By The Stratos Group
Design by Collin Oguro

Few demos for multiplayer games have inspired quite as much online encomium as the demo for Battlefield 1942 did almost a year and a half ago. Although there had been team-based online titles before, few of them had so seamlessly integrated the components of warfare together into one coherent package. The huge maps; the ability to jump into (and out of) planes, tanks, submarines, and all manner of other vehicles; the incredibly well-designed control system: all of these factors combined to form an undisputed classic of online gaming, one that still regularly finds itself among the top three most popular online action games. And now, in an astonishingly short period of time, at least on the scale of computer games, we have the first sequel to the game: Battlefield Vietnam.

As the name implies, Battlefield Vietnam shifts the focus of the Battlefield series from World War II to the conflict in Vietnam. As a sequel, BFV retains all of the aspects of BF1942 that we know and love, but upgraded, tweaked, and rebalanced for optimal gameplay greatness. And, if its rapid rise in popularity counts for anything (within two weeks of its release, it's consistently managed to attract more online gamers than its predecessor), the future may be very bright indeed.

Although time will undoubtedly bring along expansion packs and brilliant modifications, for now, all we have is Battlefield Vietnam itself. And just in case that's not enough for you, Gamespot is proud to present an exhaustive guide to the game, featuring tips on the weapons, the vehicles, the armies, the maps, and just about everything else that DICE managed to pack into the title. Whether you're still in training or short for your first trip back home, you should find something of use here. Enjoy!

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