Battlefield 6 Review: Classic Combat and Modern Polish Collide to Create FPS Excellence

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Occasionally, we witness a remarkable peak in a gaming franchise, and later installments are made to reach that high standard once more. I still believe that BF3 was the peak of Battlefield, and BF1 really did its job in getting as close as possible. However, this year, in 2025, Battlefield Studios has closed this gap as tightly as ever with Battlefield 6.

Battlefield has experimented with new ways to innovate its gameplay in recent titles. Whether it’s the horses in Battlefield 1, Firestorm in V, or the Specialists in Battlefield 2042. Not every addition is met with loud applause from the fans, and not every change is necessary. And from those mistakes and successes, the perfect formula for Battlefield 6 was discovered. Go back to basics, back to what works, and polish the hell out of it.

It sparks some genius innovation with more than mere modes, though, what totally grabbed my attention as a shooter fan was the Kinesthetic Combat System. This underlying overhaul of the core moment-to-moment movement really enhances everything that is layered on top and creates the foundation for a killer feeling of Battlefield.

Speaking of the series’ peak, the franchise has had one great campaign, some good ones, and the rest are pretty forgettable. Thankfully, Battlefield 6’s attempt at a modern story fairs much better with a straightforward approach that lends itself to the strengths the series is known for: big explosions and spectacle galore.

The Battlefield Way

The story takes place in 2028, and you play as Dagger 1-3. No single hero, but a squad consisting of the combat roles you’d expect: Assault, Engineer, Recon, and Support. Their individual stories add layers of depth to the ensemble when you get to know them, and while it works really well for the core gameplay, the narrative isn’t groundbreaking by any stretch.

The campaign takes you to a multitude of varied settings to explore, from the mountains of Tajikistan to the Manhattan Bridge. You’ll have your squad by your side, which means that you can give orders and use their combat specialties to your advantage, like spotting the enemies with Recon, or the deployment of Smoke Grenade when under heavy fire by Support. I played on Veteran difficulty, and I must admit that the engagement and squad commands really help with escaping tight situations, which occur frequently at this level of difficulty.

The story mode offers a variety of missions and enjoyable moments, but on the flipside, it lacks a deeply engaging narrative. Certain characters in the game make an impact, but it doesn’t hit as hard as other legendary FPS campaigns in recent years. The main antagonist of the story is just okay, but I think the stakes should escalate much more, considering the global implications of the plot and scale of the conflict. It’s a fun campaign to play through, and even if it doesn’t revolutionize the genre in any way, it’s still nice to have and does a decent job of prepping you for the real meat and potatoes of every Battlefield: the multiplayer.

Back and Better than Ever

Battlefield is always known for its epic Multiplayer, huge maps, and explosive modes, and this year, every one of those pillars is better than ever.

Let’s start with the core movement; it’s not clunky, and despite an increase in mobility, it’s still very much Battlefield. I can definitely see how they want to keep both veterans and new players on the same field by allowing faster slides, crawl shots, and an overall slightly arcadey movement system that helps with fluidity. It strikes a delicate balance between agile, bunny-hopping sweatlords dominating the lobby, and movement so slow I’m wondering if I got lost in a hardcore military sim. The no-penalty slide jump exploits in the Beta? Gone. Super snappy aim assist? Non-existent.

It also features some additional movement mechanics that I rarely used, such as crouch sprint, combat roll, and weapon mount, which are okay to have, but they’re not game changers. The real game-changer is that the class system is back, and each is packed with gadgets and perks. One significant shift in Battlefield 6 is the introduction of the Open and Closed Weapon system, which allows players to choose between equipping any gun with any class in their loadouts or adhering to the more traditional ruleset. Although I didn’t feel strongly one way or another on each system, I did appreciate the flexibility.

For example, headshots from a Recon class sniper rifle prevent a revive, while an Assault class doing the same allows that player to get brought back. So the perks of each class far outweigh the weapon choice in my experience.

Now we can’t talk about the game changers without mentioning the vehicles. They are absolutely glorious. They’re dangerous, satisfying to play with, and well, hard to master. They feel as strong as they should be, and the learning curve makes mastery a delight.

Big Explosions, Bigger Scale

Battlefield 6 features some of the best maps I’ve ever seen in the series, with some great maps and a healthy balance of playstyles, but Mirak Valley is by far my favorite.

The maps feature a mix of different settings. Maps like Empire State and Siege of Cairo are where close combat specialists will take the lead, with tanks leading the charge to capture objectives. Liberation Peak, on the other hand, is for sniper elites and aerial combat experts. Operation Firestorm’s open fields are where vehicular combat thrives, while Mirak Valley is balanced for all gameplay types and classes.

Now we can’t talk maps without talking destruction, and it’s back in a big way. Of course, big booms and cataclysmic destruction look nice for trailers, but all of this mayhem provides a wealth of gameplay opportunities to even the odds. Snipers pinning you down? Level their buildings. Jeeps becoming a problem? Place a crater in the ground. The destruction can help shape battles in a way that makes it feel integral to the experience, rather than superficial fluff for marketing purposes.

Battlefield Is Indeed Back

Battlefield 6 harkens back to the best eras of its past while forging an incredibly polished foundation for the future. The fun campaign, perfectly tuned maps, and modes that accommodate a variety of playstyles and a plethora of weapons to grind for. This is the most excited I’ve been about a Battlefield in years.

Review copy given by the publisher.

Battlefield 6 - Steam Reviewed

9.5 Superb!

A fun campaign, the promise of the innovative Portal, and absolutely sublime multiplayer make Battlefield 6 one of if not the best entry in a legendary franchise. (PC Reviewed)