Battlefield 6 Season 2: Is It Enough to Save the Game?
- The player base for Battlefield 6 has dwindled significantly since its October launch, and for good reason.
- However, a new season is arriving this week, bringing with it new weapons, modes, and a new map, with promises of monthly content drops to follow.
- Last week, I had the opportunity to play two hours of Conquest and Escalation modes on the new Contaminated map.
The player base for Battlefield 6 has dwindled significantly since its October launch, and for good reason. A prolonged content drought and unresolved issues with the Redsec Battle Royale mode have left many players feeling abandoned.
However, a new season is arriving this week, bringing with it new weapons, modes, and a new map, with promises of monthly content drops to follow. For the remaining dedicated players, this update offers a glimmer of hope.
High on the Wish List
Last week, I had the opportunity to play two hours of Conquest and Escalation modes on the new Contaminated map. One of the most consistent criticisms of Battlefield 6 has been the lack of large-scale maps, and Contaminated doesn’t entirely address that concern.
Nestled amongst high mountains and forests, soldiers battle through bunkers, trenches, and over rocky outcrops in a map that draws inspiration from classic Battlefield designs. The map offers a more classic Battlefield experience.
Down in the bunkers, I felt a familiar sensation from the classic Operation Locker, where hectic battles over multiple floors in the bunkers can become a favorite among the many maps in Battlefield 6.
The Battlefield 4 map Golmund Railway is also on its way, which will likely quench the thirst of those who want larger maps, but that is still some time away. There are only two new maps in Season 2.
For me, Contaminated seems, despite my short time there, to be one of the better maps in the game.
I enjoy close-quarters combat the most, and the new VL-7 gas mechanic is a fun addition.
Put on Your Gas Mask
Season 2 introduces a mode where a blanket of orange gas lies over the points. The gas isn’t lethal, but gives soldiers hallucinations if they don’t wear a gas mask.
Visibility is limited inside the gas. This forces you to listen for enemies and let your gaze scan the screen from side to side.
Mikkjell Lønning
Battles on the points are intense affairs. Once you’ve managed to sneak into the point behind enemy lines, you can’t see more than ten to fifteen meters ahead and must listen for the footsteps of your enemies.
Here, it’s about playing smart around corners and being quick to mow down enemies when they come.
The VL-7 Strike mode is reportedly temporary, but this could easily become a permanent fixture.
The most exciting part of Season 2 comes in the next phase, which will be a kind of return to Operations from Battlefield 1.
Thin Foundation
The first round of Season 2 introduces the VCR-2 automatic rifle, the GRT-CPS DMR weapon, and the M121 A2 machine gun.
During the test, the VCR-2 quickly became the standard choice for both me and my enemies, but I suspect that the developers will adjust the effectiveness of the rifle downwards before tomorrow’s launch.
There’s certainly no shortage of weapons in Battlefield 6, so the question is whether this is where the shoe pinches the most.
Mikkjell Lønning
I usually play Redsec, but haven’t had the chance to test the two new temporary modes there, and as such, it’s difficult to deliver an answer with two lines underneath about the future of Battlefield 6 after two hours with Season 2.
Too Late?
But. A couple of new weapons and a new map are unlikely to create the interest seen at launch.
I have a bad feeling that the train has left the station for Battlefield Studios, and that they should have shared their plans for the future of the game much earlier.
When you run a “live service” model, you depend on having much more content ready before launch, which you can feed to players at regular intervals.
They know this well.
The new changes are fun to try, but change little about the gaming experience other than offering a few extra hours of fun.
Older games like Battlefield 3 and 4 had nearly twice as many maps and weapons six months after launch, and that’s what players expect.
When it comes to Redsec, the biggest need is fine-tuning and perhaps modes for solo, trio and ranked play, which isn’t coming this round.
I’m optimistic, but primarily skeptical. Season 2 of Battlefield 6 comes too late, and it doesn’t do enough.