Ever for the reason that unique Battlefield 1942 launched again in the summertime of 2002, EA and DICE’s large-scale multiplayer warfare sequence has persistently been among the many most critically acclaimed and widespread first-person shooters ever made. Because of its fixed reinvention, Battlefield has felt without end contemporary, biking by plenty of completely different eras and places, pushing the participant depend to help over 100+ gamers on the map directly, and bolstering its core multiplayer-first design with singleplayer narratives that cowl among the grittiest elements of warfare. All this thought-about, it’s actually no shock that Battlefield continues to be holding robust after twenty years, even when it’s had a few missteps alongside the best way.
Whether or not you are a fan of the sequence’ unique WW2 setting, benefit from the fashionable warfare eras, or choose to combat on the frontlines of Miami’s drug conflict, there’s one thing on this sequence for everybody. However which sport is the most effective? That’s what we’re right here to seek out out. With the heated firefights of Battlefield 6 on the horizon, let’s look again over the sequence and select the highest 10 Battlefield video games.
10. Battlefield 2142
Let’s begin with a cult traditional. Battlefield 2142 was the primary and solely entry within the sequence to take Battlefield right into a futuristic sci-fi setting. When it launched in 2006, it arguably felt like a very, actually good mod for Battlefield 2, so intently did it emulate its predecessor’s method. However look past these similarities and also you’ll discover one thing that has a definite character, due to an improved development system, refined class selections, and – right here’s the massive one – Titan mode, which noticed groups breach the shields of the enemy’s looming spaceship from the bottom, then board the vessel to remove its crew and destroy the central core. Such a novel mode makes this early entry of the now long-running sequence nonetheless price testing, though you’ll should do it by way of unofficial servers today.
9. Battlefield Hardline
If there was ever a black sheep of the Battlefield sequence, Hardline is it. Exchanging the globe-trotting fashionable warfare settings of Battlefields 3 and 4 for the sun-soaked, neon-drenched streets of Miami, Hardline pivots the sequence to the Struggle on Medication with its cops and robbers gameplay. Again in 2015 it was met with a ton of skepticism from long-time sequence followers, and a certain quantity of that was justified. The multiplayer featured Battlefield’s typical large-scale chaos, which maybe doesn’t gel with vehicles and downtown as a lot because it does tanks and bunkers. Nonetheless, the setting did introduce some attention-grabbing new modes akin to Hotwire, Blood Cash, and Heist, all of which have a definite “crime” taste.
However, in a novel twist for this PvP centered sequence, it’s Hardline’s single-player marketing campaign that proves the spotlight. It’s offered like a police procedural TV present in the identical vein as Regulation & Order and CSI, and also you get to decide on in case you’re a very good cop or unhealthy cop, both arresting everybody or capturing every thing in sight. It’s a really completely different tackle Battlefield’s sometimes Name of Obligation-like campaigns, though definitely not brief on explosive setpieces.
8. Battlefield 1943
Whereas Battlefield Hardline was a dramatic shift in the place Battlefield was performed, our subsequent sport was a dramatic shift for how Battlefield was performed. Battlefield 1943 was one of many first main console video games completely accessible by way of digital obtain, which was an enormous deal again in 2009 when most digital-only titles have been small indies.
You may see the boundaries imposed by that distribution mannequin, although. Again then web speeds have been slower and digital-only video games have been restricted in measurement, so Battlefield 1943 is actually a scaled-down model of the unique Battlefield 1942. Regardless of this, it was nonetheless seen as a wonderful entry into the sequence. Basic Pacific theater maps have been rebuilt on the then-brand-new Frostbite engine, which allowed for innovative graphics, destructible environments, and fast-paced, 24-player matches. Whereas this will not be essentially the most beloved Battlefield sport, partially as a result of its stripped-down map and sophistication roster, it nonetheless efficiently captured the distinctive essence of the sequence, and introduced the vital components of the Battlefield 1942 PC expertise to a brand new console viewers.
7. Battlefield 1942
What’s a listing of the highest Battlefield video games with out the unique that began all of it? Battlefield 1942 was floor breaking when it launched in 2002, providing large-scale, 64-player on-line battles to a world accustomed to 6v6 or 12v12 matches. Eschewing deathmatches for the sprawling, objective-focussed Conquest mode, Battlefield 1942 was the stage for an progressive class-based system that gave distinct roles to every participant – from the damage-focused Assault to the vehicle-repairing Engineer. There actually wasn’t something prefer it on the time, particularly its seamless transitions from infantry to vehicular and flying fight. And whereas the sequence has grown tremendously during the last 20 one thing years, 1942 continues to be instantly recognisable as Battlefield in case you play it right this moment. The influence of its large-scale gameplay and sophistication system contributed to a shifting of the winds that modified shooters without end.
6. Battlefield: Dangerous Firm
Battlefield: Dangerous Firm was an vital milestone for the sequence. It was the primary sport to make the most of the Frostbite engine, which has gone on to be the defining bedrock of contemporary Battlefield due to its damaging capabilities. It was right here that crumbling buildings and deformable terrain have been first established, paving the best way for collapsing skyscrapers in later years. Utilizing smaller, extra refined maps, it efficiently constructed upon what made the sequence so nice as much as that time, this time for a console-only viewers.
Whereas PC was deserted for this entry, the transition to console introduced with it Battlefield’s first-ever narrative-driven marketing campaign, which is greatest recognized for its goofy storytelling. Dangerous Firm traded the seriousness of conflict for a lighter-toned story that follows a ragtag squad who steal a brilliant highly effective gun and shoot their method out of the mess they acquired themselves into. The dialogue is tacky (and maybe a bit inappropriate, contemplating the setting and what’s occurring on display screen) however the choice to pivot the franchise to an action-comedy route makes Dangerous Firm probably the most memorable Battlefield experiences, and units itself other than every thing else on this record.
5. Battlefield 4
Battlefield 4 Is what many would take into account to be a “best hits” bundle. It’s acquired a strong, Name of Obligation-like marketing campaign. It’s constructed on the successes of Battlefield 3, with the identical refined class system and distinctive land, sea and air fight. And it includes a much-improved “Levolution” system that enhanced the sequence’ trademark map destruction in new methods, akin to the flexibility to topple skyscrapers and dramatically change the format of maps, including new depth to the large-scale battles. It’s, certainly, one of many sequence’ most strong entries.
It’s not thought-about within the very upper-echelon of Battlefield, although, largely as a result of it suffered some main setbacks at launch throughout all platforms. Xbox 360 and PS3 gamers needed to accept less-than-ideal 24 participant lobbies, the PlayStation 4 model was filled with points stemming from connection timeouts and PSN capabilities not working at launch, and the PC model was riddled with bugs and glitches. The state of affairs was so unhealthy that EA confronted a number of lawsuits. Whereas many of the points have been finally patched and glued, leading to a wonderful, landmark Battlefield sport, EA finally admitted that the launch model of BF4 had broken folks’s belief within the sequence.
4. Battlefield 2
Three years after its debut, Battlefield took a serious leap ahead, shifting not solely its setting, however a number of of the basics of how the big scale shooter performed. Battlefield 2 took the formerly-historic shooter into the world of contemporary warfare, that includes up to date geopolitics, helicopters, guided missiles, and superior tech like UAVs and drones.
Whereas these additions have been elegantly woven into the sequence’ established core gameplay, the trendy setting was much more than only a facelift. The core infantry fight was overhauled due to the addition of smaller squads that made up the normal large-scale groups, permitting for extra tactical play – one thing aided by the Commander function, which allowed one participant to behave as a Normal and challenge orders to particular person squads. However a very powerful addition was in-game voice chat, which was a serious sport changer, permitting for a lot tighter communication between squadmates, squad leaders, and the commander.
3. Battlefield 1
Battlefield’s tackle the First World Struggle is among the most distinctive real-world settings for a shooter. Arriving after an extended string of latest conflict video games, Battlefield 1 traded the endlessly customizable “tacticool” weapons of the trendy day for previous, oftentimes clunky interval variations of SMGs, sniper rifles, and explosives. Regardless of winding again the clock, the gunplay is as enjoyable as ever and also you shortly overlook that you just’re utilizing weapons from a time earlier than red-dot sights and silencers have been the norm.
Battlefield 1 efficiently explores a setting not seen usually in video video games by its various marketing campaign, which includes a bleak-but-impactful number of brief tales that showcase actual occasions. You’ll endure the brutal trench warfare carried out by the Harlem Hellfighters in France, and have interaction in guerilla ways alongside British officer T.E. Lawrence within the combat in opposition to the Ottoman Empire. But it surely’s within the signature multiplayer that Battlefield 1 takes every thing that makes the sequence particular and cranks it as much as 11. Nearly a decade later, it’s nonetheless thought-about among the many better of the sequence due to its stage destruction and climate results that give each match a distinctly cinematic look. That’s solely enhanced by Operations mode, which hyperlinks collectively multiplayer matches to inform a grand conflict story. All these enhancements could also be among the finest examples of how a long-running sequence can elevate the bar practically 15 years after its first sport’s launch.
2. Battlefield: Dangerous Firm 2
Awarding the silver medal to Battlefield: Dangerous Firm 2 was a fairly simple alternative. This was a generation-defining multiplayer sport that improved upon its predecessor in each method doable. Gunfights have been satisfying due to the newly added perks function, vehicular fight was as chaotic as ever, and the extent destruction tech was additional refined, making for some actually cool methods to adapt to how your enemy was enjoying (or hiding) all through the map. Whereas the traditional Conquest capture-point mode was current and proper, Dangerous Firm 2’s Rush mode, a push-and-pull sport of assault and defend that perfected its predecessor’s Gold Rush matches, was the sequence’ greatest multiplayer shakeup in years and actually established Battlefield’s “second” mode.
Over within the marketing campaign, B-Firm returned from the earlier Dangerous Firm sport for an additional journey that, whereas toned down a bit from their earlier journey, nonetheless saved the attraction and darkish humor intact.
1. Battlefield 3
(*10*)
Whenever you assume Battlefield, chances are high you’re enthusiastic about Battlefield 3. From its endlessly replayable, completely chaotic large-scale multiplayer battles that gave beginning to numerous trick shot compilation movies, to its over-the-top singleplayer and co-op campaigns, Battlefield 3 is undeniably the entire bundle. It was groundbreaking when it launched in 2011, and you may see that within the visuals that also look good right this moment.
Whereas the singleplayer retains a cult following and is price having a look at, multiplayer is the place Battlefield 3 actually shines. A superb development system affords a ton of rewards and upgrades as you progress upwards by the ranks. Class picks are sensible, enhancing upon Dangerous Firm’s four-role system to supply a deep-but-streamlined set of choices. Mechanically, the capturing, driving, and flying is rock strong and, most significantly, enjoyable. This unlocks these signature Battlefield moments, the place usually messing round results in astonishing kills. If you wish to strap C4 to a jeep and drive it off a cliff right into a passing fighter jet, that is the sport for you. The interaction between the squad fight, map destruction, goals, and chaos-creating devices implies that there’s simply a lot to do. It’s no marvel that persons are nonetheless enjoying the sport virtually 15 years after its launch.
Battlefield 3 is certainly the most effective entry within the sequence thus far. And as among the finest multiplayer shooters ever made, it undoubtedly deserves the highest spot on this record.
Each Battlefield sport, ranked.
Each Battlefield sport, ranked.
And there you will have it – IGN’s choose of the 10 greatest Battlefield video games. Do you agree with our record? Do you assume Battlefield 6 will discover its method onto a future model of this rating? Tell us your ideas and favourite entries within the feedback beneath.