Today I decided it was time to download the 360 demo of Bad Company 2. So I created an account and signed it up for Xbox LIVE so I could download it (my Luchadeer account is underaged) and was literally blown away by how great the game is compared to the first one. The first thing I did after parachuting down to the game (which is a pretty cool way to respawn) was grab a four wheeler. The next thing I remember was flying down the hill at crazy speeds while bullets rained down on my from the base across the bridge. I jumped off, hid behind some boxes, and waited for teammates to arrive. The whole screen was shaking and dirt was being kicked up into the air as the machine gunners continued firing on my position. I then remembered that I had an RPG, so I took it out, aimed at the building, fired, and watched as my attackers were blown out. A few matches later, I found myself hiding with several teammates inside an almost completely destroyed building while two enemies in a helicopter rained lead down on us. A few minutes later I looked up and saw the same helicopter being chased off by an RC chopper. A few matches later, I was in a helicopter with two other guys and we were badly damaged by an RC chopper. I jumped out, and as soon as I did the entire thing exploded in a fireball of fury. As I slowly floated down in the parachute, I watched as the helicopter fell to the ground in three pieces. I mourned for my teammates, since there was no way they could have made it out. However, upon reaching the ground I saw two blue dots ahead and discovered that my partners had in fact made it out. We were deep behind enemy lines, and we linked up together and proceeded to slowly head through their base. We managed to eliminate several soldiers at their own base before one of them was smart enough to get into a tank and blow us to pieces. It's moments like these that get me very excited about this game. When it works, it's an absolute blast. Nothing is more fun than assaulting a base with your squad with snipers backing you up and choppers flying above. When the game is like this, it's the best thing ever. 
 

The vehicles control great (besides the helicopter).  They actually take time to get up to speed, and they sound great.  The ATV is actually kind of lame.  The suspension doesn't even move (the wheels just go up and down) and it looks like it was made in Korea.  The  vehicle physics in the game don't seem to suit ATVs.  

I feel like sometimes I was the only one who really enjoyed the single player campaign for the first game. When I played multiplayer with friends...eh...it never gave me a good impression. Played the demo for this, really like what I saw. Looking forward to this game.

The multiplayer this time is fantastic. I reached the 4th sniper rifle in the PS3 beta, which had all the stuff available, and I loved it. 
Cant wait for it to release. I have a LE already reserved at Amazon :D

I thought the helicopter controls were fine.

I've been playing the demo a lot, and it is awesome. I haven't even tried flying a chopper yet because I've always been bad at it. A lot of other people seem to be bad at it too. I remember in BF: Modern Combat some people would specialize as chopper pilots. There needs to be more of those guys. They can really help out a team.

Change the vehicle controls to the Bad company 1 settings , I find it much easier.

I've got to agree. I was playing it last night and pretty much had the exact same experience as you. It's soo awesome when you're running into enemy lines and shit's blowing up all around you. It's constant action in that game but the cool thing is is it's all player made action and it is really exciting to be a part of. 
 
I also noticed something strange while I was playing it. When I died I didn't feel angry or annoyed like I do almost all the time on MW2. Maybe it's because the game's so crazy and fun you don't mind dieing because then you can plan your next attack or defense but in MW2 I always die because someone's hiding in the same corner every round or playing with bullshit tactics and it simply makes the whole experience not fun... and I'm sick of playing games and not having fun, so I'm definantly picking BC2 up when it comes out. I don't care at all about the story but the MP was so intense and fun I owe it to myself to play it and stop playing games that just piss me off.

Nate...how much Battlefield outside of Bad Company did you ever play?  I'm just curious, because this totally felt like the way a Battlefield game is - both in design and controls. 
 
Also, the crate indicators are now focused on your screen with the orange triangles, while the ticket counter is above the mini-map in your bottom left hand corner. 
 
Personally, the only issue with the game (based solely on the demo) is that you can STILL use explosives to destroy the fucking crates.  This is what ruined many matches of Bad Company, and I really wish they would get rid of that stupid shit. 
 
Other than that, the demo was excellent, and my copy is already pre-ordered!

Your characters weight bothered me a lot. I felt very cumbersome in multiplayer matches, everything seemed to take too long This includes reloading, turning, getting out another weapons, and so on...
 
It's a small complaint I just have to get used to, I'm still buying BC2.

Some bastard flew a UAV into my chopper. I love this game.

"  Personally, the only issue with the game (based solely on the demo) is that you can STILL use explosives to destroy the fucking crates.  This is what ruined many matches of Bad Company, and I really wish they would get rid of that stupid shit."

" The vehicles control great (besides the helicopter).  They actually take time to get up to speed, and they sound great.  The ATV is actually kind of lame.  The suspension doesn't even move (the wheels just go up and down) and it looks like it was made in Korea.  The  vehicle physics in the game don't seem to suit ATVs.   "

One of the best things about the demo so far for me was parachuting out of the plane, landing ontop of a Quad Bike, driving along when my mate landed on the back then we burnt it full speed off of that sniper cliff with the massive rock at the edge and flying 30ft into some trees, rolled a couple times into the road then went full pelt along the left hand side of their base and crashed through some fence and right next to B where my mate jumped off, planted then bomb then we both drove the hell out of there running over about 3 people while the whole place was exploding around us with the enemy trying all they could to blow us to pieces.
 
Fucking love this game. Going to trade in my copy of MW2 and get this when it comes out.

"Nate...how much Battlefield outside of Bad Company did you ever play?  I'm just curious, because this totally felt like the way a Battlefield game is - both in design and controls.  Also, the crate indicators are now focused on your screen with the orange triangles, while the ticket counter is above the mini-map in your bottom left hand corner.  Personally, the only issue with the game (based solely on the demo) is that you can STILL use explosives to destroy the fucking crates.  This is what ruined many matches of Bad Company, and I really wish they would get rid of that stupid shit.  Other than that, the demo was excellent, and my copy is already pre-ordered! "

Hmm, did you go into detail on why it didn't work at times? I have had no problems with the game not working.

  Unfortunately, the only vehicle that seems easy to use is the four wheeler, because the tanks and APCs are still difficult to control

" Nate...how much Battlefield outside of Bad Company did you ever play?  I'm just curious, because this totally felt like the way a Battlefield game is - both in design and controls.  Also, the crate indicators are now focused on your screen with the orange triangles, while the ticket counter is above the mini-map in your bottom left hand corner.  Personally, the only issue with the game (based solely on the demo) is that you can STILL use explosives to destroy the fucking crates.  This is what ruined many matches of Bad Company, and I really wish they would get rid of that stupid shit.  Other than that, the demo was excellent, and my copy is already pre-ordered! "

" Nate...how much Battlefield outside of Bad Company did you ever play?  I'm just curious, because this totally felt like the way a Battlefield game is - both in design and controls.
 
Personally, the only issue with the game (based solely on the demo) is that you can STILL use explosives to destroy the fucking crates.  This is what ruined many matches of Bad Company, and I really wish they would get rid of that stupid shit.  "

" @natetodamax said:

  Unfortunately, the only vehicle that seems easy to use is the four wheeler, because the tanks and APCs are still difficult to control

Wait what? Do you know how to even use a 360 controller? "

you really made me smile man... the way you described the action and how its great when 'it works' , i couldnt agree more and i play battlefield all the time just to have those few perfect experiences with 100% teamwork in all fields that turns the battle into a fucking masterpiece war movie... 
 
if i get anymore excited for BC2 i might end my life with a sharp object.

" Hmm, did you go into detail on why it didn't work at times? I have had no problems with the game not working. "

" Hmm, did you go into detail on why it didn't work at times? I have had no problems with the game not working. "

" @natetodamax: Are there any noticeable improvements done to the damage modeling?  In the first game, you could blow out walls, but couldn't completely level building a'la Red Faction: Guerrilla; have they made changes in that aspect? "

" @natetodamax: Are there any noticeable improvements done to the damage modeling?  In the first game, you could blow out walls, but couldn't completely level building a'la Red Faction: Guerrilla; have they made changes in that aspect? "

Why haven't I downloaded the beta yet...
 
THAT'S IT, I'M DOING RIGHT THIS SECOND!

OP, where's the part of your review where you clarify what you meant by "when it works?"