themselves , they vary in quality . Some are quite open and allow for a decent amount of freedom in how you approach each skirmish . The inclusion of vehicles and large , sprawling maps to experiment in also makes for a nice departure from what could ’ ve easily been yet another corridor shooter .
Now , on to the multiplayer , which is the most important aspect of Battlefield 1 . It ’ s the true test of the quality of any BF title , and the reason many people will still be playing it for a long time to come . Simply put , if you ’ ve played the previous two games , you ’ ll know exactly what to expect . Despite the WWI dressing , it still feels faithfully familiar , every bit the Battlefield experience fans crave . It ’ s best played in Conquest mode , which sees two teams of 32 players apiece vying for control of key points across enormous warzones . This is Battlefield at its most chaotic , its most grandiose . Most maps feature tanks , planes , and assorted other vehicles ( now including HORSES !) that generate immense panic and destruction . Other familiar game modes make a return too , including team deathmatch and another fanfavourite , Rush . War Pigeons is a really interesting take on capture the flag , in which teams vie to release and suppress messenger pigeons carrying vital artillery coordinates .
Conquest remains enduringly popular , but all of the various modes are huge amounts of fun . If you ’ ve never played Battlefield before , there ’ s no overstating just how lively and frenetic these games are , and BF 1 is no exception . It presents a ferociously frantic slice of simulated war , one that takes place on both a fantastically large scale and in more intimate environments . There really
is no other multiplayer gaming experience quite like it . Buildings and the terrain itself are once again destructible , so by the end of each match , the map looks vastly different to how it did at the start , bruised and battered , ripe with fresh craters and crumbling ruins .
As for the new World War I setting and aesthetic , it ’ s utilised to excellent effect . Sure , it doesn ’ t do much to alter the fundamentals of Battlefield , but it still manages to make the game feel completely novel and gives it a distinct personality . The soldier classes have seen a few change ups that initially take a bit of getting used to , and each one sports a variety of different weapons and gadgets that you ’ ll gradually unlock as you play . You can also swap out your chosen gear for elite soldier kits that periodically spawn on the map , giving you access to some of the
40 The OverClocker Issue 40 | 2017