Following the disastrous launch of Battlefield 4 (known as Brokenfield among disgruntled fans), many gamers may be hesitant while traditional fans may be cautious.
Despite its change to a law enforcement setting, this is still a Battlefield game at its core. Yet this is not just a unique title because of the new setup but also for it diverse gameplay that appeals to more then just shooter fans.
The story is set in Miami that is in the midst of a drug war not seen since the 80’s and the police are fighting to shutdown the cartels before the conflict escalates. Players take on the role of Det. Nick Mendoza as he works with his partner, Det. Khai Minh Dao, as they try to shutdown cartel operations.
Battlefield: Hardline single-player is not so much a campaign but an episodic adventure made to feel like a crime show. The gameplay setup is very diverse for a shooter as it combines elements of crime solving, stealth action and RPG to give players a fresh experience. Unlike previous games in the series, stealth and arresting the suspects is highly recommended over going in guns blazing. Players will also have to investigate the crime scene for clues that will help unlock bonus features.
While the single-player episodes are designed for a diverse gaming audience, the multiplayer game was developed for shooter fans. The setup features eight different types of games styles inspired by Payday and Counter-Strike that incorporates the context of the Battlefield series.
However this is still not a flawless gaming experiences due to a few minor issues that could not be overlooked. For starters the driving in the single-player story is really pointless and does nothing for the overall gaming experience. The story has too many cliches from crime shows while having the quality of mediocre network shows (which is an issue for those who binge watch The Wire on HBO).
It should be noted that Battlefield: Hardline may not appeal to many players. This has always been an issue with the series as it tries to find a balance between a gameplay setup that appeals to the casuals who play Call of Duty and the hardcore buffs who prefer ArmA. However for old school gamers who still play Counter-Strike may take a liking to this game.
In a genre that has become saturated with Call of Duty-knockoffs, putting players onto the thin blue line is an excellent change. Battlefield: Hardline shift from the war zones to the streets helps bring a sense of originality to the series and the genre.
Final Score: 4/5
