Gameplay

ARMA 2 is a tactical shooter focused primarily on infantry combat, with significant vehicular and aerial combat elements. The player is able to command AI squad members which adds a real-time strategy element to the game. This is further enhanced by introduction of the high command system, which allows the player to command multiple squads using the map. ARMA 2 is set primarily in the fictional Eastern European nation of Chernarus, (meaning "Black Rus"). The Chernarussian landscape is based heavily on the Czech Republic; the home country of the developer.

Arma 2, plus all expansions, features eleven distinct armed factions, all with their own vehicles and weapons. Caught in the middle are the Chernarussian and Takistani civilians. The ones included in Arma 2 are: USMC, Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, Chernarussian Defence Forces (CDF), Chernarussian Movement of the Red Star (ChDKZ), National Party (NAPA), and Citizens of Chernarus.

Arma 2 features around 80 realistically represented weapons with many variants including assault rifles, machine guns, and missile launchers, with realistically simulated ballistics. Rounds travel in parabolic trajectories and show effects of bullet drop dependent on their caliber, Muzzle velocities are modeled, and rounds lose velocity and knockdown power over time traveled. Sniper rifles can use stadiametric rangefinding to adjust for long-range shots. U.S. rifles use mil-dot scopes while Russian rifles use Bullet Drop Compensation (BDC) scopes such as the PSO-1. In addition, bullets will ricochet from surfaces depending on angle of impact. Penetration is also modeled, with rounds that pass through materials suffering from altered velocity and direction.

There are around 130 vehicle variants, and any vehicle that exists in-game can be controlled by the player, including everything from civilian cars, tractors and bicycles. Similarly, all aircraft encountered in the game can be flown by the player, with limited fuel and realistic weapon loadouts.

ARMA 2 includes a mission editor which makes it possible to create user made single player missions or campaigns and multiplayer missions, with its wizard. More complex missions can be enhanced with scripting commands. The syntax and interface have both been kept largely consistent with the ArmA series, meaning that missions are ported across games.