
Not that I don't think this'll be neat, sure. But it's not what I'd call a proper BF.
(Large scale battles, 64 players, no god damned infinite ammo, etc)
phinnvr6 @ May 22nd 2009 12:38PM
I said that too (as I was a huge Battlefield fan on PC) until I picked up Bad Company on PS3. I was completely wrong, the Gold Rush gametype (Conquest is there too) is WAY better than conquest and it makes even 24 players feel epic in size. Plus the environments are still massive, there is no infinite ammo, and your health does not regenerate. Get your facts straight. Plus the destructible environments is a huge huge improvement to any other FPS out there, not to mention the graphics and the sounds. I'm telling you, Bad Company is very much what Battlefield is all about and thats coming from a fan of the series since BF'42 and Desert Combat mod.
Otis @ May 22nd 2009 2:00PM
Yeah, I know, it's fine.. It's just not the same.
...and BF 1943 and BF Heroes both have infinite ammo and regenerating health :x
Neuromancer @ May 22nd 2009 11:59AM
Can't wait, I'd like to see a campaign trailer at some point though.
Johnny Neat @ May 22nd 2009 7:49PM
Would be cool if four players could play the campaign together.
The Dark Wayne @ May 22nd 2009 12:03PM
Was the destruction this time around physics based or scripted like the first one?
slycooper_rocker (PSN SniperChameleon) @ May 22nd 2009 12:22PM
i think they said it's physics based this time, as in you can shoot out single bricks.
Manly Mcbeefington (Mr. ESC) @ May 22nd 2009 12:28PM
But can I still destory houses with my power drill?
I remember how I drill the crap out of a enemy player and then I drilled a hole in a house wall in front of my team mates.Every one stopped to see what the hell I was doing and started to drill stuff with their own drills.
It was interesting because until that day no one ever tried to kill an enemy with a drill in a MP match until that day.
The Dark Wayne @ May 22nd 2009 12:52PM
id tried it plenty of times, i cant say it worked but I tried
Manly Mcbeefington (Mr. ESC) @ May 22nd 2009 2:14PM
There are plenty of snipers you can try your power drill on them but just stay away from the knife happy specialists...like me.
Teepanen @ May 22nd 2009 12:29PM
I hope the levels are shorter and trophies are more reasonable than the first one. Looks like I'm the minority here, but I wasn't a fan of BC1...
phinnvr6 @ May 22nd 2009 12:47PM
Yea your a minority, BC1 is a masterpiece and the best FPS ever made in my opinion. It had a lot of little glitches and bugs and I hope they fix though. I agree about the trophies though, all of them were fairly easy to get except for 2 that are completely impossible for me, and that's unlocking all the in game awards and having 20 people spawn on you without dying.
Teepanen @ May 22nd 2009 6:20PM
I would take it easy there with "masterpiece". Not that the game is that hard, but I would hate how in single player they AI would see you through all the trees, bushes and shrubs from miles away and nail you when you couldn't see them at all. Gheeeeey!
ecko @ May 22nd 2009 12:34PM
Looks like BFMC + BFBC= Win. I really didn't care about this game coming out until I saw this trailer.
Kevin @ May 22nd 2009 12:35PM
I have a question and I'm not sure if anyone can help. In the first BC you could blow up all the walls of a building but it still would be standing in the multiplayer. In the hands on, Kevin stated that, "I turned every building in site into piles of sheet rock and debris." Just wondering if you could take down entire buildings now or just hollow them out again?
Jack @ May 22nd 2009 12:55PM
Airstrikes have the ability to level the entirety of a building now.
Kevin @ May 22nd 2009 1:46PM
Cool! This game is going to be sweet!
Khaled @ May 22nd 2009 6:30PM
So there's gonna be airplanes?????
YESSS!!
Mechanical @ May 22nd 2009 12:39PM
You guys are missing the important part here: THE MEDIC.
Holy crap, this may be a day one for me.
Sean @ May 22nd 2009 1:21PM
This is a day one purchase for me. The multilayer was really nice change of pace from COD4. Gold Rush was such a thrilling experience when you won and it was great that you played both offense and defense on the same maps. I loved the humor aspect of the single player because it was so different than all these other me too shooters.
The only bad thing about the multilayer was the ease at which you could spawn kill. Going to an enemy base and shooting people is a fine (and valid) tactic but spawning at your base in the same room an enemy was camping was annoying as helI. I know that killed the game for a lot of my friends.
Still... I loved it. It was such a good purchase.