EA rolls out another current gen port to the Xbox 360 with decent results. by StewXX

April 12, 2006 - Battlefield 2: Modern Combat is a darn good sequel to the PC version of Battlefield 1942. It's got some new features but it's still sporting a high octane shooter under the hood. This version is a revamped port of the console versions and therefore you can expect a visual upgrade to take advantage of the X360's higher resolution support as well as three X360 exclusive maps. The game plays fairly closely to the original console versions already released so much of what was written in my earlier review, still stands and is therefore included in this article.

Experience the next World War as it takes place in the Middle East where the future meets the past. High tech and ancient weapons clash for ultimate control of the planet. But this war must be fought one arena at a time.

Online play has been Battlefield's strongest feature up until now. In this version the single player mode rivals the online mode. There will be those that think they might prefer one mode over the other but you've got to give them both an honest try. They have some distinct differences, offering more variety with different gameplay options. The Xbox 360 version features upgraded online play and if you weren't crazy about being dropped like a hot potatoe while playing on EA's servers while playing the current gen versions online, that has all been eradicated.

The single-player mode has a great story with an open-ended style of gameplay that includes missions such as escort, rescue, infiltrate and recon. There are more than 70 weapons including assault rifles, shotguns, machineguns and a variety of explosives.

Your teammates will follow you into battle. With more than 30 different vehicles you can traverse land, sea and air. The vehicles are relatively easy to control but they do have some sim elements in that you can't take on an entire army with one tank. The single-player mode stresses teamwork, much more so than the multi-player, free-for-all. The vehicles have a good sense of weight to them and their aiming capabilities are all relatively good. Expect tanks, jeeps, trucks, choppers, jets, bombers and speedboats.

You can upgrade your weapons and ranks by doing well in the game, as it records your progress and rewards you for jobs well done. Points can also be amassed by performing various training exercises in the form of mini-games. The AI is very aggressive at the expense of being tactical so you'll find yourself in the middle of action continuously.

One of the most interesting features of the single-player mode is the ability to switch among any characters in your unit. This shift from a primary character lets you feel more like a general commanding a unit rather than just seeing the action from one character's perspective. By jumping into various characters you can always be assured that you are where you need to be and as such you can shape the battle to your advantage. It lets you see that the sum of the parts is more important than the individual pieces.

Conquest mode accommodates 24 players online with 13 huge maps. There are tons of weapons and vehicles but with such limited objectives there isn't much call for teamwork. If you manage to get in with the right bunch of online player you might be able to experience even more intricate teamwork than the single-player mode but that's only if you get lucky. The kids I managed to find weren't sophisticated or disciplined enough to understand the need for following orders. If you experience the same thing just keep looking, it will be worth it.

As mentioned at the outset, BF2: MC is visually enhanced and if you've already played it on the Xbox or PS2, there is a good chance you'll feel a pang of jealousy in your stomach. It's obvious the game wasn't developed strictly for the Xbox 360, but graphic flourishes and nicer textures will have you arguing with yourself regarding purchasing a more expensive copy of a game you already own. If you're an XBL junkie that has a team of friends ready, willing and able to purchase the X360 game, then maybe it's a good decision. Playing online is what will keep you coming back to Modern Combat over and over again. With better connections, much less lag and 3 new maps, the XBL features are definitely worthy.

There's a lot more to war than just moving about shooting at the enemy. Fortunately Battlefield 2 ignores that fact and gives us action junkies just what we crave.

Features:

• Fight on three Xbox 360-exclusive maps stocked with new vehicles, new weapons, and new character skins like the snow camouflage outfit.
• A 20-mission single-player campaign drops you deep into an action-packed war obscured by government propaganda, forcing you to choose sides and decide the outcome.
• Engage in online multiplayer action for up to 24 players on 16 maps including new arctic, tropical, and urban locations.
• The revolutionary new HotSwap feature in single-player mode gives you instant tactical control. Pull every trigger on the battlefield to lead your army to victory.
• Clan support, VOIP, and a deep stat-tracking system 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, and amphibious craft, and master more than 55 state-of-the-art weapons.
• Put on the uniform of one of four armies, each with their own unique arsenals and soldier classes including Sniper, Special Ops, Combat Engineer, and more.
• Complete each unit's unique single-player challenges to earn Battlefield Points and unlock medals and upgrades.

By StewXX
CCC Staff Writer

Rating out of 5 Battlefield 2: Modern Combat (X360) 4.0 Graphics Upgraded in every department over the current gen consoles, but not quite as gorgeous as Advanced Warfighter. 4.0 Control It's as pick up and play as a FPS gets. Being able to switch players adds another dimension. 4.5 Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting Definitely battleworthy. The voiceacting isn't anything to write home about in the single player, but the explosions, gunfire and music is. 4.5 Online One of the best reasons to upgrade to the X360 version. Better connections, no lag and more maps. 4.5 Play Value The single player is fun, especially if you haven't already played it. Feels like a tweak in AI might have occured as the game seems to be a little more challenging. 4.0 Overall Rating - Great Not an average. See Rating legend above for a final score breakdown.