Battlefield: Bad Company 2

CHICAGO – It takes some time to truly appreciate the accomplishments of the development team behind the multiplayer portion of the highly-anticipated “Battlefield 3.” At first, it’s total chaos. Running, explosions, buildings breaking, planes crashing, more running — in the moment, the multiplayer of “Battlefield 3” is such an adrenalin rush that it can be difficult to truly assess it critically. You’re too busy trying to not to get killed again.

CHICAGO – Like most hardcore gamers, I’m not as easily impressed as I used to be. From the beginning of “Crysis 2,” and several times during my experience with the game, I was simply blown away. Whether it’s from the stunningly beautiful graphics (the best yet in the history of the Xbox), the deep customization that makes the game unique, or an incredibly deep multiplayer experience that is the most addictive since “Call of Duty: Black Ops,” this is a title that I know I will be playing on and off for the majority of 2011. It’s incredible.

CHICAGO – The first quarter of 2010 was the best of the calendar in the world of video games with stunning titles like “Mass Effect 2,” “Battlefield: Bad Company 2” and “Heavy Rain”.

CHICAGO – “Battlefield: Bad Company 2: Vietnam” is the best multiplayer DLC ever released. With some of the best-designed maps, period, DLC or disc-based, along with new weapons, vehicles, trophies, and even music, this is simply a must-download release. Even if you haven’t picked up “BBC2” in months and have departed its world for that of “Call of Duty: Black Ops,” this amazing release will suck you back in.

CHICAGO – If you notice that your multiplayer maps in “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2” have been a little emptier lately it’s because everyone has picked up their weaponry and marched over to “Battlefield: Bad Company 2,” one of the best shooters ever released and a title that nearly everyone who has ever enjoyed an FPS will be playing through 2010 and beyond.