Summary
TheBattlefieldseries is known for its intense multiplayer battles, large-scale maps,and destructible environments. The series always had a strong emphasis on gameplay. However, over the years, it has also become renowned for its single-player campaigns, which have often offered compelling stories that explore different aspects of warfare throughout history.
From the gritty realism ofBattlefield 1’s depiction of World War I to the humor and camaraderie of theBad Companysubseries, theBattlefieldgames tell a wide range of stories that still keep players invested in the game’s worlds. While the series has had its ups and downs in terms of critical reception and commercial success, one thing that has remained consistent is the quality of its storytelling.
Updated on Jun 26, 2025, by Gerardo Molina:Although some game franchises can pull off having great multiplayer modes and an immersive single-player campaign, others, like Battlefield, tend to struggle with juggling both. The franchise has been around for several years at this point and, unfortunately, there are still examples of installments that fail to hit the nail on the head when it comes to developing an all-around well-crafted story that blends co-op mechanics and online features. That said, some other installments in the franchise have managed to be successful in this regard, even if they weren’t perfect. At this point, it’s just a matter of time before the Battlefield franchise drops a title that can compete with or even surpass the quality of some of the Call of Duty franchise’s greatest hits.
10Battlefield 2142 (2006)
Warfare Set In The Middle Of An Ice Age
As the game’s name suggests,Battlefield 2142is set in the 22nd century, right in the middle of an ice age. Players can choose to play as either one of the factions; the Pan-Asian Coalition (PAC), or the European Union (EU). As both superpowers fight over control of the last few remaining resources on a dying version of Earth, players will have to hone their survival skills and perfect their aim to win.
WhileBattlefield 2142does not have a story mode per se, the political setting around it makes for a very interesting experience that focuses on large-scale multiplayer combat.Battlefield 2142features four main classes that can be divided as follows:
Battlefield 1943’s plot is straightforward, focusing on the conflicts that arose in the Pacific Theater between the United States Marine Corps and the Imperial Japanese Navy. Multiplayer fights take place onbattlefieldsbased on famous Pacific Theater sites, in which players can choose to play as the United States Marine Corps or the Japanese Imperial Navy. It also allows players to experience renowned battles from the Pacific theater of World War II through a combination of teamwork, vehicle combat, and strategic gaming.
Battlefield 1943does not have a rich or comprehensive backstory in conventional terms, which is why it was ranked the lowest. It’s not extremely narrative-heavy, but it does set the stage aesthetically for the conflicts.Battlefield 1943’s multiplayer features and violent, realistic combat experiences are what draw most gamers in, not the game’s narrative depth.
Taking place during World War II,Battlefield 5is a first-person shooter. Several individuals representing different countries and perspectives on the war are featured in the single-player campaign. The campaign’s chapters, which cover various aspects of the battle, give players a wide range of perspectives and opportunities to feel real emotion. In this role-playing game, players take on the personas of several characters fighting for recognition and equality during World War II, such as Norwegian resistance fighter Solveig, British criminal Billy Bridger, German tank commander Peter Müller, and Deme Cisse and his fellow troops.
Most fans found this game incomplete and quite boring, but they agreed that its graphics and mechanics were a nice surprise. The campaign explores themes such as sacrifice, loss, and the human cost of war. Even thoughBattlefield 5doesn’t offer impressive content,fans still enjoy the gameand have fun going through the stories.
Battlefield 5features several different multiplayer modes, such as Firestorm and Grand Operations. The latter is an expansion of the “Operations” mode, which was first introduced inBattlefield 1. Although the game originally had the potential to remain active for many years and keep receiving updates after a long time, the financial issues it encountered and the backlash that it faced prompted the developer to opt towards releasing the last patch in summer 2020, which also included the last major update. All in all, while the game had many good things around it, they unfortunately weren’t enough to keep players interested.
Set in modern-day Miami,Battlefield Hardlinefocuses on the story of detective Nick Mendoza, who dives deep into the corrupt underworld of the Miami drug and mafia scene. With a strong focus on its single-player story, this title has enough to entertain both fans of the franchise and newcomers alike with its intrigue.
Battlefield Hardlinefeatures car chases, smaller urban combat environments, and heists that complement each other well and deliver an overall pleasant experience that players will want to repeat more than once. While it would seem that making such a drastic change to the franchise would result in mixed or negative reviews, this luckily wasn’t the case. While the game isn’t the best-rated in the franchise’s history, it was mostly well-received.Battlefield Hardlineincludes various different game modes, such as:
Battlefield 2takes place in the future and centers on fictitious battles between the United States, China, and a fabricated Middle Eastern coalition. Players can pick a side and fight in multiplayer modes like Conquest, where teams battle to seize and retain control points across vast areas. They can also take on the roles of members of several military factions and engage in online conflicts set in real-world crisis zones.
When compared to other games in theBattlefield series,Battlefield 2: Modern Combatis widely acclaimed for its compelling storyline due to its more sophisticated and character-driven narrative. The story that unfolds in this title is one full of deceit that eventually culminates in a satisfying revelation that points players in the direction of the true enemy. The game’s graphics, audio, and cutscenes were of outstanding quality, further adding to the immersion, storytelling, and realistic settings present in the game.
The single-player campaign ofBattlefield 4tells the story of Sergeant Daniel Recker, also known as “Tombstone,” a member of a U.S. Special Forces squad. It takes place in several locations around the world as the squad attempts to stop the plans of a rogue Chinese general named Chang Wei, who is threatening world peace.
Along the way, Recker’s crew must fight enemy soldiers, survive natural disasters, and overcome technological malfunctions. The campaign explores themes such as loyalty, betrayal, and the moral complexity of war.Fans' opinions are mixed, as some believe that the story is good but pretty standard, while others are disappointed in the lack of emotions the game evokes.
4Battlefield 1 (2016)
Its Captivating Storyline Transports Players To The Mud And Dust Of World War 1
Battlefield 1is set in World War I and features a single-player campaign that tells the story of different characters and their experiences in the war. Players take on the roles of Frederick Bishop, an Australian messenger; Zara Ghufran, a Bedouin rebel; Luca Vincenzo Cocchiola, an Italian Arditi soldier; Clyde Blackburn, a pilot in the Royal Flying Corps; and Daniel Edwards, a British tank driver during World War I.
One of the unique features of the campaign is the way it uses different gameplay mechanics for each character, such as piloting a biplane or sneaking through enemy lines as a Bedouin warrior. Overall,Battlefield 1offers a powerful and emotionally charged experience for fans of the first-person shooter genre andhistory buffs alike. Throughout the player’s exploration, it offers themes like sacrifice, loss, and the human toll of combat.
Battlefield Bad Company’s campaign begins with Preston Marlowe, a United States soldier sent to be the newest member of the B Company, known as the Bad Company for its troublemakers. After completing a few dangerous missions, the members begin to realize that there’s more than just the war they should be worried about, as they uncover a well-hidden truth.
The game’s story is popular for its humor, dynamic environments, and destructible scenery that add a unique element to the gameplay. As players grow immersed in the squad’s unity and the developing character dynamics, they are transported to other locations throughout the game. This general concept features the game’s central focus on the antics of thecharmingly odd troops ofBad Companyas they make their way through the mayhem of battle with wit and solidarity.
Following the story of Sergeant Henry Blackburn, a Marine in the United States military,Battlefield 3takes place in several locations, including Iraq, Iran, and New York City. Blackburn and his team battle various terrorists across the globe, trying to prevent the war from advancing to its nuclear phase. The campaign is known for its cinematic and intense moments, as well as its emphasis on teamwork and strategy.
The game features a mix of vehicle and infantry combat, with players using a variety of weapons to complete objectives. While the game received praise for itscinematic and action-packed cutscenes, it was also criticized for its linear story and for the fact that players' choices don’t affect the narrative, making them feel like nothing they do matters anyway.
Battlefield: Bad Company 2follows the same group of soldiers fromBad Companyas they are sent on a new mission to prevent a dangerous weapon from falling into the wrong hands. The game’s story centers on a squad of characters, each with a distinct personality and a good dose of humor, and how the player character Preston Marlowe and squad leader Sergeant Samuel Redford create a strong emotional connection during their mission. The story takes place in various locations around the world, including South America and Russia.
The game’s campaign is known for its more serious tone compared to its predecessor and its emphasis on character development, with the soldiers of theBad Companyfacing moral dilemmas and grappling with their own motivations. The game features improved dynamic environments, allowing players to use their surroundings to their advantage during combat. Overall,Battlefield: Bad Company 2’s campaign offers athrilling and immersive experiencefor players looking for a gripping storyline and intense gameplay.
