Battlefield 4

In Battlefield 4, gamers will experience huge environments, a playground of destruction, access to an arsenal of vehicles, the ability to direct squad mates, and much more in the first entry in the first-person shooter franchise to run on Frostbite 3 technology. The game once again aims to deliver a premier online multiplayer gaming experience while also offering an engaging and challenging story campaign. In addition to major destruction events, DICE has rediscovered a major factor that defines Battlefield’s greatness among other modern military shooters; finally, for the first time since Bad Company 2, teams can tear down most simple structures. Knocking out supports to topple houses and collapse roads isn't quite as exciting as a skyscraper sinking into a bay, but it’s great for keeping enemies out of troublesome spots or creating a crawl space to hide in. However, on both Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 these terrain-shattering events have some ugly visual effects, with textures and pieces of geometry flat-out vanishing as an outpost falls in on itself. The end result is the same, but the transition is a little gross. Where Battlefield 4 most brilliantly distances Battlefield 3 is in its map design. The best Battlefield maps are challenging and satisfying, demanding you take advantage of everything at your disposal, and Battlefield 4 does this extremely well. Screaming across the terrain in the bouncy new off-road buggy is a blast, but its vulnerability may lead you to choose a tank instead. But even its rear is vulnerable to infantry rockets. Battlefield’s interesting relationship between infantry and vehicles goes deeper here, with additional means to take down enemies, whether you’re immobilizing vehicles or filling them with a team to attack in force.The soldiers in that ride will likely have a more varied array of gear than ever too, because character classes and vehicles have more extensive customization options in Battlefield 4. Recon is no longer limited to the sniper/shot gunner role, allowing him to equip a mid-range DMR to do some actual recon. Classes are defined by gadgets rather than guns, and it permits a more aggressive play style for unit types previously restricted by their loadout options. Much like Battlefield 4’s gameplay, its customization is more liberated than ever. Meanwhile, the plot has too many moving parts and not enough time to give them each due credit. It’s unsure whether to focus on the suffering of your squad or the geopolitical gibberish. Writing is not Battlefield 4’s strong suit. Sometimes it fails to explain narrative progression clearly. Other times it’s awkward out of place, and embarrassing. One of its most confusing story surprises is addressed with nonsensical blase: “Things were f***ed. Then they were unf***ed.” When a secondary character doesn't make it to the next scene, a squadmate pointlessly notes that the “dude is dead.” My personal favorite: “If you've survived a nuclear explosion like I have” is the actual start to a sentence someone says. Honestly, it feels like something is missing here. A gaping “Two Days Later” hole introduces sudden changes in character behavior and an out of nowhere new setting and to-do list. It’s as if half a campaign and the whole of its humanity got lost along the way.