Battlefield Veterans Are Up in Arms About BF6’s Maps, But I Think They’re Perfect

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The beta for Battlefield 6 has seen a significant number of players, yet browsing the Battlefield subreddit may give one the impression that the game is widely disliked and in disarray. While it’s important to offer constructive criticism during a beta, many complaints seem to exaggerate minor issues (such as difficulty identifying class icons) or express anger over anything slightly reminiscent of Call of Duty. The user interface and maps are often cited as areas for improvement, with some claiming that Battlefield 6 feels more like Modern Warfare 2019’s Ground War than traditional Call of Duty gameplay – a viewpoint I find hard to share.

In simpler terms, the maps for Battlefield 6 seem reminiscent of those in my favorite game, Battlefield 3. Just like Battlefield 3, the maps in this beta have a similar scale, with close-quarters buildings like Sienne Crossing and Grand Bazaar, as well as iconic passages such as Operation Metro. Back then, when I wasn’t online as much as I am now, there was a lot of uproar from Battlefield 2 fans who didn’t like the smaller maps, reduced vehicle usage, and faster gameplay in Battlefield 3, claiming it was too similar to Call of Duty. It seems history is repeating itself with Battlefield 6, as fans are once again expressing immediate reactions to anything that resembles popular features from the biggest first-person shooter series in gaming. Personally, I’m really enjoying the game.

It seems that my fondness for both Battlefield and Call of Duty franchises, along with my frequent gameplay, might be the reason why I don’t view Battlefield 6 as a game similar to Call of Duty. The sliding feature, which some in the community have criticized, appears to move quite slowly and is unlike Black Ops 6’s omnimovement. In fact, I haven’t noticed many players effectively utilizing the slide, whereas I’ve often seen players bunnyhopping for an advantage in gunfights, a tactic reminiscent of Battlefield 3. The movement feels substantial, destruction is impressive, and classes maintain distinct identities despite open weapon options – all aspects that reflect my idea of what a contemporary Battlefield game should play and look like. This even extends to the supposedly Call of Duty-like maps, and I believe the outraged players may be misinterpreting the situation.

Battlefield 6’s Beta Maps Are Just a Taste of What’s to Come

To begin with, it’s important to mention that the beta version of Battlefield 6 currently showcases only three (with four upcoming) out of the nine locations available at the game’s release. Although the other six aren’t included in the beta, the official Battlefield 6 website indicates that there will be three significant maps in the main game: the reappearing Operation Firestorm, New Sobek City, and Kundara Valley. Some players might argue that having just three large maps is insufficient, with the rest being smaller or medium-sized. However, comparing this to Battlefield 3’s launch lineup provides a clearer picture. At its release, Battlefield 3 offered the following maps:

  • Caspian Border – Large
  • Damavand Peak – Medium
  • Grand Bazaar – Small
  • Kharg Island – Large
  • Norshar Canals – Medium
  • Operation Firestorm – Large
  • Operation Metro – Small
  • Seine Crossing – Small
  • Tehran Highway – Medium

Despite some players expressing concerns about the map sizes in Battlefield 6, it’s important to note that large maps are not a novelty for the series. Many fans still consider the best game in the franchise, released with an equal number of expansive maps at launch, to be a standout title despite its emphasis on infantry combat – a focus that seems to carry over to Battlefield 6. While there is merit to criticisms about the beta not showcasing at least one large map, it’s misleading to suggest that Battlefield 6 will only offer chaotic “Call of Duty-like” maps upon release. In fact, I wouldn’t join in the complaints even if Battlefield 6 did end up featuring such maps.

Though vehicles are an integral aspect of the Battlefield series, they’re not necessarily what I cherish the most about it. Don’t get me wrong, moments like Rendezooks and detonating C4-laden jeeps into tanks are thrilling, but I seldom participate in such activities myself. Instead, I often engage in infantry gameplay, such as sniping, capturing objectives, or even taking down vehicles on foot. The infantry gameplay is what truly resonates with me, and the compact maps from Battlefield 3? They were my absolute favorites. Racing through the Grand Bazaar, battling for control of bridges in Sienne Crossing, and darting to avoid grenades during revives in Operation Metro are some of my most memorable experiences from that game. Given this, it’s no surprise that I favored the more chaotic Close Quarters expansion over the slower-paced Armored Kill in Battlefield 3.

A significant part of my fondness for compact Battlefield maps and infantry-focused gameplay stems from my preference towards specific game modes as well. While Conquest is undoubtedly the signature mode for Battlefield, I’ve always found it less appealing compared to Rush (and later on, Operations). In my opinion, medium and smaller maps enhance the Rush experience more effectively, so I am eagerly anticipating a satisfying Rush experience in BF6, especially on the same maps showcased during the beta.

For those who favor expansive maps, I can understand why the current map selection might seem underwhelming. However, after the overly large and empty battlefields in Battlefield 2042, it’s a nice change to see maps that feel reminiscent of earlier Battlefield entries.

Battlefield 6’s Structure is a Secret Weapon

Two significant aspects to take note of regarding the maps in Battlefield 6 are its seasonal updates and the feature known as Portal. Whether you’re a fan or not, it’s important to know that Battlefield 6 will be a live-service game, which means new official maps will be rolled out periodically to keep players interested. Given that Battlefield 6 appears to be well in development, its launch could potentially go more smoothly compared to previous releases like Battlefield 2042, resulting in fresh content being added quicker this time around – a positive change for gamers. Moreover, if the game seems sparse of large-scale experiences upon its release, DICE (the developer) can prioritize those elements during the initial seasons.

Regarding Portal in Battlefield 6, the utilization of Godot’s tools allows creative players to customize maps extensively, expanding combat areas by shifting or eliminating specific elements. Considering this innovative feature and the game’s seasonal format that welcomes player feedback, fans of the classic Battlefield series from the BF2 era who yearn for expansive maps like Karkand will find satisfaction in one way or another. Given this, it appears there’s not much to complain about the beta maps since a significant portion remains unseen, and what is available caters well to infantry-focused Battlefield enthusiasts such as myself. To ensure the franchise’s longevity, it’s crucial that it appeals to various player types, so hopefully the final release offers an appealing experience for fans of grand battlefields. As a longtime Battlefield veteran, I am already excited for more gameplay.

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2025-08-10 02:48