Summary
Out of all the rumors surrounding the release of the next game in EA’s long-runningBattlefieldseries, one seems to be generating far more excitement than any other. While reports of EA and developer Criterion returning to the series’ roots with the next entry are welcome news for many fans, rumors of a renewed focus on environmental destruction in the nextBattlefieldgame are what’s really getting some players’ pulses pumping. Once a hallmark of the franchise, this mechanic has been toned down in recent years but now seems primed for an explosive return to form.
Although destructible environments in games aren’t as uncommon today as they were whenBattlefield: Bad Companymade the mechanic a central part of its gameplay, they’re still somewhat of a rarity in multiplayer titles. Aside from games likeThe Finals, where players can raze entire levels to the ground, destruction is limited in scope in most multiplayer games, if it’s even included at all. By doubling down on this much-loved but often-overlooked mechanic withthe nextBattlefieldgame,EA could not only pay homage to the series’ past but also set a new standard for future releases.
Destruction in the Battlefield Series Has Gotten Tamer Over Time
Despite now being a fan-favorite feature, destructible environments weren’t a core part of the franchise untilBattlefield: Bad Companywas releasedin 2008. A console-only spin-off of the mainline games, itoffered players a series-first single-player campaign alongside two multiplayer modes. While a 24-player limit meant multiplayer matches were less than half the size of the series’ PC entries, the destructible environments quickly made the game a hit with players. The success ofBattlefield: Bad Companyled todestruction showing up in subsequent games, withBattlefield 4’s Levolution system eventually taking the feature to new heights.
Rather than being limited to knocking holes in walls and destroying small buildings like in theBattlefield: Bad Companygames,Levolution let players completely alter the layout of some maps by accomplishing objectives like blowing up a levee to unleash a flood. While similar systems have appeared in subsequentBattlefieldgames,many players have complained that the scale of the destruction pales in comparison to Levolution. By putting destruction at the forefront of the nextBattlefieldgame, EA could reverse this trend and finally give gamers what they’ve been asking for.
The Next Battlefield Needs to Set a New Standard for Destruction
While recent years have seen EA move away from the detailed destruction mechanics that madeBattlefield: Bad CompanyandBattlefield 4so popular with players, other games have attempted to fill that niche. The most prominent of these is thefree-to-play shooterThe Finals, which lets players destroy nearly everything in the game’s arenas. Designed by a team comprised of veteranBattlefielddevelopers at Embark Studios,The Finalssets a high bar for EA and Criterion to clear.
To stand out fromThe Finalsand other competitors, the nextBattlefieldshould strive to once again set the standard fordestructible environments in games. One way to do this would be by including levels packed with plenty of buildings to blow up over the course of a match to create a dynamic, ever-evolving playground of destruction for gamers. If accompanied by a revamped Levolution system with even more ways for players to destroy the world around them, this could give the nextBattlefieldthe boost it needs to fight off similar shooters.
Although the current crop ofBattlefieldrumorsgives players plenty to be excited about, from larger match sizes to a back-to-basics approach to gameplay, it’s the return of the series’ much-loved destruction mechanics that could really help it stand out. If EA and Criterion listen to the franchise’s fanbase and deliver the sort of building-busting chaos players have been craving for years, then the nextBattlefieldcould be the series’ most explosive entry yet.
Battlefield 2042
WHERE TO PLAY
Battlefield 2042 is a first-person shooter that marks the return to the iconic all-out warfare of the franchise. With the help of a cutting-edge arsenal, engage in intense, immersive multiplayer battles.Lead your team to victory in both large all-out warfare and close-quarters combat on maps from the world of 2042 and classic Battlefield titles. Find your playstyle in class-based gameplay and take on several experiences comprising elevated versions of Conquest and Breakthrough. Explore Battlefield Portal, a platform where players can discover, create, and share unexpected battles from Battlefield’s past and present.This game includes optional in-game purchases of virtual currency that can be used to acquire virtual in-game items.
