This review is an unedited version of the review written by Zombie Dredd and published in the Tech Magazine: Issue 66 February 2019.
Battlefield V is the 16th instalment in the Battlefield series. Franchise fatigue and a few controversial issues around its reveal meant the game released to a less than accepting audience. However, anyone who decided to ignore Battlefield V may need to reconsider that position. Battlefield V is a good game, but is more one brimming with future potential.
Let’s be clear, unless you wait a few months, the game on release feels rushed. There is a missing single-player campaign, with some issues during multiplayer and then the promise of more multiplayer content in the future.
To be fair, Battlefield over the recent years has always been a series that improves after initial release. However, as a consumer, it is reasonable to expect you get what you pay for. In Battlefield V’s case, what you do get is very decent – you will just need to ensure you grab all the upcoming additions as they release online.
As with Battlefield from two years ago, Battlefield V offers a series of single-player campaigns focusing on differing character viewpoints. Unlike the previous iteration, the setting is some of the lesser known conflicts of World War II. The single-player is also surprisingly ‘open-world’ in approach. Some missions allow you to choose your objective and style of approach. Stealth is almost a pre-requisite to ensure mission success, meaning the single-player mode is not an offline training mode for the game’s multiplayer.
In a 64-player player lobby, stealth is not really an option as the world come crashing down around you. Shoot or be shot is order of the day. However, Battlefield V’s multiplayer feels a little more ‘hardcore’ than in previous years. Health regeneration is limited and the time to kill has been reduced. While the game still has modes arriving in the future (and plenty of tweaks to be done), gunplay is thrilling and the gameplay changes make for a better shooter by emphasising squad work.
Alongside the standard single-player and various multiplayer modes are the (to be released) co-op campaign and the Battle Royale mode. These new additions, as well as most in-game additional content is to be made available to all players over time. Yes, EA has dropped the paid-for content model… for now at least. Of course, a robust internet connection will be needed to ensure you can access and enjoy these additions to the game.
As always with Battlefield, the game is a graphical and audio marvel. Destruction is also present and correct with buildings becoming rubble and additional cover on an ever-changing battlefield. Some of the maps are breath-taking, and you would do well to not stop and sightsee.
Battlefield V essentially exceeds expectations given its original announcement and early controversies. However, it also falls below expectation in its vanilla form. By the time, this issue hits your post box, some of the updates will probably be live, so you may be getting the experience you truly deserve. However, the patience of the Battlefield fan base has probably been tested for the last time…
Score: 8/10
Available for: Xbox One, PS4 and PC
Distributed by: Prima Interactive and available at all retailers of games
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