Following two underwhelming Battlefield games, Electronic Arts and Battlefield Studios have returned to form with Battlefield 6, which sees the series return to its former strengths. The large-scale multiplayer battles are impressive and immersive.
The last two Battlefield games, Battlefield 2042 (2021) and Battlefield V (2018), failed to meet expectations to a certain extent. Despite its solid gameplay, Battlefield V was criticised for historical inaccuracies, weapon balance issues (TTK) and other problems. Battlefield 2042 was criticised mainly for its poor technical state (which has now been improved), empty maps, and the introduction of specialists instead of classes. Consequently, the latest games in the Call of Duty series had an easier time because their strongest competitor was faltering. Things look different now, though.
This year's Call of Duty title is characterised by a certain 'Call of Duty fatigue', as the new game is seen as little more than a further development of Black Ops 6, offering only minor improvements or innovations (just like from Modern Warfare II (2022) to Modern Warfare III (2023)). In addition, inappropriate collaborations in multiplayer in recent months, such as skins featuring Nicki Minaj, Beavis & Butthead and the Ninja Turtles, have damaged the atmosphere and military shooter feel. The developers have responded to this, announcing that the Black Ops 6 skins will not be carried over to Black Ops 7, in order to preserve the game's authenticity and 'uniform, down-to-earth' look (despite the sci-fi elements). Electronic Arts has also promised to maintain this authenticity for Battlefield 6, committing to grounded, realistic in-game skins.
Battlefield 6 Electronic Arts and Battlefield Studios (DICE, Criterion, Ripple Effect and Motive)
Battlefield 6 once again offers the complete package. The first-person shooter offers a story campaign, numerous familiar and new multiplayer modes, and a Portal mode for creating custom experiences. Live updates and additional content will be released in the future. Let's start with what is perhaps Battlefield 6's weakest point: the story campaign. It is rather short, formulaic and uninspired. The nine missions focus on the battle between the remnants of NATO and the private military company Pax Armata, which is a good scenario, but the setting and characters fail to captivate. Apart from lots of shootouts and explosions, the campaign offers familiar tropes from the action genre and fails to make much of an impression that will linger in the memory. Last year's Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 campaign was far more extensive and varied, and Battlefield 3 also had a better campaign. While it's good that the overall package includes a campaign, it quickly becomes apparent that the focus and technical excellence lie in the multiplayer mode. This is where Battlefield 6 scores big points, and it will be difficult for Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 to keep up this year.
The multiplayer mode builds on the classic strengths of the series. There are four different classes: Assault, Engineer, Recon and Support. There are no operators, specialists or named characters - just classes - but each class has its own progression system, gadgets, strengths and weaknesses on the battlefield. For example, the Assault soldier specialises in offensive attacks and mobility, while the Engineer repairs vehicles and defends with mines or rocket launchers. The Support class can set up supply crates for the team, while the Recon class provides reconnaissance. The classes promote teamwork and a tactical approach because multiplayer is not just about eliminating opponents (which is, of course, also essential), but about achieving the mission objectives and working together, for which players are rewarded with points in the matches.
The customisation system allows players to equip themselves with any weapon for any situation, but each class shines brightest when using class-specific weapon sets that support their role – for example, Assault should use assault rifles. In terms of weapons, Battlefield 6 has what feels like the best gunplay in the franchise's long history, with customisable weapons that can be upgraded with attachments.
Battlefield 6 Electronic Arts and Battlefield Studios (DICE, Criterion, Ripple Effect and Motive)
The progression and ranking system is based on a career rank ranging from 1 to 50. Players earn career experience points (XP) through multiplayer and Portal community games by completing tasks such as kills, assists, vehicle repairs and objective captures. Each time they increase a rank, they unlock new hardware (such as weapons and attachments), equipment slots and cosmetic rewards that can be used in the loadout. Further ranks unlock more cosmetic items. Alongside career rank XP, there are class and weapon assignments, as well as a progression system specifically designed for weapons and vehicles called hardware mastery XP. As with Career XP, players earn Hardware XP through in-game actions, specifically for the weapon or vehicle used; all weapons and vehicles have their own Hardware XP paths with functional and cosmetic unlocks. However, the menu design is somewhat clumsy and convoluted.
Battlefield 6 offers large battlefields for up to 64 players at a time. It features a variety of vehicles, such as fighter jets, tanks, jeeps, and helicopters, as well as infantry. These are generally better balanced than in Battlefield 2042. However, there could be more of these large maps, while others tend to focus on close combat. Even here, the destructive effects of explosions are strong enough to change the cover and make the map more dynamic. While the destructible environment is tactically relevant, it is not as comprehensive as in older titles such as Bad Company 2. There are currently nine maps, so there is still room for expansion.
Battlefield 6 supports multiple multiplayer modes with different player limits. The large-scale 'All Out Warfare' modes, including the popular Conquest and Escalation, allow up to 64 players to battle it out on large and medium-sized maps. These modes focus on large teams battling over multiple objectives with infantry and vehicles on expansive maps. In Conquest, two teams compete to control flag points on large maps. Escalation is a new mode featuring dynamically shrinking control points, in which teams compete for points. Both modes support 32v32. In Breakthrough, the attackers attempt to capture sectors from the defenders. In Rush, the attackers attempt to destroy targets while the defenders try to protect them. The smaller modes, which are designed for more traditional and tactical infantry combat, are Team and Squad Deathmatch, Domination and King of the Hill. Regarding squads and party sizes, Battlefield 6 maintains a limit of four players per squad. Additionally, there is a Portal mode: an editor environment in which players can create their own matches, rules, and maps from various Battlefield titles.
Battlefield 6 Electronic Arts and Battlefield Studios (DICE, Criterion, Ripple Effect and Motive)
Battlefield 6 is at its best when it doesn't try to emulate Call of Duty. This is particularly evident in terms of destruction on the maps, expansive areas, combined arms (soldiers, jets, tanks, etc.) and team play. The graphics and sound are also outstanding, and despite the highly successful and popular launch, the server performance and accessibility were exemplary. Furthermore, performance (tested on PC) is excellent. Incidentally, Battlefield 6 does not currently feature ray tracing, despite this being an important feature of Battlefield V and Battlefield 2042.
"This is the moment we’ve all been waiting for: the new era of ultimate all-out warfare is here and on behalf of Battlefield Studios, we couldn’t be more excited for you to join the fight. With Battlefield 6, we set out to raise the series to new heights with intense combat powered by world-class gunplay, epic warfare featuring a new tactical take on the series’ trademark awe-inspiring destruction, and the incredible player freedom that has made Battlefield an iconic series over the years." - Byron Beede, General Manager of Battlefield
Battlefield 6 was released on 10 October 2025 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam, the EA App, and the Epic Games Store. The Standard Edition is priced at €69.99. The Phantom Edition, priced at €99.99, includes a Battlefield Pro Token for the Battle Pass (the first season of which starts on 28 October), the Phantom Pack and various weapon configurations.
Following its "record-shattering" open beta in August, Battlefield 6 had the biggest opening in the history of the Battlefield franchise. The game sold over seven million copies in the first three days after its release. Over 172 million matches were played online and the game was watched for over 15 million hours on streaming services during the three-day weekend.
It also achieved the highest number of concurrent players in Battlefield history - 747,440 users were active on Steam alone on the launch day - and Battlefield 6 is also available on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, as well as in the EA App and the Epic Games Store. This makes the shooter EA's most concurrently played game on Steam, ahead of Apex Legends (624,473), which is free-to-play. Next in line is Split Fiction (259,003), followed by skate. (134,901; free-to-play), both of which were released this year.
"First and foremost we want to thank our players. Battlefield 6 was built with our fans. From the initial concept through to the implementation of Battlefield Labs and into the record-shattering Open Beta we have been obsessed with player feedback. Together, with our players we've had a singular goal: to craft the best Battlefield ever. And this is just the beginning - our first season of new content is just 12 days away." - Byron Beede, General Manager of Battlefield
"We never take moments like this for granted, so I want to express our sincere gratitude to our global Battlefield Studios and passionate community that has helped get us to this point. We appreciate you joining us for Battlefield 6's momentous launch. We have so much more to come in the weeks ahead." - Vince Zampella, Executive Vice President
According to the publisher, the launch of Battlefield 6 is the first step in creating "a connected Battlefield universe for the franchise". Season 1 is set to be released on 28 October 2025. The first phase of seasonal content will begin with Rogue Ops and will feature a new map called Blackwell Fields and an intense new 4v4 mode. Seasonal content will be released consistently, with the next two phases of Season 1 content arriving later this year. This includes California Resistance on 18 November, featuring a map in SoCal called Eastwood, and Winter Offensive on 9 December, featuring a seasonal map update to Empire State. As part of our commitment to fair play and access for all players, all gameplay-impacting features will be free or earnable.
EA has confirmed via Battlefield Labs testing and community updates that a Battle Royale mode is being developed for Battlefield 6. This mode will incorporate core Battlefield features such as class-based squad play, tactical destruction and vehicle combat in a 100-player format with 25 four-player squads. It will be the Battlefield version of the classic formula. The mode will feature a new map designed specifically for Battle Royale, complete with destructible environments and a variety of vehicles. It is assumed that this mode will operate on a free-to-play basis, although specific details are still pending.
Battlefield has made a spectacular comeback, setting itself apart from the competition with the strengths typical of the franchise. Battlefield 6 sees Battlefield Studios and EA deliver outstandingly once again.
