When we think Battlefield, we think large-scale combat with tanks, air support, and team-based gameplay. This preconception has been turned on its head with Hardline, a new take on the franchise that abandons the military theme in favor of pitting corrupt cops versus ambitious robbers in a fight over a big score.
Given this new direction, it's easy to be skeptical of new developer Visceral Games. How much does the studio even know about the legacy of this proud franchise, anyway? In executive producer Steve Papoutsis' case, he's been following Battlefield from the beginning, cutting his teeth on 1942 and using subsequent releases as excuses to upgrade his PCs. After sharing his passion with DICE general manager Karl Magnus Troedsson, they brought up the idea of Visceral doing its own take on the brand. The cops and robbers motif they settled on had actually been percolating through the DICE offices for some time.
Before Visceral would be given the keys to DICE's flagship franchise, Papoutsis says they needed to get their “sea legs.” To learn the ropes, the team led the development of the Battlefield 3 expansion pack End Game, which reintroduced capture the flag and included new vehicles like motorcycles. Once the team had its footing, it began the Hardline project in earnest.
As a long-time Battlefield fan, Papoutsis knew one of the major issues that has always faced Battlefield multiplayer – accessibility. If a new player isn't taken under the wings of an experienced player, it can take a while to get familiar with the nuances of the teamplay. With Hardline, Visceral making adjustments to make sure new players are caught up to speed, and some of the changes may please Battlefield veterans as well.
Have you ever repeatedly requested an ammo or health pack only to have your teammates ignore you? Now you can get the service you need by simply walking up to a teammate of that class and holding down a button. Visceral is also adding more voiceover work to keep players abreast of the objectives. To reward teamplay, group bonuses give squads more points for tackling objectives together.
Visceral is only showcasing its new Heist and Blood Money modes thus far, but Papoutsis says Hardline also features conquest and team deathmatch, among other modes. The hardcore modifier is also returning for players who prefer a more realistic experience.
After you finish matches you are rewarded with experience, but in a twist on the Battlefield formula you are granted cash payouts as well. Players can use these rewards to purchase new weapons, attachments, and gadgets, many of which will be blocked until you reach a particular level or spend enough time with a weapon. You can also purchase weapons licenses to port weapons to other classes.
Hardline may alter the core formula of Battlefield, but perhaps it's just what EA needs to reinvigorate a franchise that has suffered some hiccups the past few years. If Visceral can deliver a strong single-player campaign as well, the game could turn some heads.
Platform: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC
Style: 1-Player Shooter (64-Player Online PS4, Xbox One, PC) (24-Player Online PS3, 360)
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Developer: Visceral Games
Release: October 21
