While Battlefield 2 was an excellent game, Battlefield 3 and Battlefield: Bad Company 2 were arguably the peak of the franchise. These back-to-back hits popularized the excellent Rush game mode, giving Conquest some competition. Both offered strong campaigns and numerous iconic maps, while the version of the Frostbite engine used for them provided a perfect balance between destruction and visual fidelity. Going forward, DICE should seek to bring back these glory days, restoring the Battlefield franchise’s reputation through remasters or similar projects.
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Battlefield 3 and Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Are Viable Options for Remakes
Since EA is finally starting to step further into remake territory with Dead Space, the publisher should consider doing the same with its juggernaut FPS franchise. After all, EA and DICE are clearly aware of the popularity of Battlefield 3 and Bad Company 2, something that is shown with the former’s successful realism mod and the latter’s presence in Battlefield Portal.
Though a Battlefield 3 remaster was rumored to release alongside Battlefield 2042, this never came to pass, with fans stuck playing the original version of the game. Unfortunately, while it still has players, the game being stuck on older consoles significantly limits its audience. Further, though it holds up decently and was stunning at the time, it is lacking a bit visually when compared to modern FPS games. Similarly, Bad Company 2 is a slightly dated game that is also trapped on older consoles, and it deserves to be polished and brought to a whole new audience.
Battlefield 3 and Bad Company 2 Should Inspire New Games
While it would be great to see an upgraded Operation Metro, Rush returning to its former glory, and characters like Haggard in action again, new versions of BF3 and Bad Company 2 would only be a band-aid for the series’ problems. For the series to continue to thrive, DICE has to deliver strong new games as well. When crafting them, it should make sure to evoke feelings of the two beloved entries mentioned above.
To replicate the feelings of these Battlefield games, DICE can focus on a few things. First, traditional singleplayer campaigns with likable characters such as the eponymous Bad Company should be present, and Rush should no longer be an afterthought. Maps like Operation Metro and Damavand Peak were iconic for a reason, as the way that players progressed through them was terrific. A class-based approach should be present from the get-go, avoiding the outrage of Battlefield 2042, and DICE should make sure to balance infantry combat and vehicle combat equally so that all players are satisfied.
One other strength of these games was their approach to DLC. While some changes would obviously be needed in a live service format, as paid map packs are a thing of the past, Battlefield: Vietnam and Battlefield 3’s Close Quarters were excellent expansions with clear themes. With its next Battlefield game, DICE should seek to replicate this, giving each of its Seasons more personality. A Vietnam-themed season with weapons, skins, and maps from that era could be run, as could a Close Quarters-inspired Season with Shotguns, SMGs, and small-scale maps. Battlefield’s recent post-launch support has been lacking in comparison to what Bad Company 2 and Battlefield 3 had, and it is another area to work on. Whether through remasters/remakes or spiritual successors, BF3 and Bad Company 2 should inspire the future of Battlefield.
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