TL;DR
Battlefield Hardline swaps military combat for a cops-and-robbers theme, aiming for a fresh experience but largely missing the mark. The single-player campaign feels like a repetitive, simplified police simulator with shallow characters and predictable plotlines, though arresting suspects offers a unique scoring mechanic. While visually decent, the graphics don't push boundaries and even fall short of previous installments. The multiplayer is where Hardline finds its footing, delivering the signature large-scale battles fans expect, especially in modes like Heist. However, the game still suffers from a limited vehicle selection and a lack of the franchise's iconic elements. Ultimately, Hardline is a technically sound but uninspired departure that doesn't quite capture the magic of the Battlefield series. Dive into the full review to see if this new direction is worth your time!
Battlefield ventures into new territory this year, trading soldiers and battlefields for thieves and cops. But does this change of scenery truly work?
There’s an old adage: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” While sticking solely to proven concepts can be seen as creatively limiting, it’s crucial to consider the established appeal of a successful franchise. In Battlefield’s case, we must ask what has driven its sales success over the last decade. Facing competition from Activision’s Call of Duty series, perhaps a shift away from traditional military themes was deemed necessary. EA and this year’s developer, Visceral Games, opted to re-imagine the formula, delivering Battlefield Hardline as a cops-and-robbers experience. While the concept holds potential, the execution unfortunately falls short.
Battlefield Hardline at maximum resolution on a high-performance PC. Visually appealing!
Battlefield Hardline places significant emphasis on emulating the feel of an American police procedural. The single-player campaign features exaggerated dialogue, stereotypical portrayals of hardened cops, and cartoonishly evil villains. The narrative is structured with “next time on Battlefield Hardline…” style teasers between chapters, a technique popularized by Telltale Games and inspired by mainstream television. The single-player experience is somewhat uneven. Considerable time is dedicated to character and story development, but the result lacks depth and compelling writing. Attempts at portraying ethnically diverse and psychologically complex characters often devolve into well-worn cop stereotypes. The campaign in BF: Hardline ultimately feels like a simplified police simulator. Players sneak up on suspects, brandish their badge, and issue commands to “freeze!”, followed by arrest. Lethal force is reserved as a last resort. Subduing and arresting suspects yields a higher score than outright eliminating them, an incentive that encourages a more tactical approach. However, the gameplay loop becomes repetitive and borders on the absurd. Infiltrating enemy bases requires silently apprehending adversaries one by one, triggering the same animation of suspects being forced to the ground and handcuffed. The premise that other villains remain oblivious to these repeated takedowns strains credulity. Should the player be detected or engage in indiscriminate gunfire, they face overwhelming opposition and rapid elimination. While these design choices may be intended to reflect the realities of police work, the obligatory stealth sections, mechanical repetition, and anti-war undertones feel out of place within the Battlefield framework. Perhaps a title change would have been beneficial. Despite its shortcomings, completing the single-player campaign unlocks valuable battlepacks for multiplayer, making it a worthwhile endeavor.
The multiplayer mode offers a more compelling experience, delivering the large-scale 64-player battles that have become a hallmark of the Battlefield series. Certain maps and game modes are more successful than others. Heist mode, in which thieves attempt to secure valuables while engaging in firefights with law enforcement, often devolves into chaotic and confined skirmishes. The density of players makes it easy to be eliminated by snipers or flankers, leading to frequent respawns. The strength of multiplayer lies in recapturing the adrenaline-fueled intensity of large-scale combat. Players can embody either cops or criminals, engaging in unadulterated action. The absence of forced stealth, arrest sequences, and narrative interludes allows for a more streamlined and engaging multiplayer experience. This is where the game shines.
The graphics present a mixed bag on both consoles and PC. On a high-end PC equipped with a 4K-capable graphics card, the visual experience can be impressive. Console performance is more nuanced. The game maintains a relatively stable frame rate of around 60 fps, a factor that is highly valued. A consistent frame rate at a slightly lower resolution is preferable to fluctuating performance at higher resolutions. It is arguable that the visual difference between 720p and 1080p is negligible during fast-paced action on most displays. The Xbox One version appears to exhibit slightly smoother performance than the PS4 version, potentially due to the slightly lower resolution and level of detail in distant objects (720p vs 900p). Overall, the graphics are adequate but lack a certain “wow” factor. While the game initially appears visually appealing due to lighting effects and detailed textures, closer inspection reveals that elements such as the sky and clouds resemble painted backdrops, and vehicles and other details are simpler than they initially appear. The ragdoll physics often produce unintentionally humorous results, with characters collapsing in unnatural poses upon being eliminated. These visual quirks contribute to the impression that Battlefield Hardline is less graphically advanced than the previous year’s Battlefield 4 on next-gen consoles. The graphics are not poor, but the PS4 and Xbox One are capable of more.
The sound design, however, is commendable. The mixing is well-balanced, with speech, sound effects, and bass frequencies harmonizing effectively within a home cinema setup, creating a sense of immersion and presence. The voice acting is solid, featuring recognizable actors from television and film, including Alexandra Daddario from True Detective and Percy Jackson.
The controls in BF: Hardline are responsive and do not suffer from noticeable lag or other input issues that can detract from the first-person shooter experience. Loading times for the digital version are reasonable, and the single-player mode incorporates a reward system for unlocking new weapons and battlepacks. Of course, a wealth of premium content is available for purchase as DLC, even after acquiring the base game at full price. Technically, Battlefield Hardline is largely sound. The primary drawback is that extended gameplay sessions can become monotonous. The campaign lacks brilliance and replayability after completion. While the multiplayer component is enjoyable, there are stronger alternatives available. The selection of weapons feels restrained, and the absence of iconic vehicles like airplanes and military trucks is disappointing. The vehicle roster is limited to more conventional modes of transportation, such as cars and police vehicles.
While the willingness to experiment with the core concept is appreciated, the resulting innovation ultimately falls short. This iteration deviates significantly from the established Battlefield formula. DICE has delivered more compelling experiences in the past. Consider exploring Visceral Games’ underrated God of War-inspired title, Dante’s Inferno, or Dead Space 3. For now, we’ll likely retire our police badge and robber’s mask, hoping for a return to more traditional war scenarios in the next installment, ideally with technology and game mechanics that fully leverage the capabilities of current-generation hardware.
