[dropcap size=dropcap]B[/dropcap]attlefield 4, the new modern military shooter developed by DICE, was launched in the U.S. in late October and early November in the UK and Europe, for PC, Xbox 360 and Playstation 3. The game will be released for the next-gen consoles, Xbox One and PS4, as well. The game runs on Frostbite 3, the latest graphics engine from DICE.
Battlefield 4: The single player!
The single-player campaigns from the Battlefield series were in most cases simple additions to the games. They were not impressive and to say the least, the scenarios were easy and not challenging, the tactical deployments way too small in comparison with the multiplayer features and possibilities and overall, nothing to worth the amount of money paid for. Of course, the single player modes were not supposed to be memorable, as the Battlefield games were meant for bigger and higher purposes.
In Battlefield 4, things have changed for the better but not entirely. The solo campaign is indeed more developed than it was in the previous titles. However, it cannot compete with other single player games that managed to become popular among shooter games fans from all over the world. During the six missions I have played from Battlefield 4, I managed to resist the temptation of exiting the game but still, I did not encounter big game play surprises or diversity from one mission to another. It’s quite a linear and dull single player campaign that will not, even by chance, get on the top of my list of memorable game plays.
The multiplayer however…
Conquest Mode is the true innovation from Battlefield 4. It marks the multiplayer mode of the game. Conquest Mode is able to host up to 64 players, and it’s quite intense, especially in the Hardcore Mode, when it becomes a true war simulator. The maps are extensive and beautifully arranged. When things go wrong, the game war simulations seem more real than ever. There are moments when you get bored and nothing seems to happen and then, out of nowhere, somebody’s shooting at you, followed by a moment of panic when you have no idea where to shoot or from where are the enemy’s bullets coming from. It is an intense game play that gets more realistic as more and more players are entering the map.
The huge maps however, can get annoying, especially when you have to cross from one end to another or when the enemies that roam around you are less than the maximum supported by that specific map you are walking on. Plus, you will never know where the next bullet will come from and thus, you may be caught on the right foot quite easy.
Other Battlefield 4 multiplayer modes
Rush Mode: Beside the Conquest mode which I have played for a longer amount of time, Battlefield 4 includes numerous other multiplayer modes, including a mode called Rush. It is similar to the Conquest mode but way smaller, with less players supported but no less intense. Basically, your team must protect their positions on the map, while the enemies are trying to destroy it.
Deathmatch Mode: Everyone knows what a deathmatch mode is. However, in Battlefield 4 there are many options if you get bored with one mode or another. You can play deathmatch against the entire map, or against other teams of players.
Obliteration: Here, you and your team have multiple targets on the map that you will have to destroy while the other teams have to protect them. The game is intense, as the targets are produced at random.
Defuse: This mode is similar to the Counter Strike deathmatches. Once you get killed, you will no longer get to respawn on the map, until a new game begins.
Domination: A mode similar to the classic “capture the flag” multiplayer mode.
Will Battlefield 4 become your new favorite war simulator?
In conclusion, I think that Battlefield 4 will pleasantly surprise you, even in the case you are not great fans of the shooting or war genres. The game is more challenging and more intense if you play it with or against skilled gamers and will definitely entertain you whether you choose a single player campaign or a multiplayer battle. However, I don’t think that Battlefield 4 is ready to retire its predecessor, as the game is not radically different and neither impressively improved in graphics and gameplay. If you are getting bored with BF 3, you will enjoy Battlefield 4 instead. Otherwise, you can wait.