• Posted June 28th, 2008 at 21:05 EDT by
• 32 Comments

Welcome to the 222nd Army battalion, otherwise known as B-Company. This “elite” group of America’s finest is what other soldiers like to call Bad Company. It’s a G.I. task force that is compiled of misfit soldiers and rebels that the government is basically just sending out to die. This units is considered cannon-fodder and will be the frontline, the backline, and target practice for any and all enemy troops. Unfortunately for you, this is also who you’re stationed with.

In Battlefield: Bad Company you’ll be taking charge of Preston Marlowe, the latest Army recruit in a long line of generational soldiers. Due to some mishaps in Europe involving a helicopter and a landing zone, you’ve landed yourself stationed alongside three of the worst possible comrades you could hope for. During your primary mission you’ll be keeping tabs on your Sarge, who volunteered for this company of misfits in order to get out of the army; Private Sweetwater, who talks a lot and isn’t fit to be on the frontline, and Haggard, your stereotypical American who just likes to blow $#%@ up.

DICE starts off the title with a brief scene that basically welcomes you to the 222nd battalion. It's from here you’re going to get some hands-on training in order to prepare for what’s to come. As the first mission progresses, you’ll eventually come across a dead mercenary that just so happens to be carrying a gold bar with him. Like any band of brothers, you'll be faced with a decision of morality and ethics on what your company should do with your newly found wealth. While Sarge insists it belongs to Uncle Sam, the tide slowly begins to turn towards self-gain and the American dream. This band of misfits, cast aside by America as nothing more than expendable soldiers, will have to make the ultimate decision of going for the Gold or showing a little something to Uncle Sam and the boys back home.

One of the best things about the Battlefield series that DICE has released is how addictive and encompassing the gameplay experience can be. Battlefield: Bad Company does not disappoint in this regard at all, as right from the start you’ll get to blow a hole into the side of a building and make a few gasoline barrels explode. It is from this exact point that I was already hooked into the game.

While blowing buildings up and all is great fun, it wouldn't be possible without the Frostbite Engine. This recently designed engine allows for almost complete destructibility, changing the aspect of war-torn, first-person shooters forever. This will affect us gamers because usually one of our primary instincts while playing is always to find cover when hurt. Bad Company takes this precious commodity and turns it against you no matter where you try and hide. It is only a matter of time before you’re sitting pretty behind a wall, trying to regroup, and a tank blows a new door into the side of the building and you’re being filled with lead. This may lead some to think that dying may be a tad too common but that is hardly the case at all as DICE has implemented a neat little item to correct that potential problem.

To counteract the potential massive death counter, you’ll be shown directly out of the gate how to become an effective health junkie. In Bad Company, your trust sidekick will be no other than a syringe filled with the rich goodness of life. In order to restore yourself to a perfect 100 whenever it is convenient to you, simply inject yourself at will; of course each dose needs about two to three seconds in order to replenish. Some will find this to be a positive or a negative aspect, but it’ll ultimately come down to personal preference. This one addition seems to create something great for both newbie gamers and above and that’s a pick up and play atmosphere.

Bad Company provides a truly pick up and play title for newcomers and veterans alike which is something that will appeal to a lot of gamers regardless of if you’re a fan of the series or not. The action is very intense, yet your team will keep things light-hearted as they crack on eachother ... (continued on next page)