Battlefield 3: Back to Karkand

 PC
User Score
7.3

Mixed or average reviews- based on 174 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 111 out of 174
  2. Mixed: 36 out of 174
  3. Negative: 27 out of 174

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  1. MadDad
    Oct 25, 2011
    10
    Epic map. Open, wide, no railrracks. liberty and freedom.

    Battlefield 3 is no doubt the fps benchmark for the next 24 months to come whith its incomparable sound and lightning possibilities offered by frostbite 2 engine. Enter war and feel it.
  2. LifelessChimera
    Dec 27, 2011
    10
    Back To Karkand breathes new life into four of the the most beloved maps of Battlefield 2. Each map has been beautifully redone in the frostbite 2 engine bringing unrivaled visuals to these classic maps. As well as upgraded visuals, frostbite 2 brings titanic amounts destruction that gives these maps a true Battlefield feel. Also included, are 2 new assignments for each class and 2 extraBack To Karkand breathes new life into four of the the most beloved maps of Battlefield 2. Each map has been beautifully redone in the frostbite 2 engine bringing unrivaled visuals to these classic maps. As well as upgraded visuals, frostbite 2 brings titanic amounts destruction that gives these maps a true Battlefield feel. Also included, are 2 new assignments for each class and 2 extra assignments that allow the unlocking of 10 classic weapons from BF2. B2K is a must buy for any Battlefield fan.… Expand
  3. the_dan
    Jan 8, 2012
    9
    It gave some problems at the launch but its a worthy addition to the game

    + the maps looks great
    + MOAAAR MAPS
    + free (at least for me)
    + Gulf to oman is great

    - The darker settings maybe not for everyone
    - 15 euro is kinda expensive (if you dont have the LE)
    - After all these years, i still hate Wake :P

    Damn it kids, stop reading this and buy it
  4. OwnedU2Fast
    Dec 23, 2011
    9
    Please do not listen to HET35 or Woopya. They are both trolls. HET35's last 8 reviews were given to good games, and he gave them all 0's. Don't listen to his crap. He is obviously only trying to bring down the average score. And Woopya, a review should include what you experienced, not what you didn't experience. So do me a favor. I GUARENTEE that your problem is fixed by now, so play itPlease do not listen to HET35 or Woopya. They are both trolls. HET35's last 8 reviews were given to good games, and he gave them all 0's. Don't listen to his crap. He is obviously only trying to bring down the average score. And Woopya, a review should include what you experienced, not what you didn't experience. So do me a favor. I GUARENTEE that your problem is fixed by now, so play it first to form your untroll, unbiased opinion of it. Now, onto the review. The maps are extremely big, and I can't help but feeling nice and remembering that I played these maps in BF2. Do not be fooled, these maps are not recycled. They are completely revamped. Many parts are different, but the basic general look is the same. All the maps are nice and big, and action packed. Just look for a 600+ ticket server because the matches can end quickly if there are only 300 tickets. The pack adds four maps to the mix, Strike at Karkand, Gulf of Oman, Sharqi Penisula, and Wake Island, for a total of 14 maps for the full game. 10 new weapons are also added, and as are three (four) vehicles, the BTR-90, the DPV (desert patrol vehicle), the F-35 jet, and the Skid Loader (which is merely a small bulldozer that allows three people, including a driver, mostly novelty). I enjoyed a function of the F-35 that allows it to hover, but the BTR-90 is really an IFV just with a new look. I highly recommend getting this expansion pack of these revamped maps. BTW, the weapons you unlock can also be used in vanilla BF3.… Expand
  5. Grindtoof
    Dec 19, 2011
    10
    Ah, the memories. BtK is different than it's predecessor, yet contains enough familiarity to generate nostalgia in BF2 vets. This expansion added 'assignments' to the game, when completed, unlock weapons found in the BF2 game. Karkand is a massive map with fewer choke points than it's BF2 predecessor. Sharqi Penninsula is amazingly fun as well: Who doesn't remember the TV station? ThisAh, the memories. BtK is different than it's predecessor, yet contains enough familiarity to generate nostalgia in BF2 vets. This expansion added 'assignments' to the game, when completed, unlock weapons found in the BF2 game. Karkand is a massive map with fewer choke points than it's BF2 predecessor. Sharqi Penninsula is amazingly fun as well: Who doesn't remember the TV station? This X-pac is worth picking up. Definitely not game-changing, but fun nonetheless.… Expand
  6. SoulSurgeon
    Feb 5, 2012
    8
    The best Battlefield game yet. Highly ragequittable. Either incredibly fun, or incredibly frustrating. Don't see a lot of hackers. Way better for cheat free gaming, rather than say CODMW3. A must buyt...go get it now.
  7. marsx
    Feb 13, 2012
    10
    Epic map. Open, wide, no railrracks. liberty and freedom. Battlefield 3 is no doubt the fps benchmark for the next 24 months to come whith its incomparable sound and lightning possibilities offered by frostbite 2 engine. Enter war and feel it.
  8. Diggo11
    Mar 17, 2012
    10
    Great addition of maps, new twists to familiar scenes. Stunning graphics as expected from Frostbite 2. Infinitely better than Operation Metro garbage.
  9. WLF67
    Apr 20, 2012
    10
    The vanilla BF3 maps are a little cramped for 64 players, but these classic BF2 maps take care of the cramped problem. Oman is still awesome with all the tanks. I've never been spawn trapped on these maps unlike some of the bottlenecks in some of the vanilla maps.
  10. Mivix
    Jan 26, 2012
    10
    Very good expansion for a very good game. New maps are fun to play, and destructibility is even better. It reminds me of Battlefield Bad Company 2, where you could destroy whole buildings. New weapons are also fun to play, but I really do not like doing assignments to obtain them. Overall it is solid expansion for a reasonable price. Waiting for more...
  11. AnttiT
    Jan 30, 2012
    8
    I don't even really know what this map pack is about. I bought it out of annoyance of not being able to play with my friends online. Although BF3 is awesome and definitely the best multiplayer FPS there is, I still don't know what this extension brings to the table. Having said that, I could also be wrong about this, but the overall game launcher system is just too damn messy and I'm beingI don't even really know what this map pack is about. I bought it out of annoyance of not being able to play with my friends online. Although BF3 is awesome and definitely the best multiplayer FPS there is, I still don't know what this extension brings to the table. Having said that, I could also be wrong about this, but the overall game launcher system is just too damn messy and I'm being lazy and just put on my gaming gear and get with the program. The biggest regret I have is that I wish I had known this was included in the limited edition which was on sale at the same price as the original a while back. In any case, I bought two limited editions to my friends, so they could also get with the program! Ahh, screw it, I'll give this an 8 simply out of being hooked to BF. ;)… Expand
  12. MojoSpriggs
    Feb 9, 2012
    10
    Maps are very fun. Best Multiplayer maps ever. Love the new stuff. Still needs some more destruction, however; there is quite a bit, but only Heavy Tanks and Attack Helicopters can actually see the destruction due to the powerful guns. Map pack is great, worth buying for sure. 9/10 for the constant child-run servers. It is so annoying getting kicked out of my squads and the server it'sMaps are very fun. Best Multiplayer maps ever. Love the new stuff. Still needs some more destruction, however; there is quite a bit, but only Heavy Tanks and Attack Helicopters can actually see the destruction due to the powerful guns. Map pack is great, worth buying for sure. 9/10 for the constant child-run servers. It is so annoying getting kicked out of my squads and the server it's self for literally "Having a great kill/death ratio". Also a 9/10 for the stupid jet ramming glitch. EA needs to fix this, because its annoying being rammed by jets all of the time. 10/10 for the epic maps (although Wake Island is pretty boring), Gulf of Oman is the bomb.… Expand
  13. Maximus2500k
    Feb 12, 2012
    10
    Simply put, this is the greatest shooter I've ever played in my life. The expansion adds onto the sheer beauty of this game's graphics. Wake Island is truly a masterpiece with its bright and colorful skies, then to the barren war-torn streets of Karkand. The new weapons and vehicles add onto the stunning gameplay that reels you in and keeps you playing. This expansion, if released bySimply put, this is the greatest shooter I've ever played in my life. The expansion adds onto the sheer beauty of this game's graphics. Wake Island is truly a masterpiece with its bright and colorful skies, then to the barren war-torn streets of Karkand. The new weapons and vehicles add onto the stunning gameplay that reels you in and keeps you playing. This expansion, if released by activision, would be known as Battlefield 4 and be priced at 60 bucks, but buying the Limited Edition (as I did) it was completely free. Nice one EA… Expand
  14. USA_DOES_RULE
    Mar 6, 2012
    10
    Very cool game. Awesome graphics, probably the best around today.

    Swedish DICE did an excellent work on this, I can play it for hours! :)

    See you guys on the battlefield! :D
  15. sealcomm
    Mar 8, 2012
    9
    I've been playing BF3 now for over 250 hours, so it must be time to pin my opinion to the wall. I've been playing with mates socially, with my Gaming clan on our servers [BhR] in Aus, and we've been scrimming in a national competition, and having a ball.

    The game itself is brilliant. Seriously, i've been playing FPS since Half life was released (didn't like wolfenstien lol) and this games    I've been playing BF3 now for over 250 hours, so it must be time to pin my opinion to the wall. I've been playing with mates socially, with my Gaming clan on our servers [BhR] in Aus, and we've been scrimming in a national competition, and having a ball.

    The game itself is brilliant. Seriously, i've been playing FPS since Half life was released (didn't like wolfenstien lol) and this games is the first in its league of wow. I love it, in fact i'd be a fan boi except for the constant drama's with connection issues and patches etc that PLAGUED this poor game when it was first released.

    That Said, (and enough has been said, and RAGED about - it truly was terrible) its pretty much stable now. (march 2012) We still have problems with 3rd party software trying to get servers to do what WE want them to do, but the Game is great.

    The realism is off the dial. The confusion in the middle of battle can mix you around when you first start playing but that's war i guess (never been, don't plan to).

    After playing for a long time, my experience is to 'slow down' your game play. Take corners slowly, wait to see where your enemies are, be deliberate in your aim. Find a wep that suits your play style, and when you've mastered it move onto a different one.

    Its been a love hate relationship, but this is a game I didn't give up on, and EA has got it to where it should have been at release, so go and safely spend your money on some serious FPS happiness.

    Rock on BF3

    sealcomm    … Expand
  16. Kirjakukka
    May 21, 2012
    9
    Fine piece of art. Maps includes Easter eggs (ok that's not the point :p), but basically I love the Strike at Karkand -map the most, cos there's so many strategies to play in it. Gulf of Oman is also fine, because it's pretty big.

    The weapons also bring variety, tho' I've not found myself so keen on any of them. I think I should use them more often. So, the cheap prize of this expansion,    Fine piece of art. Maps includes Easter eggs (ok that's not the point :p), but basically I love the Strike at Karkand -map the most, cos there's so many strategies to play in it. Gulf of Oman is also fine, because it's pretty big.

    The weapons also bring variety, tho' I've not found myself so keen on any of them. I think I should use them more often. So, the cheap prize of this expansion, which had so much variety and content was a fair deal for me.    … Expand
  17. Madman_Rj
    Dec 13, 2011
    10
    The pack is amazing. The maps feel like the maps we grew to know and love in BF2, but in their own way different. The added destruction and assignments add a new level to the game and make it even better to play. The maps are a definite step up from the vanilla maps, as they feel like true, battlefield maps. GET THIS PACK!
  18. MellerYeller
    Dec 15, 2011
    10
    This DLC is a great refreshment and brings in better maps than the vanilla BF3 maps. They give the game more of a "Battlefield" feel which has been previously lost because of maps like Seine Crossing and Metro. Not only are the maps more open, but destruction has been improved significantly. Not to mention some of my favorite guns are included as new unlocks in this DLC. If you wereThis DLC is a great refreshment and brings in better maps than the vanilla BF3 maps. They give the game more of a "Battlefield" feel which has been previously lost because of maps like Seine Crossing and Metro. Not only are the maps more open, but destruction has been improved significantly. Not to mention some of my favorite guns are included as new unlocks in this DLC. If you were unsatisfied with BF3's tiny closed maps, definitely get this DLC for real Battlefield maps.… Expand
  19. sssfdg
    Dec 20, 2011
    10
    AWESOME. So far BF3 has become the new benchmark in FPS gaming. It is everything i expected and more. With this expansion it is just adding more goodness to an already near perfect game. If you are buying this expansion pack now you are dumb because you should have pre-ordered the main game to get it for free.... however I would gladely pay for it now anyways. The maps are not theAWESOME. So far BF3 has become the new benchmark in FPS gaming. It is everything i expected and more. With this expansion it is just adding more goodness to an already near perfect game. If you are buying this expansion pack now you are dumb because you should have pre-ordered the main game to get it for free.... however I would gladely pay for it now anyways. The maps are not the biggest highlight... the fact that they have included something like 15 new guns to unlock is the real draw. I myself never played BF2 so this was the first time for me playing 3 out of the 4 maps. really the only disappointing map was Wake Island... Mainly because I played it to death in BF1943. OVERALL A 10.... BUY IT NOW... SO I CAN FRAG YOUR ASS :)… Expand
  20. PerseusMyth
    Dec 17, 2011
    9
    To be honest, I don't know why people can rate it 0 , either they are on crack or get pissed on their own computer that can't play this awesome dlc.Seriously, the remake of BF2 is the best idea, wide maps with Freedom, with the destruction ability of frostbite 2, B2K is simply the most recommended dlc, at least not only remake of maps but also added new vehicles to the game . Though thereTo be honest, I don't know why people can rate it 0 , either they are on crack or get pissed on their own computer that can't play this awesome dlc.Seriously, the remake of BF2 is the best idea, wide maps with Freedom, with the destruction ability of frostbite 2, B2K is simply the most recommended dlc, at least not only remake of maps but also added new vehicles to the game . Though there is some bugs and glitches but it doesn't mainly effect the game. Good map pack , New assignments and vehicles, free for pre-order, worth any penny… Expand
  21. ed103
    Mar 6, 2012
    8
    I really like this game. I can't quite put my finger on it. It may be the big maps or the vehicles, but it's probably just the fun of coming home from a long day at work, grabbing a M60 with extended mag and just letting loose.
  22. Dendari
    Sep 20, 2014
    8
    It's really interesting to see how different these maps play on two different games. They are still good maps but unfortunately they still have a major issue from their original version, they can be incredibly unbalanced (especially Gulf of Oman).
  23. nurfedx
    Nov 19, 2021
    8
    The last Playable and decent Battlefield game of the series. Everything afterwards is a dumpster Fire!
  24. Khazar2
    Feb 26, 2021
    10
    Disclaimer: Due to the behavior of premier servers, buying BF3 DLCs individually doesn't allow you to play on them even if you own the DLC of the map that is currently in rotation. In other words, none of the DLCs are worth buying over premium. If you want a specific DLC, get premium or don't bother getting it at all.

    New weapons: by completing assignments, 10 new weapons are unlockable    Disclaimer: Due to the behavior of premier servers, buying BF3 DLCs individually doesn't allow you to play on them even if you own the DLC of the map that is currently in rotation. In other words, none of the DLCs are worth buying over premium. If you want a specific DLC, get premium or don't bother getting it at all.

    New weapons: by completing assignments, 10 new weapons are unlockable to the player. Most of these weapons are excellent with the L96 being the best in the game.

    New vehicles: the F-35 fighter jet (Oman & Wake), BTR-90 APC (Oman, Sharqi, and Karkand), and the DPV buggie (Oman & Wake) all make a return from BF2 on these classic maps.

    New maps: 4 maps return from BF2 with the worst of these maps being better than the best of the launch maps. Gulf of Oman, Strike at Karkand, Sharqi Peninsula, and Wake Island. They're much more detailed than their BF2 counterparts but only Karkand provides a better experience than the BF2 version.

    Conquest Assault: 3 of the 4 maps retain their original Conquest configuration with one team controlling all the capturable flags but containing no friendly uncap. This provided an experience not unlike rush with one team being attackers and the other team being defenders. It was much more appealing than regular conquest and the excellent balance on the maps led to some very down to the wire end results.

    Overall, it's an excellent DLC that is infinitely better than the booster packs of BF2. The existence of premium doesn't make it worth buying though.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

17
#17 Best PC Game of 2011
100
#100 Most Discussed PC Game of 2011

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
86

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. PC PowerPlay
    Mar 1, 2012
    90
    So good that it's become the only way to play Battlefield 3. Buy this now, and enjoy a bit of nostalgia in a new light. [March 2012, p.56]
  2. PC Gamer
    Jan 26, 2012
    84
    These four fantastic maps are pricey, but they're more than just a nostalgic throwback. They present Battlefield 3 at its best. [Mar 2012, p.74]
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  3. Gamereactor Denmark
    Jan 23, 2012
    90
    Back to Karkand is a wonderful map pack that highlights the best parts of Battlefield 3 and the series in general. If you like the game, you shouldn't miss out on this DLC pack under any circumstances.
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