Battlefield 6 has arrived: large-scale warfare with lots of destruction
Today, the battle is on. While Call of Duty has captivated gamers with a penchant for shooter action in recent years, there’s some serious competition in the form of Battlefield 6 for the first time in a while. The latter game was released today, so it promises to be a cracking weekend.
Back from being away
The Battlefield series has certainly earned its stripes over the past decades. While many shooters offer relatively superficial action, Battlefield has long been known for its expansive battlefields with a touch of tactical warfare. Moreover, multiplayer matches in Battlefield are often larger than those of its competitors, making it crucial not only to stay alive during a match but also to consider the objectives of your entire team.
In recent years, Battlefield’s reputation has slumped somewhat due to a few less-than-well-received instalments that deviated from the core gameplay described above. However, publisher Electronic Arts felt it was time this year to return to what made the series so great, and if we can believe gamers’ initial impressions—including those from several test phases—they’ve succeeded.
Pax Armata
In the game’s single-player campaign, set in 2027 and 2028, we’re introduced to a world that’s not so unthinkable anymore. More and more countries are withdrawing from NATO, and in its place, the military faction Pax Armata is gaining power. While various countries continue aligning with this group, Pax Armata seeks total control. It’s up to the members of Dagger 13, an elite squad of marines, to stop them.
What follows is a thrilling series of missions centred around explosive warfare. As the gripping story unfolds, you travel the world to engage in large-scale battles in stunning locations – both on foot and in vehicles. Compared to many other shooters, the gameplay feels remarkably weighty and realistic, while maintaining a fluid feel.
The main course: the multiplayer
The single-player campaign described above will be a starter for most players, as Battlefield 6, like previous instalments, is primarily about multiplayer. Starting today, you can show off your shooting skills on nine different maps, set in virtual versions of cities and countries like New York, Iran, and Egypt.
There are several modes to sink your teeth into. Of course, there’s the classic Team Deathmatch, in which two teams of eight players each compete to kill the opposing team as many times as possible. An interesting variation is Squad Deathmatch, in which the sixteen players are divided into four smaller teams.
Things get even more interesting in large-scale modes like Conquest, where a whopping 64 players participate. The action takes place on larger versions of the maps, where teamwork pays off even more. Because the battles are so large, vehicles like tanks are also in high demand.
Total destruction
Battlefield 6’s impressive destruction system complements all of this. Depending on the material it’s made of, just about anything you encounter on the maps can be destroyed. An enemy hiding in an apartment building across the street? Why not fire a rocket at them and bring the whole building down? But even on a smaller scale—for example, smashing through a wall to get to your target—this offers a wealth of interesting possibilities not found in many other shooters.
As if all that weren’t enough, Battlefield Portal returns from the previous Battlefield game in the sixth instalment. Here, you can customise the experience to your liking. Create your own rules and apply them to a map of your choice to create a completely unique experience, which you can then share with your fellow players online.
More content coming soon
As is typical with these kinds of games these days, the release of Battlefield 6 today is just the beginning. Every three months or so, a new season begins in the game, bringing all sorts of new content, including new maps to explore and weapons to fire.
Additionally, an even grander battle royale experience is being developed—think Call of Duty: Warzone and Fortnite—which will be available for free later, even for people who haven’t purchased Battlefield 6. So there’s still plenty in the pipeline.
So, as of today, it’s time to go to war. Battlefield 6 is available now on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and S. Prepare for battle, soldiers!