With the launch of the Xbox 360 coming just a month following the release of Battlefield 2: Modern Combat for the Xbox and PlayStation 2, word began to spread quickly regarding a possible port of of the game to the new platform. It wasn’t until much later did the first details begin to emerge regarding the game’s debut for the Xbox 360, and even longer still before any concrete details began to emerge regarding the changes Battlefield 2: Modern Combat would undergo for its next-generation debut.

One of the most dramatic – and expected – differences between this version and those originally released in October 2005 comes by way of the game’s visual presentation. Everything looks more crisp and detailed this time around, as vehicles, weapons, and even soldier models looks far more detailed thanks to the extra horsepower afforded by the Xbox 360. It is disappointing that more attention was not paid to the environments, however. When compared to the lush, intricately detailed streets of Mexico found in G.R.A.W., the battlefields of Modern Combat feel particularly sterile and void of personality.

Something that differentiated this game from its PC counterpart with its original release was that while Battlefield 2 was and remains the benchmark for online team-based first-person shooters, Battlefield 2: Modern Combat instead was gifted with a tremendously robust single-player component. That observation remains true for this latest version as well. Seemingly by definition, Battlefield is a multiplayer experience, yet the developers have leveraged off of Electronic Art’s experience at delivering remarkable home console games, and have turned out a single-player campaign that almost measures up to its PC counterpart. However, as terrific as it is, the campaign is unfortunately saddled with a two-dimensional story that never amounts to anything more than forgettable.

Thankfully, while the story itself may be lacking, the sheer number of options available is not. While taking part in the nonstop frenetic firefights amidst the vast, highly-detailed environments, the player has access to over thirty vehicles, as well as new equipment and numerous upgrades. The other thing that makes the single-player experience such a breath of fresh air is hot swapping, or the ability to switch direct control from one soldier to any other within visual range on the fly. This sets up the opportunity to instantly become best-suited to deal with a given situation at the press of a button, and gives the player the feeling of being more in control of the battle rather than getting by at the mercy an A.I. that, while more impressive than what was found in the initial versions of the game, is still prone to bouts of stupidity.

This jumping from soldier to soldier, coupled with the game’s more forgiving nature when it comes to aiming and run-and-gun gameplay lends the whole experience to feel much more arcade-like than its PC originator. Weapons lack much of the realism that was found on the PC, and this more than any other change from the PC version is sure to alienate its share of players. Battlefield 2: Modern Combat has been built from the standpoint of delivering more of a pick up and play experience, and this has been achieved at the expense of the simulation feel that some existing fans may be expecting.

Battlefield 2: Modern Combat also includes support for some literally manic 24-player online multiplayer matches over Xbox Live. However, unlike its PC counterpart, here multiplayer plays a distant second to the game’s single-player campaign due to the fact that hot swapping, the key component that makes the single-player game work so well, not being available in multiplayer. Similarly, multiplayer matches are limited to just two modes: conquest and capture the flag. While fun, the lack of variety offered only serves to drive home the point that Battlefield 2: Modern Combat is primarily a single-player experience.

That said, however, this is still a fun game that succeeds for very different reasons than the series dictates. Whereas Battlefield‘s previous entries have benefited from deep realistic multiplayer experiences that bordered on wartime simulations, Modern Combat‘s strength instead lies in its solo arcade-style gameplay that, despite some problems still does the franchise proud. With a better A.I., more realistic enemy spawn points, and improved presentation, Modern Combat is a welcome addition to the Xbox 360’s library. It’s a hard sell to anyone who picked up the game for either the Xbox of PlayStation 2 upon initial release, but for anyone else looking for more gun play and explosions than a Bruckheimer film, this is a sure bet.

Score: 86%