This Battlefield 2042 the review process is a strange thing. Specifically because my practice time with the game was dictated by EA, as opposed to the time spent sitting in real life with my own copy of the game. However, I’ve largely enjoyed what I’ve played so far and am sure Battlefield fans will too.
So here is the situation. EA invited countless journalists and influencers to try out Battlefield 2042 over three evening sessions. Each session focuses on one of the core game modes: All Out Warfare, Hazard Zone, and Portal. This meant we got about three to four hours of practice with different parts of the game, but in a highly controlled environment. For the most part, it is good! But in the end, EA decided what and when we played. In addition, progress has been turned off. Hence why this is a review process. I was running after people on instinct, with some strong impressions almost fully formed, while others jumbled around in my brain like shrapnel. I need more time.
However, let’s start with All Out Warfare, what I call the “Classic Battlefield Experience”. It includes two modes: Breakthrough and Conquest. For me, Breakthrough is the highlight here. Only part of the map is unlocked at the start, and the Attacker must repel the Guardian by capturing areas. If they succeed, the Guardian will be pushed back, more maps will be unlocked, and the Attacker must continue the attack until every area is theirs. I use this mode because that’s what Battlefield is about (for me, anyway). Whichever side you take, you are part of this swarm of bodies, all united in a single simple mission: PASSION or PROTECTION. All caps because it’s ANARCHY.
Disruption not only brings structure to chaos, but also purpose. And as you’d expect, it’s fun in a team of three other players, as you plan to attack or dig a shelter together in the midst of explosions. The game’s Experts (heroes, classes, whatever you want to call them) are fine here, I suppose. I wouldn’t say that any of them felt particularly essential to success, as our team just used anyone we liked the look of, and it seemed to go well. My favorite is Paik, as she has some futuristic glasses that allow her to temporarily see enemies through walls.
However, there are not too many Conquest fans. This mode sees an entire map filled with areas that both sides must fight to capture and hold. This is Battlefield 2042 like a sandbox, with less structure and more responsibility on your shoulders. For our team at least, the fun isn’t available in this mode. Unlike Breakthrough, all teams are not part of one team, but are divided into numerous teams to do their own thing. The zones are almost like reminders that there is a goal, not the goals themselves. If you’re part of a team that loves to play with the freeform field, you’re in for a great time. But others may notice a lack of direction leading to boredom fairly quickly.
However, the Danger Zone became the focus again. This mode sees eight teams of four players go head-to-head in a hunting war on Data Drives scattered around the game’s map. At two points in each match, teams have the opportunity to extract using the Drives they have chosen. The extraction is successful and you earn credits, which can then be spent on better gear in the next match. Die? Well, you will earn nada, zilch, zero.
Overall, I’d say Danger Zones aren’t consistently fun. I can only see this as a whale of the times if you are playing with a mate. Coordination is key, and I really like how my magazine friends and I have to communicate with each other. But Death is punishment, with little compensation for participation. Manage to survive for a while, or even win, and it takes on a different skin; one of pure adrenaline.
As with all Battlefield 2042, I needed more time with it. In Danger Zones, you cannot have duplicate Specialists on a team. Some of them aren’t useful at all, but it does mean that there are some worthwhile squad setups. For example, I took out a guy capable of taking out ammo packs, but one of my soldiers used a grappling hook to scout ahead, or even hurl himself to the extraction point when ticking timer. On the other hand, the entire pre-match purchase of gear looks like it needs a bit of a rework. Basically, the rich get richer. Lose more than lose, as you don’t seem to make enough money to buy new guns or really mix things up. If you’re having a bad night, you can play Danger Zone with the same payload every time. Only. Time.
I’m not sure the maps are also suitable for Danger Zones. They’re great for Breakthrough and Conquest, with wide swaths of land and towering skyscrapers and harbors providing plenty of space to navigate. But in Danger Zone, a mode designed for tight skirmishes, it often feels like there’s too much open ground. With cover so scarce, fights are often decided by who sees who first, with little or no reaction.
We’re finally on the Battlefield Portal. This acts as the game’s custom mode creator and community creation hub. Maps, weapons, and experts from Battlefield 2042, Battlefield 3, Battlefield 1942, and Bad Company 2 can be mixed together in all sorts of weird and wonderful ways. Unfortunately, the practice session clearly didn’t do the justice of this euphoria.
Battlefield Builder, the level editor, lets you create some wilds through your web browser. And honestly, it’s a pretty intuitive interface with lots of options (and if you want to go deeper, there’s a “Rules” section that lets you make logical tweaks.) to your game. . So far, it looks pretty good to casual creators and map heads.
As for the custom maps we actually had to sample? Not so good. We first got to experience Courage’s VIP Fiesta and Rob’s Free For All, both of which drop any Battlefield identities in favor of plain old shooters. Yawn. Since then, it has returned to yore maps and Battlefield modes. More interesting, but definitely lacking in pizza. I wasn’t expecting Battlefield Kart, but at least something a little different. We are also unable to browse community works. EA’s tight control didn’t favor them here, as I’m sure the Portal isn’t as dull as it seems. Once everyone gets on with it, I’m sure it’ll be much more interesting.
But from my brief samples of everything Battlefield 2042 has to offer, I’ve got a good feeling. My gut tells me this is a solid shooter with modes that will appeal to a lot of FPS fans. But, despite its relatively poor rendering in practice, it’s the Portal that I believe has the potential to be something truly special. Check back later for my full review, which will benefit free-to-play from EA’s Vice grip.
