Battlefield 6 Review: Multiplayer Shines, But the Campaign Misses the Mark

For me, Battlefield has always been defined by its epic, player-driven narratives. Talk to any veteran, and they’ll rarely recall a specific weapon or vehicle; instead, they’ll recount an unforgettable moment they created. These are those legendary, often absurd, yet incredibly cool ‘only in Battlefield’ tales – like the classic video of a pilot ejecting mid-air, destroying a pursuing jet with an RPG, and then seamlessly landing back in their own plane. While that magic felt somewhat lost for a while, it seems Battlefield 6 might just be rekindling it.

Historically, Battlefield has excelled at providing the perfect sandbox for these spontaneous moments. Its foundation of distinct classes, specialized tools, and player freedom always encouraged unique approaches. Given the recent struggles within the AAA first-person shooter landscape – the mixed reception of Battlefield 2042 and the wavering appeal of Call of Duty – Battlefield 6‘s cautious return to its roots is not a weakness. In fact, it’s what makes it genuinely great.

So, it’s a triumphant return to form. Battlefield 6 is precisely the experience I’d longed for after stepping away from the series for some time, offering a significant course correction from 2042 – a game I ultimately found decent, but lacking. While it introduces several valuable new features and countless quality-of-life enhancements, its true success lies in recapturing that quintessential Battlefield essence.

Among the standout new modes is Escalation. It begins much like a standard Conquest match: a vast map, multiple neutral objectives to capture – you know the drill. However, Escalation introduces a unique twist. The team controlling the most points progressively fills a meter at the top of the screen, and once complete, they score a point. The first team to three points wins, but with each score, a control point is removed from the map, and an increasing number of vehicles are deployed, drastically altering the flow.

As a match progresses, especially in tight contests, the action often spirals gloriously into pandemonium. I’ve experienced rounds that start calmly but devolve into absolute chaos, with the dwindling number of control points constantly changing hands as both factions desperately vie for supremacy. This injects a thrilling dose of drama into the traditional Conquest formula. While not every match culminates in a nail-biting climax, I’ve had some truly unforgettable, high-stakes games and thoroughly enjoyed this fresh mode.

I recall one particular round in Cairo where defeat seemed imminent; I’d even lost hope, falling in battle en route to a desperately needed control point. Unbeknownst to me, a daring contingent of my teammates had pushed to the map’s furthest reaches, halting the enemy’s victory countdown with a mere fraction of a second to spare, keeping us in the fight. The subsequent comeback was breathtaking, and Escalation’s structure provided clear objectives. Everyone converged on the three remaining central points – there was no escaping the confrontation; it was win or lose. And we won! It was an incredibly satisfying victory.

The launch map selection offers ample variety to cater to all playstyles. Brooklyn, though not my personal favorite, stands out as perhaps the most intriguing, with its towering commercial districts serving as dynamic battlegrounds. It may not feature the sweeping open spaces of maps like Operation Firestorm, but it never feels constricting. The iconic red brick architecture evokes a sense of familiarity, and battling through New York’s streets consistently feels cinematic, with the action unfolding to match.

Battlefield Studios has clearly invested considerable effort into refining the destruction mechanics, and it truly shines. In previous iterations, destruction often felt like a free-for-all – ‘blow up everything!’ – but that approach risks reducing every match to a barren wasteland of rubble. Battlefield 6 subtly integrates environmental degradation, making it feel more tactical. Though I can’t claim full strategic foresight for every explosion, the game encourages thoughtful use of demolition.

While there aren’t many truly dramatic, match-altering events akin to Battlefield 4’s Levolution, this more refined approach to destruction largely preserves the integrity of the environment. The terrain now feels like it organically evolves alongside the battle, rather than being instantly obliterated. The more I played, the more I began to intuitively understand how to leverage these subtle changes to my tactical benefit.

I even pulled off one particularly sneaky, if slightly dishonorable, move: I used the collapsed front of a Cairo storefront for cover. From there, I had an unobstructed view of the Rush console. I suspect the enemy team hadn’t considered checking my hidden corner, mainly because the very spot I was in hadn’t existed moments earlier. It felt incredibly organic and, I’m sure, utterly infuriating for my opponents. Absolutely perfect.

Prior to release, the developers highlighted their new ‘kinesthetic combat system.’ While it might sound like marketing jargon, its impact on gameplay is surprisingly significant, introducing numerous nuanced adjustments and additions that enhance the overall action.

Weapons feel impactful and responsive, and dedicating time to master each one truly pays off. The subtle ability to lean around corners offers a tactical edge, encouraging more thoughtful play than my typical direct assaults. Moreover, the ability to drag downed teammates to cover while reviving them is a brilliant addition that feels so intuitive, it’s hard to believe it wasn’t always a feature. Individually, these are minor tweaks, but collectively, they create the most fluid Battlefield experience to date.

Amidst all this praise for the multiplayer, I must address the single-player campaign. It has returned, but frankly, I wish it hadn’t. Delve just beneath its surface, and you’ll discover a narrative that borders on nonsensical, populated by characters with zero depth. It feels like an underwhelming, rushed tour through the multiplayer maps, with most of the truly exciting moments confined to cutscenes.

The campaign repeatedly fails to capture the tight, cinematic set-piece intensity of a truly excellent Call of Duty story, nor does it lean into what makes Battlefield uniquely special. Features like calling in airstrikes or overseeing a strike team from a helicopter, which are perfectly suited to BF6’s capabilities, are barely utilized. Instead, I frequently felt like a mere foot soldier, endlessly battling waves of generic foes. For long stretches, it felt more like I was watching a movie than actively playing a game, and apart from one mildly enjoyable beach landing, the experience left me thoroughly disengaged.

I grasp the rationale behind including a campaign; players requested it, it completes the package, and its absence would undoubtedly draw criticism. However, much like a somewhat unappetizing side salad served with your main course, I’d advise giving it a cursory glance before eagerly digging into the much more substantial offering. Still, Tony Curran delivers an entertaining performance as Kincaid.

Despite the campaign’s shortcomings, my overall experience with Battlefield 6 was fantastic. It’s akin to slipping into your favorite, most comfortable jeans and discovering some forgotten cash in the pocket – a wonderfully familiar sensation, enhanced with unexpected value. Everything simply clicks. The new game modes are poised to become instant classics, and the nuanced improvements to the moment-to-moment gameplay genuinely elevate the entire experience. Whether you’re a fresh recruit or a seasoned veteran, there’s an abundance to cherish here. Battlefield is undeniably back, and it’s glorious!