Does Battlefield 5 Have a Good Story? A Deep Dive
Battlefield V’s narrative is a bit of a mixed bag. While it doesn’t deliver a sprawling, interconnected epic on the scale of some other war stories, it offers a collection of intimate, character-driven vignettes that explore lesser-known corners of World War II. The single-player campaign, structured as “War Stories,” presents a series of distinct narratives that are ultimately successful, and the overall quality of the campaign is good. The campaign’s stories are definitely successful in their purpose.
In essence, Battlefield V’s storytelling approach is less about grand strategy and more about the human cost of war, delivered through diverse perspectives and gripping action. So, while it might not be a traditional, overarching narrative, the War Stories offer valuable, bite-sized experiences that are worth exploring.
Exploring the War Stories of Battlefield 5
Battlefield V breaks from the traditional single-player campaign format, opting instead for a collection of standalone stories that focus on different individuals and events during World War II. This anthology approach has its strengths and weaknesses, but ultimately offers a unique and engaging experience.
The Structure and Content of the Campaigns
Each War Story is a self-contained narrative with its own characters, setting, and objectives. This allows DICE to explore a broader range of themes and perspectives, from the Norwegian resistance fighting against Nazi occupation to the sacrifices of French colonial soldiers. The stories often feature moments of intense combat intermixed with more stealth-oriented or puzzle-solving elements.
Strengths and Weaknesses
One of the major strengths of the War Stories is their ability to shed light on underrepresented narratives of the war. “Tirailleur,” for example, is widely praised for its depiction of the discrimination faced by Senegalese Tirailleurs in the French army. The stories are also visually impressive, with stunning environments and detailed character models.
However, the anthology format also has its drawbacks. Because each story is relatively short and self-contained, it can be difficult to become deeply invested in the characters or the overarching plot. Some stories are also more compelling than others, leading to inconsistencies in the overall quality of the campaign. The occasional lack of historical accuracy and some contrived plot points also detract from the experience for some players.
Ranking the Battlefield 5 War Stories
While subjective, the general consensus among players and critics places the War Stories in the following order (from best to worst):
- Tirailleur: The story of Senegalese soldiers fighting for France. Explores themes of racism and sacrifice and delivers a powerful emotional impact.
- Under No Flag: Focuses on a British saboteur in North Africa. Offers a blend of stealth and explosive action.
- The Last Tiger: Puts you in the shoes of a German tank commander nearing the end of the war. Explores themes of disillusionment and the futility of war.
- Nordlys: Tells the story of a Norwegian resistance fighter battling the Nazi occupation. Features stealth, sabotage, and a poignant family dynamic.
The general praise for “Tirailleur” highlights the game’s potential to tell meaningful and impactful stories, demonstrating the GamesLearningSociety.org value in exploring historical events through interactive media.
Overall Assessment of Battlefield 5’s Storytelling
Despite its flaws, Battlefield V’s approach to storytelling is largely successful. The War Stories offer a diverse and engaging collection of narratives that shed light on the human cost of war. While some stories are stronger than others, the overall experience is worth exploring for fans of the series and those interested in World War II history.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Battlefield 5’s Story
1. Are Battlefield 5 war stories good?
Yes, overall the Battlefield 5 War Stories are good. They succeed more than they fail, offering brilliant action and compelling, albeit sometimes faltering, storytelling.
2. Does Battlefield 5 have a story?
Yes, Battlefield 5 features a collection of single-player “War Stories” based on different aspects of World War II, similar to Battlefield 1. Each story has voiceovers in the native language of the setting.
3. Is Battlefield 5 campaign long?
When focusing on the main objectives, Battlefield V’s campaign is about 6 hours long. Completionists aiming for 100% can expect to spend around 32 hours.
4. What battlefield has the best campaign?
According to many players, Battlefield: Bad Company 2 is considered to have one of the best campaigns in the series, followed by Battlefield 3 and Battlefield 4. Battlefield V also ranks high for some due to its unique War Stories format.
5. What is the best story in Battlefield 5?
The “Tirailleur” War Story is often considered the best in Battlefield V. It highlights the experiences of French West African soldiers during World War II, addressing themes of racism and historical injustice.
6. Is the Battlefield 5 campaign hard?
Some players find the Battlefield 5 campaign challenging, even on easy difficulty. Enemy encounters can be tough, and using certain equipment effectively requires practice. Tuning the difficulty to easy can still leave the campaign significantly harder than other FPS games.
7. How many missions are in Battlefield 5?
Battlefield V initially launched with eight missions across its War Stories. DICE planned to add more missions as part of the game’s Tides of War updates, but these were never fully realized.
8. Does Battlefield V have bots?
The campaign stories in Battlefield V feature AI enemies, but there’s no bot mode for multiplayer. The game does offer a co-op mode where players can complete missions with up to three others on multiplayer maps against AI opponents.
9. Is Battlefield 1 and 5 connected?
While Battlefield 4, Battlefield 1, and Battlefield V exist within the same overarching timeline, their stories are independent and don’t interact with one another. You can play them in any order without affecting your understanding of the plots.
10. Do people still play Battlefield V?
Yes, Battlefield 5 is still active as of 2023, maintaining a consistent player base of over a million monthly players.
11. Can you play Battlefield V solo?
While Battlefield V: Firestorm (battle royale mode) can be played solo, it’s often more effective to play in a squad. The main multiplayer modes encourage team-based play, but solo play is possible.
12. What is the best battlefield game to start with?
For newcomers to the series, Battlefield 3 or the Bad Company games are often recommended as good starting points. These games provide a solid introduction to the core Battlefield gameplay style and mechanics.
13. Is Battlefield 5 fun to play?
Many players find Battlefield 5 to be very fun and addicting. The game’s immersive atmosphere, impressive graphics, excellent sound design, and engaging maps contribute to a positive experience, although bugs can sometimes detract from the fun.
14. How long does it take to beat Battlefield 5?
It typically takes around 6 hours to complete the main objectives of Battlefield V’s campaign. Aiming for 100% completion can extend the playtime to around 32 hours.
15. Does Battlefield 5 have a good story?
As explained above, Battlefield V adopts a storytelling approach that may not appeal to everyone. It depends on what the individual is seeking when it comes to an FPS campaign. If a thought-provoking anthology with diverse perspectives is the goal, then this game will definitely suit the player.