Battlefield 2: Modern Combat is a first-person shooter game that brings console gaming to the Battlefield series. Vehicles such as Humvees, tanks, APCs, and helicopters are present in the game, but fixed-wing aircraft are noticeably absent.
The multiplayer mode allows up to 24 players to engage in Conquest or Capture the Flag modes, where players capture flags and maintain control until the enemy team's flag is taken. A single-player campaign takes players on a story-led journey through China and USA as they battle each other in Kazakhstan.
Throughout the single-player campaign, players switch between China and USA armies, following orders based on news reports that provide insight into both sides of the war. The new Hot Swap feature allows players to quickly jump into any allied troop on the battlefield, saving time and positioning themselves for optimal attacks or defenses.