Review: Battlefield 6 (PS5)

Battlefield 6 represents the pinnacle of the franchise in several years. EA and its assembly of Battlefield Studios are evidently eager to perfect this installment. Although this military venture isn’t a guaranteed hit, it certainly fulfills its commitment to delivering fast-paced, cinematic, and action-packed multiplayer gameplay.

Battlefield 6 signifies the comeback of the contemporary military backdrop, and it accomplishes this with its most extensive collection in quite a while. Featuring a complete campaign, the return of Portal, and of course, the multiplayer aspect, there’s a little bit of everything for players.

The campaign is arguably the most underwhelming aspect, however. Over approximately six hours, you’ll tear through the terrains of Tijikistan or quietly maneuver through the streets of Cairo. Its visual spectacle, paired with excellent gun mechanics, keeps the experience sufficiently engaging.

From a blockbuster perspective, we relished the challenge of navigating the brownstones of Brooklyn or charging ahead as we advanced on an enemy stronghold.

Nonetheless, if you’re seeking a gripping military storyline, you won’t encounter it here. The Battlefield 6 campaign tends to take itself a bit too seriously and strives to present itself as a sophisticated military thriller.

Whenever the game shifts back to its cutscenes featuring a political figure, enthusiasm wanes. There are modest moments of narrative intrigue, but most of the time, when characters started talking, we just wanted to revert back to shooting. It’s safe to say you shouldn’t purchase Battlefield 6 purely for the campaign. It serves as a decent side item, but nothing further.

A compelling reason to acquire Battlefield 6 is its multiplayer aspect. Following the simplicity of the Battlefield 1 and Battlefield V period, as well as the nearly sterile sensation of Battlefield 2042, Battlefield 6 simply feels correct.

Movement is measured but feels intentional. Weapons convey weight and potency. The visuals are rich with special effects for smoke, explosions, debris, and the innovative tactical destruction, which can tear down building facades. If you seek those iconic Battlefield moments, Battlefield 6 has them in spades.

Whether it’s the roar of a jet as it zooms through the sky above, or the whizzing of stray bullets as you dive for cover, there’s a captivating kind of chaos within the multiplayer offering here. It has a vibrant energy that we haven’t experienced in the series for quite a while.

The multiplayer aspect is also quite substantial, boasting various modes, from returning favorites like Breakthrough and Conquest, to newcomers like Escalation. They all function similarly; go here, shoot that, occupy or protect the point. Nevertheless, the arsenal of weapons, class perks, and vehicles provides each its own fresh, dynamic sensation.

We assume some may feel that the current selection of maps is somewhat inadequate. There are our favorites like Siege of Cairo, Liberation Peak, and the remastered Operation Firestorm. However, some are a bit repetitive, such as New Sobek City, or the duo of Manhattan Bridge and Empire State. We’re certainly eager to see new maps as post-launch content begins.

However, the inherent grind and gameplay loop are simply too excellent for a sparse map roster to ruin the fun. The leveling and weapons progression is slow yet steady, making time spent with each weapon and class feel meaningful and rewarding. We relished gradually transforming our preferred carbine into the ultimate killing machine, with numerous attachments that can substantially enhance the feel of a firearm.

Whether it’s weapons, gadgets, or even the multitude of weapon camos, there’s a grind to satisfy all skill levels. We believe some may shy away from this as it’s, dare we say, a tad more hardcore than Call of Duty’s leveling system. However, we think this will endow Battlefield 6 with greater longevity.

If you need a breather from the main multiplayer, Battlefield 6 also features the return of Portal, a custom level and map creator. Through a PC application, players can craft their own maps and custom game modes, which has been significantly enhanced since its debut in Battlefield 2042.

We’re still not entirely convinced it will prove to be anything beyond an XP farm, similar to its performance in 2042, but there are some enjoyable examples hidden in this mode. Such as a recreation of Call of Duty’s Shipment map, wave-based zombie modes, or even lighthearted options like hammers and knives only. There’s a discernible lack of polish, which contrasts with the remainder of the Battlefield package, but we’re excited to see if anything unique emerges from the community down the road.

All of this is packaged in what is undoubtedly the most refined Battlefield launch in recent memory – possibly ever. Even after prolonged sessions with the multiplayer, the most significant issue we encountered was the dropped frames during the transition into gameplay at the start of a match. Otherwise, it performs flawlessly on both PS5 and PS5 Pro, maintaining 60 frames per second as a standard, with 120Hz modes available as well.

The PS5 also significantly enhances the experience, boasting exceptional DualSense haptic and adaptive trigger support. The rumble of explosions on Sony’s controller is incredibly immersive, and you can feel the weightiness of LMGs through the triggers.

What we appreciate even more, though, is the sound design. The default mix is flawless as it dynamically shifts from thunderous and expansive soundscapes to echoing and tinny corridors. These play off wonderfully with the 3D audio available on PS5, especially with a good pair of headphones. The War Tapes mix intensifies the experience even further – we highly suggest trying that one out.

Conclusion

Battlefield 6 is an outstanding multiplayer experience that captivates and impresses with its chaotic blend of precise gunplay, top-notch audio design, and the cinematic flair that endeared us to the series initially. While the campaign isn’t particularly noteworthy, and Portal has yet to demonstrate its full potential, they serve as supplements to what is indisputably the finest Battlefield in over a decade.