EA has unveiled the next iteration of its massive multiplayer shooter series. Battlefield 2042 will launch later this year on October 22 with development managed by Dice, Criterion, Dice LA, and EA Gothenburg. Coming to both PS4 and PS5, it continues the series’ ambitious trajectory of incorporating cutting-edge technologies to increase the size and density of its sandboxes, while retooling and expanding its vast arsenal of game modes. and mechanisms. He has one of the biggest cards in the series to date. The real-time unpredictability of extreme weather systems that will sweep the frontlines. Improved terrain deformation. And, on PS5, a number of 128 players per game. This is Dice’s exclusive game engine, Frostbite, which develops a whole new processing muscle acquired in the roughly two years since last entry into Battlefield V.
It also marks the franchise’s return to (almost) modern times. The real but fictitious setting presents a “what if” scenario of societies collapsing in the face of violent climate change and dwindling resources. Stateless soldiers (“No-Pat Specialists”) now fight on behalf of the remaining superpowers. The setup is close enough to today to be recognizable, but far enough into the future to include advanced arsenals and destructive weather conditions. In keeping with the upcoming series’ 20th anniversary, EA is offering a nod – unwittingly or not – to the Battlefield 1942 franchise launcher in its Year Pick.
The conquest and breakthrough of All Out Warfare
There are three pillars of gameplay – “experiences” – until 2042. Only two have been named. Of that pair, only All Out Warfare is the focus of this first look, debuting with a familiar duo of modes. Hazard Zone, along with the mysterious Third Pillar – currently in development at Dice LA – will be unveiled in full at a later date. Dice Reinforce Hazard Zone is something brand new to the franchise: a modern take on multiplayer that is a “high-stakes, team-based type of game.” The studio insists this is not a battle royale mode.
As always, there will be a fleet of vehicles to jump into during matches. Players will have access to a calling tablet, allowing them to request a ground vehicle anywhere on the map. They can be deadly before you even jump inside: example of dice indicating that a tank must land on an enemy sniper position.
So these two All Out Warfare modes. Conquest has two teams competing against each other over a huge space, with epic clashes and more personal scrums taking place in the pockets of a map. Breakthrough also drops two opposite sides in one place, but is more guided: the maps are divided into sectors, in which there are several capture points. Attackers or defenders must retain points to reverse sectors and move an ever-changing front line in their favor. Want time to adjust to what’s new and test things out? You can start both modes with AI teammates (and Dice confirms that this still helps your overall progress).
Cards and their dynamic events
A quick tour of both modes and some of the maps demonstrates Dice’s approach to shaping a satisfying ebb and flow for battles. There is an overview of locations based on real-world settings – desert towns, oil rigs, craggy peaks – their geography responding to different methods of insertion and combat approaches. Go big with spectacular multi-vehicle combat, stay tense with close quarters combat and everything in between.
Map-specific dynamic events are teased – visibility-altering sandstorms, space rocket launch, destructive tornadoes. The latter can be put to your advantage with, for example, the new wingsuits. If your specialist has them, you can ride the wind – just beware of debris and storm-struck vehicles. A powerful mix of carefully considered on-the-fly tactics and strategies – lowering or raising bridges, locking cranes, managing doors – is designed to make you think and be hyper aware of your surroundings.
These dynamic world events will feature whatever console you’re playing on. The PS4 player count per All Out Warfare match is 64, and subsequently PlayStation 4 maps were built with a smaller, more focused layout in mind.
All Out Warfare kicks off with seven cards in total. Let’s take a quick tour of these:
Kaleidoscope [Sogdo, South Korea] This cityscape features dense roads and skyscrapers that can be explored, or if you have a wingsuit, jump. It is here that a tornado that eclipses the glittering buildings will make its presence known.
Manifesto [Brani Island, Singapore] Supply lines are under threat in this key location for global trade.
Orbital [Kourou, French Guiana] Players will battle it out in the shadow of a massive space rocket platform that counts down to an imminent launch.
Discarded [Alang, India] Compete around, through and above the huge wrecks of ships and surrounding cranes.
Renewal [Eastern Desert, Egypt] Fight for control of an agricultural technology center in the Egyptian desert.
hourglass [Doha, Qatar] The approach of a sandstorm will change the course of the war that takes place in the heart of a city.
Break away [Queen Maud Land, Antarctica] From hot deserts to icy landscapes: oil and gas are the main resources that are contested here. Slip into the top of the mountains with a wingsuit, and you can dive into the industrial buildings below.
Meet your specialists
Specialists are the different types of characters in Battlefield 2042. Each comes with a unique specialty and trait. The former can take the form of a grappling hook (for Assault types only – a quick zip to higher places) OV-P Recon Drone (the mark of the Recon – which can be flown or parked to locate targets) or S21 Syrette Pistol (run by Support – shoot health vials at those in need). These go well with the features. Assault types are known for their agility, while a Support Specialist doubles as a Combat Surgeon, able to fully restore a comrade’s health.
Beyond these two unique abilities, Specialists can be customized with the loadout you want, giving you more freedom to create a playstyle that suits you. Battlefield 2042 will feature 10 Specialists at launch.
The Plus system (not shown) lets you customize your selected weapon without taking your eyes off the battlefield. Pressing a button will bring up a plus-shaped UI menu on your weapon, showing what you currently own. Each segment is tied to a specific type of object – scope, cannon, type of ammo, etc. Choose to equip.
The road to the launch and the Battle Pass
We are walking towards the four month mark to launch and most of what will hold in the coming weeks we can only speculate. Two things are confirmed, however. Ahead of launch, players who pre-order can get a taste of the game with an open beta (details have yet to be revealed). After launch, the first year of Battlefield 2042 promises four seasons of content, bringing with them four new Specialists and new locations. Each season is marked by a new Battle Pass. EA confirms that new locations will be available to all players.
For a first revelation, there is a lot to understand, but a lot more to say. Expect to find out more about Battlefield 2042 in the (near) future.
Table of Contents
