Xbox Hardware & Games

Modern Combat gets me to the war on time.

Video: 4
Sound: 4
Gameplay: 3

With so many remakes, adaptations of titles from other platforms, and franchises that just seem to spew out game after game, there can be a lot of the "more of the same" feeling when it comes to some of the current next-generation releases. This is certainly the case unfortunately with Battlefield 2: Modern Combat for the Xbox 360, a game that is built on a solid foundation but doesn't really to shine above the PC version.

First things first, the game is not actually a sequel. It is an updated version of the same title that arrived last year for the Xbox and PlayStation 2—which wasn't actually a sequel either, but rather was the debut of the franchise on the consoles. But what's in a name, especially when it's the hugely popular Battlefield series, a game franchise that practically reinvented the first-person shooter genre by focusing on intense multiplayer action with large maps and tons of controllable vehicles.

As a console game for the original Xbox and PS2, the results were a little lackluster, as too much attention was paid to the single-player campaign, something that has never been a big part of the series, and too little to the online multiplayer function. The good news is that Battlefield 2: Modern Combat for the Xbox 360 addresses many of the shortcomings of the early console version. The end result is a solid if not perfect game.

This version has much more of a back story than just about any of the PC games, and it involves a near-future conflict between United-States-led United Nations peacekeeping forces against the Chinese army in the former Soviet state of Kazakhstan, as both sides try to restore peace and instead end up battling each other. The actual storyline is less crucial, however, because this isn't your typical linear-based campaign.

Instead you'll head into battle in a number of locations, where you have to complete some varied objectives. In one mission, you'll bomb a cargo ship, and, in another, you'll use some quick-moving armor to capture and hold an enemy base. The action is pretty diverse, and this offers a change of pace with practically every location, something the Battlefield series has always gotten right. On the downside, the missions are a little predictable, with far too many scripted or canned events, while the friendly AI really isn't ready for the task at hand. The hot swapping between characters, where you can switch between the different AI troops, is going to be a love-it-or-hate-it option—and one that takes a bit of getting use to. As a result, the single-player campaign feels like little more than training exercises to get you ready for the multiplayer action.

This was a huge problem for the Xbox and PS2 versions, as the multiplayer mode wasn't able to deliver the goods. This isn't the case for the Xbox 360 version thankfully. As with the PC version, the game includes a robust online career that lets you start as a lowly private and, over time, work your way up the chain of command. You'll be able to choose from one of five combat classes and have access to a nice arsenal of weaponry with each class. The Xbox Live experience is pretty free of lag, offering either auto-connect to a game in progress or the ability to browse the online servers, where you can take part in matches with up to 24 players. It is a far cry from the 64 players in the PC version (or the 100-plus currently allowed in the Joint Operations PC title), but 24 is still enough that you can experience some intense online multiplayer matches.

Visually, the game is a huge step up from the Xbox or PS2 versions, yet it is still a little short graphically as a true "next-generation" HD title. Everything has gotten a makeover, but it is still just a makeover of a fairly low-resolution game, albeit one that has added 480p, 720p, and 1080i support. The character models and vehicles offer sharper texturing and a greater overall amount of details, plus there are some nice visual touches, such as bullet holes and some great-looking explosions. However, the environment remains a bit static and flat, especially compared to the PC version with its detailed urban centers and lush wooded terrain. The settings feel more like a training ground than a battleground because of this, and, although this helps the game's balance, it doesn't convey enough realism.

The in-game sound is good, and the developers aren't relying on the old generic sounds of machine guns and stock explosions, something that they've finally started to move away from doing. The radio chatter and other background noises help create the sensation of confusion that you'd expect in combat. Unlike the PC version, which used Chinese commands in Chinese, the use of heavily Chinese accented English is at times laughable or offensive, depending on your sensitivity.

The Battlefield series has always been about intense multiplayer action, and, while the first outing on the consoles was essentially a misfire, the Xbox 360 version actually manages to come close to hitting the mark. Since close does count when you're lobbing hand grenades, BF2: Modern Combat is probably worth a shot, as long as multiplayer is your thing. If it is the single-player campaign you're seeking, then you should probably report for duty somewhere else.

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