Slated for a release during the first half of 2008, Battlefield: Bad Company is a console-only extension of the Battlefield franchise. A sophisticated mix of high-definition visuals, physics, and open-ended combat, the game certainly shows a lot of potential and also comes with a high level of expectation.
Bad Company departs from the multiplayer focus of past iterations, emphasizing instead a story-driven campaign. You play as Preston Marlow, a member of Company B—a delinquent squad of the US Army stationed to fight in a volatile war between the United States, Russia, and a revolutionary faction in the Middle East. Amid the chaos of the conflict, the company comes across a truck full of gold bouillon. Living up to their reputation as bad boys, they decide to hijack the gold for themselves. (Think Three Kings without Clooney) Marlow, joined by compatriots Sarge, Haggard, and Sweetwater, ditch their given mission and embark on an ill-fated fetching quest for gold.
The focus on story distinguishes the game from any previous installment of the Battlefield franchise; that isn't to say, however, its trademark action doesn't make an appearance. On the contrary, Bad Company delivers the same intense breed of combat just blended with a bit of narrative. Monologues relay Marlowe's thoughts through the course of the campaign and banter between his mates provide insight into their character. The goal is to create an attachment to these guys, rather than playing as an impersonal avatar that doesn't evoke any emotion. It's definitely a risky move for a franchise that has built itself upon the well-conceived, yet largely generic nature of its action.
Little risk is being taken with regards to the action, as Bad Company definitely continues the tradition of hard-hitting combat. The mission demoed brought Marlow and pals to the border of fictional nation Serkozache. Here the group had to secure the border by eliminating opposition forces. Russian infantry prompted intense shootouts that required creative tactics to dispatch them quickly. An attack helicopter made the mission more difficult, but a nearby anti-aircraft gun was primed for taking the chopper down.
How you engage enemies partially depends on your equipment. You start off with a basic assault rifle, although you can pick up weapon kits containing different equipment load outs. Tap B near a kit and you grab it. The kits are packed with a focus in mind, such as demolitions or assault. For instance, the demolitions kit includes a shotgun and explosives, whereas the sniper kit offers a scoped rifle and remote-controlled mortar. Since there's no right way to confront an enemy, you're free to equip any kit and utilize it in your own way. Should you desire slashing up foes with a combat knife or blast them to bits with a grenade launcher, you can do so. Obviously certain tactics are better suited to a particular situation, but for the most part Bad Company affords an immense amount of freedom in how you approach combat.
The other factor influencing combat is destructibility. Environments are completely destructible in Bad Company, based on a complex materials system. Essentially this means objects react to weapons fire realistically. For example, concrete can't be penetrated by rifle fire but is easily blasted with explosives. Cover is only as capable as the material from which it is made, so taking shelter behind a wooden fence isn't a great idea when you've got a machine gun on your 12. Of course, it's in your interest to use the element of destruction to your advantage. An easy way to kill a sniper, for instance, would be blowing up the building in which he's nested.
Realistic weapons and destructible environments instill plenty of variety in combat, not to mention freedom. Throw in smart enemies and playable vehicles and Bad Company offers a unique experience within the series. Of course, all of this won't be limited to the single player campaign. Although not shown, Bad Company plans on shipping with full online multiplayer for up to 24. The core gameplay is shaping up quite nicely, so it ought to translate nicely into multiplayer.
