User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 1893 Ratings

User score distribution:
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  1. Oct 26, 2011
    7
    Unfortunately BF3 doesn't live up to its hype. Single player is full of glitches, some enough to put down the game for good. (I'm getting a full white screen in the Night Shift Mission.) Although it is a good game, its nothing that hasn't been done before in more than one First Person shooter. Over all single player is nothing special, but fun if you love playing FPS. Other than glitches,Unfortunately BF3 doesn't live up to its hype. Single player is full of glitches, some enough to put down the game for good. (I'm getting a full white screen in the Night Shift Mission.) Although it is a good game, its nothing that hasn't been done before in more than one First Person shooter. Over all single player is nothing special, but fun if you love playing FPS. Other than glitches, the graphics and sound are great and what keep you wanting more. Multiplayer is what keeps the game fresh. Its a lot like Bad Company, so if you were into that type of Multiplayer experience, you will enjoy this. It's fun and easy to pick up. I plan on playing it online for many hours to come. The online experience is un-comparable to any other, because its different. I was hoping the Single Player would be better. Expand
  2. Jan 14, 2012
    7
    Battlefield 3's multiplayer has got to be one of the most immersive multiplayers yet, and still retains to be noob-friendly while still rewarding the dominant of players.

    On a side-note, the single player is completely trash and feels heavily scripted, but on the other hand, the multiplayer makes up for this.
  3. Nov 9, 2011
    7
    If you're buying Battlefield 3, you only do it for multiplayer, which is great (more about it later). The campaign has some interesting and cool moments, but the AI is extremely painful - all enemies are absolutely stupid, yet they always know where you are hiding if you are in front of them - talk about lazy programming.

    The graphics are a mixture of awesomeness and disappointment. The
    If you're buying Battlefield 3, you only do it for multiplayer, which is great (more about it later). The campaign has some interesting and cool moments, but the AI is extremely painful - all enemies are absolutely stupid, yet they always know where you are hiding if you are in front of them - talk about lazy programming.

    The graphics are a mixture of awesomeness and disappointment. The lighting system is really impressive, however I hate fighting when it's dark as everything blends together. Moreover many elements seem fuzzy and pixelated. Character animation is very good.

    Multiplayer is great - addictive and focuses on team play. If you have played a lot of CoD before, you need some time to get use to the new way of playing. You actually kill less frequently and have to think more about your strategy, however this in return gives you more satisfaction. For example, team deathmatch is actually TEAM deathmatch, as opposed to CoD, where it's usually "every man for himself".

    Vehicles add a lot to the gameplay. Classes are balanced nicely and actually force some players to think tactically.

    Overall, the game is pretty good, it's just a shame that the campaign is a disappointment.
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  4. Nov 13, 2011
    7
    Battlefield 3 at its core is successful in its biggest shot yet at a better more diverse multiplayer but is the first person shooter market too densly populated?
    Graphics: 8.5 - The new frostbite engine gives off some stunning visuals not to be taken lightly but not groundbreaking on the console versions as they are on PC in other words not in the batch of 'best' looking games on console.
    Battlefield 3 at its core is successful in its biggest shot yet at a better more diverse multiplayer but is the first person shooter market too densly populated?
    Graphics: 8.5 - The new frostbite engine gives off some stunning visuals not to be taken lightly but not groundbreaking on the console versions as they are on PC in other words not in the batch of 'best' looking games on console. Presentation: 8 - New menus and altogether some new implementation in place the presentation within the game is fantastic.
    Sound: 8 - Sounds fantastic with the sounds of buildings crumbling around you truly feeling immersive and the sounds of the guns at a high quality.
    Gameplay: 7 - Hugely let down by its single player attempt it feels like a high production film with a low production writer. In other words the single player to be blunt feels confused among the gameplay values and in a single player experience which should be sensational its a little disappointing the features of the multiplayer weren't implemented enough into the single player because the multi-player is great.
    Lasting appeal: 7 - In the densely populated market of first person shooters and the single player not being one with huge replay value it really depends on how dedicated the player is to the multiplayer.
    Overall - 7.5/8 possibly.
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  5. Oct 26, 2011
    7
    The single player is offensively horrible and a flagship example of EA's lack of understanding for narrative. But when it comes to Battlefield it's not about the narrative--it's about the online multiplayer and its amazing!

    Battlefield 3's story campaign and multiplayer are two completely different games. They have the same graphic engines, controls, weaponry, and even locations--but
    The single player is offensively horrible and a flagship example of EA's lack of understanding for narrative. But when it comes to Battlefield it's not about the narrative--it's about the online multiplayer and its amazing!

    Battlefield 3's story campaign and multiplayer are two completely different games. They have the same graphic engines, controls, weaponry, and even locations--but they are nothing alike in terms of concept and enjoyment. EA/Dice attempt a low-key narrative about a soldier that uh...sits in a room and talks about past experiences that have marginally anything to do with a terrorist plot 8 hours from execution in New York City. This soldier informs his "keepers" that a man named Solomon is behind the attack. They aggressively...because aggression means drama right?...interrogate the solider about where he first heard of Solomon. We then flash back to the first real level--the vary familiar earth quake level from early demonstrations. Here, we undergo sniper scenarios, fend off an onslaught of stupid yet deadeye bad guys and deal with an IED. Not one time is the name Solomon mentioned.

    If you decide to play through the campaign (I did for the trophies) then accept that the narrative just isn't there. The most important details and most exciting level is actually at the end of the game. Up until then--it's basically a series of tasks that lead to cheap deaths and aggravation. I almost broke my controller in-half more than once. Because Dice thinks good lighting means glares and lens dust don't expect to have the easiest time spotting black-clothed enemies from black backgrounds. My tactic was to stand in the open waiting to be shot so I could trace muzzle flashes to enemy locations. Your AI buddies will take the best shooting locations and then fail to do much damage. And if you take the cover assigned to them, they'll push you out of the way. Now, sharp shooting enemies that don't need to raise their guns to get head shots is one thing--but the fact that you can't trust the game to direct you to your next goal safely is unacceptable. Most the game is spent following a specific soldier. An Icon will appear over their head and you must walk within a few feet in order for the game to progress. This is quite annoying when the soldier is standing in an open field behind no cover and every attempt to reach him leads to another death. Sometimes they're on the other side of a battlefield and every enemy you kill is immediately replaced, making it near impossible to get across without dying. What's worse--the game will ask you to do illogical tasks. In the first full level, you're asked to go up on a bridge that provides no cover and man a light machine gun while all 20 bad guys shoot at you. I died 10 times in a row without even reaching the gun. Finally, I crawled to the gun but accidentally hit reload. By the time I had finished reloading, the commander was already sounding retreat... One mission has you escaping to a plane...but the game won't allow you on until your teammates have boarded first. I didn't realize this till I was blocked from boarding by an invisible wall and shot to death. On my next try--I simply laid down behind some bushes until they called for me to board. It was an absolute miserable experience.

    Yet with all these miserable attempts to make exciting scenarios no moment in the single player campaign, was any where as exciting as the many memorable events of online play. I was once involved in a five minute firefight in an alleyway. Our team needed to capture the alley to allow for flanking positions on an MCOM station and the other team obviously needed that not to happen. Rockets flew over head, grenades were thrown back and forth, soldiers were dying and being revived left and right--it was amazingly intense and despite coming out on the losing end, I had more fun in those five minutes than in the entire single player campaign. Makes me wonder why they even bothered. Battlefield 3's online experience is awesome and a great update from Bad Company 2. The graphics are neater (even with PS3 doesn't get the full glory of the PC version) and the gameplay is smoother. The levels are great and allow for a wide variety of strategy and challenge. There's no room for heroes or loners--you need to work together to succeed; communication is key. This is a game for those looking to use tactic and cooperation to win. There's plenty of points to be earned without killing a single enemy (mine mostly come from heals, revives, and base captures.) Of course, that doesn't mean you won't find yourself kicking a little extra ass from one game to the next. If you're looking for a chance to just kill-kill-kill--you may want to look elsewhere. But if you're looking for an in-depth battlefield experience--here it is as the name implies--and it does not disappoint.
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  6. Nov 8, 2011
    7
    a little disappointment with the input lag on controls and the horrible voice chat, but you can see the potential this game have once they fix these problems.
    it's distressful to trace a target with the input lag, so I'll wait until they fix this.
    everything else is great thou
  7. Nov 8, 2011
    7
    On PC Battlefield 3 is incredible. On the PS3, though, it feels clunky. They tried so hard to NOT be CoD that they avoided using some of the things that CoD mastered in multiplayer gameplay. I will keep playing it, but only when I need a break from MW3.
  8. Nov 8, 2011
    7
    A good shooter. Which is why it is a 7. While realism has improved dramatically, and it is visually appealing, it only gets a 7 because it is just another shooter. Nothing innovative in the entertainment part of the game, it is just a realistic shooter.
  9. Nov 8, 2011
    7
    Battlefield 3 is a game hoping to achieve respect by all gamers and game reviewers. I think it does. But it falls flat in some areas of the game.
    The campain for Battlefield 3 feels half assed and unrealistic. The whole thing feels like black ops and has no creativity what so ever, just go in a room and shoot people.
    I could tell that DICE didnt focus as much on the singleplayer as it did
    Battlefield 3 is a game hoping to achieve respect by all gamers and game reviewers. I think it does. But it falls flat in some areas of the game.
    The campain for Battlefield 3 feels half assed and unrealistic. The whole thing feels like black ops and has no creativity what so ever, just go in a room and shoot people.
    I could tell that DICE didnt focus as much on the singleplayer as it did with the multiplayer. The multiplayer has great polish and works like a charm. The leveling up system is great and the maps are big and beautifal. i would recemend buying this game used.
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  10. Nov 9, 2011
    7
    Let me start of by saying that the hype generated before the game was launched was not justified by the end product. Don't Get me wrong, this is not at all a bad game, just that the over hype and the PC footage killed it. The Single Campaign was short and the story in it looked like it was taken from a cheap military film. But the lighting was top notch in this game. The were also a lot ofLet me start of by saying that the hype generated before the game was launched was not justified by the end product. Don't Get me wrong, this is not at all a bad game, just that the over hype and the PC footage killed it. The Single Campaign was short and the story in it looked like it was taken from a cheap military film. But the lighting was top notch in this game. The were also a lot of pop in issues that i noticed in the game , and there were a few texture issues that i found. At Certain points, i found that the textures reminded me of the old battlefield 2. This all said and done, this series was never intended as a single player game. The game excelled in its multiplayer format. And there is one thing to say about it. Its Top Notch. Its only other contender in MP would be Uncharted 3(Though it belongs to a different genere, the are comparable to a certain extent.). The game play style is team and objective based and not kill based. The key thing that is required is not skill with the weapon, but team bonding and dynamics. Strategy and Flanking is required in the game. All in all this game is a must buy for everyone to enjoy a good MP Expand
  11. Nov 11, 2011
    7
    I was looking forward to Battlefield 3. I am a huge fan of the previous installments and love the Bad Company Series. The Frost Engine 2 is an impressive piece of hardware, which is the problem with this game. It plays and directs the single play like a giant tech demo. The story is part Black Ops and part Modern Warfare 1. There was no originally and that is a huge disappointment.

    The
    I was looking forward to Battlefield 3. I am a huge fan of the previous installments and love the Bad Company Series. The Frost Engine 2 is an impressive piece of hardware, which is the problem with this game. It plays and directs the single play like a giant tech demo. The story is part Black Ops and part Modern Warfare 1. There was no originally and that is a huge disappointment.

    The multiplayer is fun and offers robust action. Something however is lacking, and I can't seem to enjoy the series as I have past installments. I would suggest renting first.
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  12. Nov 13, 2011
    7
    Modern warfare 2 is good, but not even killfests compare to the simulation and entertainment I get from battlefield 3.

    Walls and building being destroyed. Rubble and debris everywhere! Tanks and squads assaulting strategic areas a la flag placements.  Being holed up in a building while the enemy is beseiging it with tanks, helicoptors, snipers while your squad works together
    Modern warfare 2 is good, but not even killfests compare to the simulation and entertainment I get from battlefield 3.

    Walls and building being destroyed. Rubble and debris everywhere! Tanks and squads assaulting strategic areas a la flag placements. 
    Being holed up in a building while the enemy is beseiging it with tanks, helicoptors, snipers while your squad works together to heal, supply each other and take out the enemy!

    Oh man...modern warfare 2 does not offer this. It only gives you kill rushes. Thats it. And im sure mw3 does the same. I...cannot accept this over the massive stimulation I get from battlefield 3. I get less kills, but The overall experience is better.

    People who complain about battlefield 3 cuz of the single player campaign, snipers, people hidden in rubble that look like dead bodies are a bunch of **** who bring down a good game. So, what do you want...fking to have men rush you like monsters do in power rangers so you can get your easy kills? 

    I don't give a **** about bf3 single player. Bf3 isnt about singleplayer. Its all about the multiplayer, and all you **** who think ps3 graphics sucks for bf3 are a bunch of ****. Graphics dont always make the game---hence why bf2 from 2005 is still the king over all these games. Bf2 is the true call of duty killer, and I fking hate it every time I see a little bc2 **** with a bc2 dog tag playing bf3. I wish bad company would die a horrible death along with goldeneye-of-warfare 3.
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  13. Nov 17, 2011
    7
    Ok, so first off the single player of battlefield 3 is pretty disappointing, the story was pretty predictable and the storytelling was some of the least dramatic or engrossing I have played. 'Between a rock and a hard place' provided some interesting imagery and 'comrades' must be my favourite level but really the single player offering here is poor. However the multiplayer experienceisOk, so first off the single player of battlefield 3 is pretty disappointing, the story was pretty predictable and the storytelling was some of the least dramatic or engrossing I have played. 'Between a rock and a hard place' provided some interesting imagery and 'comrades' must be my favourite level but really the single player offering here is poor. However the multiplayer experienceis much better I have had no problems finding matches and the option to use a server browser makes finding my kind of games far easier, everything in the multiplayer game seems to work very well and though it can be frustrating at times I feel that this is due to the inherent competetive nature of online shooter rather than any flaw with the game. My only real complaint here is the quality teamplay capabilities, I have only been able to form parties of up to 4 (I believe this is intentional) which is much smaller than I would like in addition to this our group was often split up apon joining matches often onto opposing teams. The quality of voice communication also leaves some to be desired it is often difficult to understand squadmate and you can only communicate with your squad. For this I must dock battlefield points. Overall though with a solid online component it would be difficult to view this as anything but a good buy for an fps fan. Expand
  14. Nov 20, 2011
    7
    The game is really fun to play, however, there are a few issues. One, being the campaign mode is very short and rushed and feels like its lacking some substance and story line, I feel DICE miss the ball on this one where as, in my opinion, Medal of Honor still holds the title for best story in a game. Second, is the issues on multiplayer like, unbalanced weapons, low weapon damage, gameThe game is really fun to play, however, there are a few issues. One, being the campaign mode is very short and rushed and feels like its lacking some substance and story line, I feel DICE miss the ball on this one where as, in my opinion, Medal of Honor still holds the title for best story in a game. Second, is the issues on multiplayer like, unbalanced weapons, low weapon damage, game latency and last but not forgotten is the horrible respawning problem. "Unbalanced weapons" An example of this is the PP-2000 out gunning a Shotgun at close range enough said! "Low weapon damage" Nothing drives me more crazy than wasting an entire Mag on someone to kill them, I mean come on 15-31 rounds into someone standing still before they die is just stupid! "Game latency" proof of this as most people knows who have played the game is while taking fire you run for cover only to be killed once you've made it around a corner or behind an object by the same player who was shooting you to begin with. And now to the worst of them all is the awful "Respawning" for TDM. I can not count the amount of times I have been killed because I have been spawned right into the sights of an enemy and shot dead before i could even hit the run or shot button. I am giving this game a 7 because of these issues and a few others. I ama little disappointed in this game but it is better the most of its competitors and its good to see that DICE is taking the proper steps to correct these problem. It's not often you see the developers listen to their customers and fix the problems these days. Good Hunting out there! Expand
  15. Dec 21, 2011
    7
    A good game. The multiplayer is just great, nothing to say about it... But the campain is just... it doesn't look like a "battlefield" game, it is short, to linear, some bugs... The scenario is good I think, but that's the only positive point, I think. About the co-op, it is more a stopgap than anything else.

    To buy only for the multiplayer ! Do not expect something clean and beautiful
    A good game. The multiplayer is just great, nothing to say about it... But the campain is just... it doesn't look like a "battlefield" game, it is short, to linear, some bugs... The scenario is good I think, but that's the only positive point, I think. About the co-op, it is more a stopgap than anything else.

    To buy only for the multiplayer ! Do not expect something clean and beautiful for the solo!
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  16. Jan 28, 2012
    7
    I love Battlefield but i have to give this a 7 because of the bugs. Battlefield 3 is probably one of the more bug infested games i have ever played. Just to list out a few the knife won't work all the time, sometimes for certain weapons you'r arms can obstruct your view, and LAG. Battlefield's support is just horrible, when contacted about these problems they often say it is you'r internetI love Battlefield but i have to give this a 7 because of the bugs. Battlefield 3 is probably one of the more bug infested games i have ever played. Just to list out a few the knife won't work all the time, sometimes for certain weapons you'r arms can obstruct your view, and LAG. Battlefield's support is just horrible, when contacted about these problems they often say it is you'r internet connection or a problem with the PlayStation. I love BF3 but if you are looking to buy this game then i would suggest holding off till February after they patch the game . . . . again. Expand
  17. Apr 25, 2013
    7
    The PC version in better in every way that got a 10 from me but the ps3 version isn't that good compared but great game still worth buying even if you have a bad PC
  18. May 26, 2013
    7
    While Iv'e never been a fan of EA's games, besides Dead Space, I think I might reconsider that thought. Battlefield 3 has the best graphics Iv'e seen in any game. Downside, the campaign is just a "meh", the story is crap, ally A.I. get in the way a lot, and the jet mission couldv'e been fun if you could FLY the jet! The MP, however, is the games saving grace. Maps are large, weapons areWhile Iv'e never been a fan of EA's games, besides Dead Space, I think I might reconsider that thought. Battlefield 3 has the best graphics Iv'e seen in any game. Downside, the campaign is just a "meh", the story is crap, ally A.I. get in the way a lot, and the jet mission couldv'e been fun if you could FLY the jet! The MP, however, is the games saving grace. Maps are large, weapons are cool, tank combat is awesome! To bad its not better than MW3. Expand
  19. Jul 10, 2013
    7
    Don't have much to say except Battlefield 3 is great on pc and okay on ps3. Awesome Mutipayer keep the score up even-though the singe player drags it down.
  20. Sep 8, 2013
    7
    This is my first Battlefield, and I'm quite impressed with the multiplayer. I love levelling up, love the graphics. I stay alive a lot longer than in Reach... Very addicting and fun.

    The single player campaign is too much in rails for my likes.
  21. Oct 5, 2013
    7
    Their are many amazing first person shooters but unfortunately this is not one of them. Dont get me wrong this is not a bad game by any means. The campaign is okay and has some really interesting plot points. The gameplay is amazing and very realistic. The multiplayer is solid but not for me. To tell you the truth i would rather have a Bad Company 3 than a Battlefield 3. HopefullyTheir are many amazing first person shooters but unfortunately this is not one of them. Dont get me wrong this is not a bad game by any means. The campaign is okay and has some really interesting plot points. The gameplay is amazing and very realistic. The multiplayer is solid but not for me. To tell you the truth i would rather have a Bad Company 3 than a Battlefield 3. Hopefully Battlefield 4 restores my faith in the numbered sequels. Expand
  22. Aug 5, 2016
    7
    Battlefield 3 is a first-person shooter video game developed by EA DICE and published by Electronic Arts.

    + Multiplayer
    + Sound Effects
    - Bad Story Campaign
  23. Jan 16, 2017
    7
    This is a good game in 2017... never played a battlefield game before only killzone2, rage and cod mw3. I have to say the single player experience is acceptable, the story and cutscenes are lame but the gameplay is fun and with enough variety. In the multiplayer experience it gives it's best and becomes fairly hard for me. The conquest mode is strange for me as i didn't get it's mechanicsThis is a good game in 2017... never played a battlefield game before only killzone2, rage and cod mw3. I have to say the single player experience is acceptable, the story and cutscenes are lame but the gameplay is fun and with enough variety. In the multiplayer experience it gives it's best and becomes fairly hard for me. The conquest mode is strange for me as i didn't get it's mechanics and a game seem to last waaay too long. I still remember the first far cry multiplayer as more fun. But this game makes things work for a more updated gameplay. It's mostly cahotic and fast paced, and I think that's good for this kind of game. Expand
  24. Aug 16, 2016
    7
    Battlefield 3 is a first-person shooter video game developed by EA DICE and published by Electronic Arts.

    + Multiplayer
    + Sound Effects
    - Bad Story Campaign
  25. Mar 14, 2017
    7
    Uno de los pocos juegos de disparos que me ha mantenido enganchado durante bastante tiempo.

    Una jugabilidad sobresaliente, gráficos punteros para su época, variedad de mapas, modos de juego... Sin duda su multiplicador es de lo mejor en este genero que te puede encontrar. Tiene carencias, desde luego, algunas de las expansiones fueron bastante malas, con mapas extremadamente grandes
    Uno de los pocos juegos de disparos que me ha mantenido enganchado durante bastante tiempo.

    Una jugabilidad sobresaliente, gráficos punteros para su época, variedad de mapas, modos de juego... Sin duda su multiplicador es de lo mejor en este genero que te puede encontrar. Tiene carencias, desde luego, algunas de las expansiones fueron bastante malas, con mapas extremadamente grandes para tan pocos jugadores en partida, desequilibrios en ciertos mapas, y demás.

    Añadir que el modo historia es un paseo para enseñar lo que puede hacer el motor gráfico y poco más, no esperéis una obra de Shakespeare o Cerbantes.

    A pesar de los fallos que puedan existir en esta entrega, es un juego muy recomendado en su faceta multijugador.
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  26. Jun 2, 2020
    7
    Battlefield 3
    .............................................................
  27. Oct 10, 2018
    7
    rrrrrrrrrrraaaaaaaaaaadddddddddddiiiiiiiiiiicccccccccccaaaaaaaaaaalllllllllll
  28. Feb 19, 2019
    7
    the game is not bad and is not good the only one thing i like it is the graphics it was nice,
  29. Jul 7, 2023
    7
    Squad of friends on Metro playing RUSH mode, play it once to understand that Battlefield 3 was a great game.
  30. Dec 28, 2021
    7
    Atmosphere: 8
    Enjoyment: 7
    Gameplay: 7
    Graphics: 5
    Music: 6
    Story: 6
    Total: 6.50
Metascore
85

Generally favorable reviews - based on 38 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 35 out of 38
  2. Negative: 0 out of 38
  1. Feb 10, 2012
    80
    Hopefully EA reconsiders its approach to toppling Call Of Duty in the future, and allows its games to develop their own personality, rather than imitate something else.
  2. Playstation: The Official Magazine (US)
    Jan 4, 2012
    80
    Despite its incredible competitive online play, we can't ignore the shortcomings of its campaign and Co-Op. [Jan 2012, p.66]
  3. Official PlayStation Magazine Benelux
    Jan 2, 2012
    90
    The nine multiplayer maps seem to be designed specifically to let players come up with their own creative strategies. Compared to COD, this gives the player a real sense of freedom. There is no such thing as a perfect strategy or a trotten path. [December 2011, p.74]