I think now it has become obvious to everyone that we are expecting absolutely the same Battlefield of 2011, in various modifications of which we have been playing over the past 10 years. Shadow Blade 5e from the third part. Random events that change the battlefield are from the fourth. Accelerated dynamics and hook-cat from Hardline. Animations of weapons, vehicles and soldiers. Slightly soapy graphics and an old engine that is not very good for session shooters. Everything seems to be in its place.

It seems that the developers, led by the publishing house, have finally changed their minds. Analyzed the bad experiences of the Five and turned to face the fans. However, this is not at all the case, and Battlefield 2042 runs the risk of being a complete disappointment for those who plan to spend more than a dozen hours in the game and want to see comprehensive work on bugs.

Demo shooter

I will not torment you with long introductions, and I will immediately say that Battlefield 2042 is a product designed exclusively and only for the audience of subscription services. That is, for 5-7 exciting hours in the game, the average online of which will be reduced by three times within two weeks after the release. Actually, by analogy with the Five, where the essence of what was happening was reduced to constantly repeating game situations. This is not a game at all, but rather a kind of demo mode. The same scenes are scrolled over and over again. 

Team A disembarks, Team B is waiting in the trenches. Team A breaks through the jungle and fortifications. Team B is trying to stop them. Then the final spurt takes place, after which everything is repeated anew. Already on the third or fourth landing, most players ask the question: “What am I doing here? I have seen enough in the previous couple of matches and it’s probably time to change the location ”.

About the locations. The basic configuration of Battlefield V included 8 maps. In 2042 – there are 7 of them. And it is already clear that each will have its own “scenario” in the same way. The uniqueness of the battles will suffer from this. “Eldritch Blast 5e” is a city map with skyscrapers-boxes and a monstrous tornado in the lead role. “Manifesto” – Close Quarters location with shotguns, explosives and increased dynamics. “Hourglass” and “Gap” – locations for large-scale collisions of equipment and so on.

A high-rise building falling in the center of a metropolis seems like a cool idea until construction dust floods the entire map. Just like a sudden sandstorm that confuses the plans of the opposing teams, it becomes annoying for the third or fourth time. Content saturation happens very quickly, and the feeling of novelty disappears. The thicker the entourage, the faster it gets boring and interferes with playing. And instead of an interesting feature, we already have thick glass between the player and the active gameplay – shooting opponents and capturing points.

The publisher continues to bend its line

In Battlefield 3 – the ancestor of all modern games in the series – the main goal was leveling classes. The game posed a serious challenge for those who wanted to open rare tokens, stripes, a few camouflages, titles and, of course, weapons. The tasks were varied and generated a lot of funny and memorable situations. There was a progression, and along with it, the desire to play increased. In Battlefield 4, Electronic Arts tried a different approach – to draw a hundred different camouflages for vehicles, soldiers and weapons, and then sell them in loot boxes – but so far only half-hearted. Let me remind you that after that there was a scandal with Battlefront 2.

As we already know, in Battlefield 2042 the place of the usual class system was taken by the so-called “specialists”, for whom, of course, you can purchase a wide variety of camouflages and other cosmetics. And along with it – a paid battle pass, in which everything is available at once. A little more and the sale of pumping accelerators will begin. And there it is close to paid elite emblems, titles, colored nicknames and other * social * content.

What gives hope

I cannot but highlight the positive aspects. In the “Capture” mode, each point will be divided into sectors. So, for example, an abandoned ship on the Wreckage map will require clearing several rooms on different floors. Splitting dots can only mean one thing. Abrupt change in gameplay for Firebolt 5e. From sniper duels and shootouts on wide streets to frequent contact at extremely close distances. If you played in the “Naval Strike” add-on to BF4, then you roughly understand what this is about.

The destructibility has become less, and this is good. If you follow the developer blogs, you know that when creating a location, the first choice is made – either destructibility or high detail. First, few systems can calculate in real time the destruction of the environment for 128 people at once. Secondly, destructibility is nothing more than a publicity stunt. A tool for creating spectacular trailers and a gimmick to lure new audiences. In reality, most buildings are destroyed in the first half of the match, and no one remembers them anymore. They do not create any tactical advantage and do not play an important role during the battle.

Finally, we got rid of a single company. Quiet horror and pain. Disappointment and fear. A worthy solution that I am sure freed hundreds of man-hours and put them on a productive track. The main thing to remember and fix in memory is that you don’t have to try to compete with Activision. You guys are into multiplayer and only multiplayer. Let it stay that way. 

Graphics. Previous games were fiercely promoted through *F95Zone*. The constant soap, lens flare and other post effects were very difficult to navigate. Factory 311 with marsh-red light filters says hello. Everything looks acceptable in 2042. As far as possible for a pop mass product.

Outcome

Battlefield 2042 is a one-off game that an inexperienced user should admire, renew their EA Access subscription, leave a positive review and forget about this project forever. Of course, from time to time the game will pop up in the information field – sometimes with good news, sometimes with bad news. But its main goal – to draw attention to the brand and new gaming platforms – has already been accomplished. Play is optional. A year will pass, maybe two. And everything will repeat again. This is what is called a “demo shooter”.