Summary
For a while there in the late 2000s and early 2010s, theCall of DutyandBattlefieldfranchises were waging a minor war against one another. Two big-budget military shooters,Call of DutyandBattlefieldpushed each other to expand and innovate on the genre in new and exciting ways, resulting in the creation of some of the greatest first-person shooters of all time.
But it’s been a while sinceCall of DutyandBattlefieldwere at each other’s throats. With the disappointing one-two-punch ofBattlefield 5and2042, the franchise suffered a mighty fall from grace, and though it’s not without its own set of issues,Call of Dutyhas managed to seize the opportunity and leaveBattlefieldin the dust. But it’s not lights out forBattlefieldjust yet. The nextBattlefieldentry is on the way, and while there’s already a lot it needs to get right, it could also benefit from finally tapping into one ofCall of Duty’s most successful ideas.
Battlefield Still Needs a Mode Like Call of Duty Zombies
Battlefield Could Use a Horde Mode
Since its introduction all the way back in 2008’sCall of Duty: World at War,Call of Duty’s Zombies modehas been a fairly consistent highlight of each entry it’s appeared in over the years. With a simple premise but engaging and rewarding gameplay loop,Call of Duty: Zombieshas managed to remain accessible but addictive, and it’s the type of mode that the nextBattlefieldshould consider carefully.
One of the biggest criticisms ofBattlefield 2042upon its initial 2021 release date was its lack of content, which became especially prevalent when comparing it to past entries in the series. Only a handful of maps, the removal of the class system, a lackluster set of game modes, and a half-baked albeit promising Portal mode were allBattlefield 2042had at launch. With this being such a prominentissue withBattlefield 2042, fans are going to be expecting much more content in its upcoming successor, and aCall of Duty: Zombies-like horde mode could be just the thing.
While theBattlefieldfranchise has toyed with additional modes likeBattlefield 1’s Operations,Battlefield 5’s Firestorm battle royale, andBattlefield 2042’s aforementioned Portal mode, each one has been overly ambitious and lacked the proper execution needed to make them truly work. So, for the nextBattlefieldentry, it might be best to just go back to basics and deliver a simple but enjoyable horde mode that puts a uniqueBattlefieldspin on theCall of Duty: Zombiesformula.
What a Battlefield Horde Mode Could Look Like
But putting that uniqueBattlefieldspin onCall of Duty: Zombiesis much easier said than done, though some foundations may already have been laid.Battlefield 3offered a handful of cooperative missions, similar toCall of Duty: Modern Warfare 2’s Spec Ops mode. One of these missions – named Operation Exodus – saw players fend off a few waves of enemy attackers from a stationary point, placing defensive gadgets and using various weapons to stay alive. Operation Exodus was essentially aBattlefieldhorde mode, and though it was rather rudimentary, it offers a good basis for any future attempts to make a similar mode.
Battlefield 2042
WHERE TO PLAY
Battlefield 2042 is a first-person shooter that marks the return to the iconic all-out warfare of the franchise. With the help of a cutting-edge arsenal, engage in intense, immersive multiplayer battles.Lead your team to victory in both large all-out warfare and close-quarters combat on maps from the world of 2042 and classic Battlefield titles. Find your playstyle in class-based gameplay and take on several experiences comprising elevated versions of Conquest and Breakthrough. Explore Battlefield Portal, a platform where players can discover, create, and share unexpected battles from Battlefield’s past and present.This game includes optional in-game purchases of virtual currency that can be used to acquire virtual in-game items.
