The final version of Battlefield 1 unlocked today through the Origin Access program. We've been playing it non-stop, and can say with confidence that the game is quite extraordinary.
During our hours of hands-on we've found a few notable details that are worth sharing. You can read about them in the gallery below.
We're off to a good start and will let you know more about our experience with the game as time goes on. Stay tuned for a full review next week.
5 Things We've Learned From Battlefield 1's Early Access
-
There\'s an incredible attention to detail
The graphical prowess of Battlefield 1 has been beaten to death over the months, and is something many came to expect. However, what many might not notice while playing is it's the smaller details that make everything come together so well.
rn
rnWhen you roll through mud you'll find your equipment muddied. Shooting large caliber ammunition, like those found in Dreadnought cannons, produce visible vibrations near them. Even in multiplayer, faces animate as facial and head hair shifts around during movement. These details on top of the game's already high quality textures and effects makes for what could be the most beautiful game we've ever seen.
rn
rnOn top of all this, the game runs incredibly well on PC and Xbox One. Optimization is on-point. -
There are a lot of violent melee weapons
Melee weapons are usually treated as an afterthought in FPS games. Not in Battlefield 1. You will have access to all the following:rnrn - rn
- Combat Knife rn
- Compact Trench Knife rn
- Bedouin Dagger rn
- Trench Knife rn
- US Trench Knife rn
- Hellfighter Bolo Knife rn
- Jambiya Knife rn
- Club rn
- Spiked Club rn
- Trench Mace rn
- Barbed Wire Bat rn
- Bartek Bludgeon rn
- Hatchet rn
- Pickaxe rn
- Shovel rn
- Sawtooth Knife rn
-
The campaign is lengthy and compelling
There are two campaign missions already available to play. They are a bit longer than prior Battlefield games. As a matter of fact, if the subsequent campaign missions are similar in length, we're looking at an eight hour campaign, give or take. This is longer than Call of Duty or Battlefield have achieved in several years.
rn
rnMore importantly, what's already playable is actually compelling. Some of its success comes from Battlefield 1 having a very unique theme that deviates from the modern and sci-fi shooters of the past few years, but a lot of it is just that the story and action is delivered in cohesive fashion. Some early impressions have gone as far as to say that the campaign is more fun than the multiplayer. -
It\'ll take up a lot of hard drive space
Continuing in the footsteps of its predecessors, Battlefield 1 is a very large game. On Xbox One it'll take up just over 40GB of space on your hard drive. On PC, it'll use 50GB.
rn
rnDo yourself a favor and clear space on your storage device ahead of launch so you're ready when the time comes. -
5 Things We\'ve Learned From Battlefield 1\'s Early Access
-
Recoil patterns are
The weapon screen in Battlefield 1 is highly detailed, going as far as to include the recoil direction of the weapon. Although the BAR M1928 might have a standard upward direction, there are many weapons that shift left or right during use.
rn
rnOther details include a preview of the optics, a numerical rate of fire, and historical information. You'll always know what you're getting yourself into when choosing a firearm.
