A truely innovative game that raises the bar for simulated combat.

Battlefield: Bad Company may seem like a simplistic knock-off of Call of Duty 4 at first. Soldiers run around a country, killing baddies and blowing stuff up. Then, you realize it is different: you blow everything up.

Story:
You control Private Preston Marlow, an Army recruit who is found guilty of undermining the Army's progress (in this case, by crashing a helicopter) and is sentenced to fight with Bad Company, a group of soldiers who have all slowed the Army's progress in Russia. The characters are all well-presented, with the squad being a great aspect of Battlefield's first true story-based game. The story also holds up well, with several twists and turns that bring back memories of Three Kings and several other war movies. The real draw to this game, however, is the destruction.

Gameplay:
This is a game where anything goes. Walls, floors, trees, and even the ground can be altered using explosives in the forms of grenade launchers, artillery, one of the many vehicles that are presented throughout the game, and much more. Destruction isn't just a gimmick, it is the game itself. Everything is based around deforming the environment in order to gain the upper hand. The only noticeable flaw with the gameplay is the AI, which is incredibly bad, but you won't notice it mess up when there is a cloud of debris blocking your vision.

Graphics:
The graphics in Bad Company are impressive to the utmost extent of the word. Sweeping vistas and polished environments are the main draw here. These graphics are arguably better than those demonstrated in Call of Duty 4. Not only that, but the water effects are the best I have ever seen in a game. Some people may be put off by an old-timey filter that is not able to be turned off, but it is a minor qualm.

Sound:
Almost no games pay attention to sound, instead choosing to take the easy way out. Bad Company is not one of those games. Hearing a bullet whiz past your head or a shotgun blast punch through a thin wall is an experience you are not likely to forget. The voice acting and dialogue are also excellent and bring the characters to life before your eyes.

Multiplayer:
Battlefield would not be complete without multiplayer, and the multiplayer here is a great addition and is sure to keep you coming back to the game for months to come. Gold Rush is a Search and Destroy-esque gametype that has an attacking team attempting to destroy two gold crates and a defending team trying to kill off the attackers. Conquest mode is also back, and it is probably the best territorial mode I have ever seen in a game.

Overall:
If you own a 360 or PS3, Bad Company is a must-buy that not only changes the landscape of shooting games, but nukes it to bits. If you are looking for a game that transcends genres, Bioshock is a better buy. However, if you are looking for a fun experience that you want to play for months on end, buy this right now.