Battlefield Hardline Beta Impression

After the disappointing launch of Battlefield 4, it would seem that EA isn’t taking any chances with Battlefield Hardline. After a successful alpha, Visceral Games has released a beta to test their game’s online multiplayer modes. With three modes to choose from, each with their own distinct map, and a large assortment of unlockables, Battlefield Hardline’s beta not only entices players to continue playing, but ensures that Visceral has enough information to ensure that the nightmare of Battlefield 4’s issues aren’t repeated when Hardline releases.

Players can choose one of three modes: Heist, Hotwire, and Conquest. Conquest is classic Battlefield Point Control where two teams, composed of 30 players each, fight over specific points on the map. Killing players reduce the enemies ticket count and controlling points cut the rate of your ticket’s depletion. It’s a simply mode that takes advantage of all the aspects that made the Battlefield franchise so popular: large fights against massive teams and intense vehicle and foot combat.

Heist is a new take on Battlefield’s Rush mode, with a new coat of paint. Criminals must steal valuable assets while the cops attempt to stop them. Currently only one map is available called “Bank Job.” Here the criminals must break into a vault, steal two bags, and take both bags to two separate locations on the map. Cops must stop the criminals by killing enemy players and preventing them from advancing, reducing their ticket count to zero. 

Hotwire is a unique take on Conquest. Here players must capture and hold specific vehicles on the map, and continuing to drive them to reduce the speed of your ticket depletion. Unlike Heist, Hotwire can be played on both “Dust Bowl” and “Downtown.” It’s a clever take on Conquest and the developers at Visceral Games have greatly improved the ability to shoot while driving within a vehicle. 

Commander mode has made another return. In Hardline, these players are called “Hackers.” These players grant allies on the field special bonus such as revealing enemy players on the map and temporary disable the opposing team’s radar. Also available are special weapons and equipment for players to use such as the crossbow, which allows players to reach new areas and biplane across gaps, and a rocket launcher.

Hardline plays just like past Battlefield games. Players choose from either operator, mechanic, enforcer, or professional. Each class has their own special assortment of equipment, from grenade launchers to first-aid kits. By playing each specific class you earn progression points to unlock new items. Battlepacks make a return and can be purchased or earned by completing assignments, unlocking a random assortment of items and bonuses. Despite this being a beta, Visceral has included a large amount of equipment to unlock and assignment to complete.

Yes, Leveloution has made a return for Hardline. The environment begins to change as the battle wages  on, with walls breaking apart and ceilings collapsing. Sometimes the environment will alter during the match. For example on Dust Bowl, a dust storm will eventually cover the environment in a gust of loose sand, making much more difficult to see enemy players. 

Hardline is the same Battlefield experience we’ve come to love. Surprising I rarely encountered any issues when playing through the various game modes and map. This beta has shown not only is that Visceral Games is taking serious steps to ensure a stable launch, but they’ve crafted a fine Battlefield game that plays exactly like other games within the franchise while remaining fresh. If this is what we can expect from the final product then I cannot wait to play Battlefield Hardline when it releases this March.

Adam Siddiqui, NoobFeed
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