Battlefield 6 received its two public betas over the last two weekends. Boasting an upgraded engine and a level of destruction the series has never seen before, it’s clear that Battlefield 6 is shaping up to be a hit on release.
Game Modes, New & Old
The beta, which lasted a combined seven days, featured numerous game modes including the usual large scale Battlefield staple ‘Conquest’, as well as the surprising addition of a ‘King of the Hill’ game mode that functions similarly to Halo’s mode of the same name.
‘Conquest’ is your bread and butter Battlefield game mode: two teams of 32 players are dropped at opposite ends of a large map, tasked with capturing a number of objectives and holding off enemy players for as long as possible. To aid with the objective capturing, tanks, SUV’s and Fighter Jets are dotted around the map. When you think of the chaotic fun Battlefield is known for, you’re likely thinking of ‘Conquest’.
However, this time around EA have clearly put a lot of focus on smaller scale conflicts with game modes like ‘Team Death Match’ and ‘Rush’ being a focal point of the games balance towards close-range combat, as opposed to the typical mid-range to long-range duels previous entries have been known for.
This switch in game play has bothered many players that prefer how the previous games are played, even though there’s plenty of weapons that fit all ranges, and all modes.
Rifles, Shotguns and Pistols, oh my!
Battlefield 6 offers the usual array of weaponry you’d expect from a modern-military FPS. You’ve got your Assault Rifles that are good at most ranges, a laughably weak pistol for a sidearm, and a shotgun that had just about every player calling for it to be removed from the game.
The beta struggled when it came to the balancing of weapons, as previously stated, the shotgun being the biggest culprit. Being able to take out most enemies at mid range with one blast is one thing, but with its rampant rate of fire and ability to kill at long-ranges with certain modifications, it’s a weapon that needs to be changed when the game fully releases this October.
Outside of the weaponry and large scale conflicts, Battlefield has always been known for having immersive destructible environments that react to the players actions. Thankfully, Battlefield 6 has the best destruction of the series.
Each player is equipped with the means to destroy just about anything they see. Is there a nasty sniper bothering you on top of a building? Why not grab a rocket launcher and take down his high ground. Is there a player hiding in a bathroom with that damn shotgun? Try destroying the floor underneath them.
There’s plenty of ways to bend the environments to your advantage, that’s what makes the game play loop of Battlefield 6 so engrossing. Though the beta offered little in terms of different maps, the way each environment can change on a whim made each consecutive match feel different from the last.
If you’re looking for a new FPS that doesn’t have the yearly baggage Call of Duty brings, Battlefield 6 might be what your waiting for when it releases 10 October.
Featured Image Credit: EA
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