Battlefield 3 Review

Credits: Image Source - EA Store

Battlefield 3 is a first-person shooter developed by DICE and published by Electronic Arts. The story follows Sergeant Blackburn as he recounts events from a global mission involving terrorism and tensions between the U.S. and Iran.

What is the main story and how does it develop?

The story follows Sergeant Henry "Black" Blackburn, a U.S. Marine, as he leads a squad on missions across the Middle East and Europe to thwart a global terrorist threat. The narrative revolves around an organization called the PLR (People's Liberation and Resistance Army) and the search for three missing nuclear bombs.

How does the plot address contemporary themes such as war, politics, and morality?

The plot tackles contemporary themes, such as:

• Modern Warfare: It portrays the chaotic nature of urban conflict, highlighting the challenges faced by soldiers and the consequences of decisions made in the field.

• Geopolitical Conflicts: It explores tensions between countries, terrorism, and instability in the Middle East, reflecting on military interventions.

• Morality and Ethics: It confronts players with moral dilemmas, raising questions about right and wrong in extreme situations and their emotional consequences.

• Social Critique: It encourages reflection on war policies and their ethical implications, providing a deeper understanding of modern conflicts.

Is the focus of the game more on the campaign or multiplayer mode?

The game primarily focuses on multiplayer, which is the major highlight. Although the campaign mode is present, offering a single-player experience with an engaging cinematic narrative, it is relatively short compared to multiplayer.

Multiplayer is the strong point, featuring large maps, massive battles, and support for up to 64 players on PC platforms, with a wide range of game modes like Conquest, Rush, and Team Deathmatch. 

The use of vehicles, team tactics, and environmental destruction makes multiplayer very dynamic and varied.

Is the destruction system present?

Yes, the destruction system is present in Battlefield 3, although it is not as advanced as in later titles in the franchise. 

The game utilizes the Frostbite 2 engine, allowing walls, structures, and other objects to be destroyed during combat.

Credits: Image Source - EA Store

How does the graphic performance compare to other games of its time?

The game was considered one of the most graphically advanced titles of its time. It brought significant improvements in lighting, textures, and particle effects such as smoke, fire, and environmental destruction. 

Compared to other games released in 2011, it stood out for its visual realism, especially on PCs with higher configurations, where it could be played at higher resolutions and with greater detail.

Does the title still receive updates or support from the developer?

No, the game no longer receives updates or active support from the developer. Although the game received post-launch support with patches and DLCs, the developer's focus has shifted to more recent titles in the franchise.

Are there cross-play options or only platform-specific matches?

There is no support for cross-play between different platforms. Matches are restricted to players on the same platform, such as PC, PlayStation, or Xbox. This means players cannot join friends playing on different systems.

Does the soundtrack and sound effects contribute to immersion?

The soundtrack consists of orchestral themes that intensify tension and action during battles, creating an epic and immersive atmosphere. Moments of silence are equally impactful, heightening anticipation and suspense in critical situations.

Credits: Image Source - EA Store

What is the game's difficulty level and are there options to adjust it?

There are three difficulty options available in the campaign:

• Easy: For those seeking a more relaxed experience, with less aggressive enemies and more ammunition available.

• Normal: A balance between challenge and accessibility, suitable for most players.

• Hard: For those looking for a significant challenge, with smarter and more aggressive enemies.

What is the average duration of the campaign and how does it compare to other titles in the franchise?

According to HowLongToBeat, the campaign takes about 6 hours to complete and 12 hours for side missions. I spent around 10 hours finishing the game.

Does the title include post-launch content, such as DLCs or expansions that add new experiences to the game?

Yes, the game has DLCs that add new experiences. Some of the main additional content includes:

• Back to Karkand: An expansion that brings back classic maps from the series, redesigned with updated graphics and new features.

• Close Quarters: Focuses on combat in urban and confined environments, introducing new weapons and game modes.

• Armored Kill: Introduces large combat maps with an emphasis on vehicles, offering new gameplay experiences in large-scale battles.

The game does not have any DLC that expands the main campaign, as all expansions are exclusively for multiplayer mode.

Conclusion.

Battlefield 3 is a game that certainly evokes nostalgia for many players. The game features a relatively average-length campaign. As for its multiplayer mode, I cannot comment much as I played it only a few times.

Regarding new players who have never experienced any title in the franchise, I can affirm that the campaign of Battlefield 3, with its level of detail in references and narrative, makes the game a unique and very enjoyable experience.

If you're interested in watching any part of the game, I'll leave my complete playlist on YouTube here.