I recently participated in EA`s digital preview of Battlefield 6`s single-player campaign, gaining access to three distinct missions. These missions showcased a diverse range of settings and objectives, from tank assaults on Gibraltar`s shores to intense urban combat in New York City. The preview delivered all the hallmarks expected from a Battlefield campaign: signature weapons, realistic military visuals, and an abundance of explosions and environmental devastation.
The narrative of Battlefield 6 unfolds in 2027, a period following the collapse of NATO, where the private military corporation Pax Armata has seized significant influence. Pax Armata`s relentless pursuit of greater power risks plunging the world into a widespread conflict. Players will follow Dagger 1-3, an elite US Marine raiders unit, as they engage Pax Armata`s forces across various global locations. My hands-on experience included missions set in Gibraltar, the United States, and Tajikistan.
My first mission in Battlefield 6 was Operation Gladus, the third campaign mission, set in Gibraltar, a British Overseas Territory at the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula. The mission commenced with our unit`s amphibious assault on Gibraltar`s beaches, which Pax Armata had occupied. The iconic Rock of Gibraltar stood majestically to my left upon landing, offering a breathtaking vista, even with my laptop`s graphics settings configured to a lower level.
As an engineer operating a tank, my objective was to provide suppressive fire for my comrades advancing on the beach. Pax Armata`s defenses, comprising trenches and fortifications, were swiftly obliterated by my tank`s artillery. Amidst a flurry of gunfire, explosions, and smoke, I relished in decimating their positions. Flattening everything on the beach was immensely satisfying, delivering the quintessential Battlefield destruction experience, possibly even surpassing previous campaign installments.
After securing the outpost, our engagement continued on foot through Gibraltar`s constricted urban streets. I remained close to an allied tank, providing crucial repairs, a mechanic that highlights the campaign`s continued integration of class roles, aiding new players in familiarizing themselves with Battlefield`s strategic specialization. The tank`s progression was dependent on its operational integrity, halting if sufficiently damaged.
Equipped with an RPG and a grenade launcher, I also attempted to unleash destruction, though its impact within the city`s confines was noticeably less extensive. While I could demolish portions of buildings, I couldn`t raze entire areas as I had with the beach outpost. Nonetheless, I successfully repaired the tank just in time to witness it cleave a massive building in two, a truly gratifying spectacle.
The subsequent mission, titled “No Sleep,” tasked us with locating and infiltrating Pax Armata`s Brooklyn Headquarters. Set at night in New York, I utilized night-vision goggles and a rifle with a thermal scope. The mission exuded a grim and intense atmosphere as my squad navigated through the city`s streets and apartment complexes, encountering enemy soldiers around every corner, leading to continuous, high-tension close-quarters engagements.
In “No Sleep,” I also got to use Battlefield 6`s new sledgehammer melee weapon, a fresh tool for environmental destruction. While multiplayer allows for smashing walls, doors, and floors, its destructive capability seemed somewhat contained within this specific campaign segment. Although I couldn`t shatter apartment floors, I could effectively breach enemy cover, tear down entire walls, and even utterly demolish an entire bathroom. While not mission-critical, experimenting with bathroom fixture destruction proved both possible and satisfying.
After the Brooklyn HQ raid, my squad and I pursued Pax Armata forces underground. This section delivered an exhilarating chase sequence—a staple of military shooter campaigns. We commandeered a vehicle to pursue enemies fleeing on a train through an old New York subway tunnel. The mission was rich with intense, action-movie-esque moments and frequent close-quarters combat. Even with a brief diversion for some personal demolition practice, “No Sleep” maintained a constant feeling of tension and urgency, making it my favorite among the three previewed missions.
Finally, I tackled Operation Ember Strike, which offered the most expansive and open-ended experience. Set in Tajikistan`s vast countryside, I assumed the role of a recon soldier, outfitted with a sniper rifle and a combat drone. This drone proved invaluable for identifying and tagging hostile forces, in addition to deploying bombs to neutralize vehicles and enemy clusters.
Operation Ember Strike presented a substantial playable area featuring three surface-to-air missile sites, which could be engaged in any sequence. Each site was equipped with alarms that, if disabled, would prevent enemy reinforcements. While a stealthy approach was likely an option, I opted for a direct, aggressive assault on each SAM site. Upon neutralizing all targets, we witnessed one of the preview`s most striking moments: the obliteration of Tajikistan`s hydroelectric dam. A dramatic cutscene depicted Pax Armata forces being swept away by the deluge as they attempted to escape.
Based on my experience, Battlefield 6`s single-player campaign doesn`t introduce groundbreaking innovations. It delivers the expected modern military shooter experience, complete with cinematic action sequences, but its execution is so polished that I thoroughly enjoyed my playtime. While the full narrative remains undisclosed, and could potentially differentiate the campaign further, it promises a rich experience filled with tanks, jets, intense explosions, exaggerated action, and the distinctive, satisfying destruction that defines Battlefield. This is more than enough to fuel my excitement for its launch on October 10.