Bad Company 2 is a FPS that rewards the gamer for patience, anticipation, pacing and teamwork. All finely tuned.
Unlike a lot of FPS games lately, BC2 takes things a little slower and a little easier with bigger maps and a more focus on team-based gameplay. I should talk about the multiplayer first before I get onto campaign. Simply because you will spend most of your time on BC2's absolutely incredible multiplayer mode.
The multiplayer in BC2 has three basic forms of play: Rush, Conquest and Deathmatch. Rush is the meat of the game and likely the game mode DICE focused the most on. It's generally very simple: two teams, one attacking and one defending. The team defending has two crates to protect, the attacking team has to destroy them by planting timed charges which the defenders must disarm in that case. Conquest is like Domination in MW2 with three flags to capture and held onto until the winning team ranks up enough points (or in BC2, until the losing team loses points). Deathmatch is self-expanatory but taking place on condensed versions of the maps (and sporting four teams of four against one another).
The maps on multiplayer are absolutely spectacular with background scenery belonging in a freaking photography book. Snowy peaks are awe-inspiring, smoke clouds are striking and the lighting/shadow effects of each level had so much effort put into them. The weapons all feel powerful and effective with shotguns letting off a mighty boom and reloading sounding satisfying right before you get shot.
The only real flaw is multiplayer tends to have problems every now and then. Not as bad as the first month where the servers went down frequently and hit detection can become glitchy and frustrating (especially when it comes to kniving). I recommend liking Battlefield's Facebook page because at least they are open and honest about problems on their Wall.
One big thing I should mention about BC2 is that it is not to be played like Call of Duty. You have to sprint, cover and spot (always spot) in every map. Running around expecting to twitch your way to victory will only get you killed. Expect your teammates to criticize you if you don't contribute to teamwork. That said, spot and talk because this is a game about team contribution rather than individual glory. The ranking system is ridiculously grinding which I think was intention, only the weapon/item unlocks are reasonable in terms of XP requirements.
The single player campaign is an actual single player mode with a story and plot progression. You play as a member of a paramilitary team who are sent to investigate a WW2-era weapon of immense magnitude. Aside from a handful of vehicle sections, single player is pretty standard. Go into an area on a set path, kill dudes and move on. You don't get a lot of set-pieces like in other FPS games, but it sure is fun using all the amazing weapons DICE programmed into their game.
All in all, BC2 is to be bought for the multiplayer which has seen constant map releases and an upcoming Vietnam expansion pack. I highly recommend this to anyone who likes FPS games that require skill and teamwork.