Battlefield 1 Review

Jake Scherer, Guest Writer

Battlefield 1 is the newest contribution to the Battlefield video game series, mixing the tragic setting of World War 1 with the intense chaos of the series. While the series has always lacked a solid single player story, Battlefield 1 breaks this mold by telling the fictional yet emotional stories of different soldiers during World War I. This game also continues its reputation as a great first person shooter (shooting bad guys while experiencing everything through the character’s eyes), blending beautifully with the classic theme of World War I. Battlefield 1 also introduces new elements to the gameplay and new game modes, amping the savagery and grit of war. Battlefield 1 is a beautifully made game, introducing new elements while touching up on older problems.

Battlefield 1’s new single player story shows tragic yet fictional events that humanize the Great War. One of the most powerful moments in the campaign occurs in the opening mission where players assume the roles of some Harlem Hellfighters, an all black regiment that fought on the Western Front. In this mission, players are tasked with repelling a German assault. However, players soon realize that they aren’t expected to survive, as they will be quickly overwhelmed and killed. Despite the clear indication that death was a constant, other stories show the victories, losses, and sacrifices that soldiers of the different fronts made for their nations. A major flaw with the single player campaign is that players do not get to experience an Axis point of view, a relatively untouched perspective in the gaming world.

Despite the awe inspiring campaign, Battlefield 1 continues the series’ trend of large scale cinematic battles. Battlefield has always had a reputation for being a great shooter on the market, with Battlefield 1 being no exception. The classic weaponry, vehicles and settings of World War I help to amplify the charm of the series. New game modes also add to the realism, such as Operations a game mode which allows players to either attack or defend a series of trench lines. New game modes, alluring graphics, and the setting help increase the sense of chaos the Battlefield series is known for.

Battlefield 1 is a stunning game, which adds new elements while enhancing previous mechanics. Battlefield 1 has effectively managed to capture the tragedy of World War I and humanize the war in a single player campaign. The enlightening campaign however, is only topped by the beautifully done multiplayer. The multiplayer experience helps incorporate World War I into Battlefield beautifully. Bringing players the classic mix of Battlefield and World War I has enhanced Battlefield 1 for the better and is a must have first person shooter.