Battlefield 3

 PC
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 5642 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4,003 out of 5642
  2. Mixed: 872 out of 5642
  3. Negative: 767 out of 5642
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  1. DrGreatJob
    Nov 8, 2011
    8
    Great multiplayer game. Those are the two first words of the review because that's what I want to be taken from this. The singleplayer experience is lackluster, it's marginally worse than the campaigns of the recent few Modern Warfare games. It's unbalanced in a few areas and tragically unoriginal. That being said, I didn't buy the game for the singleplayer. I don't usually playGreat multiplayer game. Those are the two first words of the review because that's what I want to be taken from this. The singleplayer experience is lackluster, it's marginally worse than the campaigns of the recent few Modern Warfare games. It's unbalanced in a few areas and tragically unoriginal. That being said, I didn't buy the game for the singleplayer. I don't usually play singleplayer games. The multiplayer is nothing short of amazing. Tons of vehicles, tons of guns, and at least 5 great maps. The other 4 maps range from terrible to "eh" in most situations I've encountered, but that's not the worst thing about this game. Now, how does this game actually look? The graphics are above and beyond what most games could even dream of achieving. It's the best looking game I think I've ever seen. I run the game on a High/Ultra combination of settings, and I get a fairly steady 60 fps. It's a pretty nice experience. But... this game can't receive a 10/10 for multiplayer alone. The singleplayer knocks it down a point, and the HORRIBLE GAME BREAKING BUGS that occur every now and then remove another point. Once they fix the game, it'll be a much more solid 9/10 experience, but until then the game must sit on an 8. It's a rewarding experience worth picking up. The battlelog system is nice once you get over your fears of internet browsers, and origin... well I forget it's even installed most of the time.… Expand
  2. Ion1c
    Nov 8, 2011
    10
    This game is the greatest game ever, it has epic graphics and awsome gameplay, it is realistic in that maps are small and have different pros and cons depending on your spawn point and that there is alot of people in each team (unless in a different game mode). It combines 3 of my favorite things, guns, air combat and explosions! It has a class based leveling up system that is balancedThis game is the greatest game ever, it has epic graphics and awsome gameplay, it is realistic in that maps are small and have different pros and cons depending on your spawn point and that there is alot of people in each team (unless in a different game mode). It combines 3 of my favorite things, guns, air combat and explosions! It has a class based leveling up system that is balanced enough so that a new bf3 player can still level up without being owned continuously by people who have had the game longer. For all the people who already have the game, congratz! For all the people who don't, you are missing out big time!… Expand
  3. CoolHandMike
    Nov 8, 2011
    8
    Disclaimer: I am a long-time BF vet, having played nearly every game and expansion since the original.

    I'm going to be up front about this: if you are going to play this on the PC, be prepared for headaches. Your experience may range from flawless to unplayable but I can almost certainly guarantee that you will encounter hiccups from time to time. However, if you are willing to go through    Disclaimer: I am a long-time BF vet, having played nearly every game and expansion since the original.

    I'm going to be up front about this: if you are going to play this on the PC, be prepared for headaches. Your experience may range from flawless to unplayable but I can almost certainly guarantee that you will encounter hiccups from time to time. However, if you are willing to go through the trouble of installing, configuring, and playing BF3, it will be worth your time. Just be prepared to do a bit of googling to help if you get stuck. I am only going to write about the multiplayer experience, as I consider that to be the meat-and-potatoes of any BF game.

    The game itself is simply beautiful. I run it on high settings on medium-grade hardware at 1920x1080 at around 30-40fps. The gameplay should be familiar to anyone who has played a BF title before, with one noteworthy (and welcome, imho) exception: sprinting is now free, as in you can do it indefinitely. (It can be augmented with upgrades as well.)

    EA's Origin and Battlelog (the web front-end) are getting a lot of flak, but personally, I have grown to really like the web interface. Battlelog allows you to really drill down into your stats and gives really easy access to item descriptions all in one, convenient place. The friends/"platoon"/party system could use an overhaul, and the lack of in-game VOIP is simply ridiculous, but these aren't game-breakers imho. I really like the ability to see what a server is doing before I commit to joining as well.

    A few things I am waiting for DICE to address:
    -Mouse resolution is non-adjustable (the slider does nothing!) and is wonky depending on how fast you move your mouse around
    -The commo-rose is extremely slow to open
    -In-game VOIP--I mean, come on!
    -Error messages that actually help--there is one that frequently pops up asking me if my game is up to date, and I can't tell because:
    -Origin's "check for updates" and "repair install" features are broken

    One last thing I should mention: if you are just starting out in BF3 Multiplayer, you are going to get slaughtered. A lot. This should not discourage you; a few days of solid play time should net you enough ranks to get some good weapon and player upgrades. Just keep at it, and the game becomes more and more rewarding.

    Pros: Beautiful graphics, great sound, nice variety of weapons and maps, detailed stat-tracking
    Cons: No in-game VOIP, front-end bugs, minor game glitches (the mouse thing)

    The developers seem to be in contact with the community more that any other BF title to date, and the feedback system seems to be working thus far, so hopefully these wrinkles will get ironed out. By doing so, DICE stand only to make a great game even better. I'd recommend this game to my friends. Cheers~    … Expand
  4. asdaa
    Nov 8, 2011
    0
    Look, I know this is a multiplayer game. I do. I understand that the singleplayer is little more than an extended tutorial. Did an hour of multiplayer and it was really great. But you put the crappy singleplayer in
  5. Despisear
    Nov 8, 2011
    10
    This is a great game. Game play and visuals are fantastic. Sure you do have some problems with Origin and a few glitches in the game every once in a while, but you'll have that with any new release. Don't take your anger out on Battlefield when the problems rely within Origin, take them out IN game. Great leveling system, beautiful maps, tons of things to unlock, nonstop fun, everythingThis is a great game. Game play and visuals are fantastic. Sure you do have some problems with Origin and a few glitches in the game every once in a while, but you'll have that with any new release. Don't take your anger out on Battlefield when the problems rely within Origin, take them out IN game. Great leveling system, beautiful maps, tons of things to unlock, nonstop fun, everything you loved about Battlefield 2 in this game.… Expand
  6. Reinghord
    Nov 8, 2011
    10
    The best engine for today with an excellent light system, which make the graphic and environment look fantastic. Singleplayer is excellent as for me, cause DICE showed us a typical war, when everyone expected an imposible hardcore war like in CoD. It's impossible to say how multiplayer is great. 10/10
  7. C4Chaos42
    Nov 8, 2011
    0
    Battlefield series fans were promised a sequel to battlefield 2. What we got was a sequel to bad company 2, with its lack of vehicle combat, small maps, non existent in game voice communication, modding tools and horrible user interface for PC. On top of that, the game requires battlelog to be able to be played, setup (controls, graphics).
  8. Rick-KLN
    Nov 8, 2011
    10
    Battlefield 3 is a multiplayer game with a single player add on. That said the single player can still compete with others in its class like Modern Warfare 3. However the multiplayer is just unbeatable. Just like Uncharted's single player is unbeatable and its multiplayer is on par with others.
  9. Britzkrieg
    Nov 8, 2011
    10
    I think its a testament to how fantastic a game is when the majority of the negative reviews come from overly-obsessed players who are freaking out because it's not exactly how they imagined it.Yes, BF3 is not BF2. BF2 was a wonderful game. So is BF3. Neither are perfect. But look at what else there is. COD? Gears? I'm just thankful DICE respects the gaming community enough to give us backI think its a testament to how fantastic a game is when the majority of the negative reviews come from overly-obsessed players who are freaking out because it's not exactly how they imagined it.Yes, BF3 is not BF2. BF2 was a wonderful game. So is BF3. Neither are perfect. But look at what else there is. COD? Gears? I'm just thankful DICE respects the gaming community enough to give us back 64 man games.… Expand
  10. Kagozuma
    Nov 8, 2011
    10
    Most realistic FPS ever created. Frostbite engine 2 is a really impressive game engine, the user experience is awesome. Suppression is genius, every FPS should have it.
  11. Longtime
    Nov 8, 2011
    9
    A step-up in the shooter genre. Amazing graphics, great shooting mechanics, nice method of focusing teamwork without forcing the issue... just a fantastic game. Launching the game via web browser is smart and innovative. Origin? Not happy about that. No mod tools for the rabidly devoted developers? Also not cool. Can't give you a 10 DICE, sorry!
  12. Applesmack
    Nov 8, 2011
    9
    BF3 is the greatest MULTIPLAYER shooter ever released this generation. The game is all about multiplayer and if you aren't a fan of online shooters DO NOT BUY THIS GAME. BF3 basically perfects the online shooter experience providing large maps, tons of variety, constant new content to reward the player for his efforts in the game. The new DLC, back to karkand will provide 4 of the bestBF3 is the greatest MULTIPLAYER shooter ever released this generation. The game is all about multiplayer and if you aren't a fan of online shooters DO NOT BUY THIS GAME. BF3 basically perfects the online shooter experience providing large maps, tons of variety, constant new content to reward the player for his efforts in the game. The new DLC, back to karkand will provide 4 of the best maps from BF2 to BF3 and will officially make this game the best. Of course, there are issues with BF3. First of all, its interface is a bit consolized and needs improvement. Some things such as jets and helicopters are also quite under-powered and need to be buffed. However none of the issues it has can't be fixed with a patch. WIth proper tweaking BF3 will be a game played for years to come.

    Also, is it better than CoD? HELL YEAH    … Expand
  13. ApfelGanja
    Nov 8, 2011
    8
    Campaign was pretty boring and AI was crap, but the multiplayer is a great addition to BF2 and BFBC2! DICE, thanks for this great game. I used to be a CoD fanboy, but after Blops and MW3, i'm not so sure. I recommend this to anyone with a decent gaming rig, and an internet connection!
  14. sandpenguin
    Nov 8, 2011
    0
    Played this sorry excuse of a game for a while yesterday. The funny thing is I had yet to realize this was the exact same game I've been playing for two years. New multiplayer modes? Yeah, there are a bunch, none of them interesting tough. How about the singleplayer? Same washed up Michael Bay on steroids you would expect from a game nowadays. Where are the good old days where goodPlayed this sorry excuse of a game for a while yesterday. The funny thing is I had yet to realize this was the exact same game I've been playing for two years. New multiplayer modes? Yeah, there are a bunch, none of them interesting tough. How about the singleplayer? Same washed up Michael Bay on steroids you would expect from a game nowadays. Where are the good old days where good gameplay was defined by skill, and not the ridiculous amount of over the top killstreak rewards and perks someone can have? This game, no, this franchise is scarred and beyond repair... A waste of my money.… Expand
  15. Exodus1989
    Nov 8, 2011
    9
    Let's be honest. There was private Alpha testing then un-scripted public beta testing. This should have ironed out 90% of the bugs before release but as with all major games these days, better graphics and technology means more variables where bugs can occur, even game breaking ones. However, the team at DICE recognized the value of public opinion and immediately patched the game uponLet's be honest. There was private Alpha testing then un-scripted public beta testing. This should have ironed out 90% of the bugs before release but as with all major games these days, better graphics and technology means more variables where bugs can occur, even game breaking ones. However, the team at DICE recognized the value of public opinion and immediately patched the game upon release and is still continuing to do so. The actual graphics are quite unrivalled and the technology in the Frostbite 2 engine literally makes you jump when a bullet goes flying past your head. The technology and animations are much more fluent and realistic. Still a couple of early release bugs but with them soon to be ironed out, Battlefield 3 is a serious challenger to the FPS genre and says to competitors, "Your move".

    Graphics 5/5
    Game play 4/5
    Storyline 4.5/5
    MP content 5/5

    Overall 9.5/10    … Expand
  16. puppetx
    Nov 8, 2011
    10
    Realism in the right places makes this game epic. From the character in the destructible environment to the small details of bullet drop etc add up to a masterpiece.
  17. luap24
    Nov 8, 2011
    10
    Best Game Ever!! too realistic the maps are huge you can destroy almost everything , lots of knife animation when killing.Jets, tanks,mortar,chopper,boat,amphibious transport., etc.. this is 99999999999999999999999999 times better than MW3..oh yeah by the way MW3 fan-boys, did your mom already make you a sandwich before playing :D... trolololololol
  18. earlkran
    Nov 8, 2011
    10
    excellent shooter, light years ahead of cod excellent graphics excellent gameplay an unparalleled experience imho. get this now before it sells out. i cant find any flaws in this game
  19. wh1pl4sh88
    Nov 8, 2011
    9
    Good game, still waiting for the dlc, been playing since release and havent really got any problems with it appart from the auto join needs to be fixed so you get put in servers in your own country :)
  20. DJ_Casper
    Nov 8, 2011
    9
    Total winner of all the existing modern FPS shooters these days. I give 9. Why? Cause DICE has potential and didn't fix as many bugs as possible, but I know that it's possible for them and that the game will be playable after half a year or so. Great innovations, great ideas and physic engine which bring the game like in a real life. Yeah, DICE, u've made me belive like I'm in some kind ofTotal winner of all the existing modern FPS shooters these days. I give 9. Why? Cause DICE has potential and didn't fix as many bugs as possible, but I know that it's possible for them and that the game will be playable after half a year or so. Great innovations, great ideas and physic engine which bring the game like in a real life. Yeah, DICE, u've made me belive like I'm in some kind of cinema while playing this wonderful game!… Expand
  21. The14th
    Nov 8, 2011
    10
    I had to wait 6 years for this game, and I can honestly say it was worth the wait. For all the talk of hiccups, I've been able to play reliably other than a server bump (can find that in any game) and some initial problems with the graphics engine. The biggest problem I've had is getting into the servers I want, unfortunately server queues are turned off as they interacted weird with theI had to wait 6 years for this game, and I can honestly say it was worth the wait. For all the talk of hiccups, I've been able to play reliably other than a server bump (can find that in any game) and some initial problems with the graphics engine. The biggest problem I've had is getting into the servers I want, unfortunately server queues are turned off as they interacted weird with the matchmaker.

    I haven't gotten around to the single player yet, so I can't really make many statements on that other than I'm glad it's not the acid trip that the MW plot has turned into. I'll gladly take something somewhere near reality instead of following up on Red Dawn '09 (seriously, I hated that movie to begin with and then they re-did it in a video game TWICE!). I have always thought BF needed some sort of real single player mode, if only to ease new players into the controls and gameplay.

    Co-op is a blast, difficult as hell sometimes but very fun. I do recommend playing with somebody you know, as communication is fairly important in some of the missions. I liked that they provided a variety of scenarios to play, offering a bit more variety than a -> b run-and-gun. The score system and different difficultys add replay-ability, if only to help a friend unlock the co-op weapons for MP. I really hope they are planning to add more in later.

    The heart of the beast, Multi-Player mode proper, remains at it's core the same. Conquest is still considered the primary game mode, offering the structure of take-and-hold objective-based gameplay we've all come to expect from the series. Rush is making a return from the Bad Company series, and for players new to objective-based play (or just feel like shooting anything that moves for a while) they've even added in the all-time classic Deathmatch for the first time in a BF game.

    Now some people weep over the loss of the commander position (and all the drop and strike powers it had), but I for one believe the game is better off. Previously, a lot of power was held by one player who was randomly placed into that job at the beginning of a round (well not completely random, but...). This guy could either be a boon or a weight on the team's neck, especially if he wasn't paying enough attention to the map or just felt like screwing around. Game balance must have been difficult to aproach with such an unpredictible element to the game. So starting in BFBC2 they ripped the position out and handed the old powers down to the players as kit, a trend that continued into BF3.

    Speaking of kit, unlocks are fairly streamlined but still have a bit of depth to them. Expounding on previous versions of the system, not only does each kit have their own unique gear to unlock but each vehicle group now does too. Additionally, weapon mods are no longer unlocked generally by the class but are instead rewarded on a gun-by-gun basis. I think these are strong moves for two reasons. One, it makes the player feel rewarded for more specific actions while playing. And more importantly two, it keeps the better unlocks from being easily gainned (a delay for balance in a way).

    The classes have been re-organized again, though not quite as drasically as when they consolidated the 7(?) older classes. Assault has gone back to 2142 in being the medic with under-slung weapons for their rifles. Support got back the ammo crates, stole C4 and claymores from recon, got a mortar (the current "artillery strike"), and use LMGs with the newly-functional bi-pods. Engineers remain mostly unchanged with anti-armor rockets/missiles/land mines, a vehicle repair tool (with an RC version), and switching PDWs for carbines. The ever shifting Recons still have sniper/marksman rifles, but now have a deployable motion sensor, the squad spawn beacon, a vehicle marker light, and a motion-sensor equipped RC drone. All four classes still feel like a cohesive package, each one having plenty of toys to play with.

    This has been a bit rambling, and is not a "true review", but I just wanted to address the general shifts in gameplay in the new BF. I can't really get enough of the game, and I am thankful Back to Karkand is coming out at the end of the semester. If you still haven't bought the game, then you're probably lucky in missing the typical launch bugs. If I was smart, I'd wait until after the first patch cycle for every new game before I buy. But I just had to get back on the battlefield.    … Expand
  22. iminay
    Nov 8, 2011
    10
    The best looking FPS to date. A good mix of Battlefield 2 classic feel, and the up to date combat feel of Bad Company 2. Battlelog gives you FREE stat tracking too !
  23. Superduperjew
    Nov 8, 2011
    10
    War as I've never experienced! The sounds, the visuals, the intense gameplay, and the massiveness are all reasons to get this incredible video game. Frostbite 2 makes the battlefield experience really shine. From going near a storm drain and hearing the water trickling down, to the incredible smoke and light effects, you'll be drawn into something you've never experienced in gamingWar as I've never experienced! The sounds, the visuals, the intense gameplay, and the massiveness are all reasons to get this incredible video game. Frostbite 2 makes the battlefield experience really shine. From going near a storm drain and hearing the water trickling down, to the incredible smoke and light effects, you'll be drawn into something you've never experienced in gaming history. Every gun you could imagine with over an amount of unlocks and attachments that only a BF game could take advantage of. Jets, helos, tanks, amphibious vehicles, jeeps, little birds, UAVs, controllable robots, AA vehicles, and so much more. It's jam packed with content.

    If I didn't say this is the best game I've ever played, I'd be lying. 10/10, thank you Dice!

    I    … Expand
  24. beergogglesftw
    Nov 8, 2011
    9
    I would say, its not perfect but its the best shooter we've got. My biggest problems are 64 man servers that are too small and tight... and squad mates taking joy rides and such rather than playing the objective.

    The game looks beautiful and is the natural progression from BF2 and BFBC2. Good to see PC getting a fair amount of attention in development and a game actually progressing    I would say, its not perfect but its the best shooter we've got. My biggest problems are 64 man servers that are too small and tight... and squad mates taking joy rides and such rather than playing the objective.

    The game looks beautiful and is the natural progression from BF2 and BFBC2. Good to see PC getting a fair amount of attention in development and a game actually progressing rather than opting out of progression to make more games rather than quality games.    … Expand
  25. kristofferdk
    Nov 8, 2011
    9
    I love this game. The multiplayer part this the best, the singleplayer isn't so long but i liked it. It´s the best FPS i EVER have played, and i got all COD. Battlelog was at first i thought it was wierd but after some time i really like it, nice with the stats and soo on.
  26. iamthewizard2
    Nov 8, 2011
    10
    amazing graphics.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  27. AndreyE
    Nov 8, 2011
    7
    7. Because it lacks such a basic feature as in-game ping, that makes game laggy. Every new patch brings new glitches. But still it's the best game up-to-date. You won't be able to play anything else after you encounter it. It needs a lot of work. But still it will be the best out there for a year for sure. Only GTA5 can make players disappear for a while.
  28. WEDhicks
    Nov 8, 2011
    10
    Graphics on this game are stunning. The animation are also top notch. Sound in this game is like I never heard before; absolutely fabulous. Then there is the whole destruction engine which isn't all that dynamic as DICE want us to believe but still there is no single shooter out there which can match this.

    Yes there are some bugs in there but since this is a "new" engine and a new game    Graphics on this game are stunning. The animation are also top notch. Sound in this game is like I never heard before; absolutely fabulous. Then there is the whole destruction engine which isn't all that dynamic as DICE want us to believe but still there is no single shooter out there which can match this.

    Yes there are some bugs in there but since this is a "new" engine and a new game this is to be expected.    … Expand
  29. evanrm
    Nov 8, 2011
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I previously wrote a review where I dissed the web-based server browser. Nothing has changed there. It forces the game executable to quit every time I want to change servers. That's quite simply madness.

    I have raised my review score to a 7 however. This is because I finally realised that BF3 is NOT a sequel to BF2. It's a sequel to Bad Company 2. In fact, apart from new weapons and maps, it's EXACTLY the same as Bad Company 2. Bad Company 2 was a fine game, but I was hoping for a real Battlefield game. That being said, Bad Company 3 is okay. They've screwed up the rush maps on the smaller ones (Grand Bizarre, Tehran Highway etc) where you don't really advance, you just move around the map.

    Graphics are buggy, spawns are a bit whack, the UI is totally console based.

    Not a bad game, but not what they claimed. Bad Company 3. Enjoy.    … Expand
  30. Paradoxed
    Nov 8, 2011
    10
    The best new FPS this year, hands down. The campaign is more or less a spectacularly better looking version of a Call of Duty campaign. There is little to story or plot cohesion, but if you did not find this a problem in CoD, you won't here. Visuals are stunning, as if I need to tell you. The multiplayer experience, vehicles in all, is as good as one can hope for.
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Awards & Rankings

8
#8 Best PC Game of 2011
6
#6 Most Discussed PC Game of 2011
5
#5 Most Shared PC Game of 2011

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
89

Generally favorable reviews - based on 61 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 60 out of 61
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 61
  3. Negative: 0 out of 61
  1. Computer Games Online RO
    Mar 7, 2012
    86
    It's all a matter of taste, after all. They each provide a certain type of entertainment – when talking about Battlefield 3, it involves a bigger game, more open in its possibilities and more spectacular. But on a longer timeline, less frantic and with fewer Bruce Willis scenes than the mass appeal beast it set itself to dethrone.
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  2. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    Jan 20, 2012
    80
    No, Battlefield 3 is not the best game of today. But good looking – definitely. It also has an absolutely addictive multiplayer. Who needs more? [Dec 2011]
  3. PC PowerPlay
    Dec 4, 2011
    90
    Both a triumphant leap forward and a return to form for the Battlefield series. This is the best multiplayer shooter on PC. [Christmas 2011, p.58]
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