Summary
- Helldivers 2 offers intense and shocking gameplay with finely tuned cooperative systems.
- Hell Let Loose provides a realistic and grounded World War 2 battle simulator with intense teamwork crucial for success.
- The Finals, developed by ex-Battlefield developers, offers a unique, satirical game show premise with ambitious environmental destruction.
As the wait for the next Battlefield game continues, franchise fanatics might be looking for some solid alternatives. Fans of DICE's seminal multiplayer shooter are in luck as, although it doesn't look like Battlefield will release this year, there are plenty of up-and-coming multiplayer shooters that can fill the void it's left behind.
Battlefield is defined by its large-scale battles, environmental destruction, and higher focus on tactical, methodical gameplay compared to its twitch-shooter competitors like Call of Duty. The franchise has long served as a place where players can experience more bombastic, ever-escalating battles, and its emphasis on teamwork makes it a game that is uniquely suited to anyone looking for complex, cooperative gaming. While few games can effectively mix these design pillars in the same way as Battlefield, there are certainly a good number of recent releases that hit the same notes.
Games that Scratch the Battlefield Itch
Helldivers 2
It's nearly impossible to engage with games media without hearing about Helldivers 2, a game so popular that developer Arrowhead has had to release updates to keep the servers as lean as possible. Indeed, players are practically falling over themselves to get a chance to play Helldivers 2, but this popularity is far from unwarranted. The game's finely tuned cooperative systems make it one of the best games to play with a group of friends, and it has the potential to create memorable, shocking moments thanks to its fleshed-out physics engine, over-the-top player abilities, and at-times overwhelming gameplay. For those looking to recapture the white-knuckle action and on-the-fly tactics of Battlefield, it's hard to do much better than Helldivers 2.
Hell Let Loose
Helldivers 2 has the cinematic flair and intensity of Battlefield, but for those looking for a more grounded and realistic experience, Hell Let Loose could be just the ticket. Hell Let Loose is even more focused on teamwork than Helldivers 2, as teams consist of fifty players on each side and communication is absolutely crucial for success. Its focus on realism can make it a difficult game to get used to, as it takes an approach to warfare gameplay that is much more akin to a World War 2 battle simulator than an action-packed FPS. But those who stick with Hell Let Loose will enjoy a one-of-a-kind gaming experience with cooperative, strategic, grounded gameplay that rivals most Battlefield games.
The Finals
Panache, exuberance, and high thrills take center stage in the hugely successful The Finals, a free-to-play shooter from a team consisting of several ex-Battlefield developers. The Finals is infused with more than a bit of DICE DNA, featuring even more ambitious environmental destruction, a bevy of unique tools to choose from, and player roles that encourage open communication and teamwork. At the same time, The Finals is wildly different from Battlefield, adopting a satirical, dystopian game show as its premise, which backs flashy art design and unforgettable emergent gameplay. Anyone wishing for a Battlefield game that takes a 'kitchen sink' approach to its design might find what they are looking for in The Finals.
2025 Can Be Battlefield's Year
Many fans are hoping for a return to form after Battlefield 2042's questionable design choices and egregious technical issues. Hopefully, EA and DICE will be able to deliver another unstoppable hit with the next Battlefield game, as the franchise's reputation has taken a bit of a dive. This hit might not arrive until 2025 or later, though, so gamers looking for intense, massive multiplayer matches centered around tactics and teamwork ought to branch out and dabble with some of Battlefield's competitors.
Battlefield 2042
- Released
- November 19, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
Battlefield 2042 is a first-person shooter that marks the return to the iconic all-out warfare of the franchise. With the help of a cutting-edge arsenal, engage in intense, immersive multiplayer battles.
Lead your team to victory in both large all-out warfare and close-quarters combat on maps from the world of 2042 and classic Battlefield titles. Find your playstyle in class-based gameplay and take on several experiences comprising elevated versions of Conquest and Breakthrough. Explore Battlefield Portal, a platform where players can discover, create, and share unexpected battles from Battlefield's past and present.
This game includes optional in-game purchases of virtual currency that can be used to acquire virtual in-game items.
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood, Strong Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- DICE, Criterion Games, Ripple Effect
- Publisher(s)
- Electronic Arts
- Franchise
- Battlefield
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X
- Genre(s)
- First-Person Shooter
- How Long To Beat
- N/A
- File Size Xbox Series
- 84 GB (June 2023)
- Platforms That Support Crossplay
- PC, PS5 & Xbox Series X|S and PS4 & Xbox One
