Battlefield 6 review-in-progress: a forgettable campaign tacked onto an amazing online shooter

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While Call of Duty often tries to grab headlines with shocking and over-the-top storylines, Battlefield 6’s campaign takes a different approach. It doesn’t directly reflect current real-world conflicts. The game’s closest connection to reality involves a mission in New York City – a location still impacted by the events of 9/11 – where you work to stop an assassination attempt on the president by a private military group.

The game briefly shifts to Egypt, a common location for modern shooter games, but with a unique twist: you play as the Egyptian army fighting against the private military company. This is a welcome change from the typical American-focused and often nationalistic stories found in most military shooters. Unfortunately, the campaign itself isn’t particularly memorable.

The single-player campaign in Battlefield 6 doesn’t fully feel like a Battlefield game until about halfway through. While you control a four-person squad representing the classic classes – Engineer, Recon, Support, and Assault – the initial part of the game is very linear and doesn’t offer the same freedom and open-ended gameplay found in a standout Battlefield campaign like Bad Company 2.

Rather than focusing on what makes Battlefield unique, the game relies heavily on dramatic, scripted sequences similar to those found in Call of Duty. For example, there’s a HALO jump, but instead of letting players control their parachute, it plays out like a cinematic cutscene. It seems to be trying to recreate the excitement of a memorable jet mission from Battlefield 3, but these new moments don’t quite live up to the original’s impact.

Even when the game finally feels like a classic Battlefield title – with ATVs, tanks, drones, and open areas – it still feels restrictive. Stray from the designated path and you’ll receive a warning that you’re leaving the combat zone. You have only a few seconds to get back within the invisible boundaries, or you’ll be instantly killed and sent back to the last checkpoint.

While the gameplay feels fantastic – truly the best Battlefield has ever played, with impactful guns, crisp aiming, and satisfying destruction – the single-player campaign unfortunately falls flat. The sound design is top-notch, creating a really immersive experience, but it isn’t enough to make the story memorable, as the campaign struggles to find a clear focus.

We’re here to talk about the multiplayer, which is fantastic. The single-player mode is a fun addition, but it’s the multiplayer that really shines. It’s too early to give it a perfect score – the servers aren’t packed and there aren’t many maps or game modes available yet – but it’s already clear this is the best Battlefield has been since Bad Company 2, and that’s coming from someone who’s spent a lot of time playing Battlefield 3.

The maps in this game are exceptionally well-designed. The attack and defend modes feature intense, chaotic areas where less experienced players will get caught up, allowing skilled players to find clever alternate routes and take enemies by surprise. Replaying Rush mode and discovering hidden flanks as the community learns the maps together is incredibly satisfying. And nothing beats the thrill of taking down a helicopter with a well-aimed rocket – it’s still one of the most rewarding moments in gaming.

In battles with 32 players on each side, you might feel like just one person in a massive fight. But a smart player can really change things – by switching to the best class for the situation, taking out a powerful enemy, finding a clever path through enemy lines, strategically using healing items, or creating a new opening for your team. You’re always a mobile base, so you have to constantly decide when to fight and when to regroup with your allies. This isn’t just a fast-paced shooter; it’s a game that rewards strategic thinking, and quick reflexes will only get you so far.

The game is packed with those classic Battlefield experiences – moments that highlight how vulnerable you are, even after a successful play. You might be rushing towards a goal when an ally shoots down an enemy plane, and it crashes right on top of you. Falling wreckage and collapsing buildings are constant threats. A recent explosion might create a useful dip in the ground to hide in from snipers. Being able to stay calm and adjust to the ever-changing battlefield is key, and it’s what really sets this game apart from other shooters.

I’m looking forward to experiencing the game fully – when the lobbies are filled with real players, when I can try out the new user-generated content mode, and when I have more control over the maps and game types I play. For now, I’m focusing on mastering the weapon recoil.

Find out when you can jump on with our post on the Battlefield 6 release times. 

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2025-10-09 18:17