BFBC2 is pretty unforgiving.

I just got a new CPU and I've been running it through the ringer. I was hoping to get a decent idea on how it may play in BF3, since that is the game that I am looking forward to the most. I got a pretty surprising answer the last few days. And that answer is "hopefully awesome". I stepped up from a dual to a quad and the speed was similar, but the power this chip pumps out makes it seem WAY faster. Perhaps BFBC2, like the recent CoD games, plays best on a quad core... I don't really know. What I do know is that it plays smooth as silk now. I was pleased to see my CPU score in Windows 7 shoot up to 7.3 as well. Now if only I could get my hard drives on board here.....

Anyway, I've been playing some BFBC2 lately. I am far from "good". Hell, I'm probably not even mediocre. I'm pretty bad. I've been finding my groove somewhat and had an excellent time when I can find a server that allow

s me to actually play. You see, the main issue in BFBC2 that I have is one of the same things that turned me off to it last time. The leveling system.

Don't get me wrong. I LOVE the ranking system in this game. I think it is great. The point system is laid out very well and the way that the game utilizes these functions makes it feel pretty good. It really does a great job of helping to progress your game, especially based on what and how you play. I'm an awful Sniper and don't like playing solo and hiding out. I am a great team player and enjoy the SMG and assault rifle (the LMG is a little too unwieldy), so I prefer a certain class. Playing these classes that I enjoy will increase my benefits when I play them. No need to bang my head against a wall for results. There is plenty to do as either of the classes I enjoy, I don't have to be Recon.

The ranking system sets up the game at a decent pace as well. You can throttle your own leveling and it's nice to see yourself move up and forward quickly. It makes you feel like the time you have spent in the ga

me actually matters. As opposed to that other franchise that coughs up a new game every year.

The issue with the system is all of the bonuses that you get with it. The different between 1 and 10 is light years. A rank 50 player is easily 100 times better than a rank 20 player and not always because of skill. There are lots of things that are earned or have to be attained through LOOOOTS of playing. This wouldn't be so bad if there was better matchmaking, but there isn't. =(

I have spent the last couple days getting fucking ripped apart by people who are far and away better than me AND they have in-game bonuses that make them even better. If the leveling or point gain were a little faster. it might not be so bad, but late at night... it's pretty awful. Hopefully in the months leading up to BF3's release I can get back into my groove and tighten it up enough and be ready for some slangin'. I also hope it runs as well, but I'm not holding my breath for that.