Summary
TheBattlefieldfranchise has been going through somewhat of an identity crisis in recent years. Back whenBattlefielddebuted in the early 2000s, its primary identity was being a multiplayer military shooter with a dash of historical realism. That identity remained a staple oftheBattlefieldfranchisethroughout the first decade of its life, with a grounded tone being at the forefront of every entry untilBattlefield 1’s release in 2016.Battlefield Vand2042, however, took a step back from the rest of the franchise’s realism and its more grounded tone, introducing mechanics like2042’s Specialist system that didn’t quite fit withBattlefield’s prior identity.
As a result, the nextBattlefieldgame needs to tread very carefully with its tone. Many fans are desperate to see a return to the series' grounded, more historically accurate roots, while a handful of other fans would prefer the franchise to lean a bit more into its surreal or eccentric side. But there might be a way for the nextBattlefieldto achieve both simultaneously.
The Next Battlefield Can Deliver Both Fan-Requested Tones At Once
ThoughBattlefield 3and4had fairly engaging campaign modes centered around fictional present-day conflicts, andBattlefield 1andV’s War Stories offered a compelling set of anthology missions set in WW1 and WW2 respectively, these games don’t usually take the crown for the bestBattlefieldcampaign, at least according to most fans. Instead, it’s often theBattlefield: Bad Companyduologythat gets the most praise for its story mode.
Something that setsBattlefield: Bad Company’s two campaignsapart from those found in the rest of the franchise is their lighter tones, with both stories revolving around the titular group of rule-breaking, troublemaking soldiers. These larger-than-life personalities add a distinct sense of humor to theBad Companygames, and it’s a tone that many fans have wanted to see return. The nextBattlefieldcould finally deliver on this long-standing fan request with its campaign, which could offer a more lighthearted, even comedicBattlefieldstory by followingBad Company’s formula and bringing a new set of over-the-top heroes to the table.
The Next Battlefield’s Multiplayer Can Strive for Realism
But while many fans would want to see a lighter tone forBattlefield’s next campaign, many more want theBattlefieldseries to return to its realistic roots, which is something the next entry’s multiplayer mode could offer. The nextBattlefield’s multiplayer portion should embrace realism more so than ever before, bringing back immersive features like realistic in-game chatter between allies and impressive destruction technology. It would also be great to see a return to more historically accurate weapons, gadgets, and vehicles in the nextBattlefield, or if the next entry is not set in the past, then at least weapons and vehicles that feel authentic and logical for the era.
This realism also needs to extend tothe nextBattlefield’s multiplayer maps. The layout of buildings and city roads needs to feel logical, environments need to look detailed, and there should be plenty of interactive features, such as functional elevators, building interiors, and moving pieces of scenery. With a multiplayer mode that strives for realism, and a campaign mode that takes itself a bit less seriously than past entries, the nextBattlefieldcould manage to strike a perfect balance between the two opposing tones that different parts of the fan-base want to see.
Battlefield 2042
WHERE TO PLAY
Battlefield 2042 is a first-person shooter that marks the return to the iconic all-out warfare of the franchise. With the help of a cutting-edge arsenal, engage in intense, immersive multiplayer battles.Lead your team to victory in both large all-out warfare and close-quarters combat on maps from the world of 2042 and classic Battlefield titles. Find your playstyle in class-based gameplay and take on several experiences comprising elevated versions of Conquest and Breakthrough. Explore Battlefield Portal, a platform where players can discover, create, and share unexpected battles from Battlefield’s past and present.This game includes optional in-game purchases of virtual currency that can be used to acquire virtual in-game items.
