Battlefield: Bad Company 2

In short: Bad Company 2’s singleplayer mode struggles to maintain a balance between scripted events and a sense of freedom. The result is an inconsistent campaign that mixes moments of brilliance with long stretches of the merely competent.

Battlefield Bad Company 2 is still trying to play catch-up with its much older, PC brethren. But if you’re looking for this kind of experience on the consoles, it has few equals. The campaign could use some creative spark, but it’s the staying power of the multiplayer that wins the day. If you look to get the most out of your money with video game purchases, you can’t go wrong with Battlefield Bad Company 2.

It's perfect for the hardcore player who knows exactly what he's looking for in a server, but for more casual players who simply want to hop into a game without too much effort, Bad Company 2's multiplayer is a bit hit or miss: You may be dropped into a match on a European server, for example, automatically afflicting you with near game-breaking lag.

The variety in Battlefield: Bad Company 2's campaign make it a worthwhile experience, despite the bummer ending. Ultimately though, you'll want to buy Battlefield: Bad Company 2 for its outstanding multiplayer.

Overall, I feel Battlefield: Bad Company 2 did exactly what it set out to do — compete with the big boys. While the core gameplay isn’t perfect, the scale and grand design of the title prove to be a huge success. The single-player story could use a bit more emotion and detail, but is still enjoyable enough to play more than once. The first time you find yourself running out of a collapsing house looking for cover, you will be hooked.

Whether the game is worth purchasing entirely depends on how interested you are in owning another online first-person shooter. Bad Company 2 is undeniably going to contain the next big multiplayer scene for some time to come. If you are interested, even slightly, absolutely buy this game. Stop reading this review right this second and go get it; don't even look at the score. Everyone else, especially those of you who are strictly into gaming by yourself, it's simply not right for you.