Following an explosive multiplayer reveal, it appears Battlefield 6 could be the most immersive experience in the franchise’s long history. The next installment in DICE’s flagship series looks to build on the chaos the series is known for with more destructibility than ever before. Combined with the realistic improvements to player mobility and the suite of environment-altering equipment, the foundation of Battlefield 6 already seems solid.
It’s clear that Battlefield 6 aims to set new standards for immersion in the genre. In gameplay footage, explosions ripple through buildings and kick dust high into the air, and jet engines scream past with just the right amount of shock value. In the best moments of footage from the reveal, the game looks set to surpass the immersion of Battlefield 3 and 4, but a few key elements keep the game from clearing that high bar.
A Few Small Fixes Could Cement Battlefield 6’s Legacy
Despite its strong showing, Battlefield 6 isn’t quite at the finish line in terms of immersion. Certain design decisions, likely made in the name of faster gameplay pacing, come at the cost of realism, player immersion, and sometimes, physics. One of the most jarring offenders is the grenade-throwing animation. The motion for the throwables resembles a sped-up version of the throwing knife animation from Battlefield 2042, and in the bits of gameplay revealed so far, grenades are tossed with such speed that the animation is actually hard to see, stripping away the sense of realism or physicality from the mechanic.
The new grenade animation is definitely not very immersive, but it also turns what should be a measured gameplay decision into something that, given the speed of the action, is probably worth doing whenever possible.
Another immersion-breaking detail lies in the parachuting mechanics. During Battlefield 6’s multiplayer reveal livestream, players were leaping from burning helicopters and deploying parachutes that rocketed through the air with unrealistic agility.
With Battlefield 6′s gameplay balance in mind, the decision to make parachutes faster makes the job of targeting airborne players significantly harder and eliminates any counterplay, but from an immersion standpoint, it veers into the uncanny. Parachuting in those situations should feel like a method of escape, not like an equally fast mode of travel.
Battlefield 6’s Sound Design Nails (Almost) Everything
The sound design on display in gameplay so far is near perfect. It all sounds remarkably gratifying, from little things like the sound of capturing a point in Conquest, to collapsing buildings echoing across city streets. Unfortunately, arguably the most important sounds, those of the weapons, don’t meet the mark. Many of Battlefield 6’s weapons sound muted, almost as if they were suppressed by default, and hitmarker sounds frequently blend into some of the weapons’ gunfire sounds, highlighting their lack of impact.
The reduced muzzle flash and seemingly mild recoil are welcome changes, but those elements, combined with the current weapon sounds, run the risk of making the weapons feel underpowered regardless of their actual efficacy. Naturally, it’s a fine line to walk, as too much auditory chaos and the combat becomes overwhelming. If it stays too subtle, though, the weapons will feel like airsoft guns. Striking a decent balance is crucial, considering immersion is central to what Battlefield 6 is trying to achieve.
Plenty of Time Remains Ahead of Battlefield 6’s October Launch
With the open beta starting on August 7 and full release set for October 11, DICE still has time to address these relatively minor issues ahead of launch. The core gameplay of Battlefield 6 already shows a ton of promise. Environmental destructibility on a massive scale, improvements to player movement, and sheer audiovisual spectacle all mix into something that looks and sounds better than ever.
Still, a few tweaks are needed to ensure that the overall package is as immersive as possible. If those changes are made, Battlefield 6 would easily be the most immersive entry in the series, and maybe even the spiritual successor to Battlefield 3 and Battlefield 4 that fans have been waiting for.
Battlefield 6
- Developer(s)
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Battlefield Studios
- Engine
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Frostbite
- Multiplayer
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Online Multiplayer, Online Co-Op
- Number of Players
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Single-player
- Steam Deck Compatibility
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Unknown
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