EA and DICE come at us in 2008 with a new Battlefield title for the 360 and PS3. The last, Battlefield 2142, though pretty, never made it over to the console world. Its home remained on the PC, so this is the first console Battlefield since Modern Combat.
The beta release is only of the multiplayer game, not of the single player campaign. The single player story is that of a mercenary force that has to collect gold. Its a squad based game, much like the lines of Gears of War or Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter. Enough of the single player game, lets focus on the multiplayer.
The basic multiplayer game feels like any other Battlefield title as you are divided into two groups with five player types, from Assault to Support. The twist, at least in the beta, is to either defend or destroy the Gold chests in the map. The maps are fully destructible and the sounds effects of the destruction are excellent for a pre-release.
The weapons are fairly accurate; the problem is that they don't seem to work at killing the enemy. After playing for a bit, the only easy way to put anyone down is with explosives. Hopefully this will be changed in the final release.
The game looks beautiful, but it seems like the rendering still needs a little bit of work. Its extremely detailed but it looks grainy in 720p. This is something that most likely will be cleaned up in the final release. The death "camera" doesn't show much, your screen just turns red and then the option screen loads. Weapons look like they can be unlocked in the items menu; the beta has them locked up though. In the description of the weapons it does show how they can be unlocked though. Some of them show "Available in the Gold Version or Marketplace" which means once again they are charging for extra content, like Need for Speed Carbon or Tiger Woods 08. This is to be expected though as micro-transactions are very popular in this day and age.
The multiplayer is enjoyable to play, hopefully it has enough to spike the interest of Call of Duty 4 and Rainbow Six players. The single player has it work cut out for it as well, hopefully it can pull it out when it hits stores this June.
Article comments
1 - BoA Wrath
I've been a fan of the Battlefield games since BF 1942 on the pc and the original BF inspiration game Codename Eagle. This game isn't shaping up to what I had expected from another Battlefield title.
Just like the premise in the game of you having to find gold, EA think they have found a money pot too in micro transactions for extra weapons. I say vote with your pocket and boycot the game on release and if you do play it make sure its a rent only.
2 - Ken Edwards
I have not played the beta, but I have seen a bunch of video for the game, including game play. It just does not look like a Battlefield game any more.
And gold to me just sounds like a replacement for Tiberium or something similar.
3 - nonstopdeath
I have been playing the beta and have not played cod4 since.
4 - porschephiliac
As a major BF2:MC fan, I am disappointed to read this mediocre beta representation review. I have been psyched to see this game come to fruition, but am constantly heartbroken as the game appears less and less appealing the more I investigate it.
Regardless, well-written and though-out review, Ryan.
5 - KR
Boycut BF-Badcompany!
Why pay so much?! for nothing?!
6 - BoA Wrath
I'm glad they backed down on the whole charging isea for the weapons. Have since bought the game as it is great but still feel the heli controls suck compared to that on BF MC.