Battlefield 2142 implements a weapon upgrade system that encourages both long term play and character specialization. There are only four classes to choose from, but as you spend time playing one of them you’ll eventually be able to select from one of two specialty tracks which effectively gives you twelve classes in the game. This system is confusing at first, but it works well for players who enjoy a single style of play. For example, if you like playing the sniper you can begin as a recon soldier and progressively unlock more effective weaponry as you move down the sniper specialist track. There are a couple of downsides to this system though. The first and probably biggest issue is that new players can be at a distinct disadvantage and these are the players that need help the most. It can be disconcerting to be thrown into a battle with a lot of specialist players and to find out the hard way that grenades are a weapon that must be unlocked. It is possible to play on a rank-restricted server to get your feet wet, but these types of games are not always easy to find. The other downside is that players who like to play different roles for fun or variety’s sake will find themselves at a disadvantage. You don’t want to be a jack of all trades, master of none while on a battlefield full of specialists.

VTOL, the plane of the future.

Battlefield 2142 supports squad-based play like its predecessor. You can designate a player to serve as a commander who can issue orders to groups of players who join together to form squads. Successfully following orders will earn field upgrades that can be used by the leader to deploy things like spawn points and enemy trackers. While many players prefer then mayhem of lone wolf play, a well-coordinated team that makes use of the game’s squad features can be a formidable force on the battlefield.

Overall Battlefield 2142 is as enjoyable as Battlefield 2, although it doesn’t feel significantly different than its predecessor. If you’re a fan of Battlefield games or new to the series then there’s no reason not to take a little trip to the war of 2142. Just think of the game as Battlefield 2.142.

In The End, This Game Hath Been Rated: 84%. Battlefield 2142 is an incremental step forward for the series, but the new Titan mode is sure to appeal to many of the series’ veterans.

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