Battlefield Hardline Single-Player Impressions
From the campaign's beginning in which the player assumes of the role of a police officer, it's clear that Battlefield Hardline isn't another ordinary installment in the Battlefield franchise. Developed by Visceral Games, creators behind the Dead Space series, and in collaboration with DICE, Battlefield Hardline forgoes modern warfare and instead focuses on fighting crime in both traditional and not so traditional methods. Most notably different from past modern Battlefield games is for the first time is the inclusion of a campaign that is actually interesting and worthwhile to play before straight away jumping into online multiplayer.
The game's protagonist, Nick Mendoza, is the film archetype of a new detective that truly wants to fight for justice and stomp out crime. Set in current day Miami, Nick soon becomes tangled in yet another movie stereotype of corrupt cops and the discovery of a large network of drug dealers. Fortunately, the storyline throws in a few twists resulting in a much more enjoyable narrative that truly keeps players on the edge of their seats till the credits roll. The campaign is split into ten episodes that function like a television crime drama with even the inclusion of "next time on…" and "previously on…" video segments.
While the campaign initially begins as a typical cop drama, it soon evolves into a combination of gameplay elements from all the best heist and crime films. Even better, later campaign levels give players expanded freedom in how they want to tackle scenarios ranging from opting for the stealth route or walking in the front door with all guns blazing. Similar to the gameplay of the Crysis series, Hardline provides players with multiple routes through each scenario both in regards to the map environments and equipment loadout. Weapon chests located throughout maps let players decide if they wish to use a long range approach with a sniper rifle or close range with pistols and automatic rifles.
As players assume the role of a character that places justice above all else, the game rewards for taking the stealth approach through missions by arresting criminals versus straight away killing them. Different from past Battlefield games, players are given the ability to tell criminals to freeze and then proceed to arrest them. The situation is complicated when multiple enemies are told to freeze as all of them need to be watched. If one criminal isn't watched closely or ignored during arrest they all may become bold enough to pull their guns. Situations can quickly turn from what seemed like a simple arrest to an all out gun battle keeping the player always aware of their surroundings.
Players earn experience levels in the campaign by performing proper work including incapacitating versus killing criminals, arresting criminals with warrants, and solving crimes. One gadget used frequently throughout the campaign is a scanner that can tag enemies, environmental hazards, alarms, and even evidence for solving crimes. Hardline is one of the few Battlefield games in which the gameplay actually encourages players to take their time walking through maps and scan the environments for possible clues and evidence. Rewards for leveling up include additional equipment and weapons, which most of are better utilized for a second playthrough if players are focused on not killing enemies.
Above all else in the game's campaign, the characters that end up tangled together in the narrative are actually likable and produced actual moments of drama and comedy. The various set pieces ranging from a car chase through a spillway to a heist taking place in a skyscraper deliver moment after moment of highly-entertaining gameplay experiences. While the series is traditionally known for its online multiplayer component, Hardline's single-player component is a worthwhile adventure that shouldn't be ignored by fans.
Check back for our full review of Battlefield Hardline with thoughts on the multiplayer component of the game.
The product in this article was sent to us by the developer/company for review.
