Battlefield 3: Game Review
-
Battlefield 3 is an awesome visual experience!
< back1 of 5next >
Score: 8.5 out of 10
Battlefield 3 is the latest in the Battlefield series by Swedish developer DICE using the new Frostbite 2 engine. This marks the latest version of one of the most highly anticipated titles of the year. While there are some issues it is definitely one of the best games I’ve ever played.
Most people will start playing the campaign mode and might be a bit disappointed as a result. Unfortunately in their effort to match the awesome story-telling power of the Call of Duty franchise, DICE have put together a storyline that almost, but not quite, gets there. It’s one of those flashback storylines, which unfortunately has you playing through scenes that have already happened. We’ve definitely been there and done that. In fact Black Ops was exactly that.
Even though there are aspects of the single player campaign that are a little weak, it’s still a good play. The scenes are engaging and the battle is thick and fast. Battlefield 3 does a good job at setting the scene and letting you feel like you are right in the action. The sounds are awesome in this regard and many times I noticed the extra effort that went into creating an accurate representation of the sound effects and ambient sounds.
A lot has been said about the Frostbite 2 engine with its increased capabilities in terms of visual effects and scenery destruction. Sometimes all the talk turns out to be hype, but in this case the talk was right on the money. The visuals in Battlefield 3 are absolutely awesome. As you walk through the maps the attention to detail is immediately apparent.
By far the better part is the multiplayer gameplay. The combat is engaging and the maps are immense, which is something that Battlefield veterans have become accustomed to over the years. One of the unique things about Battlefield games is their reliance on teamwork. So it’s not just about running around shooting anything that moves, but rather it’s about doing the right job within the team to better serve the mission. Interestingly you can kill nobody in a round and still get points for a variety of activities.
I must admit that I often wonder how the developers are able to squeeze better and better graphics onto the consoles when the console hardware never changes. This one definitely made me puzzle over that again. The Xbox 360 version of the game actually comes on two disks: one disk for the campaign mode and one for multiplayer. There is also an optional installation for a valuable HD texture pack.
I almost think that if this game had only a multiplayer gameplay option it might have got a perfect review. Certainly it would have lost fewer points for not having a campaign mode at all rather than the points it lost for having the poor campaign mode it currently has. So if you are a player who is interested primarily in multiplayer play then you have found a new kind of heaven. Buy it now, put it on your Christmas list or do whatever you need to do. See you out there.
Available on: Xbox, PS3, PC
