Battlefield 6 Multiplayer Preview
Courtesy of EA, I’ve played Battlefield 6 multiplayer on PC for over four hours. While the maps and modes I played were limited, I’m happy to report the next entry in the storied franchise is promising.
I’ve played nearly every Battlefield game, and have kept up with the series’ ups and downs over the years. Battlefield 6 feels like a live-or-die scenario. Fan sentiment has been relatively low since the release of Battlefield V in 2018, and lukewarm at best following Battlefield 2042’s disappointing launch. 2042 has drastically improved since day one, but it hasn’t come close to reaching the best the series has to offer between gameplay and engagement.
In response, EA has assembled what appears to be their Avengers in Battlefield Studios—comprised of DICE, Criterion, Motive, and Ripple Effect. Each studio has contributed to various entries before, and now they’re solely focused on the goal of bringing “A bold and faithful new vision for the series to life.”
Focused on Fundamentals
In my experience, the mission seems to be successful. Most of my favorite memories with Battlefield have been in a squad with my buddies, facing intense, chaotic gameplay on massive maps. I got a taste of that and more during my hands-on with Battlefield 6.
Battlefield Studios is swinging for the fences with this one. They’re drawing inspiration from what works in Battlefield 3 and 4, incorporating levels of destruction not seen since the Bad Company days, launching with several multiplayer modes, a revamped Portal, and a single-player campaign.
Thankfully, Squads are the driving force of the moment-to-moment experience in multiplayer. They function in classic fashion with signature traits and gadgets, and now feature new “training options.” Training options reward more traits to each class as you play, like improved health regeneration and reduced penalty when shooting while moving for Assault, or the ability to remain undetected by enemy equipment unless sprinting for Recon.
There are multiple training options for each class, and they all encourage players to maximize their roles. We haven’t fully experienced how these traits will impact balance, but I love the idea on paper. Fortunately, many players have been playtesting the game through Battlefield Labs for a while. Hopefully, their feedback will lead to a balanced launch.
The beauty of classic Battlefield’s design is squad synergy, and how even a few effective squads on a team can spell victory. Training options make it clear that Battlefield Studios is serious about squad-focused gameplay.
Embrace Your Taste
Battlefield 6 features a hybrid weapons system. By default, players can wield any weapon they choose, regardless of their selected class. Want to zap teammates back to life as support while carrying a sniper? Go for it. However, Battlefield Studios claims that classes perform their best when using the weapons designated for them. For players eager to stick with the tradition of closed weapons exclusively, it will be available as a community experience that won’t penalize XP gained.
So far, I like the hybrid system. Free rein with weapons across classes isn’t new for Battlefield, but I like having the option when I end up in a dysfunctional squad. Say our Engineer is neglecting the tank, ravaging our team. No worries, I’ll equip an RPG and deal with it myself. I had fun playing each class with their intended weapons, as well as experimenting with a variety of loadouts. I can’t see a downside to the design.
Groovy New Moves
Battlefield 6 also features new and familiar gameplay elements through the “Kinesthetic Combat System.” Most notably, you can now drag downed teammates as you revive them, ideally bringing them and yourself into cover. If every seat in a vehicle is full, you can hitch a ride by hanging onto it from the outside. I hung onto the back of a tank for a short trip while I played, and I can already see the potential benefits of the feature.
The next time you leap off a building or cliffside to evade enemy fire, you can reduce your fall damage with a combat roll as you land. A classic gamer move that’s likely familiar to many, but it’s cool to see Battlefield adopt it. The first-person animation can be disorienting, but I discovered that you can turn it off in the settings.
Other new abilities are obvious inclusions like weapon mounting, peek and lean. Peeking and leaning happen dynamically as you hide behind cover and aim down sights. I’m surprised these abilities hadn’t made their way to the series before.
Battlefield Studios has shared that they’ve rebuilt the combat system from the ground up to include the kinesthetic abilities. I’m happy to say that movement and gunplay feel distinctly “Battlefield.” It feels identical to the last few games despite the new bells and whistles.
Disrespect Your Surroundings
I currently have mixed feelings on the game’s “tactical destruction.” The team has shared that the Bad Company games primarily inspire the level of destruction in Battlefield 6. If you’ve seen the multiplayer reveal trailer, it’s evident you can significantly disrespect your surroundings.
In my four hours playing, that is relatively true. For example, I initially fired rockets at dozens of walls to see how they would react, only to find them still standing. I tried hitting walls with rockets multiple times, and they still stood. Fortunately, other structures would break down as expected, like a small bridge between two buildings or a small house. Generally, the dust, debris, and explosions add much to the intensity of the atmosphere.
I may need to spend more time with the game, but right now I want more destruction. Since 2023, the level of destruction in Embark Studios’ The Finals has been eating Battlefield’s lunch. I love how dynamic every objective-based match in the game feels due to the damage dealt on the map. In Battlefield 6, the team believes that destruction needs to be predictable to make tactical gameplay feasible. In turn, you can learn how portions of maps break down specifically and factor that into your strategy.
I understand the sentiment, but part of me wishes there could be more unpredictability with the system. For example, a wall, floor, or bridge may break apart a bit differently based on the angle it’s hit. I experienced some exhilarating moments of destruction during the preview. I’m hoping my minor concern is unwarranted for now.
Optimized Map Design
The game is launching with nine maps, each of which features “Combat Zones.” Each map is designed to be playable across every mode. For example, specific portions of the large maps are sectioned off for smaller-scale modes like Team Deathmatch. The team has designed them all to ensure players experience the game’s design optimally, regardless of the mode.
On the few maps I’ve played on, it feels like it’s working as intended. Battlefield 6 launches with classic Conquest, Breakthrough, and Rush, as well as Squad Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch, Domination, King of the Hill, and Escalation.
Escalation is the shiny new mode on the block. It’s similar to conquest, but as a team conquers more points on the map, fewer points become available, ultimately leading to an insane showdown over one final point.
I’m stoked that the game is launching with a solid map count and variety of fun modes. I’m writing this preview before any other potential modes are officially announced. Does the rumored Battle Royale mode exist? We’ll find out.
I’m hoping it does because I’ve long believed that Battlefield should easily offer the best version of it. Firestorm was their “let’s chase the trend and throw something out there” version of Battle Royale. Given the time between then and now, I’m confident the brilliant minds across Battlefield Studios can cook up a Battle Royale that offers an experience you can’t get anywhere else.
Sicko Mode
A spatial editor has been added to Portal, enabling creators to go sicko mode. It’s evolved into a toolset similar to Halo’s Forge. Players can alter terrain at will and have more flexibility with NPCs. A few examples the team shared are a horde mode, a top-down shooter, and platforming challenges.
It’s always a blast to jump into creative and bizarre community-created content, especially after a rough night of competitive multiplayer with the crew. I can’t wait to see what players conjure with all the new tools.
The cherry on top of all I experienced and learned about multiplayer is that a server browser will be available on day one, and visible on the main menu.
Battlefield Studios guarantees season one content soon after launch, with additional seasonal content released regularly. Players can expect new maps, modes, and weapons for free with each update.
Fighting the Plague
If you’ve spent any time with a competitive multiplayer shooter in the last few years, you’ve endured cheaters. It isn’t always rampant, but it’s obnoxious and frustrating when it occurs. It’s a fire that’s impossible to put out permanently, but developers are doing all they can to temper the blaze. EA’s Javelin Anticheat system is ever-evolving and will be included in Battlefield 6. I haven’t spent enough time with Battlefield 2042 to know if it’s working, but I hope it mostly prevails with the next game.
Based on my limited experience, it’s another Battlefield game, only this time it’s launching with much more to chew on, and hopefully in a stable and balanced state. I had a great time playing, and I’m looking forward to jumping into the full game with my friends.
Battlefield 6 launches on October 10th for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. For more on Battlefield 6, you can check out our captured gameplay and an in-depth impressions video on our website and YouTube channel in the next couple of days.
***Travel, hotel, and access to the event provided by EA***
