Yet, the beta also revealed glaring weaknesses, particularly in areas that have historically defined the series. Vehicle gameplay feels stripped down and lackluster, a far cry from the thrilling and responsive vehicle combat of Battlefield 3 and Battlefield 4. The selection of vehicles is extremely limited, and air combat is especially disappointing. Flight controls feel clunky and unresponsive, removing much of the excitement that comes with piloting helicopters or jets. Vehicle gameplay used to be one of Battlefield’s defining strengths, but here it feels like an afterthought. We should also mention the insistence on open weapons. For the beta, it seems to be not of a problem, yet we fear players will optimize the fun out of it. Classes should preserve their identities instead of being a vehicle for the meta weapon.
Map design is an even bigger issue. Instead of creating memorable experiences the beta maps are uninspired and repetitive. These maps are no Damavand Peak. Siege of Cairo and Iberian Offensive are both examples of poor design. They suffer from streets and alleyways that look nearly identical, making navigation tedious and visually uninteresting. There is also a lack of meaningful destruction elements. In older titles, buildings collapsing or walls crumbling would dynamically reshape firefights, creating evolving battlefields that rewarded tactical thinking. We understand that was not the case in all maps. Still, the vertical slice the beta offered is concerning. Beta maps feel static, offering little meaningful change in layout or gameplay. They quickly become predictable and boring. Although atmospheric and pretty, destruction revolves around destroying walls that act as a cover.
Liberation Peak highlights another major problem: scale. The map is simply too small for meaningful vehicle or air combat. Jets and helicopters feel completely out of place when all engagements are happening in tight, close-quarters firefights. Combined with lackluster vehicle system, they are simply not a threat outside of tanks. I cannot remember a single time during both beta weekends that I was killed by an aerial vehicle. I did not bother to engage as they were not a threat. There are no large distances to traverse or wide-open spaces that allow for combined-arms gameplay, and as a result, matches feel repetitive. For a series known for massive, sprawling battlefields, this is a concerning departure.
What makes these shortcomings worse is that recent leaks suggest the situation may not improve for the full release. Even the “large” maps teased ahead of launch appear smaller than those in Battlefield 3 and Battlefield 4, and early footage shows environments that are similarly bland and uninspired. For a franchise trying to reclaim its legacy, this is a troubling direction.
EA and Battlefield Studios have a crucial opportunity on their hands. Battlefield 6 shows flashes of brilliance and proves the team can still create a polished and exciting shooter. Its gunplay, class system, and overall performance are reasons for optimism. But these positives alone won’t bring Battlefield back to its glory days. The franchise has always thrived on its scale, ambition, and the interplay of infantry and vehicles. Without rethinking vehicle gameplay, map design, and destruction mechanics, Battlefield 6 risks alienating the very fans it hopes to win back. There is still time to turn this around, but only if the developers take community feedback seriously. Battlefield 6 could be the long-awaited return to form, or another missed opportunity that fails to capture what made the series iconic. We at RertroPalmetto suggest you wait for a discount that will give time to developers to implement some of the feedback.
Remember, no pre-order!
