Review Roundup For Battlefield 2042

The Battlefield series is back. After no major new release since 2018's Battlefield V, DICE's Battlefield 2042 is releasing on November 19, though there are multiple ways to start playing early. With the game now going live, reviews for the future-set military shooter have begun to emerge, with critics weighing in on the multiplayer-only game.

GameSpot's Battlefield 2042 review, along with others across the internet, comes with the caveat of being "in progress," as our reviewer is spending more time testing the online functionality.

Battlefield 2042 has no single-player campaign, instead opting to focus exclusively on multiplayer and live-service. The three main modes are All-Out Warfare (which includes the fan-favorite Rush and Conquest modes), Hazard Zone (which is a PvP/PvE battle royale-style mode), and the mash-up mode Portal that lets you mix and match elements from past Battlefield games.

GameSpot's Battlefield 2042 review-in-progress said the game impresses with its breadth of content across All-Out Warfare, Hazard Zone, and Portal. "The best part is that, mostly, it has done a really effective job of curating those additions so that they bring more to what players already like about Battlefield, rather than change what already works," Phil Hornshaw said.

• Game: Battlefield 2042
• Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
• Developer: DICE, Ripple Effect, Criterion
• Release Date: November 12 (early access), November 19 (public launch)
• Price: Starting at $60

For more, head to GameSpot sister site Metacritic to see a wider look at Battlefield 2042's critical consensus.

GameSpot -- 8/10 (review in progress)

"What's really impressive in Battlefield 2042 is the variety that's on offer. It lets you play a bunch of different kinds of FPS experiences--in different game modes, in different Portal rule sets, and even in the same match as you switch between characters. Portal lets you relive the Battlefield games of the past, but on the 2042 side, DICE has cherry-picked from popular trends like hero shooters and battle royales. The best part is that, mostly, it has done a really effective job of curating those additions so that they bring more to what players already like about Battlefield, rather than change what already works." -- Phil Hornshaw [Full review in progress]

Game Informer -- No score, review in progress

"Given the breadth of exciting content to play, including Portal’s six classic maps like Battlefield 3's Caspian Border and 1942's Battle of the Bulge, this entry is an easy recommendation for fans of the series." -- Alex Van Aken [Full review in progress]

Polygon -- No score, impressions only

"There's still nothing quite like being in the middle of a massive firefight with dozens of players, while jets strafe the ground around you, and a tank rumbles over a hilltop only 50 feet away. DICE has been in search of that old Battlefield magic for more than a decade, and Battlefield 2042 comes extremely close. But 2042, at least so far, rarely manages to be much more than that. It doesn't feel like a real step forward for the franchise, or a meaningful update on a 20-year old formula. As of now, I'm still waiting for that next big leap." -- Austen Goslin [Full impressions]

Rock Paper Shotgun -- No score, review in progress

My gut tells me that this is a solid shooter with modes that’ll appeal to plenty of FPS fans. But, despite its comparatively poor showing in the hands-on, it’s Portal that I believe has the potential to be something truly special. Check back later for my full review, which will be with the benefit of play free from EA’s vice grip." -- Ed Thorn [Full review in progress]

Stevivor -- 4.5/10

Despite Portal being a glimmering beacon of joy, the main new experiences inBattlefield 2042--All-Out Warfare and Hazard Zone--are a mess. Everywhere you look, you can find problems' gunplay is shoddy, performance issues hinder your experience, bugs are frustrating, the maps are bland while lack a lot of cover and the uninspiring gameplay is a skeleton of the previous Battlefield titles. Battlefield 2042has lost its sense of scale, despite being the biggest player count the series has seen. So many things have been stripped away and the game is frankly in a state that is clearly not ready for release. It is hard to recommend Battlefield 2042 when there are other titles out there--like Hell Let Loose, as an example--that have built their foundation on the backs of the Battlefieldseries – and are now doing it better than DICE." -- Luke Lawrie [Full review]

EGM -- 5/5

"Battlefield 2042 brings the sandbox back to the series in bold and controversial ways. The new Specialist system might seem like sacrilege at first, but it opens up gameplay opportunities that weren't possible in previous titles. The massive, well-designed maps offer plenty of room for experimentation and emergent stories, and the modes are a blast. And that's just All-Out Warfare. Between that, Hazard Zone, and the expansive Battlefield Portal, Battlefield 2042 has something for everyone, without feeling like it's stretched too thin. It's a true evolution of the series, one that pushes back against a stagnation that threatened the series’ future. It won't be for everyone, but for players who crave imagination and fun from their Battlefields, it will give them everything that they crave and more." -- Michael Goroff [Full review]