My review's title is kind of relative, because not everyone will agree.
Battlefield for dummy:
Lets start by defining what is Battlefield and what is Call of duty, since many people tries to compare them just because both are FPS and have a modern warfare theme when this comparison is wrong. Battlefield, since PC, focused on to be a tactical shooter with strength direction in teamwork and teamplay, where Call Of Duty is more like an arcade run-and-shoot shooter where you do play in teams (multiplayer speaking) but you don't need to rely on them in order to play the game and win.
Now, let's review the game.
Story (8.6):
+ Story locations and environments
+ Good story telling
- Unoriginal story
- Character jokes (they are not funny, very childish to me)
Battlefield started to introduce a story campaign since Bad Company 1, before it the game was multiplayer only on PC, still the campaign is not as deep in term of story telling as COD4, MW2 or Uncharted2. It surpasses the first bad company but, Battlefield's strongest points are in multiplayer modes, DICE did a great job. What adds a lot of value to the story are the environments and graphics, the selected game locations are spectacular.
Graphics (9.0):
+ More Drawing objects than its prequel
+ Better textures than its prequel
+ Destructible objects
- Jaggies
- Lightning and shadows (Multiplayer)
I have the PS3 version and the game looks very good, definitely not the best on the console (Uncharted 2, 1, Killzone2 and MGS4 have better graphics) but still one of the best in terms of what third party companies can offer.
Technically speaking, the game do has jaggies, and the lighting and shadow effects in multiplayer aren't as good as in the campaign; though the textures are better than BC1, there are more objects on screen than BC1 as well. As a personal preference, I do prefer BC2 overall graphics over Modern Warfare 2.
Presentation (9.9):
+ Campaign added to Bettlefield formula.
+ Multiplayer modes
+ Classes system and perks
+ Free extra MP maps
- Little issues when creating parties.
As a whole package, BC2 offers a lot. Campaign adds a lot of value to the final product, but what takes the slice of cake is multiplayer mode, you will be satisfy only with RUSH and CONQUEST mode because you don't really need more.
The only issue I have regarding the presentation is that randomly I cannot join a friend's party/squad in Play with a friend mode.
Gameplay (9.8)
+ Aiming
+ Vehicles (Battlefield's trademark)
+ Teamwork and teamplay
- Squad size
- Inter squad communication
I can't say anything wrong about controls, aiming or that kind of stuff, because Battlefield is solid in those aspects, what I do complain though is about the size of the squad (console version), I was addicted to BF:2142 where the squad maximum size was of 8 members, I could not complain about this if the game at least offered an inter squad communication system that lets more than 2 squads communicate with each other. It is frustrating to see n00b teammates run ala lone wolf and stealing your vehicles when you are repairing them, there is no way to guide them and tell them what not to do.
Sound (9.9)
+ All sounds
- No classic battlefield them in the game :(
Everything in terms of sound is great, my only complain is that the classic Battlefield's theme is missing and its replaced with a new one, that its good but not great as the old one.
CONCLUSION:
As a big fan of Battlefield 2142 (PC), I do miss the turrets and the voice system, still I really like the pick up the controller and play thing that offers the consoles. This game is to be played with friends, you will have a blast team working with friends, even if you loose a round or two, the game is satisfying and great in every aspect, not perfect, cuz no game is perfect. I really recommend it if you like tactical shooters and teamplay because these are key elements in battlefield, if you are a new comer getting its way from MW2, be prepare, you will have a learning curve, because COD is not focused on team play, but I'm sure, once the game gets into it, you will love it and will not want to go back to COD, more if you have friends to play this game with.
FOR NOOBS:
Do not steal your other teammates vehicles when they get out of to fix them, you are not supporting the team this way.
First off, if you didn't like the first Battlefield : Bad Company, it's worth your time to check this one out. They've done their homework. It's immensely more enjoyable. Now I'll just make a very generic attempt at comparing BC2 to MW2.
Map detail/Variety: BC2 - BC2's maps are so varied, and unique. All the game types have different maps. Fantastic! Most things are destructible, you can even bring down entire buildings now.
Visuals: TIE (BC2's visuals have a grainier look and it runs at 30fps vs MW2's 60fps, but it's still an incredibly rendered game and seems warranted given the amount of stuff going in the BC2 world. It also looks like what's being displayed is not quite 720p (I'm guessing though).
Physics/Mechanics : Toss up. I think they've improved the way BC2 handles. I like that you can run indefinitely, but the lack of a true prone position is missed. I understand why both choices were made. The realism of the hit detection is nice. Bullets have travel time and you have to account for arch in bullet travel on really long sniping. (Cool). Both games have a solid "feel". BC2 is a bit more subdued, where as MW2 is fast twitch, head-on-swivel type action.
Gameplay: BC2 (Just seems a lot more fresh after 2 solid years of Modern Warfare play)
Weapons: TIE (I feel a lot more compelled to unlock stuff in BC2 then to obtain 250 headshots for some rainbow camo on my weapon in MW2. A weapon unlock should be satisfying in the end, not tedious.
Multiplayer Experience: TIE (Both games offer a variety of game types that is sure to please everyone)
I know this is not a very well written comparison/review but I really like what they've done with BC2.
I played the multi player for 3 hours last night and loved it. This is what I thought MW2 was going to be. I can keep up with the game and the maps are more forgiving than MW2. I have not played the single player so I can't comment on that. I did not like the first Bad Company but I really like this one. (NO CO-OP STORY MODE).
"Best game i have played so far on ps3. The multiplayer is what makes the game."
"Online is superb - the fun never stops single player campaign is much more comprehensive and challenging"
