Battlefield 2042 Reviews Share Early PC Impressions Round Up 1

Battlefield 2042 is out tomorrow for PlayStation 5 and PS4 if you've picked up either the Gold or Ultimate Edition, but it looks like select outlets have gotten their hands on the online FPS early via PC code. Today they've been allowed to post reviews based on those few days of playtime. This opportunity wasn't handed to us since we'll be playing the game on PS5 for review, meaning we'll gain access alongside everyone else tomorrow. However, since you can hand over money for the title within the next 24 hours, we thought it right to share those impressions with you.

Since we'll begin our PS5 review process tomorrow, the Push Square verdict won't hit the site for some time. We plan on investing many hours into all three modes before coming to a conclusion and also judging how the game's general launch is handled. As such, don't expect our review to be published until roughly 19th November 2021, which is the release date of the standard version.

Listed below are Battlefield 2042 reviews based on the PC version. For more information on how you can start playing tomorrow, check out our Battlefield 2042 Release Dates: How to Play Early guide.

EGM - 10/10

Battlefield 2042 brings the sandbox back to the series in bold and controversial ways. The new Specialist system might seem like sacrilege at first, but it opens up gameplay opportunities that weren’t possible in previous titles. The massive, well-designed maps offer plenty of room for experimentation and emergent stories, and the modes are a blast. And that’s just All-Out Warfare. Between that, Hazard Zone, and the expansive Battlefield Portal, Battlefield 2042 has something for everyone, without feeling like it’s stretched too thin. It’s a true evolution of the series, one that pushes back against a stagnation that threatened the series’ future. It won’t be for everyone, but for players who crave imagination and fun from their Battlefields, it will give them everything that they crave and more.

Press Start Australia - 8.5/10

It’s not without its issues, but Battlefield 2042 is off to a fantastic start for DICE’s beloved series. All-Out Warfare modes are immersive, Hazard Zone is enjoyable while Battlefield Portal steals the show. There’s a lot to love here, and I’m excited to see where the game goes.

Attack of the Fanboy - 8/10

All in all, Battlefield 2042 feels a little spread too thin. It’s clear that a ton of time went into multiplayer, Hazard Zone, and Portal, but that time may have been better spent really honing one or two of those pillars instead of all three. Of course, Battlefield 2042 is a live service and its content can only grow in the months to come, but as it stands right now, Hazard Zone and Portal feel a tad underwhelming. Still, Battlefield 2042 feels like a game made specifically for Battlefield fans. Multiplayer is fast-paced and chaotic, and while new modes like Hazard Zone and Portal are a mixed bag, they provide an excellent foundation for the game to build on going forward.

Hardcore Gamer - 7/10

Battlefield and DICE have been put through the ringer time-after-time last-generation. Leaping into the next-generation, Battlefield 2042 should have been a triumphant return of the franchise and developer. In some respects, Battlefield 2042 delivers on its promises thanks to fantastic gameplay, a suite of new features and improvements, and a presentation that looks as good as it plays. Unfortunately, the game falls short just as much, if not more. The amount of DICE-developed content is anemic, Hazard Zone feels poorly balanced, and All-Out Warfare’s lack of modes, maps and weaponry is astonishing considering the franchise’s history. Ripple Effect Studios and Battlefield Portal turn much of that on its head, providing a robust creator, additional content from previous Battlefield titles and a wealth of ways to experience Battlefield. Portal’s immense replayability, reverence for the past and creativity help alleviate 2042’s content drought. Battlefield 2042 is a fun game to play, but its base game content will leave you wanting. Thankfully, Battlefield Portal is there to pick up the slack and does so splendidly. There’s still some gas left in Battlefield’s tank.

Stevivor - 4.5/10

In a world where developers are getting used to working from home and games are being pushed back due to the global pandemic, EA decided that Battlefield 2042 was ready for this year. It’s not. More time is needed to fix a lot of the problems, but even then that might not be enough to save it from being one of the most lacklustre Battlefield titles yet.

GameSpot - Review-in-Progress

What's really impressive in Battlefield 2042 is the variety that's on offer. It lets you play a bunch of different kinds of FPS experiences--in different game modes, in different Portal rule sets, and even in the same match as you switch between characters. Portal lets you relive the Battlefield games of the past, but on the 2042 side, DICE has cherry-picked from popular trends like hero shooters and battle royales. The best part is that, mostly, it has done a really effective job of curating those additions so that they bring more to what players already like about Battlefield, rather than change what already works.

Polygon - Review-in-Progress

There’s still nothing quite like being in the middle of a massive firefight with dozens of players, while jets strafe the ground around you, and a tank rumbles over a hilltop only 50 feet away. DICE has been in search of that old Battlefield magic for more than a decade, and Battlefield 2042 comes extremely close. But 2042, at least so far, rarely manages to be much more than that. It doesn’t feel like a real step forward for the franchise, or a meaningful update on a 20-year old formula. As of now, I’m still waiting for that next big leap.

What do you make of these early Battlefield 2042 reviews? Will you be buying one of the pricier versions tomorrow to gain early access or are you waiting to see how everything unfolds? Share your decision in the comments below.