Battlefield 4 – the best Battlefield ever?

Battlefield 4 releases this week (1 November 2013), and ahead of SA gamers getting their paws on the explosive shooter, the international reviews have hit the internet.

The reviews are interesting to say the least, expressing that the single-player is lacklustre, while the multiplayer delivers the punch you’d expect.

Battlefield 4 is currently sitting on a Metascore of 85 on PC, while the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions are still awaiting aggregates. Check out what the reviewers are saying:

IGN: 8/10

“DICE proves once again that destruction is a valuable strategic addition to competitive combat, even when it’s a little ugly, and that battle reaches its full potential with two killer Commanders are bringing out the best in their squads. The campaign, on the other hand is a disappointing, but functioning and familiar game with overwhelming action and remarkable spectacle.”

Game Informer: 8.8/10

“Battlefield 4 doesn’t advance the series in any significant way, but the subtle improvements provide enough incentive for multiplayer fans to invest heavily in the land, air, and sea battles.”

Battlefield 4

EGM: 8.5/10

“Anyone hoping that Battlefield would finally get a respectable single-player campaign will be sorely disappointed, but if you’re looking for a worthy evolution of the franchise’s sweeping multiplayer battles, you’ve come to the right place.”

CVG: 9/10

“A triumph on a multitude of levels, Battlefield 4 is the series’ most compelling package to date, a delightfully slick introduction to the next-generation of consoles and more than a good enough reason on its lonesome to pick up a PS4 or Xbox One.”

Joystiq: 4.5/5

“The main draw for the Battlefield series has always been the chaotic camaraderie of its multiplayer, and that’s no different here. But the sum of Battlefield 4’s parts shows that DICE is capable of more. Not only has the developer iterated on and progressed its marquee multiplayer, it’s provided a tight and cohesive campaign that is everything a military shooter needs to be.”

Battlefield 4

Shacknews: 7/10

“Battlefield 4 doesn’t break any molds, but whether you’re making your way through the glossed-up campaign or burning scores of hours battling online, there’s always a strong underlying sense of anxiety and uncertainty. You simply never feel safe. All the great things you remember about the series like realistic ballistics, balanced vehicles, and solid gunplay are here. If you can’t get enough of this stuff and new maps are all you need, you know what to do.”

Polygon: 7.5/10

“DICE has failed once again to make Battlefield 4 a serious singleplayer contender. But its emphasis on ambitious, team-based multiplayer does wonders to wash the taste of that failure away. Battlefield 4 takes the elements that have made each installment work and glues them together successfully – even if some rough edges show here or there.”

Gamespot: 8/10

“Regardless of platform, Battlefield 4 multiplayer is a blast and definitely the best reason to return to this hallowed franchise or dive in for the first time. Though the campaign makes strides in the right direction, it remains a sideshow to the main event. Expansive and exciting, challenging and empowering, Battlefield 4 multiplayer is a thrilling endeavor in this generation or the next.”

Battlefield 4

Eurogamer: 8/10

“Battlefield 4 is, of course, pretty much exactly the game you expect. A rather thin single-player campaign hangs on the tail of a much more interesting and robust multiplayer offering … It’s Battlefield, and the fundamentals are no more likely to change than Manchester United is likely to field an ostrich in goal, just to be different.”

Videogamer: 9/10

“It’s eye-gogglingly beautiful, laced with breathtaking lighting and particle effects, and offers a significant visual and mechanical step up over the current-gen version. The campaign isn’t without its share of faults, but it’s a near technically flawless launch title that finally brings Battlefield to consoles the way it should be. If you’re looking to pick up a multiplayer shooter alongside your new console, Battlefield 4 is essential.”