Battlefield 2042 Reviews
Battlefield 2042 is a good game at its core. It's fun, frantic, and as engrossing as Battlefield has ever been. While the launch has been filled with a myriad of technical issues that I failed to mention in this review, those are sure to be ironed out over the next few months. The majority of maps are too large to be impactful, the Specialist system has taken away a core aspect of what makes Battlefield work as a franchise, and the tone of the game is often at odds with itself. But through it all, I'm still enjoying my time blowing things up, screaming and laughing with friends, and making more of those Battlefield memories.
I don't think there's a situation so bleak they wouldn't try to render in service of people-pleasing and making sales climb higher. Battlefield 2042 represents the pinnacle of a feedback loop that told its creators that bigger is always better. Now that we're here, I'm sure we were never right to think that and I don't think we're stepping back from it anytime soon.
Battlefield 2042 is DICE’s most average Battlefield yet, one that despite boasting two new modes to discover in Hazard Zone and Battlefield Portal, clearly forgot about the core of the experience. With some weird design decisions, plenty of bugs, and more crashes than a destruction derby; the future of Battlefield, this is not. It’s still fun, but we hoped for so much more.
If it wasn’t for a few poorly designed 2042 maps, combat balancing issues, and performance concerns, Battlefield 2042 might be the best in the franchise
In a world where developers are getting used to working from home and games are being pushed back due to the global pandemic, EA decided that Battlefield 2042 was ready for this year. It’s not. More time is needed to fix a lot of the problems, but even then that might not be enough to save it from being one of the most lacklustre Battlefield titles yet.
It's not without its issues, but Battlefield 2042 is off to a fantastic start for DICE's beloved series. All-Out Warfare modes are immersive, Hazard Zone is enjoyable while Battlefield Portal steals the show. There's a lot to love here, and I'm excited to see where the game goes.
'Battlefield 2042' is a huge disappointment for gamers and the Battlefield franchise. Had this been the product of an indie developer, then this might be a different story as it would be understandable how a game like this could be the product of an independent studio that doesn't have enormous corporate backing. Instead, EA pumped more resources into creating a CGI film that acts as the only real source of storyline context than ensuring the game was going to live up to the enormous amount of hype they were trying to create. I hate saying such negative things in my reviews, but when a game developer can't be bothered to even try and live up to it's own legacy, then I have to call it as I see it and for that very reason, I don't recommend this game. Not even the nostalgia or temptation of 'Battlefield Portal' is enough to save this game from itself.
In my opinion, especially with all of the bugs, you should save your money on this one or wait until a heavily discounted sale. Maybe in a year or so they'll iron out some of the issues that plagued its release and work on the "fun factor", but it just isn't there right now for this reviewer to feel comfortable recommending it to our readers or friends.
Battlefield 2042 is a fun enough time, but DICE needs to work hard if it wants to take the unrefined ideas found here and turn it into something that feels like a worthy successor to the Battlefield legacy.
When Battlefield 2042 hits the mark with its enormous, gorgeous, destructible maps in All-Out Warfare, it’s good, but it sometimes tends to crack under the weight of its own massive scale.
Battlefield 2042 does not yet live up to its ambitious design goals and is a regression in many respects.
The launch has been something of a mess all around, from the removal of one of the Specialist’s abilities (an impossible-to-take-out shield) through to a gadget that caused server issues like rubber-banding. Both of these are back in the game, yet the shield can still fully absorb the imposing force of a tank shell. For a series that has always been about fostering a refined sandbox with clear objectives creating some truly spectacular moments, the tank shell sending the shielded player flying makes more sense (the physicality of Battlefield V would have allowed for such a trick). I could list a dozen more examples and ‘what if’ scenarios, but it ultimately circles back to one singular point. Battlefield 2042 is a heartbreaking disappointment.
Bigger But Not Necessarily Better.
Battlefield 2042 is a fun and bold experience that shows that DICE really knows how to please shooter games fans.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Perhaps because of the sudden enlightenment of EA and DICE, or because the players' voices are getting louder, this time Battlefield 2042 has surprised me far more than disappointed.
Review in Chinese | Read full review
Battlefield 2042 is a fun game to play, but its base game content will leave you wanting. Thankfully, Battlefield Portal is there to pick up the slack and does so splendidly. There’s still some gas left in Battlefield’s tank.
Heading in a multiplayer-only direction, 2042 offers a unique blend of experiences that combines classic Battlefield sensibilities with fresh new ideas, making for a game filled with exciting content to explore whether you’re a returning veteran or a series newbie.
Battlefield 2042 definitely feels like a step in the wrong direction for EA and Dice. Although battle royale and combat sims can be fun to some players, they are not for everyone. The loss of a single-player campaign and other features make Battlefield 2042 a ghost of its former self. If you have the time and energy to learn the game’s mechanics, the game can be fun but rather time-consuming. Ultimately this Battlefield is one most players should skip. If EA and Dice continue to improve Battlefield 2042, then it will eventually be worth picking up similar to Star Wars Battlefront 2, but as of now, it is a good idea to wait.
By ditching the campaign mode in Battlefield 2042, EA Dice has made the game a tiny bit more confusing and difficult for new players trying to get into the franchise. Veterans and die-hard (pun-intended) lovers of Battlefield will love it for the way it stays true to the gameplay of the older titles. The chaos of the 128-strong lobby isn't something I look forward to whenever I start the game, and I feel that may be true for most players.
I wanted more for Battlefield 2042, and I wanted more for this new live service game. But with other glaring issues, I feel this might need to be somewhat avoided.