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Battlefield 6 is all about winning back the hearts and minds of its community and Battlefield Studios, with the combined arms forces of DICE, Criterion Games, Motive, and Ripple Effect, may have finally found the perfect formula. Battlefield 6 feels like a return to form, reigniting the all-out boots on the ground warfare that once made Battlefield a household name in gaming.
Right out of the gate, Battlefield 6 feels like a modern revival of the franchise’s golden era. It carries the same energy of fan favorites like Bad Company 2, Battlefield 3, and Battlefield 4, while layering in fresh mechanics that build on the lessons learned from Battlefield 1 and Battlefield V. The result is a brilliant blend of nostalgia and evolution, giving longtime fans exactly what they’ve been asking for.
During the multiplayer preview event, we had over five hours of hands-on time with Battlefield 6’s multiplayer. While the content shown was still somewhat limited, fans can expect the return of staple modes like Conquest, Breakthrough, and Rush, alongside smaller squad-based modes such as Team Deathmatch, Squad Deathmatch, Domination, and King of the Hill. A brand-new mode, Escalation, was also revealed though not playable during the event. Escalation is a dynamic twist on Conquest, starting with a large number of capture points that gradually narrow down, forcing combat into tighter spaces. While we didn’t get to fully experience it yet, I’m definitely curious to see how it plays out.
@xpgoose #BF6 Multiplayer Reveal Event – here’s some domination MP7 Assault gameplay #pcgaming
Refinements over the duration of its Battlefield Labs alpha have definitely fine tuned the gameplay of Battlefield 6. The momentum feels grounded, everything feels weighty and realistic but also doesn’t shy away from the haphazard unpredictable nature of Battlefield. Firefights are tight, somewhat tactical and slower on how you approach it. You can still slide into fights, leap from cover to cover and even jump out windows with a roll out. The Battlefield V’s inspired dynamic movement is there but blended with the slow and methodical tactical pace of BF4, the combat just feels naturally perfect for this modern setting.
The added realism however doesn’t limit your creative freedom. The Battlefield moments are there and still doable. Want to C4 jeep the enemy tank? You still can. Want to jet ram into the enemy helo? Why not? The silliness of sandbox warfare of what makes Battlefield great is there for those wanting that injected stim of nostalgia.
Destruction has always been a staple of the Battlefield franchise, but this time it feels like the series has taken a massive leap forward in evolving that gameplay. The maps are rich with detail, and nearly every surface, from concrete walls to floors and barriers, can be blown apart, reshaping the battlefield in real time. Throw vehicles into the mix, and the chaos reaches a whole new level of insanity, with every piece of debris becoming a hazard, like when a helicopter crashes into the side of the building you’re holding down.
This is the kind of chaos that makes the Battlefield 6 sandbox so much fun. The destruction isn’t just there to look cool it changes the way you play, giving you tons of ways to make your own path. Stuck because the enemy’s locking down a lane? No problem, blow a hole in the wall and swing around to flank them while you grab the point. Go vertical by blowing the floor below them or jump in for a surprise attack – Battlefield 6 leans heavily on making your own play and the new destruction element.
One of the biggest talking points in the community has been the return of classes and if you’ve been living under a rock, the classic four-player squad setup is back in Battlefield 6. Assault, Engineer, Support, and Recon all make their return, each bringing unique gadgets and class-exclusive weapons to the fight. Primary weapons, however, remain open across classes, which might stir some debate, but in my experience it adds a layer of realism and keeps the gameplay flow balanced.
Battlefield 6 introduces a whole line-up of real-world weapons with lots of deep customisation available. Through progression, players can unlock attachments for their weapons to progressively build their combat effectiveness on the field. The on the fly attachment system has been thrown out the door (thank you) but if you’re in need of customising mid-game, you still can between deaths – just in case the scope is not working out for you. There’s also a firing range that can be used if you’re neck deep in weapon customisation wanting that perfect recoil loadout. Other forms of customisations in terms of weapon skins weren’t in the preview but will more than likely make their way into the game.
Visually, Battlefield 6 is jaw-dropping, delivering a true next-gen leap for the franchise compared to its recent titles. The sheer level of destruction could probably make my eight-year-old PC at home cry, with walls crumbling and debris flying in every direction during firefights. The audio is equally impressive classic Battlefield punchy – layering booming explosions, suppressing fire and NPC yells, that pull you right into the chaos. Without top-notch cinematic sound design, Battlefield wouldn’t feel like Battlefield, and here it absolutely nails that experience, making you feel every shockwave from that explosion right infront of you.
At the end of the day, this isn’t a mil-sim. This is Battlefield. BF Studios have nailed the formula, delivering combat that’s both challenging and immersive without losing that signature all-out warfare and ‘Battlefield moments’. For many fans, this was the last chance for the franchise to redeem itself and it’s safe to say the developers understood the assignment. If EA can stick the landing with a smooth launch and steady post-launch support, Battlefield 6 won’t just be blowing holes in walls, it’ll be tearing down the competition in late 2025.
Battlefield 6 will available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC on October 10th, 2025.
The author traveled to Los Angeles as a guest of EA Games for the Battlefield 6 Multiplayer Preview Event.
