A must have for fans of combat games, multiplayer games, and games in general.

Just the fact that this title is a military-themed game that has absolutely nothing to do with the Second World War gives it points in my book. It seems that, ever since the first “Medal of Honor” game appeared on the PS1, every other military game released takes place in Europe or the Pacific between the years 1939 and 1945. This, of course, includes the PC giant “Battlefield: 1942” of which this game is a sequel.



Of course just being based on a more modern form of combat does not make a great game. That takes great gameplay, strong graphics, quality sound, tight controls, a lot of options, and – in today’s world – a great online multiplayer mode. Battlefield 2: Modern Combat, I am happy to say, succeeds on all fronts.



If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it is what my father, the town fix-it man used to say. While he may have been shooting himself in the financial foot, it is good advice that the folks at EA took to heart when they decided against messing too heavily with the basic play style that made the original Battlefield game so good.



The main focus of the game (and the reason most will play it) is online multiplayer. The PS2 supports an astounding 24 player multiplayer mode with virtually no slowdown to the action. The network itself seems quite stable as well, with lag and disconnects due to “network difficulties” seeming to be very rare.



Multiplayer supports only two game modes at this time; Conquest and Capture the Flag. Surprisingly, that’s all it needs. The Conquest game is what made Battlefield famous – two opposing teams must capture and hold strategic points (referred to as “flags”) in order to maintain superior numbers of soldiers available. When one team reaches zero or the time runs out, it’s game over. This basic structure has been borrowed by numerous games, including “Star Wars Battlefront” and the very good but overlooked FPS “Cold Winter.” And it’s as popular as it is because it works. It makes for some sublime online team play.



USB headset support is provided, allowing teams to coordinate and carry out their tasks in excellent military fashion. This is a game where teamwork counts for everything. Skilled players acting solo can do well, but against a polished team that knows what its doing the team of rogues faces all but certain decimation.



Team members play as one of five troop types, each of which has access to certain equipment, weapons and abilities. The Sniper has a high powered scoped rifle, silenced 9mm handgun, and a laser targeting system, for example, while the Special Ops soldier has a combat knife, C4 charges, and sub-machine gun. Other types include Assault troops, Engineers (they can repair damaged vehicles and lay land mines), and Support troops (they can provide – ho hum – medical attention and call in artillery strikes.



The combat maps are designed intuitively and offer advantages and disadvantages based on the teams playing them. Home field advantage, after all, is an important factor in war. Other maps are more evenly matched. So if the Allies are invading the Middle East and taking on the Middle Eastern Coalition they’re going to have a harder time of it in most cases while a map that pits the Chinese against the Allies in a region that is neither Chinese nor American will have no specific advantage for either side.



A number of vehicles are available for use in battle as well. Jeeps and APCs are common as are tanks, helicopters, and boats – all of which are easy to control and have room for two or more (a driver and a gunner, for example). Vehicle control is very easy to learn and the vehicles are tempered as not to be game swingers in and of themselves. Helicopter control is tricky, so air superiority helps but is not “broken.” Tanks pack a devastating punch but suffer a long reload time between shots.



Also interesting is the game’s ranking and reward system which awards medals and promotions to players who perform well. A player’s rank is visible to the other players, so you generally know who the seasoned veterans are and who the scrubs & noobs are. I proudly count myself (currently – that is still – ranked Private First Class) amongst them.



Single player mode is nearly as stellar as multi – featuring a series of missions designed to allow you to learn the game’s nuances and controls at a pace that is not too slow and not too fast. A nice touch to the single player game is the ability to switch classes at the touch of a button. Need to be a sniper rather than a support soldier to get the job done? Point yourself in the direction of the nearest sniper, press the square button and you’re him, baby!



The only complaints I could voice about the title are the surprising lack of an offline two player mode (no head to head - no co op… even the guys at LucasArts were able to work that into Battlefront) and a comparatively low number of weapon types. Still those are small sacrifices to make in exchange for a powerfully compelling and addictive game.

Review by Michael Triggs.