Note: This review is based on the PlayStation 3 game
Battlefield 4 has a lot to live up to, with the worldwide success of its predecessor, it’s hard to imagine how EA Games and DICE could top the superb gameplay – but yet, we think they have.
Obviously everything in the new game has more of a sheen on it with the overall package being quite breathtaking to look at – the surrounding scenery has been given a face-lift and the buildings have noticeably more detail.
The controls are easy enough to master for those checking out the game for the first time and you really gain a great appreciation for strategy and teamwork when buildings are collapsing and bombs are exploding all around you (we definitely feel like Michael Bay had an input in this one).
Battlefield 4 was built to be a multiplayer experience and we’re delighted to see that your squad has now been bumped up from four to five which makes quite a difference when dealing with the scale of the maps.
It was also great to see that Commander mode also made a return to this installment, allowing a player to provide the support and guidance for their team to potentially sort-out the best strategy to outshine their enemies.
So what are the negatives?
The problem mostly with this game is the weak single player mode and lack of proper storyline. It’s almost like the single player was more of an afterthought than anything else.
Say hello to the Tombstone Squad – your team for the single player mode. Your squad consists of the usual suspects with you acting as the observant protagonist who essentially just does what he’s told. It’s hard to feel any love for the characters and the dialogue is completely lacklustre.
Despite the hollow storyline it does seem to be an improvement on Battlefield 3’s dire plot which was just exhausting to tackle. We suspect that DICE will abandon its single player for future titles.
Ultimately though, Battlefield 4 has managed to outclass its predecessor and makes for exhilarating gameplay that sticks to its strength – the vast and impressive multiplayer.
Weapons in the game have an extensive selection of accessories and scopes to customize them with and the majority of things in-game can be destroyed in many, many, fun ways.
It’s a thumbs up from us.
Publisher: EA Games and DICE
Platforms: PC, PS3, Xbox 360
Genres: First-person shooter, Strategy
Rated: 18+
