With any game series with multiple entries that span decades, there will be discussion within that community about which game is the best. This is no different for Battlefield, as veteran fans debate whether titles like Battlefield 2 or 1943 are better, whereas newcomers might argue over Battlefield 1 or 5.

For some, the spinoff, Battlefield: Bad Company 2, is their favorite in the series. It was the first truly modern game in the series that could stand up to FPS titans like Halo and Call of Duty, and it introduced the fan-favorite Rush game mode that is sure to induce nostalgic memories in some players. Bad Company 2 did many things right that newer Battlefield games fail to get right.

9 Tactical Destruction

Destruction allows Battlefield players to destroy cover, level terrain, and demolish buildings. The first Bad Company and Battlefield 1943 had this mechanic, but it wasn’t fully realized until Bad Company 2.

Destruction 2.0 allowed entire buildings to collapse when enough walls were destroyed. This could completely alter gameplay as players couldn’t camp for very long and forced defending Rush teams to play offensively.  While later titles would utilize Destruction 3.0 and Levolution, Bad Company 2’s destruction forced players to use it tactically.

8 Dynamic Map Design

Nearly every map in Bad Company 2 was divided into smaller sections that would be opened up as matches progressed. Maps like Arica Harbor, Isla Inocentes, and Laguna Presa took players through small towns, across water and desert, uphill and in open fields, and forest and jungle.

The game mode that benefited from this map design was Rush. This allowed gameplay to feel more dynamic as fresh. Compare this to huge maps with barely any cover or variety like Galicia from Battlefield 1 or Hamada from Battlefield V, and the difference is night and day.

7 Story Mode And Characters

Recent Battlefield titles have had lackluster single-player campaigns with uninspired stories, bland characters, yet impressive set pieces. While the Bad Company 2 story isn’t anything to write home about, it had more personality than subsequent Battlefield stories.

The banter between characters made them stand out among other protagonists in the series. This leads to some hilarious dialogues, especially from Haggard. The campaign does end on a cliffhanger which sets up Bad Company 3, but who knows if that’ll ever happen.

6 More Freedom In Campaign Missions

Another thing the Bad Company 2 campaign had going for it was its large, free-roam level design. For instance, the “Sangre del Toro” mission starts players in a sandbox desert environment and is given a four-seater vehicle to explore the open area.

Compare this to the linear design of other Battlefield story mode missions and elaborate set pieces and cutscenes, and it is clear which game favors player choice and curiosity. There were always opportunities for the player to go off the beaten path throughout Bad Company 2’s campaign, and it made environments feel more real.

5 Better Weapon Effects And Sound Design

With a series that prides itself on all-put warfare and destructive environments, there better be top-notch sound design to go along with it. While recent Battlefield games have high-quality effects, Bad Company 2 has some of the best in the franchise.

For example, explosions and vehicles have a cinematic, almost realistic, sound to them. This is no exception for weapons. RPG rockets whizz by, silenced weapons are some of the most satisfying in the series, and LMGs pack a punch, making them sound truly devastating.

4 DLC That Changed The Game

Battlefield is no stranger to expansive DLCS that adds new maps, weapons, classes, and maybe more game modes. Battlefield 1 especially had great expansion packs that kept players coming back for more. However, DICE has not released a DLC that was as transformative as Battlefield: Bad Company 2: Vietnam.

Five brand new maps, age-appropriate weapons, and vehicles transported players back to the Vietnam War. To make the experience more immersive, DICE added authentic Vietnam War dialogue. No other Battlefield DLC was able to change the base game more than the Vietnam expansion.

3 No Premium

DLC is a natural part of a modern first-person shooter’s multiplayer cycle. It’s the surest way to keep players coming back and even make the developer’s quick cash if they slap a price tag on new content.

Recent Battlefield titles have engaged in a frustrating trend to sell season passes. This started with Battlefield 3 with the Premium bundles, which were often overpriced and encouraged more microtransaction practices. Bad Company 2 did not feature a Premium bundle. Instead, it included free maps and the reasonably priced Vietnam expansion.

2 Better Class Balance

Classes and guns were well balanced in Bad Company 2 and offered a variety of loadouts. For example, if players wanted to wreak havoc, the Assault class was more suited for them as it featured explosives and launchers. Support players could switch to Medic, who were equipped with medkits, and stealthier players who preferred long-range combat could use Recon armed with a sniper, motion sensor gadgets, and the powerful mortar strike.

Future titles changed classes as Assault now carries first aid packs and defibrillator, and Support has ammo packs and explosives. While it was difficult for players to reacclimate to these changes, it was obvious that classes weren’t as balanced as in Bad Company 2.

1 Rush Peaked In Bad Company 2

Bad Company 2 introduced an updated version of Gold Rush from the first Bad Company game and featured the best version of Rush in the Battlefield series. As stated before, maps were better suited for this game mode as level design specifically had Rush in mind.

DICE decided not to include dynamic map design in newer Battlefield titles, instead opting for sandbox maps. Which is fine, but Bad Company 2’s layouts were a game-changer. Hopefully, DICE can restore Rush to its former glory in the future.

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