Lacks Replay Value
The game that the Frostbite Engine was developed for couldn't take advantage of the technology any better. The change in strategy from other military shooters is refreshing, but is hard to recommend because it's selling point becomes niche very quickly. Although buildings do blow apart beautifully, and the environments destructibility is constantly present, they don't give you much to blow up. This becomes increasingly apparent when you invade a dictator’s palace to find it's filled with nothing but a few boxes and some fancy carpet. Most of the buildings look the same as well, although the scenery is different on each of the 7 campaign levels. The campaign's story and characters are interesting enough to keep you engaged through the entire game, and the humor doesn't come off nearly as cheesy as you'd expect. In particular I found the voice-acting to be exceptional across the board. The campaign can be replayed on multiple difficulties but there isn't much to go back to after that unfortunately, since the collectibles are one time weapons that aren't usable on any other levels outside of when you pick them up, and gold crates that only get you achievements.
The multiplayer has problems as well. Although the destructibility changes the gameplay from other multiplayer games, and the vehicles are interesting enough when put into multiplayer, it still doesn't quite play like you'd want it to. The problems are mainly combat and control focused. The way you're character moves seems clunky compared to Call of Duty 4, even though mechanics like the run mechanic are the same. The turning speed on your character is awkward as well, and when you stop short to start firing, outside of side strafing, standing still always seems most plausible, since you're character is slow to pivot and the amount of auto-aim on the enemy guns is too much for it make much of a difference anyway. The lack of a prone position is odd as well. Knifing is also a problem, whereas in Call of Duty it's a quick maneuver that is extremely effective even from some distance because of knife lunges, in Battlefield the Y button is used, and once the knife is out you must switch back to your main weapon. Because of your characters clumsiness and the short reach of the knife, the weapon can become extremely frustrating when there are multiple enemies close by and the knife would otherwise be the most effective weapon. A lack of death animations is strange as well, with enemies simply rag dolling to the ground once they die. The weapon's, though not as diverse as you'd want, still offer replayability if you wanted to collect all of them, although most weapon's aren't balanced enough and make the other unlockables seem pointless.
Altogether the game has potential, and maybe the addition of new maps or modes could make the game worth full price, but for now it is a great rental option, but not much else.
