Battlefield 3

                                   
   Prepare for full-scale war with Battlefield 3, the third major evolution of the long-running online battle franchise. Using the power of Frostbite 2 game engine technology, Battlefield 3 delivers superior visual quality, a grand sense of scale, massive destruction, dynamic audio and incredibly lifelike character animations. As bullets whiz by, walls crumble, and explosions throw you to the ground, the battlefield feels more alive and interactive than ever before.

   In Battlefield 3, players step into the role of the elite U.S. Marines where they will experience heart-pounding single player missions and competitive multiplayer actions ranging across diverse locations from around the globe including Europe, Middle-East and North America.


    Online multiplayer is the main draw for any military shooter, and Battlefield 3 seems to recognize that very quickly. The number of modes in competitive multiplayer is a bit disappointing, with only six (but really just three) different multiplayer modes. Conquest and Conquest Large are like capture the flag with three different flags. Team compete to control any and all of the positions for as long as possible. Rush and Squad Rush use points to defend and destroy, advancing to new points if and when the first ones are destroyed. Finally, the old and always great Team Deathmatch and Squad Deathmatch make their return. Any of these modes can take place on one of nine very well-designed maps. These vary in size and atmosphere, but all offer great opportunities for ranged combat and close quarters, as well as the trademark destruction of the franchise. Buildings and cover can be demolished if applied the appropriate amount of prejudice (and ordinance), dramatically changing the layout of the map and the tactics used therein. Vehicles are also featured on nearly every map. Some smaller ones may only offer a Humvee or an APC, but larger maps will also offer up tanks, helicopters, jets, and more.

The most impressive aspect of Battlefield 3's online multiplayer is the way the game rewards you for teamwork without shoving it down your throat. Laying down suppressive fire on enemies will blur their vision and decrease their accuracy, even if you're not hitting them with a single bullet. If your teammate kills that enemy while they're in this befuddled state, you'll net yourself a nice XP bonus. Assists are granted based on how much damage you did to the enemy before their demise. Even spotting an enemy for your teammates will grant you a benefit. Each multiplayer class in Battlefield 3 also has gadgets that can be used to support your teammates such as throwing down med kits, reviving fallen comrades, or repairing damaged vehicles. Military shooters can't usually walk the line between going all commando on your enemies (Call of Duty) and working as a team (MAG), but Battlefield 3 really finds the balance, making players of either orientation feel like they're competitive and having a good time.

    DICE knew what the majority of their players would gravitate towards and obviously focused their efforts accordingly: delivering a lackluster solo campaign, but an uncompromising multiplayer masterpiece. The Battlefield multiplayer isn't for everyone. It's more realistic, the bullets have more punch, coordinated efforts mean more than running and gunning, and knowing how to use vehicles and destruction can be just as key as accurate aiming. These things that may make it not for everyone are what make it great, though. The varied maps, vehicles, and destruction make for changing tactics every match, even if you're replaying the same map with the same people over and over again. Battlefield fans, the game you've been waiting for has arrived in truly rare form. If you've never played a Battlefield game, Battlefield 3 is certainly the game to pop that cherry on.

For: PC, XBOX 360, PS3
  
                                                                           Game Rating: 
                       84.46%