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Battlefield 3

While Battlefield 3's single player campaign is good yet a little bit too restrictive and linear, it's the multiplayer department where the game really shines and beats all its competition.
Battlefield 3 Game Cover
75%Game Brain Score
story, graphics
stability, grinding
67% User Score Based on 6,790 reviews
Critic Score 86%Based on 7 reviews

Platforms

Playstation 3Xbox 360Xbox Series X|SPCXbox Game PassCloudXbox OneXboxNVIDIA GeForce NOWEa OriginWindowsPlayStation
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Battlefield 3 Game Cover

About

Battlefield 3 is a single player and multiplayer shooter game with a warfare theme. It was developed by DICE and was released on October 31, 2011. It received positive reviews from critics and mostly positive reviews from players.

"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.

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Battlefield 3 screenshot
Battlefield 3 screenshot
Battlefield 3 screenshot
Battlefield 3 screenshot
Battlefield 3 screenshot
Battlefield 3 screenshot
Battlefield 3 screenshot
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67%
Audience ScoreBased on 6,790 reviews
story282 positive mentions
stability104 negative mentions
  • story
    690 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of Battlefield 3 is generally regarded as engaging, featuring a mix of intense action and a compelling narrative that follows Sergeant Blackburn and his squad through various global conflicts. While some players appreciate the dramatic set pieces and character development, others criticize the plot for being predictable and the campaign for its brevity, often feeling rushed or lacking depth. Overall, the campaign is seen as a solid experience, particularly for fans of military shooters, though it may not reach the narrative heights of its competitors like Call of Duty.

    • “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
    428 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of Battlefield 3, released in 2011, are widely praised for their impressive realism and detail, particularly for their time, utilizing the Frostbite 2 engine to create stunning visuals that still hold up well today. Many players note that despite its age, the game offers beautiful environments and lifelike character models, making it visually captivating even in 2024. However, some reviews mention that while the graphics are generally good, they can appear dated compared to modern titles, with occasional texture issues and a blue hue that may not appeal to everyone.

    • “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.”
    • “Buggier than I recall it being twelve years ago, this remains such a downgrade from Battlefield 2 in all but graphics.”
    • “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
    408 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of Battlefield 3 is generally praised for its immersive and intense experience, combining solid mechanics with stunning visuals and sound design. While the single-player campaign is engaging, many players note that the multiplayer excels with its large-scale battles and emphasis on teamwork, despite some criticisms regarding outdated elements and bugs. Overall, the game is considered a classic in the FPS genre, offering a mix of chaotic action and strategic gameplay that still resonates with fans today.

    • “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.”
    • “Invisible walls everywhere, confusing story, boring gameplay.”
  • stability
    108 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's stability is heavily criticized, with numerous players reporting persistent glitches, bugs, and issues with the launch process that often require extensive troubleshooting. Many users have expressed frustration over the game's reliance on a buggy browser-based launcher and the lack of effective support from the developers. Overall, the experience is marred by technical difficulties that detract significantly from gameplay, leading some to deem the game nearly unplayable.

    • “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.”
    • “You now have to go through three or four steps just to get the game to launch, each step being progressively more buggy and likely to break the experience than the last.”
  • music
    50 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many praising the soundtrack for its ability to enhance emotional moments and fit the gameplay's intensity. However, some players express frustration over the inability to turn off the music, feeling it detracts from the immersive experience of the game's war setting. Overall, while the soundtrack is often highlighted as a strong point, its integration into gameplay has sparked debate among 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 music.”
    • “This is a problem that exists in other battlefield games, and quite frankly, I personally think the developers are selfish and ignorant for not allowing players to turn the music off and immerse themselves with the raw experience of what war can be.”
  • optimization
    46 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's optimization has been widely criticized, with players reporting significant performance issues, including stuttering, FPS drops, and bugs even after numerous patches. Many users noted that it struggles to run smoothly on modern hardware, particularly with RTX graphics cards, and expressed frustration over the game's netcode and overall performance. Despite some players finding it playable, the consensus is that the optimization is lacking and detracts from the overall experience.

    • “The game engine is well optimized.”
    • “Super optimized”
    • “It personally is not that big of a deal and runs smoothly on my PC.”
    • “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.”
    • “But it was very hard, because every time I was shooting at enemies, the screen was stuttering and I had a huge FPS drop.”
  • atmosphere
    34 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its gritty realism and immersive sound design, which includes thunderous explosions and realistic debris effects that enhance the feeling of authentic warfare. Players appreciate the diverse maps and the impactful voice acting that contribute to the intense battlefield experience, making it a standout in modern combat games. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered one of its strongest features, with many reviewers rating it highly and recommending it for its engaging and atmospheric gameplay.

    • “Explosions were thunderous, debris flew realistically, and the overall atmosphere was one of gritty, authentic warfare.”
    • “Whether you're playing on singleplayer campaign or the 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.”
    • “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.”
    • “The sound design is impeccable, enhancing the atmosphere and making every explosion and gunshot feel incredibly impactful.”
    • “Sound design, as in almost every Battlefield game, is haunting and definitely adds to the atmosphere.”
  • grinding
    26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and time-consuming, often requiring significant effort to enjoy the core gameplay. While some missions are enjoyable, they can become repetitive and frustrating, especially with the added complications of game launchers and pay-to-win elements. Overall, the grinding experience is seen as a necessary but burdensome part of engaging with 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
    18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with players finding it both cute and funny, particularly in moments like the CIA interrogation scenes and amusing animations during quick-time events. However, some aspects, such as cynical dialogue and certain bugs, detract from the overall comedic experience, leading to a perception that while there are funny moments, they can also be overshadowed by frustrating elements. Overall, the game offers a blend of humor that appeals to some but may not resonate with all players.

    • “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.”
    • “There are parts of the campaign that are funny though, like some of the ridiculous physics bugs and stupid situations.”
  • replayability
    18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Battlefield 3 is praised for its high replayability, attributed to its diverse selection of maps, weapons, vehicles, and game modes, which create numerous opportunities for engaging gameplay. Players enjoy the multiplayer experience, often teaming up with friends or competing online, while specific missions like "going hunting" and "night shift" maintain their uniqueness and replay value. Overall, the game offers a robust replay experience, though some users note a lack of long-term replay value.

    • “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
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its intense single-player mode, which immerses players in a compelling narrative filled with diverse characters, each facing their own challenges. Reviewers praise the emotional depth and memorable moments, noting that it stands out as a refreshing experience compared to 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
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization strategy of the game has been widely criticized as an "absolute cash grab" by EA, with users expressing skepticism about any potential fixes to the issues raised, suggesting a lack of effort and care in the game's financial model.

    • “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
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Reviews indicate significant dissatisfaction with character development, highlighting poor character designs and movement mechanics that detract from the overall experience. Players express disappointment, feeling that the game fails to deliver a nostalgic or engaging character experience, even at a discounted price.

    • “Bad character designs, bad map designs, characters moving with 1.5x even 2x speed, very bad input responses, bad frame rates... as an old BF2 player, I wanted to have some nostalgia and bought the game on a discount, but even with the discount, the game isn't worth it at all.”
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86%Critics’ scoreBased on 8 critic reviews
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8h Median play time
88h Average play time
6h Main story
63h Completionist
3-200h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 36 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Battlefield 3 is a shooter game with warfare theme.

Battlefield 3 is available on Xbox Series X|S, PC, Xbox One, Windows and others.

The main story can be completed in around 6 hours, while the entire game is estimated to take about 63 hours to finish. On average players spend around 88 hours playing Battlefield 3.

Battlefield 3 was released on October 31, 2011.

Battlefield 3 was developed by DICE.

Battlefield 3 has received mostly positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its stability.

Battlefield 3 is a single player game with multiplayer and local co-op support.

Similar games include Battlefield 4, Battlefield Bad Company 2, Battlefield Hardline, Grand Theft Auto IV, Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare and others.