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Video game review: Battlefield: Bad Company

The Associated Press

July 28, 2008

BATTLEFIELD: BAD COMPANY

As we continue into 21st century gaming, one of the least-developed aspects has been fully destructible environments. We're not there yet, but, by golly, Bad Company sure does give us a taste of the glory that could be in our future.

No longer are bullets, rocket-propelled grenades and tank rounds simply passing through objects or exploding into walls without consequence. Now, you can open up new routes for squad mates or take down an enemy position in new and more tactical ways. It all looks awesome as well. Not as great as some other first-person shooters but still awesome.

You play as a member of Bad Company. Before long, you and your fellow grunts are left behind on the battlefield and must make it out, but not before pilfering some gold and meeting up with an assortment of lunatic characters.

Beyond the single-player mode (a first for the Battlefield franchise), the ever-popular multiplayer modes are back, though there are some glitches. Upgrades are not easy to come by, and the conquest mode won't be available online for some time. The visuals and audio are not up to the level of Call of Duty 4 or even Medal of Honor, but they definitely get the job done. Fans of Battlefield will no doubt find plenty of satisfaction here, and newbies to the series will enjoy leveling anything and everything in their path.

RATING T, for Teen

PLOT Left behind on a battlefield, you and your squad have to fight your way out

PLATFORMS Xbox 360, PlayStation 3

COST $59.99

BOTTOM LINE Fans of the series and even newcomers will enjoy locking and loading.