After Playing 40 Hours of Battlefield 6, I Can Confirm That We Are So Back (Review)

by

I watched in horror as my teammate suddenly fell, a sharp crack echoing nearby. My gun was splattered with mud and blood – I couldn’t tell if it was his. The noise of battle – gunfire and explosions – was overwhelming as I ran to help him. Despite a serious wound, he wasn’t beyond saving. I pulled his body through a field of fallen soldiers, casualties of the relentless fighting. While some of our team moved forward, providing cover fire, I focused on getting my teammate to safety.

I was pulling my team back when I heard this incredible roar above us – it sounded like something huge was flying. Then, just as quickly as it came, it was gone, but it felt like the calm *before* a storm. Seconds later, a massive bomb dropped right where we’d been, sending my teammates flying! I managed to get one of my buddies up, and we pushed back into the smoke, clearing out the enemy soldiers and securing the objective. Capturing that point felt amazing – it really gave us the upper hand on that chaotic battlefield.

I have countless wild stories from playing Battlefield 6, a really immersive and action-packed military shooter. While the single-player campaign isn’t the strongest part, the game delivers exactly what Battlefield fans have been waiting for – a huge, chaotic, and cinematic battle experience.

Rating: 4/5

Pros Cons
Action-packed gameplay that is constantly cinematic Forgettable campaign
Punchy gunplay that never gets old Tiresome progression system that artificially slows down unlocks
Class play and vehicles provide tons of satisfying variety to gameplay
One of the most polished Battlefield multiplayer experiences to date

Battlefield 6‘s Campaign Is Largely Forgettable, But It Has Its Moments

Let’s start with what didn’t quite work. I recently got an early look at three campaign levels of *Battlefield 6* and initially felt hopeful. I purposely avoided making a final judgment on the story itself, as I was playing levels out of order and lacked the full picture. However, I have to say the story feels pretty standard for a war movie—think something like a Peter Berg film—and I doubt you’ll remember much about the plot or characters after you finish playing.

In 2028, the United States faces a growing crisis as its NATO allies withdraw their support, leaving a powerful private military company called PAX Armata capable of launching devastating attacks worldwide. A Marine team, Dagger 13, is tasked with tracking down PAX Armata’s leader and stopping them. While the story starts with a compelling idea, it doesn’t fully explore its potential.

The single-player campaign in *Battlefield 6* starts powerfully, immediately establishing high emotional stakes. While this strong opening was a pleasant surprise, the story quickly loses momentum. A time jump introduces the main character to a new squad without proper introductions, and the game attempts to portray a bond between them without actually showing it develop. We’re *told* these characters care for each other, but genuine connection is rarely demonstrated, and often arrives too late to feel impactful.

The characters feel like tired clichés you’ve seen in countless war movies. The villain is underdeveloped, appearing briefly and having a predictable, uninteresting reason for their actions. It’s disappointing, because previous Battlefield games have had more engaging stories, but this one just isn’t very exciting.

Honestly, the best part of the *Battlefield 6* campaign for me is the action. The developers really brought over that awesome destruction from the multiplayer – it’s so satisfying to blow up buildings and use it to your advantage! There are some incredible moments too, like chasing down trains, demolishing famous landmarks, and fighting off helicopters firing at you. It’s a total blast!

I mentioned before that the destruction caused by the characters – like blowing up a bridge to prevent an attack – was visually impressive. I just wish there had been more of those moments, and that those actions actually changed things within the story or the world around them. It looked good, but didn’t really matter in the long run.

Earlier this summer, some reports suggested the single-player campaign in Battlefield 6 might not be fully polished. While I don’t know the original plan for the campaign, it definitely feels like some missions were developed more thoroughly than others. Specifically, the second-to-last mission ends with a strangely jerky cutscene, almost like it was running at a very low frame rate. However, my system was consistently showing over 100 frames per second with no performance drops, so the problem seems to be with the way that particular cutscene was created.

The game starts strong with a well-designed and cinematic first mission. Your AI teammates work together effectively, similar to a high-quality Call of Duty campaign, covering each other and carefully checking corners. Unfortunately, this teamwork doesn’t last, as AI behavior becomes much less coordinated and realistic in later levels, creating a noticeable contrast.

I really liked how *Battlefield 6* went beyond just shooting and let you command a squad with special abilities. You can give them orders like firing rockets or throwing smoke, and they can even revive you if you fall – which was a pleasant surprise! It’s a smart way to integrate multiplayer squad dynamics into the single-player campaign, and I’d love to see this feature in future *Battlefield* games.

This isn’t a terrible campaign, not even compared to others I’ve played recently, but it’s just…forgettable. It offers about five hours of simple action, but it won’t stick with you long after you finish. It’s a good, quick distraction from competitive multiplayer, and there’s a nice bonus: you earn rewards for finishing each level, including a weapon blueprint for completing the hardest difficulty. If you’re looking for some extra content, it’s worth checking out.

Battlefield 6‘s Multiplayer Lives Up to the Hype

The core of *Battlefield 6* is its multiplayer, and it definitely lived up to expectations. The shooting feels powerful and rewarding, thanks to a wide range of weapons and excellent sound design. Each kill is marked by a subtle ‘ting’ – like the sound of dog tags or a falling shell casing – and the impact of bullets hitting their target is weighty and incredibly satisfying.

Every weapon in *Battlefield 6* feels distinct. While I usually prefer the M4A1, it becomes less accurate when firing continuously at long distances. On the other hand, the P90 SMG is incredibly easy to control with almost no recoil and a very fast firing rate, though its damage decreases noticeably over longer ranges. These two guns demonstrate the wide variety in how each weapon handles. It’s common for many games like this to have only a few standout guns, but I’ve enjoyed using every weapon I’ve tried in *Battlefield 6*.

One of the biggest changes in this new Battlefield game is the introduction of “open weapons.” In past games, certain weapons were limited to specific classes – for example, only the Recon class could use sniper rifles. Now, any class can use any weapon, though there are advantages to sticking with the weapons each class is known for. For instance, Recon players can reload and aim more effectively with sniper rifles. Personally, I haven’t found this change to be a major issue during gameplay because classes still feel distinct thanks to their unique roles and gadgets, and that’s what really matters.

Players can utilize a variety of vehicles like tanks, helicopters, jets, and buggies. If you’re struggling on foot, these vehicles let you move around the map and complete objectives. They feel powerful and substantial, but still handle well enough to dodge attacks and get into the fight quickly. Both the tanks and helicopters are particularly enjoyable to play, each offering a unique experience.

Tanks are right in the thick of combat, constantly facing enemy fire like bullets, shells, and rockets. It’s a high-pressure situation, dodging attacks while waiting for your own weapon to reload. You’re also coordinating with your team, needing repairs and using machine guns to protect them from infantry. Winning a tank battle demands strong teamwork, accuracy, and staying calm, but the feeling of victory is always worth it.

Battlefield Studios has delivered the immersive and dynamic gameplay that fans have always wanted. The game world is incredibly destructible – players can demolish buildings, floors, and roofs using explosives or powerful tanks. This level of destruction is what has traditionally distinguished Battlefield from other shooters like Call of Duty, creating a truly cinematic and epic multiplayer experience where the environment is constantly changing and action unfolds all around you.

While playing on a New York City map, I took down an enemy attack helicopter using a rocket-propelled grenade. Instead of simply exploding, the helicopter made a screeching sound and spun wildly before crashing into a building. The impact was so forceful that it punched through several floors, creating a large hole. The wrecked helicopter stayed lodged at the base of the building, and we ended up using it as cover during the match.

In *Battlefield 6*, everything you do has a realistic consequence. Destroy a tank and the turret might fly off and hit someone nearby. Even when a helicopter crashes, it doesn’t just disappear – it can spin out of control and cause damage to you or the surrounding environment. These unpredictable, interactive moments add a lot of depth to the game and lead to exciting, memorable experiences with your team.

What I love most about Battlefield are those unique, unforgettable moments you can only get in a Battlefield game, and Battlefield 6 delivers them consistently. New features like the ability to drag and revive teammates – pulling them to safety before healing them – and the even more realistic destruction create opportunities for incredible, unexpected stories to unfold. There’s truly nothing else quite like a Battlefield experience, and I’m thrilled that Battlefield 6 has brought that feeling back.

Players who were worried about bugs after the beta period haven’t seen any major issues so far. The real test will be how the game servers handle the launch weekend, but if they perform well, this could be the smoothest and most polished Battlefield release in recent years.

Battlefield 6‘s Multiplayer Is Slightly Held Back by Its Progression System and Some Maps

One area where *Battlefield 6* falls a little short is its progression system. While unlocking weapons and gadgets through challenges isn’t a bad idea in itself, the way it’s designed feels restrictive. You have to complete challenges in a specific order to unlock new items, making it very linear. This limits what you can access early on. You can unlock some items just by playing and leveling up, but to get everything – including useful tools like the respawn beacon which lets teammates reappear anywhere on the map – you’ll need to complete those challenges.

As a player, I’ve noticed the game intentionally paces things a bit slower, and it really makes you think about *how* you’re playing to overcome obstacles. It often asks you to use certain gear or complete specific tasks, like healing teammates with supply bags. Honestly, the challenges aren’t super difficult, but I hit a point where I was a high level and realized I was missing a ton of cool gadgets and weapons. I was so confused until I figured out I hadn’t been paying attention to, or completing, these little challenges along the way!

One of the main discussions surrounding the upcoming *Battlefield 6* is the size of its maps. They seem smaller than those in *Battlefield 3* and *4*. While this isn’t necessarily a negative – focusing on packed, detailed environments instead of huge spaces could create more exciting fights – it does present some challenges. Specifically, on maps designed for air vehicles, helicopters are often fully visible to enemies constantly.

For pilots, finding good places to maneuver can be tough in Battlefield games. In Battlefield 4’s Siege of Shanghai, skyscrapers offered cover, but Battlefield 6’s maps don’t offer the same protection. The open skies and relatively small map size make it easy to become a target for lock-on missiles and anti-air weapons. Even maps set in cities like New York feel cramped, especially with large structures like bridges limiting space for effective flight.

It would be great to have maps that are larger and include taller buildings, which would add more depth and visual interest. Currently, the maps feel a bit too flat because they lack significant height. Remastering some older, popular maps could also help solve this, and I’m glad to hear that’s being considered.

Battlefield 6 offers a truly spectacular and immersive action experience, feeling like a blockbuster movie. While the game is massive and intense, the developers have crafted something visually stunning and exciting. Every match throws you into a huge, chaotic battlefield, delivering the signature, large-scale warfare that Battlefield is known for.

Despite a few shortcomings in the campaign and some areas for improvement in how players progress, Battlefield Studios has successfully revived one of the most beloved shooter series in gaming. EA desperately needed this game to be a hit to ensure the franchise’s longevity, and it delivers. It’s not just good – it’s truly great. With exciting plans for future updates, including a battle royale mode, this game has the potential to improve even further over time.

Battlefield 6 will be available on October 10th for Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC. We received a Steam code from the game’s publisher to allow us to review it.

https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/battlefield-6-devs-respond-to-most-requested-features/embed/#

Read More

2025-10-09 18:19