Battlefield 4 Review: Multiplayer Triumph, Campaign Letdown

Battlefield 4 is a loud, fast, and often brilliant multiplayer shooter that stumbles badly when it tries to be more than that. Released in 2013 for PS3, PS4, PC, and Xbox 360, it remains one of the best online shooters ever made, even as its campaign mode struggles to keep up. The numbers are simple: 8 out of 10.

Trailer, via Battlefield.

The Numbers Behind Battlefield 4

The game sold millions of copies across all four platforms, and its multiplayer servers remain crowded years after launch. That success is easy to understand once you see it in action. The campaign, not so much.

Rush and Conquest on the Water

The core multiplayer modes are where Battlefield 4 shines brightest. Rush and Conquest return, and they feel better than ever. Rush puts two teams against each other on a smaller map, with one side trying to plant explosives on enemy positions while the other defends them. Conquest turns into a full-scale war of flags across larger maps, with vehicles rolling in from every direction.

The addition of water vehicles changes the dynamic. Jetskis, speedboats, and submarines let players move across open water with real momentum, and the game handles the transition between land and sea with surprising grace. Players can jump off a jet ski mid-race, hit the water, and swim toward a submarine without losing their rhythm. It feels natural, which is more than can be said for most games that try this.

The result is a sense of scale that few other shooters can match. Large battles with dozens of players, combined with vehicles, explosions, and a steady stream of reinforcements, create a chaotic spectacle that is genuinely thrilling to watch and play. The game rewards aggression and teamwork in equal measure, and the best matches feel like coordinated chaos rather than a series of scripted events.

The Campaign’s Flaws

The campaign is where Battlefield 4 falters. It is a linear, mission-based story set in a fictional conflict in China, and it is largely forgettable. The plot centers on a group of soldiers who must stop a coup and restore order, and it leans heavily on over-the-top action sequences rather than character development. The dialogue is wooden, and the pacing suffers from a lack of variety between firefights.

The game attempts to make the campaign more cinematic by adding cutscenes and scripted events, but these moments often break the flow of gameplay. One mission features a helicopter chase through a city, complete with enemy troops firing from rooftops and vehicles, and it is tense in the moment. However, the constant interruptions mean that players rarely get a chance to breathe or enjoy the scenery.

The campaign also suffers from technical issues that were present at launch. Pop-in, framerate drops, and occasional crashes mar an experience that should have been smoother. These problems were addressed through patches over time, but they still leave a mark on the final product.

Firestorm and Paratrooper

Two new modes deserve special mention. Firestorm is a last-man-standing game that drops players onto an island and forces them to fight their way toward a shrinking safe zone. The twist is that the zone moves and shrinks constantly, and the game adds weather effects like lightning storms to shake up the battlefield. It is chaotic, brutal, and endlessly entertaining.

Paratrooper is a mode where players parachute into a battlefield, spawn randomly, and fight to control key objectives. It is less structured than the main modes, and that looseness is part of its appeal. The mode rewards quick thinking and improvisation, and it is a great way to unwind after a long session of more serious play.

These modes are not essential, but they add replay value that the campaign cannot match. They are pure multiplayer fun, and they show what Battlefield 4 can do when it is allowed to be itself.

The Sound of Battle

The audio design deserves credit. Battlefield 4 has some of the best sound effects in any shooter, with explosions that shake the ground, gunfire that rings in the ears, and the roar of engines that fill the air. The game also supports surround sound setups, and players who invest in quality headsets can hear enemies approaching from behind with surprising accuracy.

The music is more mixed. The score is competent but unremarkable, and it tends to fade into the background during combat. The game also includes licensed tracks from artists like Skrillex and Deadmau5, which appear during certain menus and loading screens. Some players love these tracks, while others find them distracting. The audio is a strength, but it is not the defining feature of the game.

Performance Across Platforms

The game runs at different levels on each platform, and the differences are noticeable. The PS3 version, for example, runs at a lower frame rate and resolution compared to the PS4 version. The PC version offers the best performance, with high frame rates and support for custom settings. The Xbox 360 version sits somewhere in between.

These differences matter for multiplayer, where the pace of play can be affected by lag and input delay. Players on the same network can have very different experiences depending on which console they are using. This is a problem that could have been avoided with better optimization, but it is a fact of life for anyone playing Battlefield 4 on multiple systems.

The Verdict on Battlefield 4

Battlefield 4 is a flawed masterpiece. Its multiplayer is a triumph of design, and its campaign is a missed opportunity. The game is at its best when players are working together to capture objectives, call in artillery strikes, and coordinate attacks. It is at its worst when the campaign drags or the technical issues rear their head.

The multiplayer modes are the reason to buy Battlefield 4, and they remain some of the best in the genre. The campaign is a letdown, but it is a small part of a much larger package. The game is worth playing for anyone who enjoys large-scale battles and coordinated teamwork, and it holds up well against competitors.

The score reflects this split. Battlefield 4 earns an 8 out of 10, a solid mark for a game that delivers so much in one area while falling short in another. It is a game that will be remembered for its multiplayer for years to come, even if its campaign is forgotten.

Battlefield 4 · campaign · game review · multiplayer · shooter