Are you a new or long-time player of this great franchise? Here are our picks for the top five greatest Battlefield games that are still great fun!
The Battlefield franchise is one of the most iconic multiplayer first-person shooters of all time, and you would have to live under a rock not to know at least one of these fantastic games.
Despite a few failures, Battlefield has remained one of the behemoths in this industry, developing quality titles throughout the decades with some of the most impressive and revolutionary first-person shooter experiences. Battlefield is a massively multiplayer shooter, with its only direct competitor being Call of Duty.
Thankfully, this fantastic franchise has given us incredibly memorable games that everybody loves. Even after years of release, they still have a loyal community of gamers who won’t let their favorite games die.
Battlefield is a franchise that is here to stay. Even though we haven’t had a great Battlefield game in some years, older titles still hold up to today’s standards and have a massive community of players.
So, for those looking to play a great FPS game, we have compiled a list of the top five Battlefield games of all time, so let’s dig in!
What Makes the Battlefield Franchise so Iconic and Fun
The Battlefield franchise has been a community favorite throughout the years for several reasons.
1. Intense Gameplay
Battlefield games offer a unique first-person shooter experience with intense combat and large-scale battles. During these large-scale battles, players can use all kinds of vehicles, such as ground vehicles, fighter jets, bombers, and helicopters.
Weapons in Battlefield are punchy and somewhat realistic without crossing the Mil-Sim line. This game requires thinking, strategy, and skill, which makes it a challenging and enjoyable experience for all its players.
2. Graphics and Sound Design
One of the franchise’s staples is the realistic visuals and sound design that will blow your eardrums away. The sound in Battlefield is intense and punchy, making you feel like you were firing a real weapon.
Even in older Battlefield games, the visuals are awe-striking and still stand out to this generation’s standards. The mix of stunning graphics and realistic sound effects helps create an immersive and engaging gaming experience.
3. Massive Multiplayer Battles
Battlefield games offer a unique experience of a massively multiplayer shooter, providing large-scale battles that can accommodate up to 64 players in one match.
These large-scale battles allow the players to be in constant action, keeping players returning for these unique experiences.
4. Dynamic Maps with Destructible Environments
One fantastic feature of every Battlefield game is the real-time events throughout the match and the destructibility of the environment. The early Battlefield games really helped pioneer destructible maps in FPS games. Very few other games have ever done it as well.
Destructibility is another factor that makes this franchise great, as every building and structure can be destroyed by players in various ways as the match progresses—from small buildings to massive skyscrapers.
Another significant characteristic of these games is the events that can randomly happen in real-time during a match, such as natural disasters, which completely change the visuals and design of the map after they occur.
The Best Battlefield Games Of All Time
With so many great titles over the years, deciding which Battlefield game to play next can be hard. In this section, we will take a look back at some of the best Battlefield games of all time. From the epic, historical battles of Battlefield 1 to the modern setting of Battlefield 4, we’ll explore each game’s unique features, gameplay, and what made them such memorable entries in the Battlefield franchise.
So, whether you’re a long-time fan or a newcomer to the series, get ready to travel back in time and experience some of the best Battlefield games of all time.
5. Battlefield 4
While Battlefield 4 had a rough release, the developers saved the game, making it one of their most successful titles and a bellowed game in the Battlefield community.
Battlefield 4 features larger maps than ever seen in previous titles, more game modes, and a wide variety of weapons to unlock. Destructibility in this game was also incredible as it offers highly dynamic maps with interactive environments that react to player actions.
The wide variety of vehicles made everyone fall in love with this game, as it features all kinds of ground vehicles, sea vehicles, a lot of helicopters, and air vehicles that provide a fresh and varied experience to the community.
Battlefield 4 has five impressive expansions offering more than 20 maps, modes, and unlockables. Moreover, Battlefield 4 was one of the last games to offer a wholly single-player experience with a decent and exciting campaign.
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Current Player Count of Battlefield 4 in 2023
Based on Steam Charts, Battlefield 4 has around 2,000 players daily without considering consoles and other platforms such as Origin or EA Play, as their numbers are harder to track. Moreover, there are definitely a lot of players playing on consoles that are not tracked by Steam, so the real numbers should be much higher.
There are also tons of private launchers with private servers featuring incredible mods that you can download now and enjoy this fantastic game.
Release Date: October 29, 2013
Platforms: PC, PlayStation platforms, and Xbox platforms
4. Battlefield 2
Before Battlefield 2, there were already excellent Battlefield games; however, this is where the franchise’s greatness began.
While this game may be smaller in scale than its successors, it offers entertaining matches of two teams, with up to 32 players each, where they can battle with various weapons and vehicles.
This game seriously establishes roles that players can select to contribute to the team in their own way. Even though this is a 2005 game, and the visuals have aged like milk, the gameplay is still enjoyable, and gunfights have an impact like no other game.
Battlefield 2 was extraordinarily detailed and impressive for its era and, to this day, is still considered one of the best Battlefield games available.
Current Player Count of Battlefield 2 in 2023
While Battlefield 2 Steam Charts numbers are a little depressing, you can still find a decent player base on a private launcher that community members have developed and keep this game alive.
BF2 Hub is an excellent example of community efforts to keep this great game alive and is free and easy to install on any PC!
Release Date: June 21, 2005
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 2, Xbox 1, and Xbox 360
3. Battlefield: Bad Company 2
Battlefield: Bad Company 2 is where the golden age of Battlefield started, and every aspect that made the franchise great shone.
Battlefield: Bad Company 2 is a game that feels like a good war movie, with impressive gunfights, immersive sound design, and some of the most memorable maps in the franchise. While this game wasn’t as vast as other titles from the same era, it shone in its own way, paying off players who played the objective and stuck to their role in aiding their team.
This action-packed and explosive game stands out today as one of the best Battlefield games for those looking for more strategic and team-based gameplay.
Current Player Count of Battlefield: Bad Company 2 in 2023
Similar to Battlefield 2, the number on Steam Charts seems to be low, but fortunately, even in the base servers, you can still find some matches to play with your friends.
We also recommend searching for private launchers to have a more impactful experience in Battlefield: Bad Company 2.
Release Date: March 1, 2010
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360
2. Battlefield 1 – Runner-up to the Best Battlefield Game
Battlefield 1 is DICE’s last love letter to the community; this game did everything right while everyone thought it was not possible.
At first, the idea of a Battlefield game set in World War I wasn’t exciting due to the lack of combat options; however, DICE managed to pull it off and deliver us the most gorgeous-looking Battlefield game of its time.
Not only did Battlefield 1 deliver the most impressive visuals, but the atmosphere was unmatched and sometimes made you feel like you were in the middle of a natural yet horrific war, as the maps were incredibly detailed, dirty, and lifelike.
With Battlefield 1, DICE took a more profound and darker approach for this game, and it worked, making it stand out highly from other Battlefield games and becoming what many consider one of the best in the franchise.
Current Player Count of Battlefield 1 in 2023
If you want to play this game right now, you can without struggling to find a match. While numbers are lower when this game was at its peak, based on Steam charts, you can find around 5,000 to 15,000 players per day playing on the base servers.
The game still has a large community, and you can have just as much fun as we did when it was first released. I recommend playing the game before it becomes unavailable.
Release Date: October 21, 2016
Platforms: PC, PlayStation platforms and Xbox platforms
1. Battlefield 3 – The Best Battlefield Game of All Time
Battlefield 3 was like Battlefield on caffeine, as this game had everything to offer and never let up.
Battlefield 3 set the standard for multiplayer FPS gaming and featured some of the most memorable maps in a first-person shooter game. This allowed players to have unforgettable experiences with their friends.
The multiplayer mode in Battlefield 3 was incredibly immersive, with large-scale battles and expertly designed maps that ensured there was never a dull moment. The game’s weapons feel powerful, the explosions are stunningly realistic, and the tanks are so lifelike that you’ll find yourself ducking behind your computer. Overall, Battlefield 3 is an impressive game that pays close attention to every detail.
Not only does Battlefield 3 have great multiplayer, but it also offers an engaging campaign that many consider the best of all the campaigns in the franchise.
Current Player Count of Battlefield 3 in 2023
Base servers lack players based on Steam Charts numbers, but out of all the games on this list, Battlefield 3 has the more dedicated community in this franchise. Modders are still creating content and remastering this game, with thousands of players on private launchers and servers.
Even though this game is over a decade old, there are many community-hosted games for Battlefield 3 available 24/7, and you can enjoy it right now.
We highly recommend that fans of first-person shooters play Battlefield 3, as it is a masterpiece that shouldn’t be missed. Dive into it as soon as you can!
Release Date: October 25, 2011
Platforms: PC, PlayStation platforms and Xbox platforms
Final Thoughts on the Best Battlefield Games of All Time
We really recommend playing these top five Battlefield games with your friends if you are true Battlefield games fans. The franchise’s dedicated community keeps these great games alive for new and experienced players to enjoy.
We had tons of fun playing these five amazing games, and we know you will too. Let us know in the comments below what kind of content you would like to read on our site. Feel free to check our other articles, such as our list of the best open-world, procedurally-generated, survival games like Subnautica.
Stay tuned for more fantastic upcoming content!
Good luck, and have fun!
