A great game for all of us, even for those of us with no internet (*Singleplayer* review)
The first thing you realize when you pick up Battlefield 2 is it's graphics. They are amazing, and don't need a $10,000 computer to use. They look stunning, and, although not photo-realistic, they are just good, but they do not draw you away from the game. The textures on the weapons deserve special credit, they look great.
The sound is also great in Battlefield 2. Although I do get the occasional static, this is probably due to my sound card, and not on EA's side. The sound is realistic enough, and it adds to the gameplay, Explosions, gunfire, and your typical walking all sound fine. Too bad there was no music, like in Vietnam. The gameplay in Battlefield 2 is flawless. The ability to squad up is useful, but not nessersary (so us lone wolfs can still own :)) and so is the Commander, who can call down artillery, and UAV scans. Thankfully, EA tweaked these just right, so artillery cannot win battles, but it helps a lot.
Like the previous games in the series, Battlefield 2 has a large amount of handheld weapons, from the familiar M-16A2 to the classic AK-47. The handheld weapons are fantastic graphically, and they are fun to use, including the knife, which makes a comeback in Battlefield 2.
Tanks, airplanes and jeeps are all in Battlefield 2, just like Battlefield 1942, but boats where taken out. You can still get light rubber boats, but aircraft carriers and the like where removed, which is not a good thing. The tanks in Battlefield 2 are a little overpowered, but they are not invincible-a anti-tank or a helicopter can take them down. The real problem is how much helicopters own. A helicopter can take down a whole squad, while that squad has no defense (unless there is a AA-missile car or launcher nearby.) Jets are also a blast to use.
The gameplay in general is the best, surpassing Battlefield Vietnam and matching Battlefield 1942. The maps are great, varied, from desert, to urban combat. Many other maps can be purchased, in the form of the expansion pack, Special Forces, and the booster packs, Euro Force and Armored Fury- a review for these is coming soon.
The main problem is the bugginess of the game. Crashes occur often, but only during loading times. Thankfully, with the 1.4 patch, there are less bugs, but I have heard that in pre-1.4 it would crash more often.
In conclusion, Battlefield 2 is one of the best FPS's ever, the best game in the Battlefield series (although 1942 comes close) and is a great game. Just don't expect it to run on a crappy rig-but it ran fine on my X1600.