Battlefield 2
Battlefield 2 is a 2005 first-person shooter game developed by Digital Illusions CE and published by Electronic Arts for Microsoft Windows. It was released in June 2005 as the third game in the Battlefield franchise.
Players fight in a modern battlefield, using modern weapon systems. Battlefield 2 is a first-person shooter with strategy and tactical shooter elements.
The single-player aspect features missions that involve clashes between U.S. Marines, China and the fictional Middle Eastern Coalition. The multiplayer aspect of the game allows players to organize into squads that come under the leadership of a single commander to promote teamwork. The story takes place in the early 21st century during a fictional world war between various power blocs: China, the European Union, the fictional Middle Eastern Coalition, Russia and the United States. The game takes place in different fronts, as the Middle East and China are being invaded by US and EU forces, and the United States is being invaded by Chinese and MEC forces.
On June 30, 2014, the multiplayer master server was shut down alongside other GameSpy-powered titles, although it can still be played online throughout fan-created mods with alternative servers. In 2017, Electronic Arts demanded the takedown of the modified versions of Battlefield 2 on alternate servers, distributed by a group known as "Revive Network", as infringement of their copyrights.
Gameplay
Battlefield 2 is a sequel to Battlefield Vietnam and introduces several modifications to the gameplay mechanics of its predecessor. Several new gameplay features emphasize teamwork and collaboration. The new game engine includes improved physics, dynamic lighting, and more realistic material penetration.Battlefield 2 is a multiplayer video game played via the Internet or on a local area network. A single-player mode with three difficulty levels is included. Both player modes use the same maps and use Battlefields conquest game mode. Single-player mode allows 16 computer-controlled players while Internet mode allows up to 64 players. Players can choose to play as the United States Marine Corps, the People's Liberation Army, or the "Middle Eastern Coalition". Additional factions are playable through the expansion packs, such as the European Union. Progress in the game is made via promotions which allow additional weapons to be unlocked. By playing the game on ranked servers, players are able to add to their global player statistics. These statistics are used to award promotions and other achievements.
In Battlefield 2, players are divided into two opposing teams, with the factions determined by the selected map. The primary objective is to reduce the opposing team's tickets, which represent the army's capacity to reinforce their position on the battlefield. Each team has a limited number of tickets, and each casualty decreases the available total. Control points, represented by flags, serve as spawn points and are strategically important on the map. If one team controls a significant majority of the control points, the opposing team's tickets gradually decrease regardless of casualties. A round ends when one team's tickets are depleted, the round timer expires, or if a team holds no control points and has no remaining soldiers on the battlefield.
Battlefield 2s two game modes are Conquest and Cooperative. Cooperative games emphasize teamwork, prioritizing group achievement over individual victory. The only difference between the two modes is that Cooperative includes computer-controlled players, whilst Conquest allows only human players. Results from Cooperative mode do not count toward global player statistics.
Infantry classes
In Battlefield 2, as with previous Battlefield titles, players are able to select from a variety of infantry classes. Each class of soldier is equipped with different weaponry appropriate to their role in the battle. Assault soldiers, for example, are general-purpose infantry with grenade-launcher equipped assault-rifles and extra armor, Medics carry first-aid equipment such as a field defibrillator, and Anti-Tank troopers are equipped with missiles which are effective against heavy armor.Players are able to choose a class at the start of a match, or between dying and respawn. Players can change their class by picking up a 'kit' from the body of an incapacitated soldier, regardless of whether the soldier is friendly or enemy. For example, an Assault soldier can become a Medic by acquiring a fallen Medic's kit. Player classes are categorized into 'Heavy' and 'Light' types: Heavy classes have reduced damage to the torso but lower stamina, while Light classes have standard damage multipliers and higher stamina, allowing for longer sprinting.
Within the infantry class, there are three support classes with special abilities. Within the infantry, three support classes have unique abilities: the Engineer can repair vehicles using his wrench; the Medic can revive and heal teammates using defibrillator paddles; and the Support can resupply ammunition using ammunition bags. When any of these classes occupies a vehicle, nearby personnel and vehicles can receive repairs, healing, or resupply, provided they are within close proximity.
- Assault - Primary role is to engage in combat with enemies at medium range.
- Medic - Primary role is to revive and heal teammates
- Anti-Tank - Primary role is to undertake anti-tank warfare
- Engineer - Primary role is to repair or destroy vehicles
- Support - Primary role is to provide suppressive fire against enemies and resupply teammates
- Special Forces - Primary role is carry out stealth and sabotage missions
- Sniper - Primary role is to engage targets at long distances.
Vehicles
In contrast to Battlefield 1942, Battlefield 2 has only one purely water-based vehicle, the rigid-inflatable boat; however, the three APCs can travel in water as well. The game was designed with a counterbalance system in which each vehicle type has specific vulnerabilities, creating a dynamic similar to rock-paper-scissors. For example, mobile anti-air was intended to effectively destroy helicopters, but are vulnerable against opposing tanks. Included within this relationship are stationary defenses such as light machine guns and anti-aircraft/TOW emplacements. The availability and number of certain vehicles are dependent on the map and its size as well as control points captured. Also, more vehicles become available to be used on the maps of expansion/booster packs.. The USS Essex is the only naval ship featured in BF2, featuring two spawn points and aircraft spawn points, and is not drivable or destroyable, except for its Phalanx turrets.
Squads
Players are able to form squads of up to six soldiers in order to more effectively work as a team. Up to nine squads are permitted per team; each squad has a number and name for identification. Members of a squad have the ability to communicate with one another via Battlefield 2s integrated voice over IP system.Squad leaders may assign their squad a variety of objectives. Orders may also be given by the team's commander. Squad leaders are able to issue requests for commander assets and have a direct VoIP channel to the commander.
Members of a squad may spawn near their squad leader, provided that the leader is not dead, and that the team holds at least one control point. This feature allows squads to more quickly regroup after taking casualties.
Commander
The commander position is an exclusive role played by one member of each team. Any member of a team may apply for the position, but priority is given to players of higher rank.The commander alone has access to the "commander screen", an interface similar to that of a real-time strategy game. This allows the commander an overview of the battlefield as a whole, or zoom in and view parts of the map in real-time. The commander also has control of the various commander assets, which include artillery strikes, vehicle and supply drops, and UAVs. They can deploy them to assist their team. The commander can communicate with squads either by sending orders, or via VoIP voice communication. These tools allow the commander to strategically coordinate their forces on the battlefield.
A commander may resign at any point, freeing the position for other members of their team; they may also be forcibly removed by a successful mutiny vote conducted by their team. Although the commander does not gain points by normal methods, their score is doubled at the end of the round if their team wins.
The commander position would be seen again in Battlefield 2142 and Battlefield 4.