Parents' Guide to

Battlefield: Bad Company 2

By Chad Sapieha, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 18+

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

Game PlayStation 3 , Windows , Xbox 360 2010
Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this game.

  • Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Game: Screenshot #1
  • Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Game: Screenshot #2
  • Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Game: Screenshot #3

Community Reviews

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age 12+

Based on 44 parent reviews

Sam M.
Sam M. Parent of baby-year-old
March 6, 2016
age 15+

Instant Classic Multiplayer Shooter. Rated M Mostly for frequent profanity

Similar blood as Uncharted 1 (reactions are more realistic tho). 61 F words. Multiplayer has less modes than most shooter on the market now but each is VERY fun to play on the many well made, balanced and varied maps that feel dynamic and open to a variety of playstyles as well as spacey without being overstretched, providing planty of opprutunities for intense squad skirmishes after a vehicle blitzkrieg. And it has FULL Destruction rqther than that "destroy one big building to slightly alter the map in BF4". It may not play or run as fast as its sequels but it will always be my favorite. If you have never played it, get it on PC were people still play it.
kjsjdksk
kjsjdksk Adult
June 2, 2015
age 10+

Great game for tweens!

I got this game for my son and he loved it. Every time you get shot the screen turns white (not red). No one else says anything about the destruction missions like destroying an enemy base out of a plane! all of vehicles and planes are real types not just made up (good learning aspect). surely a great alternative to other super violent games (order 1886).

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
Easy to play/use
See all 44 parent reviews

What’s It About?

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?

Our review:
Parents say (44 ):
Kids say (65 ):

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.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • 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?

Game Details

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