Online play

Like in BF: 2142, there are four classes with their own sets of equipment and weapons that are unlocked by gaining points when playing as each:

Assault - Uses assault rifles with under-barrel attachments (40mm frag or smoke grenades, shotgun), drops ammo boxes to resupply himself and teammates

Engineer - Carries a rocket launcher or anti-tank mines and a silenced sub-machine gun, repairs friendly vehicles with an all-purpose drill

Medic - Supports teammates with a light machine gun, provides a box of medical supplies for healing, can revive fallen allies with a defibrillator

Recon - Specializes in sniping and C4 demolitions, can call in mortar strikes, deploys a motion sensor to track enemy infantry in a small area
While the aforementioned weapons are unique to their class, there are others such as pistols and shotguns that are unlocked by leveling up and can be used by any of them. In addition, there are several “specializations” that enhance particular attributes like bullet damage, ammo capacity, or armor strength, allowing for further customization of each kit. By mixing and matching guns and upgrades, you can create hybrid classes that provide the advantages of a class without being restricted to a specific role. For example, as Recon, you could swap your sniper rifle for a shotgun to prepare for close quarters combat and run around tossing C4 on enemy vehicles or buildings.




As with the single-player campaign, Bad Company 2 MP puts an emphasis on squad-based action. When you’re part of a four-man sub-team, you are encouraged to stick together to complete objectives. Rewards for doing so include getting bonus points for assisting squadmates (double that of assisting other teammates) and carrying out orders from your squad leader. Without a commander, though, there is more of a burden on each player to make sound strategic decisions, which can be difficult for a lot of people… However, it behooves you to join a squad even if you don’t cooperate because you can spawn on top of any squad member, wherever they are. This often saves you a lot of time otherwise spent in transit to where the action is happening.

Staying true to Battlefield tradition, you will have the opportunity to wreak havoc in any of a variety of vehicles as easily as you would on foot. Tanks, APCs, helicopters, boats, and cars all will play an important role in the grand scheme of each engagement they’re involved in. It matters not whether you’re attacking the enemy head-on, transporting teammates to the front lines, or a combination thereof, you will need both the skill to operate the machine efficiently and an astute awareness of your surroundings if you hope to be successful. Seek out a UAV control station and you can take to the skies without risking harm to yourself, provided the enemy does discover you standing there, vulnerable and unaware. As you gain experience in vehicles, you’ll unlock upgrades similar to those available for your soldier, bestowing special defensive abilities, secondary weapons, or speedier reloading.


There are four multiplayer modes in BC2, and all involve some degree of teamwork. Most use the reinforcement “ticket” system, representing how many times each team can respawn. Killing an enemy soldier causes his team to lose a ticket, and if they run out, you win. Most will gravitate toward the larger, more hectic game types, but those looking for a more intimate, cooperative contest will find something to like, as well.

Conquest - Capture and hold control points in this classic game type. The team possessing a majority of flags will cause the other’s tickets to decrease over time. 32 player limit.

Rush - A carry-over from the first Bad Company, your team either attacks or defends several pairs of M-COM stations. Plant a charge (it can be disarmed), use conventional weapons, or even bring a building down on top of it. Defending team has infinite tickets, attackers get more if they succeed and extend the map. 32 player limit.

Squad Rush - Two squads go head to head in a fight over two neutral M-COM stations. Destroy the stations or deplete the enemy’s tickets to win. 8 player limit.

Squad Deathmatch - Four squads battle it out in a contest of survival. The first team to reach 50 kills wins. 16 player limit.