Summary
TheBattlefieldseries has had its ups and downs. From Battlefield 3 to Battlefield 1, the series had strong player numbers, a balanced system, and it knew its identity. However, with Battlefield 5 and especially Battlefield 2042, the series seemed to be experiencing an identity crisis. That said, DICE and the Battlefield team are clearly working hard to rediscover and regain that identity.
In a trailer, EA and DICE announced that they will be conducting playtests through Battlefield Labs to gather better player feedback. They also revealed that some EA studios will join forces to create Battlefield Studios, aiming to create a better future for the series. With the series making a comeback, here are some features we hope to see return.
10Dog Tags In Takedowns
Just Battlefield Things
The Takedown was a feature introduced to the series in Battlefield 3. To perform a takedown, you hold the melee button, and then an animation will play out where your character takes down the enemy soldier and steals his dog tag. In Battlefield 4, a counterattack for the takedown was also introduced.
After Battlefield 4, takedowns were expanded to other weapons besides combat knives. In 2042, the takedown animations are in third-person. However, third-person takedowns have been criticized by some players, as it takes too much time and makes you an easy target. While you get the other player’s dog tag for your inventory, the dog tags aren’t shown in the animation. If the next Battlefield is set in a modern setting, it would be the perfect scenario to bring back dog tag takedowns.
9Campaigns
Additional Fun
While not as popular as the multiplayer aspect, Battlefield games have had great campaigns as well. Battlefield 2042 didn’t include a campaign; the cinematics tried to tell a bit of the story, but it just didn’t work as well.
Not all Battlefield campaigns were perfect, but that doesn’t mean they should have stopped trying. Some of the stories featured memorable characters like the troublemakers from B Company, Irish and Tombstone squad, or the heroes of the Battlefield 1 and Battlefield 5 stories. Campaigns also provide players not only with more content for what they’re paying for, but also add context and lore to the multiplayer maps.
8Modern Setting
Back To Basics
It’s been more than ten years since a Battlefield game had a modern setting. The latest games in the series were either set in the previous century or a couple of decades into the future.
Thankfully, the official concept art and teaser trailer from DICE confirm that the next game will be set in a time close to our current date. The soldiers and setting shown in the trailer for Battlefield Labs clearly draw inspiration from the look and aesthetic of Battlefield 3.
7Battlefield 5’s Movement
Perfect Balance
When Battlefield 2042 launched, many players were surprised to seea movement systemcompletely different from that of Battlefield 5. 2042’s movement leaned more into rapid, arcade-style gameplay, rather than the balance between arcade and realism that the series had before. If that wasn’t enough, they also added the double sprint seen in titles like Call of Duty.
Battlefield 5 had the perfect balance between pace and soldier reaction. You could also sprint while crouching, which wasn’t a feature in 2042. The animations, as well, were very cinematic. For example, if you jumped from a high place, your soldier would perform a roll when landing. Hopefully, we’ll see more unique and innovative movement in the next games.
6Main Bases
A Safe Place
One of the most enjoyable feelings in previous Battlefield games was the beginning of a match. Everyone started at their main base, which was full of cars, tanks, helicopters, and jets. Then the team would run to their preferred vehicle. Seeing all your teammates and squad lift off into the air and fly toward an objective was a core moment in Battlefield games.
In Battlefield 2042, teams have a main spawn rather than bases. Main spawns are just empty spaces on the map, and to take a vehicle, you must spawn in one. This removes the fun and sense of a main base. A main base should not only be a place for the team to spawn, but also to regroup, rearm, and have a better chance of winning the fight.
5Dynamic Maps
Endless Replayability
Dynamic maps should not onlyinclude good destructionand realistic weather, but also thoughtful design. A good Battlefield map has two main bases on each side and a section full of buildings or other obstacles in the middle. This map layout makes it fun for every type of player: pilot, sniper, infantry, tanks, etc.
Operation Firestorm from Battlefield 3 is the best example of a dynamic Battlefield map. You can snipe from the hills, have a good time flying a jet, or enjoy a fun firefight at the middle objectives. The map also has great ambience that fits the series, with fires and smoke covering the area.
4Different Factions
Better Visibility
Another issue introduced in 2042’s Specialist system was that both teams had the same soldiers/specialists. Distinguishing friends from foes became such a problem that DICE had to implement glow sticks to identify each team.
The problem with these glow sticks is that they highlight a player’s location even from far distances. It’s impossible to play as a sniper, and you’re an easy target as infantry as well. Previous Battlefield games didn’t have this issue because both teams were different factions. Their uniforms were completely different, making it easy to identify teammates.
3Battlefield 5’s Soldier Customization
More Options
For a game set in World War 2, Battlefield 5 offers a lot of great customization and personalization options for your soldier. You could change your soldier’s appearance, helmet, face paint, torso, and leg clothing. This allowed for a lot of customization, and you could adjust it to your playstyle.
However, this changed in 2042 to a system more focused on skins for the specialists, rather than catering to the players' playstyles. The focus of 2042 wasn’t on how each uniform piece could help you on the battlefield; instead, it was on how cool the specialists looked.
2Better Progression System
Player Motivation
Besides the introduction of other influential features like the Specialist System, Battlefield 2042 also introduced Battle Passes. Battle Passes are pieces of content that you can earn before the expiration date, after which they are gone forever, or you can pay for them later in the store.
A Battle Pass takes away content that you could earn by leveling up your soldier or profile. That way, it gives players more motivation to keep playing and level up their soldier, which will be with them forever, instead of being time-limited like the Battle Passes. There are better ways for the company to monetize their content, like the bundles in the Battlefield 5 store, which included a large amount of content while also being available permanently.
1Class System, Not Specialists
Unique Playstyles
One of the most disappointing features Battlefield 2042 introduced was the Specialist system, replacing the class system. The Specialist system clearly took inspiration from hero-shooter games, where players control more of a ‘hero’ character rather than a common soldier.
This system also removed the restriction of weapons being locked to each class, resulting in matches with significant balancing issues. For example, there were sniper specialists with rocket launchers or engineers with sniper rifles. Fortunately, DICE made some changes and fixes to this, and confirmed it will not be using the Specialist system again for future titles.
