It goes without saying that theBattlefieldfranchise has had a rough time in recent years.Battlefield 4had a very messy launch, and though it did eventually recover to become a solid game, it marks the start of a rough era for the franchise.With the exception of the excellentBattlefield 1, the series has released several weak games in a row, asBattlefield Hardline,Battlefield 5, andBattlefield 2042all proved disappointing. As such, it is hard for fans to not think back to the glory days of the series.
WhileBattlefield 2was an excellent game,Battlefield 3andBattlefield: Bad Company 2were arguably the peak of the franchise. These back-to-back hits popularized the excellent Rush game mode, giving Conquest some competition. Both offered strong campaigns and numerous iconic maps, while the version of the Frostbite engine used for them provided a perfect balance between destruction and visual fidelity. Going forward, DICE should seek to bring back these glory days, restoring theBattlefieldfranchise’s reputation through remasters or similar projects.
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Since EA is finally starting tostep further into remake territory withDead Space, the publisher should consider doing the same with its juggernaut FPS franchise. After all, EA and DICE are clearly aware of the popularity ofBattlefield 3andBad Company 2, something that is shown with the former’s successful realism mod and the latter’s presence inBattlefield Portal.
Though aBattlefield 3remaster was rumoredto release alongsideBattlefield 2042, this never came to pass, with fans stuck playing the original version of the game. Unfortunately, while it still has players, the game being stuck on older consoles significantly limits its audience. Further, though it holds up decently and was stunning at the time, it is lacking a bit visually when compared to modern FPS games. Similarly,Bad Company 2is a slightly dated game that is also trapped on older consoles, and it deserves to be polished and brought to a whole new audience.
While it would be great to see an upgradedOperation Metro, Rush returning to its former glory, and characters like Haggard in action again, new versions ofBF3andBad Company 2would only be a band-aid for the series' problems. For the series to continue to thrive, DICE has to deliver strong new games as well. When crafting them, it should make sure to evoke feelings of the two beloved entries mentioned above.
To replicate the feelings of theseBattlefieldgames, DICE can focus on a few things. First, traditional singleplayer campaigns with likable characters such as the eponymous Bad Company should be present, and Rush should no longer be an afterthought. Maps like Operation Metro and Damavand Peak were iconic for a reason, as the way that players progressed through them was terrific. A class-based approach should be present from the get-go,avoiding the outrage ofBattlefield 2042, and DICE should make sure to balance infantry combat and vehicle combat equally so that all players are satisfied.
One other strength of these games was their approach to DLC. While some changes would obviously be needed in a live service format, as paid map packs are a thing of the past,Battlefield: VietnamandBattlefield 3’s Close Quarterswere excellent expansions with clear themes. With its nextBattlefieldgame, DICE should seek to replicate this, giving each of its Seasons more personality. A Vietnam-themed season with weapons, skins, and maps from that era could be run, as could a Close Quarters-inspired Season with Shotguns, SMGs, and small-scale maps.Battlefield’s recent post-launch support has been lacking in comparison to whatBad Company 2andBattlefield 3had, and it is another area to work on. Whether through remasters/remakes or spiritual successors,BF3andBad Company 2should inspire the future ofBattlefield.
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