Battlefield 6is still several months away, and though EA has revealed no official information apart from its release window, several alleged leaks and rumors about the project have been shared. Witha World War 3 setting, 128 player multiplayer, and a battle royale game all supposedly on the table, there is plenty to be excited about regarding the sequel. However, perhaps the most exciting bit of information leaked thus far is that the game will be taking inspiration fromBattlefield 3.
Battlefield 6looking back to a game that is widely regarded as the peak of the series is promising for several reasons. While it was interesting to see theBattlefieldseries bring World War 1 to life, and take a shot at interpreting World War 2, it is hard to top the winning combination of large-scale warfare and the modern era. However,Battlefield 3is remembered fondly for more than just having an appropriate setting, andBattlefield 6can find success by reintroducing several things from the classic FPS.
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A Proper Focus On Rush And Map Flow
While DICE supposedly hasbig ideas forBattlefield 6, not everything needs to be new and ambitious.Battlefield 3boasted features that worked incredibly well, with the game’s take on the “Rush” mode being one of them. Tasking one team with the defense of two M-COM stations, and the other team’s goal being destroy the two stations, the mode was simple enough. Attacking players had a limited number of lives or “tickets,” and if the team on defense wiped them out, the match would be over.
What makes thisBattlefieldgame modeso unique is what happens when two M-COM stations are destroyed. After the stations are down, the attackers move forward to the next set of stations, with the team on defense forced to retreat and set up in a new position. This design decision madeBattlefield’s maps feel alive, growing larger and changing up the layout as teams progressed. Taking players through several unique and decently sized arenas, every Rush location offered diversity and a gameplay loop that was built on strategy and map knowledge.
While Rush exists in otherBattlefieldentries, it hasn’t really been close to the level of quality that was seen inBattlefield 3’s version of the mode. While Conquest is what madeBattlefieldwhat it is, maps were seemingly made with Conquest and similar modes in mind, instead ofBattlefield 3’s even split between Rush and Conquest-focused locations. WhileBattlefield 6having massive mapsand high player counts is an exciting rumor, these locations need to be fun to play on for more than just Conquest players. The classic Rush style needs to return, andBattlefield 3’s maps are a clear example of why.
Another reason fansloveBattlefield 3so muchis its map design, which goes hand-in-hand with the well-designed Rush game mode. Iconic maps like Operation Metro had an incredible flow to them, as players began in a park, pushed through subway tunnels, and eventually ended up in the city. Each area of Operation Metro offered different levels of verticality and unique choke points, making some areas more or less advantageous to certain playstyles.
Another standout map called Damavand Peak saw players leaping from a massive mountain halfway through the match, with attackers and defenders parachuting down as helicopters followed. Without the old Rush flow, newer maps lack these special, cinematic moments, makingBattlefield 6’s possible return to this style very promising.
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The Return Of Battlelog And Themed DLC Additions
Aside from taking aBattlefield 3approach to map design, instead of the unfocused areas of recent games, a major quality of life decision would bebringing back the Battlelog. Back duringBattlefield 3’s peak, “Battlelog” was both a forum for players to discuss the game, as well as a detailed stat tracker. Though it was used inBattlefield 4, with the stats portion integrated into the game itself, the system was abandoned completely ahead ofBattlefield 1’s debut.
However, with rumors suggesting the Battlelog could be returning inBattlefield 6, DICE may have realized how useful the feature was — and how integral it was for the game experience. Aside from players using the website for team ups, clan building, and discussion of the game, being able to track progress via Battlelog was an excellent tool for dedicated fans. Players could see leaderboards for several categories, how they were performing with each weapon/class, and much more. WithCall of Duty: Warzonefansseeking unofficial third party stat trackers, there is clearly interest in a Battlelog-like system. DICE has the perfect chance to bring it back forBattlefield.
The final thing that setBattlefield 3apart from later additions was its DLC setup. WhileBattlefieldPremium was an interesting system, and free content forBattlefield 5was a welcome change of pace, the expansions ofBattlefield 3worked so well because of how different they were. The excellentClose Quarters expansionfocused purely on Infantry play, withCall of Duty-sized maps highlighting how strongBattlefield 3’s boots on the ground combat was. The Armored Kill expansion did the opposite, giving fans of vehicle-based action some content aimed directly at that playstyle.
The Aftermath expansion served as a mixture of both styles, introducing unique weapons like the crossbow and giving all classes a special design — capturing the feeling that players were fighting in the back half of a war. The End Game expansion rounded out the DLC by focusing on new features like motorcycles, givingBattlefieldfans entirely different experiences to keep playing post-launch.Battlefield 6continuing thefree DLC plan ofBattlefield 5would be great, but there’s no reason that content can’t be shaped into certain themes again. Adopting a system like the content seasons inCall of Duty, DICE could deliver periods of content aimed at all playstyles.
Battlefield 3worked so well because it embraced more than the traditionalBattlefieldplayer. The game was not afraid tochallengeCall of Dutyand other FPS juggernauts by adopting close quarters gameplay, whilst also providing more content that made the series so popular in the first place. Conquest and modes like it were not treated as the only thing worth building around, and maps were designed around flowing well, as opposed to being massive playgrounds. On top of that, players had a place to gather and share their love forBattlefieldwhile also figuring out how to improve at the game.
IfBattlefield 6is truly inspired byBattlefield 3, DICE will be adopting a similar philosophy in its creation — and this outlook could help make for the bestBattlefieldgame yet.
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