Released in Oct. 2013, "Battlefield 4" had the worst launch in franchise history due to numerous bugs and glitches. But after several updates, the game went on to become the definitive title in the series; at least when it comes to online play. While I personally think "Bad Company 2" still ranks as the best "Battlefield" game ever, BF 4 refines and expands the multiplayer experience introduced in its predecessor. In fact, this game feels more like a "Battlefield 3.5" than a full blown sequel. The campaign is nothing special and the biggest addition is the Commander Mode in which a player on each team sends attack commands and updates to all those in the field.
While there are no cooperative modes in BF4, the game introduces new customization options, in-game challenges, performance boosters, medals and badges. Additionally, as you rank up, you now earn multi-colored briefcases that carry firearm attachments, weapons and camouflage paints. I initially played BF4 on the PS3 which is limited to 12-player vs. 12-player modes. The Xbox One version supports 64 player matches on Conquest and it is truly awesome. This expansive player limit is what distinguishes "Battlefield" from"Call of Duty". In any given time during a match, there are several battles going in the field which gives the game a very epic feel. It can also be very tactical with the player given four soldier classes to choose from, each with their own unique firearms and abilities.
Overall, "Battlefield 4" ranks up with the best of the series. It may not have evolved the gameplay the way "Battlefield 3" did, but it did polish up the online experience to near perfection. If you've never played the series before, than BF 4 is a good place to start. I'd rank it with an 8.5 out of 10.