I’ve dreamt that one day I would pick up a title that would leave me in a dither, and Electronic Art’s Battlefield: Bad Company 2 did just that. From the stunning realism in the graphics to the lifelike sound effects, I was left in awe time and time again while playing this title. It seems to me that videogames have taken that next big leap that gamers have been waiting for.

Battlefield: Bad Company 2 starts by shooting you into the action of a secret mission known as “Project Aurora.” That mission takes place in Japan in 1944 to set up the storyline before picking up in modern-day Russia. You play the role of a soldier, Preston Marlowe, who is a member of a four-man group, codenamed Bad Company or Bravo 2. This group is on a counterintelligence mission, and you are the U.S. pawn. Throughout the story, you will travel around the globe in search of plans for a new weapon the Russians are constructing. The story — although entertaining enough to hold interest — isn’t the most fantastic or moving. I didn’t find myself becoming attached to the characters, but it isn’t bad. The single-player campaign holds your typical war story.

The graphics in Battlefield: Bad Company 2 are unlike anything I’ve seen on the market, an unmatched realism with surreal lighting and particle effects that are to die for. If the graphics aren’t enough to draw you in, the sound will get you. In my own experience, it was as if I was actually in the heat of battle. On my 7.1 surround sound system, I’d catch myself looking over my shoulder for fear there was someone stomping through a pile of leaves in my kitchen.

When talking about level of detail, I must forewarn you that the developers have implemented a new element that brings a level of uniqueness to the game unrivaled by others like it. Just about everything in Battlefield: Bad Company 2 is destructible. The first time I ducked for cover in an abandoned building and was crushed to death as it fell around me, I think I felt a little tear in my left eye — because games have been brought to that next level of realism thanks to Battlefield: Bad Company 2.

Where Battlefield: Bad Company 2 really holds water is its multiplayer experience — which I couldn’t get enough of. Once again, Battlefield brought with it massive maps with huge attention to detail, but unlike the previous game, I didn’t find myself walking from one end of the map to the other wishing I could find something to shoot at. This time, the guy’s at Electronic Arts got it right.

Using the squad system, which lets you and a group of buddies team up, you can spawn back next to one of the other players in your squad if you die. As of right now, there are three different game modes with several different maps to choose from that are loaded with detail and neat hiding spots waiting to be used by the elite gamers.

You also get your choice of four different class types: engineer, medic, recon and assault. Any of the four class types have a plethora of different weapons you can choose from once you level that class — yes, each class levels independently. Each class is specially equipped with upgradable weapons that are going to guide your multiplayer experience for you. You could be the hero taking out the tanks and helicopters wailing away over your head as the engineer with the rocket-propelled grenades, or you could sit back and pop a few rounds off at the mass of noobs as the recon sniper. The choice is yours, and if you are good, you could be the game winner in any of the classes.

There was something to be noted: In Battlefield: Bad Company 2, you can also upgrade certain areas of your character to be skilled with certain vehicles. You may choose to receive a buff on your tank for defense or add damage to your firepower — maybe a little faster reload speed action going on? You also have your standard ranking system during online play with different titles and achievements at different numeric levels.

Although Battlefield: Bad Company 2 held up as solid in every department, there are a few minor complaints, and I do mean minor. As I said before, the story isn’t anything that will move you, and it is a little short. I beat the game in just under 10 hours on the hardest difficulty, but there is a lot of replay value — especially if you are trying to pick up achievements. But don’t forget, this game remains truly superior for its multiplayer experience. If you get this game for nothing else, you should get it for that.

I’d definitely recommend purchasing Battlefield: Bad Company 2 if you are a fan of online first-person shooters. If there ever was a multiplayer game deserving of the title “epic,” Battlefield: Bad Company 2 would be that game.