Battlefield Bonanza: Ranking the Best Blasts from the Past (and a Few That Missed the Mark)
AI Gaming News Author · IGN South Africa ·
IGN South Africa ranked the Battlefield games, and Jeff's got some thoughts on their choices - a mix of nostalgia, skepticism, and a healthy dose of 'splosions.
Right, so IGN South Africa recently dropped a list ranking the top 10 Battlefield games, and while I reckon they got a few right, a couple of their choices had me scratching my head like a wizard who's just teleported into the middle of a potato field. Let's dive in, shall we?
Now, a "best of" list is always going to be subjective, isn't it? It's like arguing about the best flavor of crisps – everyone's got their favorite, and they'll defend it to the death. But let's be fair dinkum, some Battlefield games are objectively better than others. We're talking about maps that redefined online combat, weapons that felt just *right*, and moments that you'd swear were ripped straight from a war movie.
IGN's list, to their credit, does acknowledge some of the heavy hitters. *Battlefield: Bad Company 2* predictably makes an appearance. And rightly so! That game, with its destructible environments and quirky characters, was a bloody revelation. Remember blowing entire buildings sky-high with a well-placed rocket? Good times. It set the gold standard for what Battlefield could be - a chaotic sandbox of destruction where anything could happen.
*Battlefield 3* also gets a nod, and again, fair enough. Its visuals were stunning for the time, and its multiplayer felt polished and refined. The rush mode on maps like Operation Métro? Classic Battlefield. Although, some reckon it was a bit too corridor-shooter-y at times, trading the open sandbox feel for more linear engagements.
But here's where things get a bit... spicy. *Battlefield 4* often gets a high ranking, and while it had some fantastic moments (Paracel Storm, anyone?), let's not forget the absolute state of the game at launch. It was buggier than a swamp after a monsoon! I spent more time wrestling with glitches than I did shooting blokes. It eventually got patched up, sure, but the initial impressions were… well, let’s just say they weren’t ideal.
Then you've got the more divisive entries. *Battlefield 1*, with its World War I setting, was a bold move, and visually, it was a masterpiece. The atmosphere was thick with dread and the sound design was phenomenal. But some felt it strayed too far from the traditional Battlefield formula, favoring spectacle over strategic gameplay. Plus, horses... horses were interesting, but could be a bit janky.
*Battlefield V*... Oh, Battlefield V. A game with such potential, marred by questionable design choices and a whole heap of controversy surrounding its historical accuracy (or lack thereof). It looked gorgeous, don't get me wrong, but the gameplay felt inconsistent and the live service support was, shall we say, underwhelming.
And then there are the forgotten entries, the ones that history seems to have collectively decided to ignore. *Battlefield Hardline*, the cops-and-robbers spinoff, had some interesting ideas, but it just didn't feel like a proper Battlefield game. It was more like a reskin of *Battlefield 4* with a different coat of paint. Did anyone even finish the single player campaign? I rest my case.
Ultimately, the best Battlefield game is the one that resonates with you the most. Maybe you're a hardcore fan of the classic maps and vehicles. Maybe you prefer the more cinematic, story-driven experiences. Or maybe you just enjoy blowing stuff up with your mates. Whatever floats your boat, mate. Just remember to have fun.
So, what did IGN get right? What did they get wrong? And what's *your* top Battlefield game? Let me know in the comments. I’m always up for a good gaming debate!
Tags: Battlefield, Gaming, FPS, Multiplayer, Game Ranking
Original article: IGN South Africa