Battlefield 6 beta review: A return to glory with intense maps and destruction
After 10 hours in the Battlefield 6 open beta, the game feels like a return to the series' golden days. With stunning visuals, destructible environments, and well-designed maps, it blends close combat with large-scale vehicle battles. Smooth performance and satisfying gunplay hint at a strong full release.
New Delhi: Battlefield 6’s first Open Beta weekend has wrapped up, and with the second one coming soon, I wanted to share my thoughts after putting in around 10 hours across Conquest and Breakthrough modes.
For context, I’ve played Battlefield 3, Battlefield 4, and Battlefield 2042 quite extensively. BF4 remains one of the best FPS games I’ve ever played, while BF2042 became fun over time as DICE fixed its rocky launch. That said, finding matches in BF2042 was often a challenge.
Cut to Battlefield 6; the game recorded over 334,000 peak concurrent players during its closed beta, and an incredible 521,000 during the open beta. If your only Battlefield experience is with BF2042, BF6 will feel very different. It draws heavily from BF3 and BF4, with stunning visuals, punchy sound effects, and an immense amount of destruction, and I mean a lot.
Battlefield 6: first experience
I played on a PlayStation 5 paired with a 120Hz VRR-compatible TV, switching between Sony Pulse 3D headphones, and a Dolby Atmos soundbar. The intensity hits you instantly. Even with just three maps available during the beta: two close-quarter arenas and one larger, classic Battlefield-style map, the action starts the moment you spawn. Gunfire, tank shells, explosions, and collapsing buildings fill your senses. On the smaller maps, there’s no time to idle or tweak loadouts; you’ll either get bombed by a tank or picked off by a sniper.
Visually, the game shines. On my launch-day PS5, I tested both Fidelity and Performance modes, and preferred Fidelity mode; the visuals are just too good to pass up. The gameplay feels well-tuned overall, though I noticed a few things worth pointing out:
- Spotting issue: Using R1 to spot enemies often resulted in my soldier throwing a grenade instead. This was with default settings, though button mapping can fix it.
- Tank handling: Movement felt a bit clunky. While some say tanks are overpowered, I disagree. Two RPG hits can take them out, and smaller maps make them easier to destroy. The abundance of engineers repairing tanks is likely due to ongoing repair challenges in the beta.
- Sniper glint: It’s overly bright, feels like high-beam headlights. DICE should tone it down. On the plus side, players headshotted by bolt-action rifles can’t be revived, which adds balance.
- Weapon recoil: Feels great and is very manageable on the DualSense controller.
- Server browser: Its absence is concerning for the game’s long-term health. A server browser is essential for community longevity.
- Meat grinder spots: All three maps have choke points perfect for farming multi-kills if you can trap the enemy.
Battlefield 6: map impressions
Siege of Cairo: The heart of the map is a cratered street that turns into a constant firefight. It’s a paradise for infantry combat, with endless corners for ambushes and explosions. Tanks feature here, but you would need engineers to keep them alive.
Iberian Offensive: Set in Gibraltar, this map feels a bit more open on the edges, allowing for sniper play. Tanks and jeeps are available, but infantry combat dominates.
Liberation Peak: The only beta map with helicopters and jets. Wide open spaces make it ideal for vehicle warfare, but infantry can move between structures and settlements for cover. Large yet fast-paced, with plenty of flanking routes and vertical play.
Battlefield 6: crashes and glitches
In 10 hours of play, I experienced just one crash and occasional lag, no major frame rate drops or hitching. The beta felt surprisingly smooth. Some players reported that collapsing buildings didn’t kill occupants, but in my case, a tank shell brought down a building in Siege of Cairo and the rubble took me out.
Verdict
Based on my 10 hours, Battlefield 6 is shaping up to be one of the best entries in the franchise in years. The maps are well-designed, destruction is back in full force, and the gunplay feels satisfying. If you’re a fan of large-scale warfare, whether that’s sniping from a hillside, taking out choppers with a tank, or storming a building with your squad, the second Open Beta is worth jumping into.
Battlefield 6 Open Beta 2nd Weekend - 16-17th August
After playing the open beta, I’ve pre-ordered the Phantom Edition, hopeful that DICE will carry this momentum through to launch. If the full release delivers on what the beta promises, Battlefield 6 could be the comeback fans have been waiting for.