Battlefield 3

By Tristan Tancredi

There is a good reason why Battlefield 3 is the fastest selling game in EA's history. Simply put, the game is good. Very good.

Since Battlefield 1942 was released almost 10 years ago, the franchise has flourished. The latest game, winner of over 60 industry awards worldwide, is the best yet.

With a strong focus on multi-player mode and an expansive array of online games and maps, BF3 brings war to your living room.

Online gamers are flocking to this game in droves to experience the amazing multi-player experience and from all accounts the BF3 Servers have held up well.

Utilising the new Frostbite 2 engine, BF3 is a realistic, detailed visual journey.

The different maps and environments in both multi-player and campaign mode are in-depth and visually spectacular. Flying a jet into a radio tower or a building will result in the surrounding environments destruction.

Frostbite 2 also creates a more life-life soldier. The mannerisms of the digital character mimic real life soldiers.

For example, a new suppression system forces gamers to head to safety when under heavy fire. The screen becomes blurry and shot accuracy is limited if bullets are landing in your immediate vicinity.

Fighter Jets, Helicopters, Boats, Tanks, Buggys, you name it. The ability to control all forms of vehicle is a strong attribute to Battlefield 3 and are enhanced with the new Frostbite 2 engine.

EA claims that BF3 is the only shooter that can deliver the physicality and emotion of being on the battlefield. Let's just say, it's the closest you can ever get from the luxury and comfort of your couch.

Upgrading weapons and equipment has always been an integral part of the Battlefield franchise. It gets bigger and better with BF3. Every weapon, class and vehicle has its own upgrade progression.

The more kills and online points accrued will lead to more gadgets, upgrades and accessories.

Battlefield 3 has the ingredients to make a great game, everything and we mean everything has been thought of. Thankfully for First Person Shooter enthusiasts the developers at EA have combined these ingredients to deliver a brilliant game.

The campaign seems like a bonus game, or a side mission (We even know of some die hard Battlefield gamers that only play the Multiplayer aspect).

Despite the campaign not being the main attraction, it is extremely good.

Although short, only about 5 hours of gameplay, it is a well written, concise and enjoyable 5 hours.

Basically, your character is being interviewed by War Police about certain missions that went strangely awry. As these memories are recollected gamers must relive these missions.

Assuming the roles of American soldier Sargeant Blackburn and Russian Dima Mayakovsky, gamers must traverse difficult terrain to locate and stop a nuclear threat.

Ranging from the harsh terrain of Iran, Iraq and Azerbaijan to the populated cities of Paris and New York City, gamers are taken on a journey to uncover the truth and stop the Russians. (It seems The Russians are the "in" bad guys. Check out Ace Combat : Assault Horizon)

Now, lets get onto gameplay.

A very simple and easy to use control system enables gamers to run about with little concern. The only problem we had was a poorly designed hand to hand combat system, whereby gamers would have to press designated buttons that flash onto the screen to defeat enemies.

Not only was this amazingly easy, it added little excitement to close combat. And to make things even more disappointing, this is how the campaign mode finishes.

In multi-player, flying a jet is easy, yet the target areas are often too small. Flying a chopper can be a little complicated and disorientating at first yet becomes quite easy.

Despite being a good, solid all round game, we must vent an obvious grievance.

If you are a sniper in a dark room with no sunlight, how the hell does your scope reflect light so that enemies can spot your position. It makes no sense.

Veterans of the Battlefield franchise will note that this game has moved slightly away from it's predecessors and has more of a Call of Duty feel about it.

The maps in BF3 are alot flatter than past games, this is highly noticeable cruising overhead in a fighter jet.

A Co-Op option is available with a few maps to choose from. So team up with a mate and win some extra trophies.

Battlefield 3 has an impressive and vast array of weaponry in what is a first rate, online focused (with a great campaign) first person shooter war game from EA Games.

DICE's award winning game will release four of its greatest maps in the first expansion pack from December, 2011. Strike at Karkand, Wake Island, Gulf of Oman and Sharqi Peninsula will all be re-released as well as new vehicles, weapons and trophies.

Game: Battlefield 3
System: Playstation 3, XBox 360, PC
Developer/Co-Developer: EA Digital Illusions CE
Publisher: Electronic Arts

Rating: 85%

(Ratings Key/Explanation)