Tom —
Listed here are the three issues I need to see in Battlefield 6
- Battlefield 6 would be the newest entry from EA’s legendary FPS franchise
- It is anticipated to be introduced for Xbox and different consoles in 2025 and presumably launched in October
- With current disappointments like Battlefield 2042, we want some adjustments
Over the past 23 years, I’ve performed each Battlefield recreation. The exception is Fashionable Fight, which I solely did not get round to as a result of it launched in the identical yr because the improbable Battlefield 2 and was subsequently overshadowed by its PC-only sibling.
When contemplating that, not solely do I understand that I’ve in all probability been taking part in video games longer than a few of you wonderful people have been alive (I am going to play some video video games later to cheer myself up), however I am additionally reminded how a lot of a rollercoaster trip the franchise has been over time.
Comparisons have at all times been made between Battlefield and Name of Responsibility, which has at all times been unusual to me. They’re vastly completely different franchises. Whereas Name of Responsibility is about quick, slick gunplay that strikes in tightly knit three-lane maps, Battlefield has at all times broadened the scope with large maps, automobile play, and (at its greatest) an unimaginable array of participant decisions in how they assault or defend targets.
Nevertheless, it is secure to say Battlefield gamers really feel like EA missed the mark with its final two entries. Battlefield V launched with a ton of bugs and plenty of felt that DICE underdelivered its guarantees for the WWII shooter. As for Battlefield 2042? Effectively, the developer’s plans to desert the trademark class system in favor of Specialists wasn’t the very best thought and the maps grew to become far too huge even within the 120-player modes.
There have been some improbable highs and various lows, however the collection has at all times held a particular place in my coronary heart. The quote “If it ain’t broke, do not repair it” involves thoughts, and I hope this subsequent entry returns to boots-on-the-ground gameplay with enhancements to the collection’ fundamentals. Battlefield followers do not want fancy devices and goofy Specialists! We simply want intense firefights and extra destruction.
Whereas I’ve discovered enjoyment in each Battlefield recreation, there are some issues I would like to see in Battlefield 6 — or no matter this subsequent recreation will likely be referred to as. For my part, Battlefield 6 should make three adjustments when it brings its conflict to Xbox.
Various map design is paramount
Introduced in to help its new 120-player recreation modes, Battlefield 2042’s maps have been big in comparison with another recreation within the franchise. Whereas I had hoped that a rise in gamers would result in much more carnage, matches felt barren at instances. The quantity of house pressured you to cowl quite a lot of empty floor to succeed in Conquest targets — I did love the Breakthrough mode, although!
Conquest feels the very best when map rotations flick between bigger, vehicle-focused maps and tighter-knit close-quarters environments. The thrill of Battlefield 3 are a superb touchstone right here. You may go from tank-on-tank warfare on Caspian Border to infantry-only annihilation on Operation Métro, with Grand Bazaar thrown in for an incredible mixture of each gameplay kinds — one well-placed LAV-25 wedged into a good alleyway might wreak pleasant havoc on the enemy group!
Skipping ahead to newer entries, Battlefield 1 and Battlefield V had some nice maps, each providing spectacular ranges of destruction. Battlefield V featured some improbable damaging playgrounds, permitting most buildings to be destroyed and even permitting larger caliber bullets to tear by means of partitions, making it tough to seek out cowl at instances. Due to a brand new fortification system that gave gamers a option to construct obstacles — like sandbags, barbed wire, and such — you can create defensive positions in hotspots as nicely.
For me, that may be a core side of the Battlefield video games. With the ability to destroy a constructing crammed with enemy combatants and eradicating that cowl fully makes matches and maps really feel dynamic. Sadly, it was a collection basic that was painfully underused in BF 2042, however wants to make a drastic return in Battlefield 6.
No extra Specialists and return to the category system
EA has already confirmed that Specialists will not return in Battlefield 6, but it surely nonetheless feels value mentioning. This one is a no brainer, because it nearly single-handedly landed the killing blow to Battlefield 2042. DICE had already began reverting to a category system by the point I returned to Battlefield 2042 a yr and a half after launch.
In contrast to Name of Responsibility, Battlefield feels at its greatest when groups are working collectively, and courses guarantee squads are crammed with various roles. Profitable groups have a variety of courses performing their roles. Medics dive to resuscitate teammates and drop therapeutic packing containers. Assist gamers lay down heavy fireplace and drop ammo packing containers. Engineers maintain automobiles on the battlefield and lay mines for the enemy. Assault gives all-around safety whereas the glint of sunshine hitting a scope reveals Recon items sniping prey from a distance and offering new spawn areas.
In contrast to different video games within the style, Battlefield is at its greatest when it makes you are feeling like a small cog in a really huge machine. Usually, victory is within the arms of the bulk; not a single participant ‘John Wicking’ it by means of the map.
Carry again DLC or Title Replace achievements
I fairly loved Battlefield V, not as a lot as Battlefield 1, however nonetheless discovered quite a lot of enjoyment with it, particularly when messing round with the fortifications. It did not fairly have the identical ambiance as its predecessor, but it surely was nonetheless an honest entry in its personal proper. My greatest gripe with Battlefield V was DICE’s choice to cease rolling out any post-launch achievements — a theme that continued with Battlefield 2042.
With Battlefield V, DICE did away with the DLC system from earlier Battlefield video games the place you’d get a number of expansions and title updates after launch, most of which added a pleasant listing of achievements to blast by means of. Thoughts you, Hardline’s Legal Exercise Title Replace had achievements for getting 10,000 kills with every class and did not depend any kills made earlier than the replace launched. That was a horrible thought!
Anyway, my level is that it was at all times good to have a purpose to return to my favourite shooter franchise and I would be assured to dive again in for a brand new listing of achievements. With Battlefield V and 2042, I’ve not had that incentive to return. With my ever-growing backlog of video games persevering with to get much more uncontrolled — largely as a result of unending stream of upcoming Sport Move video games — I discover it laborious to justify spending hours of my time on a recreation with none new achievements to gather.
It is not like DICE’s newest video games have not added improbable content material by way of post-launch updates, both. Simply take a look at Battlefield V’s improbable Conflict within the Pacific replace which added two new factions, three maps, 13 weapons, and 17 automobiles to the sport. That ought to’ve been greater than sufficient content material to base achievements on. Whereas it is doubtless solely on a number of gamers’ wishlists, it is one thing I would prefer to see return with Battlefield 6. Come on DICE, assist me out right here!
Bonus entry — a Titan or Service Assault recreation mode
This one is only a bonus entry and could have zero affect on how I really feel about Battlefield 6, however I would like to see a Titan/Service Assault mode added to the sport. The sport mode primarily mixes the Conquest and Rush recreation modes into one chaotic battle. The mode was first launched in Battlefield 2142 as Titan however acquired a makeover and re-release as Service Assault with Battlefield 4’s Naval Strike enlargement and we have not seen it since, sadly.
Happening the newer model of the mode, Service Assault has two phases. The primary performs out just a little like Conquest, tasking each groups with capturing three or 5 (relying on which measurement mode you are taking part in) missile launchers on the map. As soon as captured, the launchers start firing on the enemy plane service, which will be boarded when half of its well being has been misplaced.
As soon as the message “Put together for boarding” flashes up on the display screen, the attacking group can then board the service in an try to destroy a Rush-style M-COM station and subsequently win. Whereas Conquest and Rush will at all times be Battlefield’s defining modes, it is at all times good to have a little bit of selection on the aspect!
Effectively, that is it from me on what I would prefer to see from Battlefield 6. The franchise does not want a grand makeover to suit the brand new live-service mannequin, it simply wants to enhance on the basics. Certain, throw in customization choices for gamers who need to spruce up their soldier or automobiles by way of an in-game retailer or battle move, however do not lose sight of all the things that makes Battlefield nice — its solely competitors is itself!