Battlefield 3

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"Battlefield 3™" is a first-person shooter game that offers intense multiplayer action across 29 maps, allowing players to commandeer various vehicles and work together in 4 different classes. The game provides total freedom to fight as you wish, with destructible environments and a ranking system that unlocks additional extras. Experience large-scale warfare with a wide range of weapons and gadgets at your disposal.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Reviews

67%

Audience ScoreBased on 3,395 reviews

story141 positive mentions

stability52 negative mentions

story
345 mentions
41 % positive mentions
54 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The story of Battlefield 3 is generally regarded as engaging and action-packed, featuring a mix of compelling missions and memorable characters, though it is often criticized for being somewhat cliché and lacking depth compared to its competitors. While some players appreciate the narrative's twists and the immersive settings, others find it fragmented and forgettable, with issues like quick-time events and bugs detracting from the experience. Overall, the campaign is seen as a solid, if not groundbreaking, addition to the franchise, appealing primarily to those who enjoy military shooter narratives.
- “The story followed Sergeant Blackburn and his squad as they navigated through intense combat scenarios, uncovering a plot that threatened global security.”
- “The single-player campaign has a good storyline that makes the gameplay interesting.”
- “Overall, Battlefield 3 combines a good story with interesting gameplay.”
- “There are endless glitches preventing the game from working, the stupid quick time events are unnecessary, and the story is boring.”
- “It's like someone had a grand story to tell, but they ran out of budget and cut everything short.”
- “The story is awful too and almost entirely made up of a cringey interrogation scene with flashbacks.”
graphics
214 mentions
57 % positive mentions
41 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The graphics of Battlefield 3, released over a decade ago, are widely praised for their impressive realism and detail, particularly for the time of its release. Many players note that the visuals still hold up well today, showcasing stunning environments and lifelike character models, although some textures may appear dated. Overall, the game is considered a benchmark in graphical fidelity for first-person shooters, with many reviewers highlighting its ability to run smoothly even on lower-end hardware.
- “The game utilized the Frostbite 2 engine, which delivered stunning visuals, detailed environments, and lifelike character models.”
- “Battlefield 3 remains a masterpiece of the FPS genre, standing the test of time with its intense gameplay, stunning visuals, and unparalleled immersion.”
- “The graphics are stunning, delivering breathtaking realism that pulls you right into the heart of the action.”
- “Very bad game graphics are not good.”
- “The graphics are meh, I mean not good, the textures are not that good.”
- “Graphics are showing their age nowadays, but many of the maps are classics in my opinion and gunplay is fairly solid.”
gameplay
204 mentions
38 % positive mentions
58 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Battlefield 3 is generally praised for its immersive and intense experience, combining solid mechanics with stunning visuals and sound design. While some players note that the gameplay feels outdated compared to newer titles, the single-player campaign and multiplayer modes still offer engaging and chaotic action, emphasizing teamwork and strategy. Despite some bugs and a few criticisms regarding certain mechanics, many players find the gameplay enjoyable and a significant improvement over previous installments in the series.
- “On the positive side, the single-player campaign still holds up remarkably well, with a gripping story and solid gameplay.”
- “Its combination of stunning visuals, immersive audio, and thrilling gameplay created an experience that is still unmatched by many of its contemporaries.”
- “The gameplay is fluid and dynamic, offering a perfect balance of strategy and adrenaline-fueled combat.”
- “However, the bigger issue lies in the gameplay itself — it just feels outdated.”
- “4 hours of gameplay and the game is completed - 4 hours of complete disappointment - it would be better to watch the passage on YouTube.”
- “The gameplay is a huge downgrade from BF2 as they try to take over the Call of Duty market by going from a mixture of realism and playability to outright arcade mechanics.”
stability
54 mentions
4 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
96 % negative mentions
The stability of the game is widely criticized, with numerous players reporting persistent glitches, bugs, and frustrating launch issues that often require extensive troubleshooting. Many users have experienced game freezes, server connection problems, and a convoluted launch process that detracts from the overall experience. Despite some positive aspects in gameplay, the overwhelming sentiment is that the game remains a "buggy mess," making it largely unplayable for many.
- “It still looks decent, and being older, it runs great, so no complaints there.”
- “The game runs great once you get past the launcher.”
- “After putting 8 hours into the game, I got an error saying 'could not activate.' I tried all troubleshooting methods online, and none worked.”
- “The game will not launch... I've spent more time troubleshooting the launch issue than actually playing the game at this point.”
- “It's janky; some portions are buggy as hell, and the ending is just plain lame.”
music
25 mentions
24 % positive mentions
64 % neutral mentions
12 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many praising the soundtrack for its ability to enhance the emotional and dramatic moments, fitting seamlessly into the gameplay. However, some players express frustration over the inability to turn off the music, feeling it detracts from the immersive experience of the game's natural soundscape. Overall, while the main theme is highly regarded, the rest of the soundtrack is seen as either underwhelming or intrusive by some players.
- “The best part about the campaign is the soundtrack; it fits perfectly. When it needs to be, it goes stressful and intense, when the need comes it goes sad, and when you need audio during a fight, it works very well.”
- “The original soundtrack is discreet but highlights the dramatic events.”
- “Singleplayer is awesome and has a great soundtrack.”
- “Personally, the most annoying thing for me is the fact that music is directly integrated into the game with absolutely no possible way of turning it off.”
- “Music blasts when you are at the most intense parts of the game, and rather than enjoying the raw natural sound of war, the music makes you feel like you are watching a movie and ruins the natural raw power that would otherwise exist without it.”
- “This is a problem that exists in other battlefield games, and I personally think the developers are selfish and ignorant for not allowing players to turn the music off and immerse themselves in the raw experience of what war can be.”
optimization
23 mentions
26 % positive mentions
52 % neutral mentions
22 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has received largely negative feedback, with players reporting significant performance issues, including stuttering, FPS drops, and bugs even after multiple patches. Many users express frustration over the game's poor netcode and graphical artifacts, particularly on newer hardware like the RTX 4070, suggesting that the optimization is inadequate for a smooth gaming experience. While some players find it playable, the consensus is that the game's performance problems detract from its overall enjoyment.
- “Best battlefield, but it needs to be optimized for next-gen hardware; there are some visual artifacts with RTX cards.”
- “The game engine is well optimized.”
- “It personally is not that big of a deal and runs smoothly on my PC.”
- “Also, very poor performance on my RTX 4070.”
- “It's clear as day that this is the worst optimized Battlefield for Steam, and DICE and EA care so little about games that they only made it available on Steam to gain more money yet completely disregard any mistakes.”
- “For what it's worth, the optimization for this game is not worth the hassle of playing, honestly.”
atmosphere
17 mentions
59 % positive mentions
24 % neutral mentions
18 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its gritty realism and immersive sound design, which effectively captures the intensity of warfare through impactful explosions and authentic environmental effects. Players appreciate the diverse maps that contribute to unique gameplay experiences, while the solid voice acting enhances the overall ambiance. Overall, the atmosphere is considered a standout feature, with many reviewers rating it highly and expressing a desire for more players to experience it.
- “Explosions were thunderous, debris flew realistically, and the overall atmosphere was one of gritty, authentic warfare.”
- “Whether you're playing in single-player campaign or multiplayer mode, you can feel the intensity and gritty atmosphere of the battlefield -- the shouts of your teammates and enemies alike, the explosions, the crumbling buildings, and many other things.”
- “The sound design is impeccable, enhancing the atmosphere and making every explosion and gunshot feel incredibly impactful.”
- “Battlefield 3 is a game that just, really, no longer holds up in today's atmosphere, and this will be doubly so when Battlefield 6 returns to the contemporary modern premise to compete with COD.”
- “Sound design, as in almost every battlefield game, is haunting and definitely adds to the atmosphere.”
- “The voice acting, while not groundbreaking, was solid and helped to establish the game's atmosphere.”
grinding
13 mentions
0 % positive mentions
31 % neutral mentions
69 % negative mentions
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and time-consuming, often requiring significant effort to progress. While some enjoy the missions, they can become repetitive and frustrating, especially with technical issues and the implementation of pay-to-win elements. Overall, the grinding experience is seen as a barrier to fully enjoying the game.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “It barely works, and has an insecure future after BF2 was killed off, and the DLC itself is pay-to-win rubbish. Paying to unlock stuff either implies that it has value, which would be a pay-to-win advantage, or it's rubbish and poor value like the rest of the product (and wouldn't be worth grinding for).”
- “Battlefield 3 is one of my favorite FPS titles ever made, but to go through all of this tedious work just to enjoy one multiplayer match is a struggle.”
humor
9 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with players appreciating its cute and funny elements, such as amusing animations and clever easter eggs during gameplay. However, some find the humor in the interrogation scenes to be more cynical than genuinely funny, and while there are moments of levity, the overall comedic impact is inconsistent, often overshadowed by frustrating gameplay experiences.
- “Funny thing is, it's the developers' job to fix the game.”
- “The whole CIA grilling had me laughing.”
- “There are some funny easter eggs and animations if you fail some of the QTE fights, like flipping off a rat and getting chokeslammed.”
replayability
9 mentions
67 % positive mentions
33 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Battlefield 3 is praised for its high replayability, offering a diverse array of maps, weapons, vehicles, and game modes that create endless opportunities for engaging gameplay. While some players note a lack of long-term replay value, the multiplayer experience and unique missions contribute to its overall longevity and enjoyment, especially when played with friends.
- “With a robust selection of maps, weapons, vehicles, and game modes, Battlefield 3 provides endless replayability and countless opportunities for epic moments.”
- “Another strength of the game is its replayability and longevity.”
- “The game's multiplayer modes also provide a high level of replayability, as players can team up with friends or join online communities to compete against other players from around the world.”
emotional
4 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The game's single-player mode offers an intense and emotionally charged experience, featuring diverse characters with compelling motivations that draw players into the story. The combination of emotional moments, exciting action, and memorable characters sets it apart from other single-player campaigns in the genre.
- “The single-player mode takes players on an intense, emotionally charged journey through various missions set in different locations around the world.”
- “The campaign also features a diverse set of characters, each with their own motivations and struggles, making it easy to become emotionally invested in the story.”
- “Emotional moments, exciting action, and memorable characters provide a breath of fresh air compared to other sub-par single-player campaigns.”
monetization
3 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game has been widely criticized as a blatant cash grab by EA, with users expressing skepticism about any potential improvements to the system, labeling it as lazy and exploitative.
- “Absolute cash grab from EA.”
- “I doubt they'll fix this issue as this seems like a cash grab from EA.”
- “Pretty lazy cash grab.”
character development
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
300 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that character development in the game is lacking, with poor design and movement mechanics detracting from the overall experience. Players express disappointment, feeling that the game fails to evoke nostalgia and does not justify its cost, even at a discount.
- “The character designs are poorly executed, and the map layouts are confusing. Characters move at an unrealistic speed, and the input responses are frustratingly slow. As a long-time Battlefield 2 player, I was hoping for some nostalgia, but even at a discount, this game is not worth it.”
- “Character development feels shallow and uninspired. There’s little to no growth or depth to the characters, making it hard to connect with them.”
- “The lack of meaningful character progression makes the gameplay feel stagnant. I expected more from the character arcs, but they are disappointingly flat.”