Developer – DICE

Publisher – Electronic Arts

Platforms – PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series S|X, Playstation 4/5

*Editors Note*

A new patch released on the morning of 11/25 has really cleaned up numerous technical issues and networking lag. A huge balance patch has also smoothed over some significant balance and the game feels improved. The score has been updated to reflect that. – Rebecca

*End Note*

After taking some time off, we finally have a new Battlefield. For well over a decade EA and an assortment of studios deliver a new Battlefield title that tries to give a fresh spin on the long running franchise.

Sometimes this works out great, such as Bad Company or Battlefield 1. Sometimes this approach ends in disaster, such as Hardline or Battlefield V. Battlefield is the biggest change since Bad Company many years ago.

Dice has taken some big steps with their latest title. Creating a new title and giving it the 2042 name carries a lot of promise. It also brings a lot of expectations to live up too. If they were to drop the ball, the fabled Battlefield name could be sullied permanently. With a brand new consoles in tow, 2042 seeks to unite old ideals with new tech to revitalize this tried and true series.

Outside of conquest and breakthrough, not much else is brought over from the previous game. The emphasis on grounded, modern combat is all here. The opening provides the backdrop on why the world is at war, but with no campaign to speak of, this is merely window dressing for the rest of the games aesthetic.

Helping 2042 come to life are the great visuals. Battlefield could look nice at times, but it never had a live tornado providing a visual spectacle before. Great models and animations help sell the atmosphere across every mode. Every gun looks sleek and more importantly the power of each shot is seen and felt every time you use them. Once again Dice pushes the entire series forward by embracing new tech and visuals.

Multiplayer is bigger, but not always better than previous installments. The multiplayer suite is large and expansive, with great weapon selection and some stunning maps. 128 player Breakthrough is fun, with Portal providing plenty of fantastic throwback action. Most of the game design feels built around the massive 128 player count however, and unfortunately the rest of the modes feel like they suffer as a result.

The modern realism angle naturally lends itself to a fast time to kill. The lethality combined with huge maps containing tons of hiding spots can lead to disaster. Most of the game’s problems stem from two issues. Huge empty spaces in the maps, and a terrible UI across the board. It’s not uncommon in a match to get spawned in a corner of the map and have a whole adventure before you get back into action.

Add to that the absurd number of vehicles, snipers, no autobalanced teams, and most matches can feel like a snowball. It creates a losing situation both ways. I’ve won more games than I’ve lost, and either way it comes across as unsatisfying. Conquest and Breakthrough rarely end in anything other than a complete lopsided victory.

Rounding out the package is Hazard Zone. Not quite a battle royale, it features 32 players divided into squads of 4 in sectioned off pieces of the multiplayer maps. Players compete for data drives, and then must carry those drives to one of two extraction sites to secure a victory.

Editors Note

Hi! Rebecca Ellis here to chime in. For disabled gamers, Battlefield offers extensive options. One of the major new features is bot support and co-op vs bot matchmaking. This ensures players of all skill levels can still have a great time. Portal mode offers extensive customization options with bots as well to make the experience tailored towards those who may have special needs. Excellent HUD customization and subtitle support help make Battlefield 2042 a fun pick up and play game for any player. Thanks for checking in on Rebecca’s accessibility minute!

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Hazard Zone is ultimately pretty shallow, offering none of the depth of Warzone or even Fortnite. After a few rounds of Hazard zone, most players will simply find more engagement elsewhere.

The game also suffers from various technical issues. 2042 is rife with severe audio and visual hitches during the gameplay. This is one of the biggest franchises in gaming. It’s inexcusable and even after early access most issues have yet to be patched or fixed. Various UI issues are abound, and the new specialist system clashes with the kit system severely.

The most fun I’ve had in 2042 has been in Portal mode playing Bad Company 2 rules and maps. I just wish the actual new game that is on the same disc was half as entertaining as the classics.

Battlefield 2042 has elements of a good game, and in the technology moves the franchise forward in big ways. Unfortunately technical issues and some questionable design elements prevent it from being an all time classic. In a few months those issues may vanish, but as of right now they exist, and all we can do is hope for severe improvements.