After the failure of Battlefield 2042, the game series is now delivering a decisive comeback. Battlefield 6 sells over seven million copies during the game’s first three days and receives glowing reviews from Swedish gaming media, who believe the game finally delivers what fans have been waiting for.
At the same time, the game, like previous titles in the series, suffers from typical Americanization that at times contributes to a silly impression.
Electronic Arts can confirm that Battlefield 6 has become the biggest launch in the series’ history. During the first three days, over seven million copies were sold, while 172 million matches were played online and 15 million hours were streamed on various platforms.
— We never take moments like these for granted, so I want to express our sincere gratitude to our global Battlefield studios and the passionate community that has helped us reach this point, says Vince Zampella, head of the Battlefield series.
The success is remarkable considering that its predecessor, Battlefield 2042, received devastating criticism for its technical problems at launch. To turn the tide, Electronic Arts invested in Battlefield Labs, a program where players could influence development through continuous feedback.
Byron Beede, general manager for Battlefield, emphasizes the strategy’s importance:
— From the initial concept through the implementation of Battlefield Labs and into the record-breaking open beta, we have been obsessed with player feedback.
Swedish reviewers impressed
Swedish gaming magazine FZ gives the multiplayer portion high marks and highlights how different player classes complement each other. The review notes that the game succeeds even when you’re not dominating: “Even when I don’t go 28-0 in a match and dominate opponents, it’s fun to play,” and summarizes the experience as “a bullseye and a powerful comeback for the series,” according to reviewer Joel.
GameReactor is equally enthusiastic and calls the game the series’ rebirth. The reviewer highlights the large-scale battles for up to 64 players and the extensive environmental destruction. “It’s fast, brutal and penetrates concrete in a way you won’t soon forget,” writes GameReactor and concludes: “Saddle up, lock and load – Battlefield is back.”
Campaign functions as introduction
The single-player campaign receives more mixed reviews. FZ describes it as “a fairly generic military story” that nevertheless functions well as an introduction to multiplayer mode. GameReactor is somewhat more positive and emphasizes the campaign’s visual quality: “When we maneuver vehicles across large surfaces in environments that are among the biggest I’ve experienced in a game of this type during the later part – while all hell breaks loose, then Battlefield Studios also shows what this is all about.”
Technically stable but silly experience
On the technical front, reviewers are unanimous. FZ reports that the game runs completely stable: “Not once have I noticed anything like that (lag, editor’s note) on console.”
GameReactor confirms the quality and states briefly: “On the technical side, there is very little to complain about.”
Among the more typical elements in modern game titles, Battlefield 6 also features typical Americanization, and the game has symptomatic multicultural elements of minorities with macho culture and NATO character, which at times makes the experience silly and flat.
Facts about the Battlefield series
Battlefield is a series of first-person shooter games developed by Swedish game studio DICE and published by Electronic Arts. The first game, Battlefield 1942, was launched in 2002 and became known for its large-scale multiplayer battles with up to 64 players and the ability to use vehicles such as tanks, helicopters, and fighter jets.
The series has since released numerous titles set in different time periods, from World War I and II to modern and futuristic warfare. Among the most successful games are Battlefield 3 (2011), Battlefield 4 (2013), and Battlefield 1 (2016).
Battlefield 2042, released in 2021, became a commercial and critical failure due to technical problems and lack of requested features. Battlefield 6 is the series' sixth numbered main game and marks a return to modern warfare.
