Summary
- The Battlefield series is renowned for its intense multiplayer battles and destructible environments, but it also offers compelling single-player campaigns that explore different aspects of warfare.
- These Battlefield games transport players to different historical and fictional war settings, offering immersive experiences and compelling narratives.
- While some games in the series received mixed reviews, the quality of storytelling in the Battlefield series has remained consistent, with attention to detail, authentic experiences, and emotional themes that captivate players.
The Battlefield series is known for its intense multiplayer battles, large-scale maps, and destructible environments. The series always had a strong emphasis on gameplay. However, over the years, it has also become renowned for its single-player campaigns, which have often offered compelling stories that explore different aspects of warfare throughout history.
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From the gritty realism of Battlefield 1's depiction of World War I to the humor and camaraderie of the Bad Company subseries, the Battlefield games tell a wide range of stories that still keep players invested in the game's worlds. While the series has had its ups and downs in terms of critical reception and commercial success, one thing that has remained consistent is the quality of its storytelling.
Updated on January 06, 2025, by Gerardo Molina: Although some game franchises can pull off having great multiplayer modes and an immersive single-player campaign, others, like Battlefield, tend to struggle with juggling both. The franchise has been around for several years at this point and, unfortunately, there are still examples of installments that fail to hit the nail on the head when it comes to developing an all-around well-crafted story that blends co-op mechanics and online features. That said, some other installments in the franchise have managed to be successful in this regard, even if they weren’t perfect. At this point, it’s just a matter of time before the Battlefield franchise drops a title that can compete with or even surpass the quality of some of the Call of Duty franchise’s greatest hits.
10 Battlefield 2142 (2006)
Warfare Set In The Middle Of An Ice Age
- Platform(s): PC, Mac
- Released: October 17, 2006
- Developer(s): DICE
- Genre: First-person shooter
As the game's name suggests, Battlefield 2142 is set in the 22nd century, right in the middle of an ice age. Players can choose to play as either one of the factions; the Pan-Asian Coalition (PAC), or the European Union (EU). As both superpowers fight over control of the last few remaining resources on a dying version of Earth, players will have to hone their survival skills and perfect their aim to win.
While Battlefield 2142 does not have a story mode per se, the political setting around it makes for a very interesting experience that focuses on large-scale multiplayer combat. Battlefield 2142 features four main classes that can be divided as follows:
- Assault: This class combines the Medic and Assault classes from Battlefield 2. It uses an assault rifle as well as an unlockable rocket or shotgun add-on.
- Engineer: Works similarly to the same class in Battlefield 1942.
- Support: Provides ammunition in ammo boxes and can use turret guns, as well as electric shields to aid their teams during combat.
- Recon: This class uses high-speed sniper rifles, as well as fully-automatic carbine weapons that can be combined with other elements for a balanced and effective playstyle.
9 Battlefield 1943 (2009)
A True Depiction Of World War II Battles Offered In A Simpler, More Concentrated Way
Battlefield 1943
Battlefield 1943's plot is straightforward, focusing on the conflicts that arose in the Pacific Theater between the United States Marine Corps and the Imperial Japanese Navy. Multiplayer fights take place on battlefields based on famous Pacific Theater sites, in which players can choose to play as the United States Marine Corps or the Japanese Imperial Navy. It also allows players to experience renowned battles from the Pacific theater of World War II through a combination of teamwork, vehicle combat, and strategic gaming.
Battlefield 1943 does not have a rich or comprehensive backstory in conventional terms, which is why it was ranked the lowest. It's not extremely narrative-heavy, but it does set the stage aesthetically for the conflicts. Battlefield 1943's multiplayer features and violent, realistic combat experiences are what draw most gamers in, not the game's narrative depth.
8 Battlefield 5 (2018)
Brings Players Into An Immersive World War II Experience
-
OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 79 /100 Critics Rec: 73%
- Released
- November 20, 2018
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood, Strong Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- DICE
- Publisher(s)
- Electronic Arts
- Engine
- Frostbite
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
- Franchise
- Battlefield
WHERE TO PLAY
Taking place during World War II, Battlefield 5 is a first-person shooter. Several individuals representing different countries and perspectives on the war are featured in the single-player campaign. The campaign's chapters, which cover various aspects of the battle, give players a wide range of perspectives and opportunities to feel real emotion. In this role-playing game, players take on the personas of several characters fighting for recognition and equality during World War II, such as Norwegian resistance fighter Solveig, British criminal Billy Bridger, German tank commander Peter Müller, and Deme Cisse and his fellow troops.
Most fans found this game incomplete and quite boring, but they agreed that its graphics and mechanics were a nice surprise. The campaign explores themes such as sacrifice, loss, and the human cost of war. Even though Battlefield 5 doesn't offer impressive content, fans still enjoy the game and have fun going through the stories.
Battlefield 5 features several different multiplayer modes, such as Firestorm and Grand Operations. The latter is an expansion of the “Operations” mode, which was first introduced in Battlefield 1. Although the game originally had the potential to remain active for many years and keep receiving updates after a long time, the financial issues it encountered and the backlash that it faced prompted the developer to opt towards releasing the last patch in summer 2020, which also included the last major update. All in all, while the game had many good things around it, they unfortunately weren’t enough to keep players interested.
7 Battlefield Hardline (2015)
A Great Crime Story That Deviates From The Franchise's Classic Warfare Setting
Battlefield Hardline
Set in modern-day Miami, Battlefield Hardline focuses on the story of detective Nick Mendoza, who dives deep into the corrupt underworld of the Miami drug and mafia scene. With a strong focus on its single-player story, this title has enough to entertain both fans of the franchise and newcomers alike with its intrigue.
Battlefield Hardline features car chases, smaller urban combat environments, and heists that complement each other well and deliver an overall pleasant experience that players will want to repeat more than once. While it would seem that making such a drastic change to the franchise would result in mixed or negative reviews, this luckily wasn't the case. While the game isn't the best-rated in the franchise's history, it was mostly well-received. Battlefield Hardline includes various different game modes, such as:
- Heist: A group of criminals must break into a vault and then extract the money in various packages to a designated area.
- Blood Money: Two opposing factions must retrieve money from a crate and deliver it to their designated areas. Players can also steal the opposing team’s money.
- Hotwire: Players must capture the opposing team's cars until they’ve reduced their reinforcement tickets to zero.
- Rescue: With police officers on one side and criminals on the other, the team who first eliminates the other team's forces wins. There are also hostages involved, so the officers can also win if they rescue them all.
- Crosshair: Players take on the role of criminals as they try to eliminate an informant on the police officers’ side.
6 Battlefield 2 (2005)
Features Dynamic Multiplayer Combat Between The United States, China, And The Middle Eastern Coalition
Battlefield 2: Modern Combat
- Released
- October 24, 2005
- Developer(s)
- DICE
- Platform(s)
- Xbox 360, Xbox (Original), PS2
Battlefield 2 takes place in the future and centers on fictitious battles between the United States, China, and a fabricated Middle Eastern coalition. Players can pick a side and fight in multiplayer modes like Conquest, where teams battle to seize and retain control points across vast areas. They can also take on the roles of members of several military factions and engage in online conflicts set in real-world crisis zones.
When compared to other games in the Battlefield series, Battlefield 2: Modern Combat is widely acclaimed for its compelling storyline due to its more sophisticated and character-driven narrative. The story that unfolds in this title is one full of deceit that eventually culminates in a satisfying revelation that points players in the direction of the true enemy. The game's graphics, audio, and cutscenes were of outstanding quality, further adding to the immersion, storytelling, and realistic settings present in the game.
5 Battlefield 4 (2013)
Focuses On A Fictional Conflict Between The United States, China, And Russia In A Distant Future Setting
Battlefield 4
The single-player campaign of Battlefield 4 tells the story of Sergeant Daniel Recker, also known as "Tombstone," a member of a U.S. Special Forces squad. It takes place in several locations around the world as the squad attempts to stop the plans of a rogue Chinese general named Chang Wei, who is threatening world peace.
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Along the way, Recker's crew must fight enemy soldiers, survive natural disasters, and overcome technological malfunctions. The campaign explores themes such as loyalty, betrayal, and the moral complexity of war. Fans' opinions are mixed, as some believe that the story is good but pretty standard, while others are disappointed in the lack of emotions the game evokes.
4 Battlefield 1 (2016)
Its Captivating Storyline Transports Players To The Mud And Dust Of World War 1
Battlefield 1
Battlefield 1 is set in World War I and features a single-player campaign that tells the story of different characters and their experiences in the war. Players take on the roles of Frederick Bishop, an Australian messenger; Zara Ghufran, a Bedouin rebel; Luca Vincenzo Cocchiola, an Italian Arditi soldier; Clyde Blackburn, a pilot in the Royal Flying Corps; and Daniel Edwards, a British tank driver during World War I.
One of the unique features of the campaign is the way it uses different gameplay mechanics for each character, such as piloting a biplane or sneaking through enemy lines as a Bedouin warrior. Overall, Battlefield 1 offers a powerful and emotionally charged experience for fans of the first-person shooter genre and history buffs alike. Throughout the player's exploration, it offers themes like sacrifice, loss, and the human toll of combat.
3 Battlefield: Bad Company (2008)
Follows A Misfit Squad's Quest For Personal Interests Amidst A Backdrop Of Military Conflict
Battlefield: Bad Company
Battlefield Bad Company's campaign begins with Preston Marlowe, a United States soldier sent to be the newest member of the B Company, known as the Bad Company for its troublemakers. After completing a few dangerous missions, the members begin to realize that there's more than just the war they should be worried about, as they uncover a well-hidden truth.
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The game's story is popular for its humor, dynamic environments, and destructible scenery that add a unique element to the gameplay. As players grow immersed in the squad's unity and the developing character dynamics, they are transported to other locations throughout the game. This general concept features the game's central focus on the antics of the charmingly odd troops of Bad Company as they make their way through the mayhem of battle with wit and solidarity.
2 Battlefield 3 (2011)
A Captivating Narrative That Transports Players To War Zones Around The World
Battlefield 3
Following the story of Sergeant Henry Blackburn, a Marine in the United States military, Battlefield 3 takes place in several locations, including Iraq, Iran, and New York City. Blackburn and his team battle various terrorists across the globe, trying to prevent the war from advancing to its nuclear phase. The campaign is known for its cinematic and intense moments, as well as its emphasis on teamwork and strategy.
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The game features a mix of vehicle and infantry combat, with players using a variety of weapons to complete objectives. While the game received praise for its cinematic and action-packed cutscenes, it was also criticized for its linear story and for the fact that players' choices don't affect the narrative, making them feel like nothing they do matters anyway.
1 Battlefield: Bad Company 2 (2010)
This Worldwide Adventure Revolves Around A Hidden Weapon And A Global Plot
Battlefield: Bad Company 2
Battlefield: Bad Company 2 follows the same group of soldiers from Bad Company as they are sent on a new mission to prevent a dangerous weapon from falling into the wrong hands. The game's story centers on a squad of characters, each with a distinct personality and a good dose of humor, and how the player character Preston Marlowe and squad leader Sergeant Samuel Redford create a strong emotional connection during their mission. The story takes place in various locations around the world, including South America and Russia.
The game's campaign is known for its more serious tone compared to its predecessor and its emphasis on character development, with the soldiers of the Bad Company facing moral dilemmas and grappling with their own motivations. The game features improved dynamic environments, allowing players to use their surroundings to their advantage during combat. Overall, Battlefield: Bad Company 2's campaign offers a thrilling and immersive experience for players looking for a gripping storyline and intense gameplay.