Summary
It is fair to say that the next installment to theBattlefieldfranchise has a lot riding on it, especially with the controversy that surroundedBattlefield 2042after it launched. While2042has done a lot recently in terms of adding a wide range of new content for players to enjoy, the game still possesses some issues that the next franchise project should learn from.
While it is unknown what kind of setting the nextBattlefieldproject will adopt, there are a lot of widely applicable gameplay elements that2042got wrong that run the risk of being repeated. Although seemingly innocuous, the cosmetics of2042have been considered by many as over the top and contrary to the classicBattlefieldfeel, and this is something the next release needs to avoid entirely to put the IP back on the right course.
The Next Battlefield Game Should Lean Into the Gritty Cosmetics of Past Titles
Battlefieldhas always thrived through its ability to offer huge online experiencesthat encompass the full breadth of warfare, with ground, tank, air, and even naval battles often occurring simultaneously. This has always allowed the franchise to market itself as a more immersive and realistic FPS compared to other giants of the genre likeCall of Duty, which usually focus on more fast-paced small-scale gameplay.
Battlefieldhas always paid a lot of respect to the esthetics of its playable factions and camos, often pulling from real-world inspiration in its titles that are set within historical conflicts. For example, all the Recon soldiers inBattlefield 3looked the same apart from some color swaps, and the same could be said for the other classes. This not only made it easy to recognize what class players were engaging with, but every soldier had a serious military vibe. This is something that has slipped with more recent installments to the IP, withBattlefield 5famously attracting a lot of negative attentionpartly due to the creative liberties it took with wacky cosmetics of World War 2-era soldiers in its promotional material.
More recently,Battlefield 2042has taken this a step further, although its fictional futuristic setting has made its eccentric cosmetics more passable in the eyes of some fans. Despite this, the foundations ofBattlefieldwere founded on a dedication to gritty realism, at least in the appearance of its warring factions, and a return to this would do a world of good for the next franchise release.
A Change in Battlefield Cosmetics Could Create an Advantage Over Call of Duty
Regardless of what time period the nextBattlefieldgame is set in, giving each faction its own distinct but grounded aesthetic would do wonders for giving the game a greater sense of identity. It is also worth noting that these criticisms are being echoed to an even greater level inCall of Duty, with recentoperator skins featuring the likes of Nicki Minaj and 21 Savagecompletely pulling any sense of realism from the IP.
While a return to groundedBattlefieldcosmetics would be welcomed by many fans, the monetary value of more eccentric in-game premium items may overpower this going forward.
It is no secret thatBattlefieldhas always had to struggle against the huge presence ofCall of Duty, and the former should use everything at its disposal to gain an edge over the latter. Camos and character skins can still be appealing and eye-catching while remaining grounded, and using this as the core tenet ofBattlefield’s future cosmetic approach would be a huge boost. The current state of the franchise’s cosmetics is clearly alienating large portions of its player base, and a return to basics would also be a return to form going forward.
