As an avid first-person shooter fan whose sunk over 200 hours into every Battlefield game since 2002‘s Battlefield 1942, I‘m uniquely qualified to judge whether Battlefield 5 remains a worthwhile and enjoyable shooter in 2024.
When Battlefield 5 first launched in November 2018, it suffered a wave of backlash around historical accuracy complaints, lack of content, and technical issues. However, now over 4 years later and after substantial post-launch support – how does Battlefield 5 hold up?
Here I‘ll analyze the current state of BF5‘s gameplay, content, community, and more to judge whether hardcore FPS fans should give this entry a shot in 2024.
Smooth, Satisfying Core Gameplay
With over 150 hours played in Battlefield 5 matches, I can definitively say the core gameplay holds up extremely well – which should come as no surprise given DICE‘s pedigree. Key elements like:
- Weapon handling: BF5‘s arsenal of over 50 primary and secondary firearms feel fantastic with reliable damage models and predictable recoil patterns. Bolt-action rifles offer that classic Battlefield sniping feel.
- Movement system: Sprinting, jumping, vaulting, and mantling all feel fluid. Traversal overall got upgrades making infantry combat more dynamic than older entries.
- Vehicle control: Iconic equipment like tanks, fighter planes, transport trucks, etc. retain that familiar Battlefield weight and heft while expanding seat switching capabilities.
- Map design: BF5‘s map roster captures the immense scale and environmental destruction the series is known for from dense forests to bombed out cities.
After hundreds of combined hours across every entry, Battlefield 5 stands out to me as having the most polished and satisfying core gameplay loop yet – which should instantly hook FPS fans.
Last Mainline Release Still Active
Battlefield 5 remains the latest numerical entry in the long-running shooter franchise. As of January 2023, SteamCharts data shows BF5 with a very healthy 15-20k concurrent players. Combine this with Origin and console numbers, and matchmaking takes seconds. Having an active community is huge for shooters relying on full lobbies across game modes – which BF5 absolutely still delivers on finding matches quickly.
Plus, EA continues supporting BF5 more than other entries with updates, double XP events, weekly missions, and login rewards further keeping the player base engaged. Hardcore fans can rest assured finding packed sessions on Battlefield 5 servers for years to come thanks to updates and community loyalty no other current entry can match.
Well Rounded Content After 4+ Years of Updates
A common criticism directed at Battlefield 5‘s initial launch was the lack of content variety – both in terms of maps and gear. But now after over 15 free content drops adding:
- 13 Multiplayer Maps: Fan favorites like Wake Island, Iwo Jima, and Provence greatly expanding locale variety from North Africa to the Pacific Theater.
- 30+ Guns: Ranging from well known rifles like the M1 Garand to more unique options like the substantial Russian PPSh submachine gun.
- 35+ Vehicles: Iconic tanks like the Tiger make appearances alongside new transport options and aircraft to take the battle to the skies, seas, and everywhere between.
- New Modes & Customization: Players can also mix up the action in 5v5 Squad Conquest or deck out weapons and soldiers with skins reflecting personal flair.
While more content at launch would have been ideal, Battlefield 5‘s world, arsenal, and activities have reached a scale befitting the AAA shooter space. I always have new loadouts and maps to master – essential for hardcore fans like myself.
Additional Standout Improvements
As the latest series entry, Battlefield 5 makes expected quality of life improvements:
- Faster health regeneration
- Increased squad revives
- Simplified weapon customization
- Fortification building
- Melee takedowns
Combined with enhanced graphics, animations, audio and more – Battlefield 5 really shows off DICE‘s technical prowess as a AAA studio at the peak of their capabilities. This pays dividends in both moment-to-moment gameplay feel and overall presentation polish.
The Verdict? Still an Absolute Blast
Despite initial controversy and criticism, as of 2023 I wholeheartedly recommend Battlefield 5 to both casual and hardcore FPS fans alike based on:
- Phenomenal gameplay foundations: Best in series weapon feel, vehicle control, soldier movement and map flow
- Active playerbase: Finding full matches takes seconds courtesy of updates and community loyalty
- Expanded content variety: 13 new maps, 30+ weapons, 35+ vehicles, new modes And customization over 4+ years of updates
- Technical improvements: Faster pacing and quality of life perks building on earlier Battlefield titles
At the end of the day, Battlefield 5 delivers that signature large-scale sandbox warfare the franchise built its name on.
Do pieces like historical accuracy matter? As a gameplay-first FPS fan – not to me. Above all else, Battlefield needs to provide heart-pounding combat scenarios leveraging vehicles, destruction, squad play and more to drive adrenaline. By those metrics, Battlefield 5 continues shining as the latest and most polished entry in the Battlefield saga.
I wholeheartedly recommend FPS fans jump into the explosive gameplay chaos today – see you on the ever-growing Battlefield 5 frontlines!
