For decades, the identity of the Battlefield series has been defined by three things. First, there are massive maps like Caspian Border and Siege of Shanghai that allow for dozens of fights to be taking place at the same time. Secondly, there is destruction, which has ranged from breaking down walls and digging holes with grenades to tearing down entire skyscrapers. Lastly, there are vehicles, though perhaps Battlefield can shine by taking a break from this final mechanic.
Battlefield’s large maps and vehicles go hand-in-hand, with the latter allowing for iconic plays like the rendezook alongside many other “Only in Battlefield” scenarios. However, with Battlefield 2042 struggling due to overly large maps and some strange vehicle balance, perhaps it is time to scale things back a bit. A smaller Battlefield experience can absolutely work, and if done correctly, the series could return to the glory days of Battlefield 3 and Bad Company 2.
Battlefield Experiences Without Vehicles Have Worked in the Past
While stripping vehicles out of Battlefield may be an immediate red flag for purists and die hard fans, the reality is that the series has already found success by doing this. Two of the very best entries in the series, Battlefield 3 and Bad Company 2, had a balance of vehicle play and infantry combat unlike most other entries in the franchise, with several games prioritizing the former. As a result, fans of boots-on-the-ground gameplay had a great alternative beyond the Call of Duty series, with certain maps not having vehicles at all.
Players need only look to classic locations like Operation Metro to realize how fun a small-scale Battlefield map focused entirely on gunplay can be, though this was hardly the only example to look at. The Close Quarters expansion and maps like Ziba Tower gave fans of infantry gameplay more options, while everyone who played Battlefield 4 likely has a memorable experience with the cramped hallways of Operation Locker. Even the cult classic Battlefield Hardline emphasized infantry combat, with several maps limiting vehicles to basic options like cop cars.
While an over-emphasis on vehicles and maps that are big enough to house them was not the main factor that led to the most recent entry’s downfall - that can be blamed on Battlefield 2042’s specialists and several missing mechanics - a rough infantry experience was still part of the issue. The next Battlefield game scaling things down to focus purely on gunplay could be worthwhile, with DICE transitioning back to vehicles once it has nailed infantry combat again.
Leaving vehicles out for an entry would allow DICE to try some new things, too. Though a full-on Battlefield hero shooter would likely do more harm than good, gameplay resembling Rainbow Six Siege could be interesting. DICE or new developer Ripple Effect could leverage the powerful Frostbite engine to let players break through ceilings as well as walls, letting gamers do battle in a giant skyscraper. Battlefield Portal, if it returns, could be full of classic infantry maps like Seine Crossing and Donya Fortress.
Though it would be a risk, a smaller-scale Battlefield could be a refreshing change of pace after 2042 took things too far in the other direction. Vehicles should obviously never leave the Battlefield franchise forever, but dedicating one game to infantry gameplay would be an interesting experiment. This way, DICE could focus all its attention on destruction, gunplay, map details, and balance. The Rush game mode could get more love than it has received in years, and Battlefield Portal could focus on remakes of highly replayable maps like Operation Locker and Operation Metro, with the game serving as something completely different from its predecessor.
Battlefield 2042 is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.