Battlefield 6 is finally here, and the verdict is in. With an 84 out of 100 on both Metacritic and OpenCritic, DICE has successfully washed away the bitter taste of Battlefield 2042’s catastrophic launch. Critics agree this is the return to classic Battlefield that fans have been begging for since 2013’s Battlefield 4, complete with the chaotic 64-player warfare, proper class systems, and destructible environments that made the series legendary.
The Numbers Tell a Redemption Story
Battlefield 6 launched on October 10th with scores that speak volumes about DICE’s course correction. The game sits at 84 on Metacritic based on 44 reviews, with OpenCritic showing an identical 84 average from 52 critics and an impressive 89% recommendation rate. Compare that to Battlefield 2042’s abysmal 68 Metacritic score, and it’s clear the franchise is back on track.
That said, Battlefield 6 still falls short of the series peak. Battlefield 3 holds the crown with a 91 Metacritic score from 2011, while Battlefield 1 earned an 89 in 2016. Still, scoring in the mid-80s puts Battlefield 6 firmly in “generally favorable” territory and positions it as one of the strongest shooters of 2025.
| Outlet | Score | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|---|
| GamingTrend | 95/100 | The complete package fans have been waiting for |
| Generación Xbox | 95/100 | Captured signature spark and nostalgia |
| PCGamesN | 90/100 | Smoothest, most entertaining entry to date |
| Game Rant | 9/10 | A chaotic, non-stop blast |
| Game Informer | 85/100 | Dazzling sandboxes with demanding progression |
| TheGamer | 80/100 | Most excited for blockbuster shooter in years |
| TrueGaming | 75/100 | Bombastic multiplayer, campaign not amazing |
| Hey Poor Player | 70/100 | Return to form, not elevation of it |
Multiplayer Is Where Battlefield 6 Shines
Every single review agrees on one thing. The multiplayer is absolutely fantastic. This is Battlefield at its bombastic, explosive, chaotic best. The return of the classic four-class system with Assault, Engineer, Support, and Recon gives matches the structure and teamplay that was sorely missing from 2042’s specialist system.
Destruction and Spectacle
The destructible environments are jaw-dropping without feeling gimmicky. Game Rant’s reviewer highlighted photo-realistic battlefields with an astonishing level of destructibility, while TheGamer praised holding down buildings as they slowly collapse from all directions. You can smash through walls, leap out of windows, climb ledges, and slide down hills with movement that feels perfectly balanced between tactical and arcade.
Gunplay and Progression
Weapons feel impactful with detectable recoil patterns, and the progression system strikes an excellent balance. You earn unlocks through both XP and challenges, making even losing matches feel rewarding. Critics note the meta is still young, but weapon balance seems solid at launch, a refreshing change from the chaos of previous Battlefield releases.
Those Battlefield Moments
Reviewers couldn’t stop sharing their memorable moments. Game Rant’s Dalton Cooper described being blown up by a gas stove and getting revived only to immediately get pancaked by a tank. Screen Rant mentioned turning a botched helicopter landing into a parachute drop that resulted in a quad kill. These unscripted, only-in-Battlefield experiences are what the franchise has always been about, and they’re back in full force.
The Campaign Is the Weak Link
Here’s where unanimous praise turns into consistent disappointment. Almost every review points out that the single-player campaign is the weakest part of Battlefield 6. IGN was particularly harsh, giving the campaign a 5 out of 10 with a scathing assessment.
Too Short and Shallow
At just nine missions spanning roughly five hours, the campaign ends right when it feels like it’s getting started. IGN’s Simon Cardy noted the flame doesn’t burn for long and doesn’t burn particularly bright. The missions retread familiar territory without offering bold new ideas or engaging plot development.
An Extended Tutorial
Multiple reviewers described the campaign as essentially an extended tutorial for multiplayer. Hey Poor Player explicitly stated it feels like preparation for the diverse systems you’ll actually use online. While the spectacle is there with impressive visuals and sound design, the mission structure lacks creativity.
That said, not everyone hated it. GamingTrend praised the campaign for its political intrigue and memorable characters, awarding the overall package a 95 out of 100. But they’re the exception rather than the rule.
Technical Polish Impresses
One major concern after Battlefield 2042’s buggy disaster launch was whether DICE could deliver a stable product. The answer appears to be a resounding yes. Game Rant specifically mentioned running into minimal technical issues beyond occasional oddities like trees without bottoms or bots running into walls.
TheGamer’s multiplayer review praised the map geometry for being far less buggy than previous Battlefield games. If there’s a ledge, you can climb it. Movement feels responsive and intentional rather than janky. While reviewers couldn’t test server stability under full launch conditions, the pre-release experience was remarkably smooth.
Map Design Gets Mixed Reception
The maps themselves earned both praise and criticism. Most reviewers loved the visual spectacle and destructibility, but some pointed out issues with flow and balance. TheGamer mentioned frustrations with certain design choices, though they didn’t elaborate extensively in available excerpts.
Screen Rant noted they spent considerable time pondering map design while playing against bots in pre-release conditions, suggesting some maps might need tweaking as the meta develops. Game Informer called them dazzling sandboxes waiting to be leveled, which sounds more positive than negative.
The Class System Returns Triumphantly
You can’t overstate how important the return to classic classes is for Battlefield 6’s success. The specialist system in Battlefield 2042 was widely criticized for removing team cohesion and making everyone feel like generic soldiers with random gadgets.
Battlefield 6 brings back Assault, Engineer, Support, and Recon with class-specific gadgets that force teamplay. Screen Rant highlighted how the four distinct roles give players wide avenues to support their team without being overbearing. You can still customize weapons and attachments to forge your own approach, but within a framework that encourages cooperation.
How It Compares to the Competition
Battlefield 6 launches with a full month head start before Call of Duty Black Ops 7 drops in November. That timing advantage is crucial, especially given the positive reception. Reports even suggest some Call of Duty players who tried the Battlefield 6 beta took a month to return to their usual game, a testament to how engaging the experience is.
With Black Ops 7 right around the corner, Battlefield 6 needs this strong start. Multiple outlets noted that the game’s success will likely determine DICE’s future within EA. The stakes couldn’t be higher, but the execution appears solid enough to compete.
What’s Missing
Despite the overall positive reception, some reviews mentioned missing features that could frustrate players. TheGamer’s separate multiplayer review noted a lack of certain key features that lead to frustration, though specific details weren’t provided in available excerpts.
Metro’s Adam Starkey gave the game a 7 out of 10, calling it refined but unadventurous. It returns to the thrilling spectacle of classic entries without doing much that’s genuinely new. For players hoping Battlefield 6 would revolutionize the formula rather than refine it, that might be disappointing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Battlefield 6’s Metacritic score?
Battlefield 6 has an 84 out of 100 on Metacritic based on 44 reviews across PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. OpenCritic shows an identical 84 average from 52 critics with 89% recommending it.
Is Battlefield 6 better than Battlefield 2042?
Yes, significantly. Battlefield 6 scores 84 on Metacritic compared to Battlefield 2042’s dismal 68. Critics universally agree this is a proper return to form that addresses most complaints from 2042.
How long is the Battlefield 6 campaign?
The campaign consists of nine missions taking approximately five hours to complete. Most reviews criticize it for being too short and shallow compared to the robust multiplayer offering.
Does Battlefield 6 have the class system back?
Yes, Battlefield 6 returns to the classic four-class system with Assault, Engineer, Support, and Recon replacing the specialist system from Battlefield 2042. This change is widely praised in reviews.
Is Battlefield 6 multiplayer good?
Critics universally praise the multiplayer as excellent, calling it Battlefield at its best with chaotic 64-player warfare, destructible environments, balanced gunplay, and those signature only-in-Battlefield moments.
Is Battlefield 6 buggy at launch?
Pre-release reviews indicate minimal technical issues compared to previous launches. Critics encountered occasional oddities but generally praised the polish and stability, though full server stress tests won’t happen until public launch.
When does Battlefield 6 release?
Battlefield 6 launched on October 10, 2025 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. It releases a full month before Call of Duty Black Ops 7 in November.
Conclusion
Battlefield 6 is the redemption story DICE desperately needed after the Battlefield 2042 disaster. With an 84 Metacritic score and near-universal praise for its multiplayer, the game successfully returns to the classic Battlefield formula that made the series a beloved staple of the shooter genre. The class system is back, destruction is spectacular, gunplay feels punchy and balanced, and those chaotic Battlefield moments are happening constantly. Yes, the campaign is underwhelming and forgettable, clocking in at just five hours with uninspired mission design. And yes, some critics wish DICE had taken more risks rather than playing it safe with a refined retread of past glories. But when the core multiplayer loop is this satisfying, those complaints feel minor. For Battlefield veterans who’ve been waiting since Battlefield 4 for the series to recapture its magic, Battlefield 6 delivers exactly what was promised. It’s not revolutionary, but revolution wasn’t what this franchise needed. It needed to remember what made it special in the first place, and DICE has done exactly that.