Battlefield 2 is the ever popular modern day FPS (First Person Shooter) from EA. The game pits modern day armies such as USA, China and the fictonal MEC (Middle Eastern Coalition) against each other in a wide range of arenas. The choice of maps varies from the ever popular infantry fests of Strike at Karkland and Sharqi Penisula, to the airpowerd Wake Island 2007 and Gulf of Oman. With the choice of kits there is something to suit every FPS gamer, being sniper, medic, assault, engineer, support and anti-tank. There is also a wide choice of vehicles to choose from jets, tanks, choopers, boats and buggies. Another strong point of Battlefield 2 is it's ranking system, the more you play the better your rank becomes and the more weapons you can unlock. It also has a very good squad play system which encourages players to join and play in squads. Further, for the tactical gamer there is the commander option where you actually command your team on the battlefield and spur them on to victory.

STRIKE AT KARKAND

This is an infantry only lover’s dream map with its alleyways and long streets, ideal for squad based leap frogging. There are also great positions to set up ambushes and long range sniping. Usually the two flags of Train Accident and Gatehouse make for some intense over the bridge battles. On infantry only, if MEC have their defence set up correctly it can be a pain for the USA to break through and capture a flag, as it tends to bottleneck around Hotel. With this map being so infantry based you will find that this is one of, if not, the most popular bf2 map with loads of servers running it 24/7. Overall, a mainly infantry map with some good battles to be had, being also good when using a tank and apc squad with great teamwork to clean up on the servers that allow vehicles.

SHARQI PENISULA

A fun map that has something for everyone, be it sniping, anti tank or just plain old assault this one's for you. The MEC have 3 different fixed bases on this map making it very tricky to defend as you can be attacked from 3 alternate directions. The main choke points are around Construction Site and Surveillance Post. Construction Site, with its cranes and high roofs is a snipers paradise and can also be a pain to defend with the various entrances and exits. TV Station, is another hotly contested flag as this is where the US chopper and tank spawn and therefore a very valuable asset for both teams. Overall, a good map being ideal for a tank or apc to run wild. Additionally a tank and apc together or a good chopper and gunner team can clean up as the high buildings give them good cover from AA missiles.

MASHTUUR CITY

This map is good for squad play as there are a lot of open spaces ideal for long range firefights. Mosque is the main flag in the middle and is most important for infantry as it acts as a starting point to the other flags. Backyard and Power Station are where the two tanks spawn, so these are of great importance and if one side controls both tanks they can almost guarantee victory. Again, it is another snipers dream as it has a few great sniping locations and lots of high roofs, which makes taking flags doubly dangerous. Overall, a squad based map where teamwork is the order of the day. Another great tactic for squad work on this map is using one squad in a Blackhawk to take flags which works extremely well as AA cover is none existent.

DALIAN PLANT

What can I say about this map except that it is a pilots dream and an infantry player’s nightmare.Dalian is an armour map and makes for good vehicle battles, mainly centred around the main entrance flag with it being the closest to the Chinese main base. The only thing that you need to look out for are the jets, with the wide open spaces and little cover making them ideal for bombing runs. This is one of the maps that you could get stuck in your main base if either the US or Chinese are on the ball. For example, if the Chinese take all the flags and then man the various Anti Air sites, the USA stand little chance of gaining a foot hold. This scenario also works in reverse, as if the US manage to cap all flags then the Chinese could easily be camped back to there and stuck, with a breakout very hard to achieve. Overall, an air map that a reasonable pilot should be able to easily clean up.

DRAGON VALLEY

Another map where air superiority will win the round with the abundance of planes and choppers available to both sides. The USA start from there carrier the U.S Essex and have 1 other flag in docks with the Chinese having all other flags. The way to win this seems to be a few good squads taking flags quick in buggies with maybe an APC in support. Wood yard is a tactical point to control for both sides as it spawns the Chinese chopper Refinery is also a flag that sees a lot of action as if the US take this then they will have air superiority as this is the Chinese airfield. Overall another air map where a couple of good pilots can control the game but still a good map for infantry as well as  squad buggy work can win it also.

DAGING OILFIELDS

This map is somewhat deceiving as it is a big open map and again a bit of a air map but it also has some good infantry fire fights possible especially around Oil Cisterns smack bang in the centre of the map. Oil Cisterns is the central flag and crucial to achieve the win but you also have Power Station, Refinery and Gas Station which each spawn a tank. So it is a fine balance between controlling the centre of the map and getting enough armour to defend it. Overall good armour map providing you have the air cover to keep the enemy jets and choppers at bay.

FUSHE PASS

Fushe is a good armour map as it is big but seems to be better suited to APCs than tanks as tanks are to slow and if you are up against a good pilot then you don’t stand a chance really. This map is a little different as it is split down the middle by a river with only limited crossing points for vehicles which leaves them open to anti tank ambush. West Mine and East Mine are the 2 main flags as again they are central on both sides of the river so act as a starting point for any prolonged attacks on flags. Overall a good big map better suited to APCs and squads in buggy’s but easily overpowered if up against a decent pilot.

GULY OF OMAN

Now this map is a pilots dream but with the US having the front flags from the start it is an intense battle from the off. The front 3 flags do have AA so it makes it that bit harder for the pilots to bomb if they are manned properly. Construction Site and Hotel do see there fair bit of action as they are the central flags but the most action is usually around Olive Hill Fort and Rock fort the two front flags these do spawn APCs and tanks so again armour rains supreme on this one with good air cover and you cant lose. Overall a good armour and air map and also one of the best maps to play on 16 player size infantry only.

KUBRA DAM

Kubra is a massive map even if you choose 32 player size with a total of 7 flags that can be capped 8 on 64 player size. Another one for the armour and jet lovers they can both reigns supreme on this one if there is not good AA cover. Lower Dam and Construction are the two main flags on this one. Construction because it spawns AA right next to the MEC airfield excellent for keeping they pesky jets down and Lower Dam as it is closest to the enemy airfield Intake. You would be surprised that for such a big map it is great for snipers as it has a couple of cranes and other spots that are ideal sniper points. Overall a massive map where choppers and APCs working together could easily clean up.

OPERATION CLEANSWEEP

This map is a real bitch if you start as US as you need to take either air transport APCs or boats to get to the island and if the MEC have a halfway decent pilot then good luck. Once you finally get to the island the main flags are Small Airstrip and Abandoned Village. It is hard for the US as the MEC also have 2 airfields so more jets that is what makes Small Airstrip a very important flag. Overall this is an air map pure and simple if you have a good pilot you win if not you lose.

SONGHU STALEMATE

This map is most popular played on 32 player size where there is less distance and flags to cover. The main action points on this map are central fort west Perimeter and North Island being the most central flag so hence being the most sought after. Ideally this map is very well suited to APCs and also boats are ideal for this map giving squads fast access to all the main flags. Overall a mainly APC ideal map with good squad work and communication dictating who takes the eventual win.

ZATAR WETLANDS

This is another map to add to the pilots dream category with its wide open plains and its very open flags with little cover. The only hiding place on this map is in vehicles and that’s providing you don’t suffer a direct hit. The main flags are the two airfields for obvious reasons then you have Central Island the name says it all here the middle flag and a good starting point for an attack on any of the out lying flags. Natural Gas Station and Factory are two other very important flags as these both spawn apcs and that is key to winning this map making the most of armour otherwise you are just cannon fodder for jets. There are also lots of sniper positions and an average sniper can rack up some impressive kills if the find the right spot. Overall a good map where teamwork and attacking as squads and in force is key to capping flags and holding them.