Please note that as of writing Battlefield 4 is in Beta stages, so it is not representative of the finished product.
I guess I’ll get the ball rolling by talking about “Siege of Shanghai” the map featured in the Beta. Of course, if you haven’t paid attention to Battlefield 4 the pinnacle of the map is a huge skyscraper in the centre of the map, which in true Battlefield tradition can be brought down. While the collapsing tower animation looks rather clumsy, Dice has come out publicly stating that all texture and graphical fidelity will be fined-tuned for release. Some streets, buildings and interiors are occasionally just one flat, smooth colour.
The Shanghai Tower is always the hotspot for fire-fights, while it’s intact a struggle begins as you fight for control of the flag on the roof. There’s two ways to get to the roof, in style via chopper or in fear via the elevator. Once the elevator doors open,they may open to a firing squad that waste no time painting the walls red with blood, your friendly squad or in no-mans land, caught in a crossfire between two teams.
However, all your efforts are in vain if the tower collapses. Easily my favorite moment in the Beta was after the collapse the moments of silence while dust and debris consumes everything in its way, lingering in the air until the end of the match. Followed by the charge into the ruins fighting among buried corpses, dust, ash and twisted steel. There’s a real sense of desperation as you fight in tight environments engaging in knife fights while you fight for control of the ruins.
Speaking of knife fights, melee executions are back! If you approach someone from behind it counts as a clean kill and you slash their throat without any resistance. For the sadists you can now charge people head on, but whoever you charge (if they’re paying attention) has a split second window to counter the charge and send your own knife into your chest. It’s pretty cool whatever side your on!
Swimming is also far more dramatic! You cough, splutter and can dive underwater for brief moments, you can also use your sidearm to defend yourself, so you’re not entirely hapless as you swim to shore.
Classes, from my experience, remain the same but, guns have their own criteria now. If you’re rocking an Assault Rifle, all points obtained from your rifle will go towards “Assault Rifles” rather than your class, unlocking upgrades for the gun and new guns entirely. This works for all criteria of guns; sniper rifles, pistols, shotguns e.t.c. Classes unlock exclusive class based items like defibrillators or certain weapons attributed to the class.
“Levolution” is a new feature introduced, I only got to use it in some features like collapsing the road above me when I was in a underground parking lot, or shooting out glass panels above me, sending troops standing on them (enemy or friendly!) plummeting to the ground.
On the downside, the new control layout feels like an insult! For those who played previous Battlefields you were given the option to change to “Veteran” controls which added insult to injury as the controls are so close to being perfect! A major problem if you ask me! I honestly hope the option to return BF3 controls is made available.
Another minor thing is that, the dialogue soldiers yell is all but gone! You now have the options to say “Thanks” or “Need Medic” but there’s no option for “burn motherf**krs burn!”. While this may be just in the Beta it would break my heart to see it removed from the full game.
Squads are now five players rather than four. Speaking of players, BF4 seems to focus more on next-gen systems featuring 32 v 32 player matches. On PS3 and 360 it’s the regular 18 v 18 player matches which leads to often entire areas of the map empty, this is a tiny complaint however because the hotspots are always extremely populated!
I’ve logged about four hours game time as I write this. On the 15th when the Beta closes expect in-depth preview of what I saw and encountered. Trust me! There’s a lot!
