Highlights
- 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.
The Best First-Person Shooter Games That Aren't Battlefield or Call of Duty
Call of Duty and Battlefield may be the household names, but there are plenty of other great FPS games out there for fans seeking something different.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 November 7th, 2023, by Collins Erasmus: The most satisfying Battlefield games take the fight to epic levels but still demand pinpoint accuracy from players. Audiences and reviewers have both compared Battlefield to other games like Call of Duty, but the Battlefield storylines are significantly more authentic and realistic, even though they take on the first-person shooter genre. The aesthetics of enormous battles, whether in post-World War II Europe or a post-apocalyptic metropolis, have set the Battlefield series apart from its rivals. So, therefore, this list will contain the top Battlefield games with the best storylines. With this update, Battlefield 2 and Battlefield 1943 join the ranking.
8 Battlefield 1943 (2009)
A True Depiction Of World War II Battles Offered In A Simpler, More Concentrated Way
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.
7 Battlefield 5 (2018)
Brings Players Into An Immersive World War II Experience
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.
6 Battlefield 2 (2005)
Features Dynamic Multiplayer Combat Between The United States, China, And The Middle Eastern Coalition
Battlefield 2: Modern Combat
- Platform(s)
- Xbox 360 , Xbox (Original) , PS2
- Released
- October 24, 2005
- Developer(s)
- DICE
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
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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The Xbox One may not have been the most successful console of its generation, and its launch line-up was a bit of an omen of things to come.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 I
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'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.
7 Best Maps In The Battlefield Series
While some battlefield maps tend to get in the way of the action, others only help to make the experience that much more engaging and fun.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
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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Some game developers sacrifice visuals and clarity for a dark ambience, thus creating too dark of a game that needs a little more light.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 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.