Sitting down to playBattlefield 1most gamers will know what to expect. Yes, the setting has moved to the oft-requestedWorld War 1, but the central DNA ofBattlefieldis still present in this year’s entry. However, that new wrapper forBattlefield 1, which strips down the combat to simpler weapons and vehicles, has a strong appeal, and taking on 32 opponents is more fun than it has ever been.
In the most basic sense,Battlefield 1is still aBattlefieldgame. Players pick from one offour classes (assault, support, medic, or scout), which each come with a selection of weapons. As players progress they will have access to more weapons, but for ourE3 2016 demothe options were somewhat limited. The assault brandishes an assault rifle, the support uses a heavy machine gun, the medic uses a bolt-action rifle or marksman rifle, and the scout has long-range weapons like sniper rifles.
Whereas pastBattlefieldgames have featured modern tanks, jets, and helicopters,Battlefield 1uses bulkier tanks and assault vehicles, as well as propeller planes and bombers. And in true DICE fashion, the sights and sounds of these vehicles create a sense of immersion while battling foes in WWI Paris.
Picking up and playing in the world ofBattlefield 1should prove easy for longtime fans. For our demo, the DICE developers hosted a64-player Conquest match, which saw two, 32-player teams jockeying for control of 6 points on the map.
However, what gives Conquest a little extra flair inBattlefield 1is that the losing team gets some added support in the form of amassive airship. It’s the Hindenburg looking, zeppelin-esque vehicle seen in all of theBattlefield 1marketing thus far. The airship seats up to 6 players and can reign down major firepower from its lofty heights. It can even turn the tide of battle should the enemy team ignore it.
With the airship overhead, biplanes zipping by, tanks stomping through buildings, and ground troops at all angles, Battlefield 1 is at its best when the player immerses themselves in the experience. It’s a good thing then that developer DICE has carefully brought the World War 1 era to life, and packaged it around their battle-tested multiplayer formula.
Even the little touches, like the instant kill bayonet charge or the way the medics revive teammates with a shot, help give a clear sense of time and place toBattlefield 1. For all intents and purposes this is exactly what the fans were asking for: aBattlefieldgame set during World War 1. Whether or not the developers will be able to flesh things out beyond the basics, and if they can polish the product in alpha and beta testing, is yet to be seen. But for a first hands-on experience,Battlefield 1leaves quite an impression.
Battlefield 1releases July 17, 2025 for PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
