The Battlefield: Bad Company beta went live for Xbox 360 last week, and Electronic Arts was kind enough to send us a registration key , so we could get a taste of Digital Illusions' customized destruction engine.

Obviously, the big draw with Bad Company is the ability to take out items in the environment. If a tree is standing in your way, you can blast it to pieces. Fences and walls aren't safe either, as you can blow holes in them with enough concentrated firepower. Even larger structures tend to crumble with the right amount of damage, shaking free from their foundations and collapsing to the ground.

Blow stuff up? Yes, please.

In the beta, you'll find two maps – Ascention and Oasis. Ascension is the more cramped of the two, featuring less vehicular action and focusing more on general firefights and sniping opportunities. That said, Oasis is the most preferred, since you'll get the hang of vehicular controls. We tried a tank and a roving jeep vehicle. The jeep, obviously, is more complicated, as you can't drive and control firing capabilities at the same time. However, get a friend involved and you're a force to be reckoned with. On foot, the game holds up well, complete with the ability to dash and utilize a number of weapons.

It's just a shame that the artificial intelligence isn't a little more balanced. It responds accordingly if you attack its gold supply or invade the area, but it takes too many hits to bring down. Considering that you're dead after a mere few gunshots, this seems somewhat unfair. Keep in mind, however, that it IS just a beta, and the final game should find better balance.

While roving around maps and killing bad guys is a big deal, your primary focus in Bad Company is keeping an eye on your payload. Bad guys can booby trap and destroy your gold supply, and losing it means losing the match. For the same reason, though, you can pursue their assets as well, putting a big dent into their monetary flow. It's a nice defensive tactic that keeps your opponent on your toes.

Overall, the beta's not bad. Improvement needs to be made with The graphics need improvement, the level design's a little flat compared to the destructibility factor, and better labeling for leveling up and earned awards would only add to the experience.. However, the series has come a long way on the Xbox 360, a few strides ahead of the above-average Modern Combat

Related Links

Battlefield: Bad Company Game Guide