Battlefield: Bad Company 2 (Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Windows)

common sense media says

Shooter series gets more graphic, bumped from T to M rating.

parents & educators say

51% say language is an issue
49% say there are positive role models

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Battlefield: Bad Company 2 is an M-rated game, unlike the first game in the series which was rated "T" by the ESRB. The first game in the Bad Company series featured plenty of gunplay, but had no blood and only minor profanity. In contrast, this sequel shows blood with almost every bullet impact, and the soldiers’ mouths are decidedly dirtier. Like it's predecessor, it feels more like a rollicking war adventure than a hyper realistic portrayal of combat, but this sequel has slightly darker themes -- such as a hunt for a powerful weapon of mass destruction rather than a search for abandoned gold -- and is more graphic. Also note that it has open online play. Common Sense Media does not recommend open online play for pre-teens.

Educational value: Not applicable.

Positive messages: This game is about war. It glamorizes combat and idealizes the bonds that form between squad mates. It feels less like a hyper realistic simulation of combat and more like a war adventure with obvious liberties taken to enhance its entertainment value, such as exceptionally destructible environments. However, the mature language and constant violence are definitely targeted at older audiences.

Positive role models: Our motley crew of soldiers is composed of people who are basically good and moral. They just want to finish the task at hand -- securing a new weapon of mass destruction -- and head back home. However, the only way for them to complete their mission is through the use of extreme violence. Their actions are always directed at enemy combatants -- no civilians are harmed -- but the killing is constant.

Ease of play: Basic first-person shooter mechanics should be familiar to most players. There are three levels of difficulty, but even the easiest is challenging. The game was clearly designed for genre veterans.

Violence: Players employ a variety of pistols, shotguns, machine guns, rifles, sniper rifles, grenade launchers, and rocket propelled grenade launchers to kill their enemies. Blood can be seen spraying from defeated foes, and large explosions take place frequently. Players also have the option of using a knife to kill enemies silently. Sound effects include various grunts and cries of pain.

Sex: Not applicable.

Language: Our troopers use the sort of language you’d expect of men in their profession. Players will hear many instances of words such as “f--k,” “s--t,” “hell,” and “god damn.”

Consumerism: Not applicable.

Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Some reference to alcohol when soldiers say things like: "It's Miller time!" and "We owe you many beers." Also, the chopper pilot is partial to cigarettes, and when one of the soldiers hands him a pack after rescuing him, it's meant to be a touching moment.

Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

Families can talk about the differences between ESRB ratings. Is there a fine line between a shooter rated Teen and one that’s rated Mature, or are there clear differences? How do you think the ESRB makes these determinations? What are some of the factors? Do you agree with them?
Families can also discuss soldiers in general. Like those depicted in this game, soldiers tend to be average people who are called upon to be extremely violent in their jobs. They may be fighting for good, but the things they do often aren’t very nice. Do you think it will be difficult for them to adjust when they leave the war zone and come back home?

What's the story?

Unlike its predecessor, BATTLEFIELD: BAD COMPANY 2, a first-person shooter with a modern setting, is a bit darker in theme. Players once again take on the role of Preston Marlowe, who fights side-by-side with soldiers who, though skilled, aren’t exactly the typically gung-ho grunts normally presented in games. Last time out, they were hoping to find some abandoned gold and retire from the army. Their latest mission is more serious: They’re in search of a powerful weapon with origins that date back to the Second World War. Expect the same sort of non-stop firefights seen in the original, along with environments that are even more destructible. However, be prepared for some adult-only additions, such as spraying blood and plenty of four-letter cuss words.

Is it any good?

Battlefield: Bad Company 2’s most striking feature is that there is no place where you can hide for long. It has some of the most destructible environments ever seen in a game. Buildings, cement walls, and wood piles may provide cover for a while, but if struck at the right place with the right weapon, they’ll disappear. This is good news for strategic players, who can use environmental weaknesses to their advantage, flushing out enemies or destroying the buildings they’re in. However, since the enemy can also destroy your cover, it’s bad news for players to like to hole up and patiently wait for just the right moment to pop out and attack. Consequently, your enjoyment of the game will likely hinge upon the sort of player you happen to be.

The rest of the game is slick and polished, as one might expect from the experienced developers at DICE studio. The story is compelling, the acting is believable, the play mechanics are intuitive, and the online play, which includes an innovative mode that supports a quartet of four-player squads, is terrifically tactical.

Online interaction: This game allows for open voice communication, which creates a strong possibility of the player being exposed to excessive profanity and inappropriate discussions. Common Sense Media does not recommend non-moderated online play for pre-teens.

Game themes & details

Game Details

Available on: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Windows
Available online
Genre: First Person Shooter
Developer: Electronic Arts
Released on: March 2, 2010
Price: 59.99
ESRB Rating: M for Blood, Strong Language, Violence

Screenshots

This review was written by Chad Sapieha

Review It

What parents & educators say

Based on 41 parent & educator reviews:

51% say language is an issue
49% say there are positive role models
34% say there are positive messages
29% say violence is an issue

Read the reviews

Most useful reviews by all members

Dianne Collington
adult

Should not be played if under the age of 13

I wanted to write a descent review that parents can use. I see immature kids write reviews and say this game is "on" for age 2. People come to websites like these to make good decisions on what is right or wrong for their kids. The immaturity does not help them. My 13 year old son, turning 14 in early september asked me if he could buy the new Battlefield Bad Company 2 game. I told him we would look into it, but did not say a definite yes because of its M rating. I talked to other parents who had allowed their child to buy the game or had bought it for them. They said it was okay for a 13 year old to play. I let my son buy the game, but I watched to see what it looked like. There was some cursing, and some blood, but no limb loss or disgusting things like that. I think it is overall okay for a 13 year old to play, but I would not let my son play it if he were under this age.

What other families should know

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Battlefield: Bad Company 2 (Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Windows)

common sense media says

parents & educators say

What parents need to know

More on Battlefield: Bad Company 2

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

What's the story?

What's the story?

Is it any good?

Is it any good?

Game themes & details

Game Details

Screenshots

Review It

Review Battlefield: Bad Company 2

What parents & educators say

Most useful reviews by all members

Should not be played if under the age of 13

Exciting, Realistic Shooting Game With Many Educational Values.

Goof for tweens!

TWEENS AND UP ONLY

Lots of language, lots of fun.

If you want to play a good war shooter that isn't MW2. This is for you.

Not to Bad for Young Teens

Not as bad as you may think.

Alot of cussing, but still good game.

The Moderate Call of Duty.

Parents need to understand that some teens are more mature than other teens

BC2 really sets the bar

Upped from teen to mature, this title is now good for 13+

15+

One of the Best shooters ever

Great for people 17 and above.

Good, all you have to do is just go on options and turn off language.

Perfect for older players

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