For me, the heart of Battlefield has always been the unforgettable stories players create. Talk to any veteran, and they’ll recount incredible, often ridiculous, feats – like ejecting from a jet, RPG’ing a pursuer, and landing back in their plane. These ‘only in Battlefield’ moments, once seemingly lost, appear to be making a glorious return.
The series has always excelled at providing the expansive sandbox needed for these organic scenarios. With clearly defined classes, specialized tools, and the freedom to craft your unique playstyle, Battlefield 6 arrives at a crucial time. Following the mixed reception of Battlefield 2042 and the fluctuating faith in Call of Duty, this new installment cautiously plays it safe, yet it remains undeniably brilliant.
This iteration signals a welcome return to form. Battlefield 6 is everything I’d hoped for after a few years away, offering a significant reset from 2042 (which, in fairness, I found decent enough). While it introduces a handful of valuable additions and numerous quality-of-life improvements, its core focus is unequivocally on recapturing that beloved classic Battlefield essence.
Among the exciting new additions is ‘Escalation,’ a mode that initially feels like a familiar game of Conquest. You’ll find yourself on vast maps, battling over several neutral control points – the usual drill. The twist? The team holding the most points fills a meter, and once full, they score a point. It’s a race to three, and with each point scored, a control point is removed from play, while more vehicles are thrown into the fray.
Towards the end of matches, especially tight ones, things can gloriously spiral into chaos. I’ve experienced rounds that began with a leisurely pace and culminated in sheer pandemonium, with the remaining few control points constantly changing hands as both teams desperately fought for dominance. This mode injects an extra layer of drama into the standard Conquest format, and while not every game ends in a cinematic finale, I had some truly gripping, incredibly fun experiences with Escalation.
I recall a round in Cairo where victory seemed impossible, and I’d frankly lost all hope, falling in battle en route to a desperately needed control point. What I didn’t realize was that some of my squad had executed a daring push to the furthest reaches of the map, stopping the enemy’s victory count with literally one tick remaining. We were still in the fight! The ensuing comeback was epic, and the Escalation format gave us clear objectives. Everyone threw themselves at the three remaining central points; there was no escape from the intense battle – it was win or lose. And we won! It was absolutely exhilarating.
The launch maps offer enough variety to satisfy all preferences. Brooklyn, while not my personal favorite, stands out as perhaps the most intriguing, with its high-rise commercial zones serving as dramatic backdrops for intense battles. It doesn’t feature as many wide-open spaces as maps like Operation Firestorm, yet it never feels cramped. The familiar red brick buildings evoke a sense of gritty urban warfare. Fighting in a setting like New York feels inherently cinematic, and the on-screen action consistently lives up to that expectation.
Battlefield Studios has clearly poured immense effort into the game’s destruction, and it genuinely shows. In the past, destruction might have simply meant ‘blow up everything you can,’ but here, it has evolved into something far more nuanced. If every single element were destructible, every match would quickly devolve into a scorched, rocky wasteland. Instead, Battlefield 6 treats environmental degradation tactically, though I’ll admit I often don’t anticipate the exact tactical outcome of my explosions. It feels like the terrain dynamically evolves alongside the combat, rather than being completely obliterated, and the more I played, the better I understood how to exploit this to my advantage.
In one memorable, albeit morally questionable, move, I used the crumbled facade of a Cairo storefront for cover. I had an unobstructed view of the Rush console, and I suspect enemies never thought to check my corner because, naturally, the hole I was hiding in hadn’t existed moments earlier. It felt entirely natural and, I’m sure, incredibly frustrating for the opposing team. Absolutely perfect.
Before launch, the developers highlighted their ‘kinesthetic combat system,’ and while it might sound like marketing jargon, its impact is far greater than I anticipated, introducing a wealth of small adjustments and additions to the gameplay.
Weaponry feels impactful and responsive, and dedicating time to mastering each gun’s unique feel truly pays off. The subtle lean around corners allows for a more strategic approach than my usual reckless charges. Even the ability to drag fallen teammates to cover before a revive feels like a long-overdue addition. Individually, these are minor tweaks, but collectively, they combine to make Battlefield 6 the most fluid and immersive entry in the series to date.
Amidst all this praise for the multiplayer, I would be remiss not to address the single-player campaign. It’s back, though I almost wish it weren’t. Scratch beneath the surface, and you’ll uncover a story that verges on nonsensical, populated by characters as shallow as puddles. It’s an underwhelming, underdeveloped whistle-stop tour of the multiplayer maps, with many of the truly exciting moments relegated to cutscenes.
The campaign struggles to deliver the tight, cinematic set-piece moments that a truly great Call of Duty campaign excels at. Nor does it truly tap into what makes Battlefield special. Calling in airstrikes or overseeing a strike team from a helicopter are well within Battlefield 6’s capabilities, yet I consistently felt like a mere foot soldier, fighting endless waves of faceless enemies. For much of the experience, it felt more like watching a campaign than actively playing it, and aside from an engaging beach landing sequence, I was left feeling rather bored.
I understand the campaign’s inclusion. Players requested it, and it’s part of the package; without it, complaints would surely have followed. Think of it like a slightly sad, brown side salad served with a delicious main course. I’d recommend a quick poke at it before you dive into the real feast. Though, Tony Curran’s performance as Kincaid was entertaining, I’ll give it that.
Setting the campaign aside, my experience with Battlefield 6 was fantastic. It’s akin to slipping into a pair of incredibly comfortable pants and discovering a few extra dollars in the pocket – a wonderfully familiar sensation with added value. Everything just *works*. The new game modes are poised to become instant classics, and the subtle yet impactful changes to the minute-to-minute gameplay 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, baby!