Yep, This Is Battlefield
In a nutshell, Battlefield 1943 is the gameplay of Bad Company on the maps of Battlefield 1942. If you loved Bad Company and fancy the idea of playing more like it, 1943 will certainly scratch that itch. If you missed Bad Company, you have brought shame upon your family, but you can redeem yourself by purchasing this great online-only shooter.
While the classic Battlefield style of sandbox gunplay feels great on the gamepad, the most impressive thing about 1943 is the fact that it is a downloadable title. The destructible environments look beautiful, even if they aren't quite as malleable as Bad Company's levels, and the orchestral score that plays in menus sounds great. Gunshots and explosions sound appropriately menacing, and each weapon feels great to shoot. Unlike in previous Battlefield games, ammo is unlimited (even with secondary weapons such as rifle grenades) and health is regenerative. Some of the more hardcore players might be annoyed by this, but in general it allows for the action to keep up a steady pace. In short, the shooting experience just feels right. As usual, the vehicle controls are a little weird, although eventually you will get used to them.
If there is one complaint that could be leveled against 1943, it's the lack of an upgrade system. Every prior Battlefield game has granted players experience points for kills and objective captures. These points could later be used to unlock new weapons and gadgets for the many different classes. While experience is still doled out in 1943, it only contributes to an overall player ranking. There are no weapon or class upgrades, which effectively removes some of the depth of past games in the series. It is understandable that DICE wanted to make their game more accessable, but removing one of the key features of the franchise for the sake of accessibility seems odd.
That said, 1943 remains an excellent and highly ambitious shooter. The graphic and audio work is superb for a downloadable title, and the gunplay feels just right. Whether you're a Battlefield junky craving your next fix or a series newcomer, you owe it to yourself to check this inexpensive shooter out.
