Battlefield: Bad Company 2 – PC Review

Gameplay – Multiplayer (continued)

Each class has their own function and in a good team, each person knows their role and plays it well. Your four-man squad won’t always be comprised of one character of each class. This is actually hardly ever the case if you just join a random game. However, with proper use of the text chat system, communication and organization is easy. Voice chat is also seamlessly integrated and is automatically activated for your squad if someone has a headset connected.

Communication is a vital part of achieving victory in any of the four online game modes. Rush, Conquest, Squad Rush and Squad Deathmatch. Rush mode is played with up to 32 players on a very large map. Each team can have up to 16 players, which can be broken down into squads with a maximum size of 4 each. In this game mode, you are required to either attack and destroy; or defend a pair of M-COM stations for as long as you can.

The stations can be destroyed by arming the explosive charges on them. The defending team has to prevent the attackers from setting the charges or disarm them before it is too late. The stations can also be destroyed if the building in which it is housed, collapses on top of it. That is great news for engineers and snipers. Several stations have to be destroyed along the course of the map.

Squad Rush is similar but only incorporates two squads going head to head over two single M-COM stations. The rules are the same for either attacking or defending but the aim is to blow up the stations or to finish off all of the enemy reinforcements.

Conquest is just a nice Battlefield name for capture the flag mode. In Conquest, your aim is to capture the flags and hold these positions for as long as possible against all opposition. Killing enemies during the match give added bonuses. Vehicles are unlocked when these control points are held and they give your squad more options for either your attacking or defending strategies.

Squad Deathmatch is an all-time favourite. This is your typical take-them-down-any-way-you-can type match where up to 16 players of 4 four-man squads take on each other. In a full game, that equates to 4 versus 12 in a race to 50 kills. Each enemy kill gives one point and the first team to reach 50 points earns the victory.

Along the way, there are many upgrades to be unlocked. Levelling up in each of the four classes grant class-specific upgrades, while moving up in rank gives global unlocks (available to all classes). Global unlocks usually include pistols and shotguns.

There are many weapons and gadgets to be unlocked as you progress and while getting there you will come across many modes of transportation as well. Ranging from quad bikes to dune buggies, army jeeps and tanks of all kinds, ground combat is never boring. There are also various helicopters and gunboats available that add the air and sea components to these ferocious online battles.

All told, the Battlefield: Bad Company 2 multiplayer owns!