Review: Battlefield V

Like the annual football rivalry between EA’s FIFA and Konami’s PES series (Pro Evolution Soccer), the FPS arena sees a similar contest between EA’s Battlefield and Activision’s Call of Duty franchise. While Activision alternates between two development studios and experimented with its Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 – which notably lacked a traditional campaign mode, opting instead for a Battle Royale mode (100 players, free-for-all) – DICE annually delivers a new installment of Battlefield. In 2018, Battlefield V arrived approximately a month later than expected. While possessing considerable strengths, the game would have likely benefited from additional development time.

Battlefield V is set during World War II; however, unlike Call of Duty: WW2 (featured in our 10 best games of 2017 list), BF5 adopts a somewhat divergent approach. Rather than focusing on iconic and frequently depicted locations like the Normandy landings, DICE prioritizes lesser-known battles and narratives. This encompasses stories of female freedom fighters in Narvik, Senegalese soldiers serving France, and assuming the role of a German tank commander during the siege of Berlin. The initial Battlefield V trailer, featuring a woman with a bionic arm, generated considerable controversy online, with some critics deeming it unrealistic. In today’s politically charged climate, such depictions are often subject to scrutiny, and the gaming community isn’t always known for its high tolerance (with exceptions perhaps among game journalists and influencers). While we appreciate the inclusion of diverse stories and perspectives, it appeared EA responded to the initial backlash by emphasizing realism and a more dramatic tone in the storytelling.

The presentation (graphics and sound) in Battlefield V is phenomenal.

The initial impression of Battlefield V, aside from its extended loading times (an SSD is highly recommended), is the exceptional quality of its presentation and setting. Some may find the Mark Strong-esque intro voice and the narrative’s themes of sacrifice, darkness, human suffering, and courage to be melodramatic, but the compelling story and evocative music, experienced through Audio-Technica ADG1X headphones, proved captivating. The graphics are as impressive as the music and sound design, with diverse environments ranging from nighttime attacks in snow-covered Norway (on skis!) to the intense heat of African battles (including Tobruk) and bombed-out city centers where artillery devastates building facades. The lighting and HDR effects were well-balanced on both PS4 Pro and Xbox One X, with no significant difference observed between the two platforms, despite the Xbox One X’s generally superior performance. Battlefield V provides diverse and engaging game modes, encompassing not only first-person shooting but also the operation of vehicles such as cars, German Tiger tanks, and period-appropriate aircraft, facilitating aerial dogfights reminiscent of Star Wars: Battlefront.

At launch, Battlefield V‘s campaign comprised three scenarios (expanding to four during our testing), each requiring several hours to complete and highlighting the series’ emphasis on FPS gameplay with strategic elements. While Call of Duty offers a more overtly action-oriented experience, BF5 leans toward action simulation. The multiplayer mode functioned smoothly online. However, it’s worth noting that Battlefield V‘s release felt like an ongoing update. The cooperative mode (for up to four players) was unavailable during testing, new campaign chapters were planned, and the now-commonplace Battle Royale mode was slated for release in March 2019, developed by an external studio rather than DICE (all updates are free for owners of the game). These factors, combined with occasional graphical anomalies and physics glitches affecting character behavior after explosions, suggest that EA may have rushed Battlefield V to market before the holiday season and its competitor’s release.

Driving a Tiger tank through Berlin is eerily captivating.

This is not to suggest that BF5 is not enjoyable or playable in its current state. It is highly entertaining, and we view the subsequent updates as welcome enhancements that will hopefully elevate a good game further. However, such practices should not become standard; a full-price game should ideally be complete upon release, or its launch should be postponed (as has occurred frequently). While bug fixes and post-launch adjustments based on player feedback are expected, the “pay now, play everything later” model is less than ideal. Therefore, prospective buyers who are uncertain whether to purchase the game immediately might consider waiting. Despite these reservations, we still recommend Battlefield V, as it offers enjoyable gameplay even in its present form. This unique World War II simulator is poised to improve and become more comprehensive in the coming months.