After the loud failure of Battlefield 2042, the developers, now known as Battlefield Studio, faced a tough choice: to try something new again or to listen to the players. Judging by the beta version of Battlefield 6, they finally made the right choice. The test started on August 7 at 10:00 CEST, and despite launch issues, the project shows that the developers are returning to the formula that once made Battlefield unique.

Back to Basics

The main change is a return to a grounded military setting, visually reminiscent of Battlefield Bad Company 2 and Battlefield 4. No futurism or science fiction, just classic realism and atmospheric style. The game looks high-quality: rich details, vibrant landscapes, a natural color palette, all creating a sense of real war.

Map Balance

At the time of the beta test, three maps are available — and they are, without exaggeration, the best-designed in recent years. The developers have addressed one of the main mistakes of 2042: players no longer spend half their time on the road. The maps are more compact, with logical zoning, natural checkpoints, and good verticality.

However, this leads to another issue: the lack of the scale characteristic of Battlefield. Epic battles, where vehicles, infantry, and aircraft fight against the backdrop of vast spaces, are currently absent. The current maps are more like a smart compromise between intensity and convenience. This is a positive for tactical gameplay but a downside for fans of large-scale clashes with hundreds of players and combat vehicles on every meter.

But there is good news: it has already been confirmed that the release will include the massive classic from Battlefield 3 — Operation Firestorm. This should be the first step towards a return to huge arenas with massive destruction, air vehicles, and tank duels. So those who miss the true chaos of "total war" can hope for a worthy addition in the full version of the game.

Shooting and Classes

The gameplay is top-notch. Shooting feels heavy, precise, and satisfying, as in the best parts of the series. A vast arsenal of weapons is already available, and each unit can be customized through a modification system from barrels and sights to grips.

The developers also shared what awaits players upon the game's release. Namely, the class system will become clearer and more strategic. Each class will have its unique advantages, access to specific weapons, and gadgets. For example, Recon is the only one who can fully utilize sniper rifles, and his Aim Spotting ability automatically detects enemies when aiming.

Assault is now more about team play: the passive ability Commanding Presence speeds up point capture, and the new gadget Assault Ladder opens new attack routes. The Deploy Beacon gadget has also been moved to Assault from Recon.

Engineer remains the main anti-vehicle force, Support focuses on support through ammunition and buffs, and Recon is now closer to a stealth scout with the ability to call UAVs. The updated system encourages team interaction and deeper strategic planning.

Troubled Launch

In the first hours after launch, server queues reached 260,000 players. Within two hours, the situation was stabilized, servers were scaled, and wait times significantly reduced. There were also bugs: from sudden crashes after launch to missing textures. You can read more about all the problems in our separate material.

Javelin Anti-Cheat

The new Javelin anti-cheat sparked a wave of criticism not because of its ineffectiveness but due to the requirement for activated Secure Boot. Because of this, some players simply couldn't launch the game until they made changes in the BIOS. For now, it hinders more than it helps, but there is potential.

Rating 8/10

Battlefield 6 is a return to the formula that fans loved since the days of BF3 and BF4. The combat system, map balance, and class work all indicate that the developers truly listened to feedback. But despite all the positives, it lacks the feeling of "great war" that has always been the series' hallmark. If the full version includes large-scale maps and even deeper mechanics, Battlefield has a chance to regain its leadership in the genre.