Battlefield: Bad Company, I'll Take Your Dog Tags

You like killing people? You like blowing things up? How about driving a tank through a wall? Well, I know I love doing those things, and you will too in Battlefield: Bad Company. So a few months back I was involved in the beta test for this game, and I can safely say that I thought it was total crap. I avoided buying the game on it's release, and haven't put more thought into it. That was until my efforts for gamerscore brought the game to my doorstep. I gave the game another go... and it's changed much since the beta that I experienced... and for the better! That's right, I'm totally fanboy for this game! Here is your quick bulletpoint rundown:

• Tons of weapons, some of them unlockable
• Awesome gadgets, including mortar strikes!
• 24 player versus modes
• 14 vehicles, including helicopters, tanks and boats!
  
• Highly destructible environments

Ok, so what changed my mind? Well, lots of stuff. First of all, the campaign. While shorter than I would have liked, it was challenging and surprisingly(and pleasantly) humorous. The writers for this game must have a great sense of humor, and it shows. Not only did the story keep me interested, but I had lots of fun. So much so, that it warrants a couple of play-throughs (for more than one reason).

The graphics look good, kind of a "gritty-realism" type of thing. The weapons look realistic , and the sound quality is good. With regards to some comments of the "extreme echo" that is heard when near a wall, or indoors... I would suspect that the person with such a view has never fired a weapon indoors. The echo is realistic enough, sans the ringing in your ears.

Then you've got the shining star of the whole game, the multiplayer. This game has one of the most entertaining experiences that I've ever had in a multiplayer game. That's what really sold me on this game. Teamwork is paramount, customization is relatively deep, and there is a ranking system. The game modes are scant, Gold Rush and the recently added Conquest are the only two available. Each mode is similar, destroy/capture or defend a set objective. There is a good variety of maps, vehicles, and weapons to fit your mood.

After all of that, you've got the little things. Collecting dog tags from fallen rivals, completing challenges, and unlocking new weapons and gadgets... all of this is recorded in detail for further review online at Battlefield's website! There is a plethora of statistics, percentages, and other information that will make the nerd in you jump for joy.

Overall, it's a quality game. The single player is great, the multiplayer is top notch, and it's fun. It's a great shooter, with aspects that set it apart from the everyday shooter. With friends, working as a team, the value of this game skyrockets.

Pros:

• Great single player campaign, hilarious story
• Tons of weapons, vehicles, and gadgets!
• 24 player versus mode
• Multiplayer is addictive
• Detailed online statistics tracking

Cons:

• Only two modes in multiplayer
• Spawn times are ridiculous(probably for balance, but I don't care)
  
• Knife melee is mapped to the Y button, and is excruciatingly slow

BUY: Shooter fans, people with a sense of humor, cheevo farmers (they flow!), Battlefield fans

RENT: COD freaks, cheevo farmers

AVOID: Team killing punks, death-match oriented players, and slow-poke snipers