Battlefield: Bad Company 2 goes Vietnam in upcoming DLC. Is the Cold War the new WWII?

You thought FPS' obsession with historical conflict was over? It's only just begun

Words: David Houghton on September 16, 2010

What's that? You thought that video games' obsession with historical real-world conflicts died with the over-saturation of the World War II market? Think again. It looks like the Cold War is ripe for plundering over the next few years.

With Call of Duty: Black Ops covering Vietnam (amongst other conflicts) in November, CoD rival Battlefield: Bad Company is right on its six, with the newly trailered BFBC2: Vietnam expansion pack due to hit this Winter. So we're looking at a around month's head start for Activision's game at best. The pack is multiplayer-only (like anything else really matters in Bad Company 2), and we have the pleasingly atmospheric trailer right here.

It certainly ticks all boxes as far as we're concerned (bar the one regarding that little thing called 'gameplay footage'). Media Trope Law #371 dictates that all works relating primarily to Vietnam consist largely of melancholic voice-overs and slow motion footage of brutal and senseless slaying, with a popular song of the era juxtaposed poignantly over the top. BFBC2: V has it nailed with the style, making the particularly tasteful selection of Buffalo Springfield's 1967 hit 'For What It's Worth'. We approve.

But what do you reckon? Is EA playing catch-up to Black Ops with Bad Company's foray into 'Nam? Or has this just fired up this year's Modern Warfare/Battlefield rivalry all over again?

Platforms:

iPhone, iPad, Xbox 360, PS3, PC

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CombatCat120 - September 18, 2010 2:55 p.m.

There's no catching up to do here. Battlefield did Vietnam first, 6 years ago. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4R8GDlV8rc&feature=fvw I just think DICE is trying to show that they can still do it better. If anyone can do multiplayer right, it's DICE. Here's hoping they bring back the in-vehicle music
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Xleathery420X - September 17, 2010 5:05 p.m.

if all you guys are looking for nam theres eve of destruction2 for battlefield 2 by black sands and if thats not good enough for you black sands is porting all the maps and stuff from eve of destruction to project reality which is outstanding already. and guess what both of those are FREE! and battlefield 2 is really cheap so go get it
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JakeyBaby - September 17, 2010 8:15 a.m.

You could also play this music too... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHiRTS57RJk Annoying the crap outta everyone you fly past haha
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JakeyBaby - September 17, 2010 8:11 a.m.

I think it's more like that this is a sequel to Battlefield Vietnam. No catch up at all, they did it first. And it was fucking awesome too. You could play music out of your helicopter! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4OxdkhvdAM&feature=related
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JADENkOTOR - September 16, 2010 10:25 p.m.

Vietnam is what they should have started the entire genre with years ago... Its crazy how long this took. BC2 really needs fresh new maps, new guns and upgrades, and most of all some new modes. I really cannot wait till this comes out even though it won't meet half of my expectations.
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ChuckB - September 16, 2010 9:57 p.m.

I'm still wondering how this has to do with BC? Is there a company inside the Marines called B? Does it have to do with the Black Weapon? Will still have funny undertones even so it's 'Nam?
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aberkromby - September 16, 2010 9:30 p.m.

"BBC2Vnam"...... You have to cite your source, if you want to use that: (c)Aberkromby, 2010, GamesRadar.com
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aberkromby - September 16, 2010 9:25 p.m.

If the mainstream focus is shifting to the Cold War era, good. That era is relatively untouched, and I'd like to see an honest attempt at a realistic Vietnam Conflict (It's obvious thet Black Ops and BFBC2Vnam will NOT be realistic in the slightest) at some point in time.
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Gotxxrock - September 16, 2010 6:19 p.m.

Looks like Dice is trying to atone for their earlier rendition of the war. Trailer looks okay, but then again I haven't heard a thing of it due to me being in a school library. Looking forward to it
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masenjo - September 16, 2010 6:04 p.m.

Buffalo Springfield- For What it's Worth
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roosterdip - September 16, 2010 5:10 p.m.

This will probably be a fun refresh for BC2 but IMO it's to late. I'm playing BC2 every day for the last 6 months and just about done with it. The only way i'll come back [after quitting] is if everything else sucks.
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JohnnyMaverik - September 16, 2010 4:19 p.m.

IDK, they might be playing off Black Ops predicted popularity... I still want a really gritty, hard hitting Vietnam single player though.
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Oxtranzor - September 16, 2010 4:12 p.m.

Sorry but gotta ask, what's the name of the song?
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Hexateuch - September 16, 2010 4:09 p.m.

Seriously amazing trailer. And I really doubt Dice is going to make this anything less than perfect.
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frmonth - September 16, 2010 3:49 p.m.

This could very well get me into playing Battlefield again, if they add some new achievements and maybe even avatar awards or something. It's nice to see some new content even if it has taken a long time to arrive (those 'map packs' that contain no new maps drive me crazy).
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