Highlights
- Battlefield 2042 faced significant criticism upon release due to bugs, large maps, and the abandonment of the class system in favor of Specialists. However, DICE has made significant improvements to the game, addressing fans' complaints and making it worth playing.
- Some key changes include reworking the launch maps, bringing back the class system, and toning down the role of Specialist abilities.
- Players returning should make sure to adjust their FOV and lower aim acceleration to 0. They should also strive to unlock good weapons like the M39 EMR and ACW-R.
Battlefield 2042 was met with plenty of well deserved negativity upon release. A startling amount of bugs, overly large maps that were too big for their own good, and the class system being abandoned in favor of Battlefield’s Specialists proved disastrous for the game. Negative critic and user reviews saw the game quickly falling behind its predecessors in terms of player count, with all signs suggesting that the game was doomed. However, DICE stuck with Battlefield 2042, and the improvements to the game have been immense.
To be clear, Battlefield 2042 will never be the ideal Battlefield game for many longtime fans of the franchise; the lack of large-scale destruction and a campaign, as well as the mere existence of specialists, ensures that. Still, there is no denying that it has come a long way. Just like fellow DICE games Star Wars Battlefront 2 and Battlefield 4, 2042 has addressed fans’ biggest criticisms and become a game worth playing. For those looking to return to the FPS, or try it for the first time, it is worth keeping a few things in mind.
How Battlefield 2042 Has Changed Since Launch
Alongside the expected bug fixes that have made Battlefield 2042’s gameplay more stable, DICE has addressed the two key complaints fans had about the title. First, the studio has reworked the launch maps of Battlefield 2042 one-by-one. This includes layout adjustments like cover and the restructuring of certain play spaces to make for a smoother match flow. Additionally, post-launch maps have been intentionally smaller, which was what fans were looking for. The other major change is the return of the class system, meaning that longtime Battlefield fans will be able to enjoy traditional Recon, Engineer, Support, and Assault gameplay. While Specialist abilities still exist, their role has been noticeably toned down.
Important Settings to Adjust For Battlefield 2042
Before players pick their class and hop into Battlefield 2042’s improved maps, they will want to adjust a few settings. First, as is the case with other FPS games, FOV is an important setting to raise up. While moving it up to somewhere between 90 and 100 will hurt immersion slightly, as players who look down at their legs will instead find an awkwardly placed body, it provides a clearer look at all the action and can help those who struggle with default first-person cameras. In addition to FOV, ADS FOV should be turned on if it is not set by default, as the consistency will help with aiming and recoil control.
Speaking of aiming, players may find some weapon sway when trying to quickly snap to targets. While this may make aiming Battlefield 2042’s weapons feel more realistic due to the extra weightiness, it can negatively impact players’ performance - especially on console. Turning this setting down to 0 will make aiming feel like it does in Battlefield 4, which will surely be ideal for most players. Other settings to consider adjusting are reticle colors, as this can help players who struggle to see enemies, and button layouts. Spotting may feel more natural on a different bumper, and the same could be said for grenades.
Weapons to Work Toward in Battlefield 2042
While Battlefield 2042 has some weapons to avoid like the AKS-74u and the VCAR, there are many to unlock and use as soon as possible. For close-range players, the PP-29 is an ideal weapon. Long-range Battlefield fans should equip the M39 DMR due to its impressive rate of fire and high damage, while players looking for something in between can use the ACW-R. The NTW-50 is an ideal Sniper Rifle, while LMG users cannot do much better than the LCMG. This machine gun, as well as the DM7, are some of the best starter weapons available to players.
Lastly, newcomers and those that have not played Battlefield in some time should keep one thing in mind above all others: play the objective. Unlike games such as Call of Duty, where it can be easy to prioritize kill/death ratios over winning, having fun in Battlefield comes down to fighting for victory. Players will have far less fun if a push is stalled and they are being trapped in their spawn, or pushed back into it, so striving to capture points and blow up M-COMs is a must. If players are on Support, they should revive and toss ammo, while Recons should spot foes and Engineers should repair and destroy vehicles. If players keep the objective in mind, they should be ideal teammates within Battlefield 2042.
Battlefield 2042 is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.
