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Battlefield 1 (PS4) Review
Developer: DICE
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Genre: First-Person Shooter
Release: 2016
Battlefield 1 takes the series in a bold direction by moving away from the modern and futuristic warfare of previous entries and placing the action during World War I. Rather than attempting to recreate the conflict as a slow and historically rigid simulator, DICE adapts the era into the large-scale, vehicle-heavy sandbox that defines Battlefield.
The result is one of the most atmospheric and spectacular entries in the series. The combination of infantry combat, tanks, aircraft, cavalry, artillery, destruction and dynamic weather creates battles that can change dramatically from one moment to the next. Its single-player War Stories are also more varied than the traditional campaign structure, although multiplayer is unquestionably the game's main attraction.
Gameplay & Mechanics
The fundamental Battlefield gameplay remains intact: choose a class, work with your squad, capture objectives and use weapons and vehicles to overwhelm the opposing team.
The World War I setting significantly changes the feel of combat. Bolt-action rifles, early automatic weapons, cavalry sabres, tanks and aircraft create a different rhythm from the modern weapons found in previous games.
The four primary classesAssault, Medic, Support and Scouteach have specific roles. Teamwork is particularly important, with Medics keeping players alive, Support supplying ammunition and Assault players specialising in anti-vehicle combat.
Strengths:
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Excellent gunplay.
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Strong class-based gameplay.
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Outstanding vehicle combat.
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Infantry and vehicle warfare work naturally together.
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Excellent destruction.
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Huge battles create memorable moments.
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Dynamic weather can dramatically alter engagements.
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Strong squad-based teamwork.
Weaknesses:
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Some weapons can feel restrictive compared with later Battlefield games.
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Certain maps favour particular classes.
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Vehicle balance can occasionally be frustrating.
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Melee combat can feel inconsistent.
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Respawns can sometimes place players in dangerous positions.
The gunplay is particularly satisfying. Weapons have considerable character, and the more primitive technology fits the setting rather than feeling like modern weapons with different visual models.
Final Verdict
Battlefield 1 is one of the strongest entries in the Battlefield franchise and one of the best World War I shooters of its generation. DICE takes an unusual historical setting and adapts it perfectly to the series' trademark combination of large-scale combat, vehicles, destruction and teamwork.
The multiplayer is the clear highlight. Operations provides a particularly strong sense of progression, while Conquest delivers the traditional Battlefield sandbox. Tanks, aircraft, cavalry and infantry all contribute to battles that can become wonderfully unpredictable.
The War Stories campaign is also a significant improvement over the more conventional campaigns found in previous entries. The multiple protagonists and locations provide variety while allowing the game to present different perspectives on the conflict.
There are some weaknesses, particularly the short campaign, occasional balance issues and the inevitable repetition that comes with a multiplayer-focused shooter. Nevertheless, these shortcomings don't diminish the quality of the overall package.
The atmosphere, sound design, destruction and scale make Battlefield 1 feel genuinely distinctive. Few shooters capture the chaos and devastation of large-scale warfare quite as effectively.
Score: 9/10
