Huge Battlefield 2 patch finally released

EA has released an enormous 2GB patch for ageing online shooter Battlefield 2. And, what ho, Creative Assembly has dated and detailed a much-needed update for Empire: Total War as well.

The Battlefield 2 patch makes expansions Armored Fury and Euro Forces free for all, on top of adding Highway Tampa and Blue Pearl maps. Plus, BF2 now works with Windows Vista, supports widescreen and can use more than 2GB of RAM.

Battlefield 2 may be over four years old, but with age comes fewer bugs, as well as system requirements less demanding on today's PCs. The Battlefield 2 website can tell you more, as can our original BF2 review.

The Empire: Total War patch, available in late September, focuses on teaching the AI a thing or two. Of chief concern are campaign diplomacy, naval invasions and sieges - both how the AI approaches them and the way the engine handles them (bugs and pathfinding issues should now be redundant).

Creative Assembly is adding a couple of extra battles in the shape of Battle of Rossbach and Battle of Fontenoy, and missile cavalry can now fire and reload on the move.

Voodoo Extreme carries the full list of changes, which is substantial and most welcome.