Battlefield 2: Modern Combat

By Sam Leitch

Battlefield has been a PC LAN staple for a good many years now. Games usually involve two teams of players battling for territory with all manner of vehicles strewn about the game maps. The action can be intense with each side co-ordinating their assaults from a range of different classes and vehicles. Even though it can be fun to play silly buggers, taking the game seriously and developing some basic teamwork is the most satisfying way to play.

Some of us don’t have the PC spec to run Battlefield 2 at an enjoyable speed though. Fortunately, EA have come to our aid and dropped off supplies! There’s no two ways about it, Battlefield is perfectly suited to Xbox Live. Supporting 24 players at once, Battlefield will deliver some intense conflicts indeed. Most Xbox Live users also own a headset which will make communication so much easier on the Xbox version of the game, delivering a much more personal experience that makes you feel a lot more immersed.

Don’t think this is just a straight port of the brilliant PC game though - EA have gone all out to make the most of the console experience. The most obvious new feature would be the single player missions featuring a ‘propaganda-fueled campaign’ that will be able to be experienced from both sides.

Playing the single player demo of the game, it’s hard not to be impressed with what EA have managed to do here. Everything runs smooth as silk and looks realistic, the controls are well mapped to the Xbox controller and are a breeze to use. The vehicles take a bit of getting used to, but I didn’t have any problems due to bad controls. One new gameplay feature which is a lot of fun to use is the ‘hot swapping’ technique. Look at one of your AI team-members and press Y and you will instantly swap with them. Hot swapping all over the map while picking off a few members of the other team each time is an incredible hoot, and looks pretty damn stylish. No more problems with idiot team members…

Whilst the single player is indeed a lot of fun, and more meaty than most of these types of game when played offline, it’s going to be the Live mode that makes this game a winner. Being more accessible to some people than the PC game and being the deepest Live FPS yet there’s no doubt that this will be a well populated game. If I wasn’t thinking of renewing my Live subscription before, I am now!

Here’s a breakdown of the feature set:

• An all-new story-driven single player mode drops players deep into an action-packed war framed by government-sponsored propaganda forcing gamers to choose sides and decide the outcome.

• More than 10 maps for online multiplayer action for up to 24 players**. Clan support VoIP and a deep stat tracking system help round out one of the deepest online console shooters to date.

• Take control of more than 30 land, sea, and air vehicles, including tanks, helicopters, amphibious craft and fast attack vehicles.

• Choose to battle as U.S., European Union, Chinese, or Middle East Coalition troops, each with their own unique arsenals.

• Step into the boots of multiple solider classes including Assault, Sniper, Special Ops, Combat engineer and Combat Support units.

• Own the battlefield with more than 50 state-of-the-art weapons.

• Complete each unit's unique "Battlefield Moment" to earn "Battlefield Points" and unlock rewards including upgrades, and promotions.

• Upgrade your unit with new equipment, including thermal vision for the sniper rifle, more destructive mines faster tanks and more.

• Character Persistence and Growth. With in-game success, players increase their rank through promotions. Go from a private to a general as you lead your army to victory.

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