Battlefield games are not just another series in a sea of first-person shooters. Battlefield’s ability to fully immerse us in historical events no matter when they take place, past, alternate history, or future, really makes it stand out. In addition to this, the game’s more cooperative nature distinguishes it from other shooter games. Killing the opposition isn’t the only focus of the game, but you must also hold specific control points on the map. Can you list the 14 main Battlefield games in order of their release? In case you can’t, don’t worry, that’s what we’re here for! Our list serves as a tribute to Battlefield’s caliber. Hopefully, it’ll also serve as an inspiration to reminisce on some of your favorite Battlefield games in order. So, if you’d like to learn more, here’s the 4-1-1!
What makes the Battlefield Series so unique?
Unlike its predecessors in the FPS genre, Battlefield 1942 was actually one of the first mainstream games to present the change in FPS gameplay. Instead of standard individualism, the Battlefield series works to promote teamwork and coordination.
The Battlefield games focus on huge, online multiplayer battles with soldiers, airplanes, tanks, and other vehicles. Furthermore, playing in squads has become a huge part of the game. Meaning, it might not be as fun for those who prefer to fly solo.
Starting with Battlefield 2, the series records the players’ online stats, allowing them to get rank promotions, weapons, and awards like pins, ribbons, and medals.
All Battlefield games in order have a class system where each class features different primary weapons along with equipment, thus differentiating the players’ roles on the battlefield. Additionally, all Battlefield games let you engage others in melee combat with a knife.
In terms of the engine, DICE’s introduction of Frostbite was definitely spot on. Remember those huge, dramatic explosions featured in most Battlefield games? All of them were made using the said engine. Frostbite, or more precisely, an upgraded version of the engine is also featured in Medal of Honor’s multiplayer, making it the first non-Battlefield game to run on Frostbite. How cool is that?
Now, maps that are almost fully destructible have become sort of a Battlefield trademark. While we’re on the subject of destruction, Battlefield 2042, the newest entry to the series boasts some of the most intense destruction in Battlefield yet. But we’ll get to that later.
A look at all main Battlefield Games in order of Release
Even since the first Battlefield game came out, the series has been very consistent in delivering impressive content. The frenzy of battle, action-filled gameplay, and exciting features are the core of all Battlefield games in order, and it’s nothing less than amazing.
To honor the series in our own little way, we’ve decided to compile a list of the main 14 Battlefield games in order of their release date. Enjoy!
Battlefield 1942 (2002)
Battlefield 1942, the game that started it all, is a first-person shooter, team-based action game that lets you experience the heat of battle. What’s more, you assume the role of one of the five infantry classes in Battlefield 1942: Assault, Anti-Tank, Scout, Engineer, and Medic.
Here, you perform many heroic deeds like storming the beaches of Normandy and piloting a plane during the famous Battle of Midway. With 35 machines of war under your control, there’s not much you can’t do.
Battlefield Vietnam (2004)
For the purpose of this game, the Battlefield Universe takes you to the jungle in the midst of the Vietnam War. You’ll find that the play-by-play objective is not much different than the one in Battlefield 1942, which is pretty neat. Right from the get-go, you’ll notice that the new interface menu is a bit more stylized than 1942’s menu.
Additionally, you also find that there’s no shortage of new and exciting features, such as punji stick traps, and the AK47 assault rifle. On top of that, there’s no single-player campaign mode here – only instant battle. In other words, Battlefield Vietnam is pretty much perfect for multiplayer.
Battlefield 2 (2005)
Battlefield 2 allows you to choose one of the three military superpowers to fight for: the US, China, or the Middle East Coalition. Your main objective in Battlefield 2 is to reduce the other teams’ tickets. The teams have a limited supply, and each battlefield casualty dwindles down the number of tickets available.
Join over a 100 players in one of the largest online PC battles in this immense, detailed, and destructible environment. Furthermore, the newest edition to the Battlefield series presents a new game engine, and physics system, bringing the game to life.
Battlefield 2142 (2006)
Battlefield 2142’s frozen tundra of future earth is a very noteworthy addition to the franchise. 2142 features an unlock system that allows you to pick a new unlock every time you achieve a new rank, instead of forcing you to buy new items.
Imagine a well-produced Battlefield 2 mod with balanced weapons and kits – it’s all that and more. On the other hand, there’s no frenzy which usually comes hand in hand with Battlefield, but Battlefield 2142 is still very enjoyable.
Battlefield: Bad Company (2008)
You’ve always had a backup option of retreating behind a sandbag or a wall during other games. Well, not in Battlefield: Bad Company. Everything is easily torn down and nowhere is safe.
Not only is Bad Company the first story-based game in the Battlefield series, but it’s also the first one to use the Frostbite engine. That’s not even the best part! Thanks to the new engine development, you can destroy around 90% of the environment, including vegetation, buildings, vehicles, and other players.
Battlefield: Bad Company
Source: https://youtu.be/GYtBaowd_m0
Battlefield Heroes (2009)
Battlefield Heroes seeks to reconcile the addictiveness of microtransaction-based games like Maple Story with the fast-paced gameplay of the Battlefield franchise. The game really starts to shine when the combatants collaborate.
When you find yourself in need, someone will activate their Battlefield Medicine ability beside you, or the first man on the Bf-109 will wait until you hop on the wing before take-off. Basically, Battlefield Heroes works best when everyone works together like a well-oiled machine.
Battlefield 1943 (2009)
This benchmark for digital titles might not have a lot of content, but it’s Battlefield material through and through. Thanks to Frostbite, DICE sharpened up map-making abilities and adapted Wake Island, Iwo Jima, and Guadalcanal maps.
Some terrain elevations were performed as the long sightlines gave snipers too great of an advantage. Battlefield 1943 isn’t really all that innovative in terms of gameplay, but it’s still a fun and streamlined multiplayer shooter.
Battlefield: Bad Company 2 (2010)
Frankly speaking, Battlefield: Bad Company 2 is a pleasant surprise. For most of the story, you play Preston Marlowe, a member of the “Bad Company”, the only exception to that being the first mission.
Twelve years after its release, it still proves that a Battlefield experience isn’t defined by spectacles, but by the few memorable moments which pull you in. From its slippery maps to its destructible buildings and explosions (courtesy of the Frostbite engine), it’s a one-of-a-kind experience.
Battlefield 3 (2011)
One might say Battlefield 3 suffers from an identity crisis. While it definitely delivers in terms of multiplayer, its single-player campaign almost feels like you’re playing a different game.
Having that in mind, the game’s rewards and progression will have you coming over and over again. Adding missiles to an Anti-Aircraft Tank, changing camouflage, there are always new toys to play with. That is if you can earn them, of course.
Battlefield 4 (2013)
While it might seem like DICE’s extremely ambitious pet project, Battlefield 4 still delivers. Battlefield 1942’s defining DNA is there, of course, alongside the re-adopted Battlefield 2 Commander mode.
Combined with the exaggerated destruction, Battlefield 4 also features standard unpredictable, competitive combat, as two 32 player teams try to adjust to changing environmental conditions.
Battlefield Hardline (2015)
Stepping out of its box, Battlefield Hardline places you in the shoes of Miami vice detective, Nick Mendoza. He attempts to uncover who is behind the new turf war between the city’s major drug gangs.
The 10 episode story spans over several years, taking you from Miami to L.A, then to Nevada and back. Aside from an improvement in stealth mechanics, the game also features non-lethal takedowns, the biggest departure from the previous Battlefield games.
Battlefield 1 (2016)
Considering how innovative it is, many of us didn’t get much rest since the Battlefield 1 release date. What we have here is a WWI anthology, stories of different men and women throughout WWI. These tales are incredibly well-written, with some characters desperate to survive, some seeking redemption, and some mounting a resistance.
This game has you take a step back from the classic shooter doctrine. Furthermore, the first chapter “Mud and Blood” is an exercise in avoidance and stealth, as it is a combat shooter. Just depends on which way you choose to play.
Battlefield V (2018)
Although Battlefield V is an addictive shooter with bold changes to the classic Battlefield gunplay, some might argue that it came out long before it was ready.
For instance, there’s a lack of variety in the single-player campaign. Problems start popping up when you play anything other than Conquest on some maps.The game is decent, with bugs that could have been avoided, but it still has its moments.
Battlefield 2042 (2021)
Last but not least, Battlefield 2042 further cements DICE’s title as king of military shenanigans way more than Battlefield V ever did.
In Battlefield 2042, DICE ditches single-player campaigns in favor of focusing on two main aspects of the Battlefield series – scale and objective-based multiplayer. A 64-player game now welcomes 128 players, accompanied by bigger maps, only adding to Battlefield’s legacy of crushing technical boundaries.
Battlefield Isn’t Going Anywhere
Remember that these are only the 14 main games without counting the extensions. Having that in mind, it’s safe to say the Battlefield series isn’t going anywhere. All in all, the Battlefield franchise is one of the rare series which has consistently put out decent content. Although decent might be an understatement.
If you need further convincing, Battlefield 2042’s daily player count equals 18,343. Furthermore, the Battlefield series provided us with hours and hours of quality content for completionists. There lies the proof of the pudding for Battlefield’s popularity and success, even after so many new editions.
