Battlefield 3

  • October 31, 2011
81%
Game Brain Score Based on 110 reviews
  • graphics
  • gameplay
  • story
Battlefield 3 Game Cover
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In Battlefield 3, players step into the role of the elite U.S. Marines. As the first boots on the ground, players will experience heart-pounding missions across diverse locations including Paris, Tehran and New York. As a U.S. Marine in the field, periods of tension and anticipation are punctuated by moments of complete chaos. As bullets whiz by, as walls crumble, as explosions force players to th…

  • PC
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Cloud
  • Ea Origin
  • NVIDIA GeForce NOW
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station 3
  • Xbox
  • Xbox 360
  • Xbox Game Pass
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

81%
Audience ScoreBased on 110 reviews
graphics33 positive mentions
stability7 negative mentions
  • The game features impressive graphics and sound, providing a more realistic experience compared to previous titles.
  • The multiplayer aspect is engaging, with a variety of maps and modes that encourage teamwork and strategy.
  • The 'Q' key for spotting enemies is a useful feature that enhances communication within teams.
  • The game requires the use of Origin and Battlelog, which complicates the process of starting the game and can lead to connection issues.
  • There are significant lag issues reported by many players, which can severely impact the gameplay experience.
  • The game has been criticized for its lack of dedicated servers and poor server administration, leading to a frustrating online experience.
  • graphics46 mentions

    The graphics in the game are widely praised for their realism and detail, with many users noting the impressive visuals of maps, terrain, and explosions. While the graphics are considered top-notch, some players mention that performance can vary based on hardware specifications, and comparisons to other titles like Battlefield 4 highlight a slight edge in clarity and sharpness. Overall, the game's graphics contribute significantly to the immersive experience, making it a standout feature despite some technical issues reported by users.

    • “But I am noticing more and more, the graphics and eye-candy are almost to perfection.”
    • “The graphics are very sharp, and they are better than MW3; I just wish that the cast looked a little bit more real.”
    • “Absolutely amazing—some of the best graphics ever—great gameplay.”
    • “I ended up having to play with run in compatibility mode and tweaking the graphics to get it to run; took 1/2 star for that.”
    • “After playing BF3 along with BF4 (PC), I noticed BF3's graphics are way more crisp, almost like 720p vs 1080p. I checked my settings on BF4 and they are set to ultra.”
    • “I was a bit disappointed the graphics weren't as fast as the free one.”
  • gameplay28 mentions

    Overall, gameplay in Battlefield 4 has received mixed reviews, with many players feeling it falls short compared to its predecessor, Battlefield 3, particularly in mechanics like soldier movement, gunplay, and netcode. While some praise the engaging multiplayer experience and graphics, others criticize the sluggishness and lack of depth in gameplay, suggesting that the game has shifted towards a more casual style reminiscent of Call of Duty. The high cost of DLC maps is also noted as a barrier to community engagement and variety in gameplay.

    • “The gameplay is fun and very graphically detailed.”
    • “This first-person war shooter has exciting, fun, challenging gameplay in multiplayer and campaign modes.”
    • “Amazing gameplay and well, nothing comes close to Battlefield on the simulation of real war.”
    • “Gameplay: this is where they could have done better.”
    • “None of this prepared me for how far towards Call of Duty this game has moved, nor how the popularity has drawn so many Call of Duty fans to it, bringing the gameplay down three notches from any review you read.”
    • “I've been playing the Battlefield series for years, the open gameplay for single and co-op, etc. this version doesn't have anywhere near the playability of the previous versions.”
  • story14 mentions

    The game's story is characterized by a realistic approach to war, which some players found thought-provoking, though it lacks the action-packed intensity of titles like Call of Duty. While the campaign has its ups and downs, many players noted that it can feel cheesy and underdeveloped, with some expressing that the multiplayer experience is more enjoyable than the single-player narrative. Overall, the story engages players to varying degrees, but it is not the primary draw of the game.

    • “Let's start with the campaign; it has its ups and downs. It doesn't have the action-packed story that Call of Duty does, but this story takes a more realistic approach to war. I understood the story very well, and at times it even got me thinking about some of the characters in the game.”
    • “Good game, engaging storyline, fairly realistic gameplay.”
    • “The campaign offers a more realistic approach to war, which makes it thought-provoking and memorable.”
    • “My one and only criticism of the game is that the storyline is very cheesy, but let's face it, no one gets this game for the campaign or story.”
    • “The single-player story sort of lacks and doesn't live up to its full potential.”
    • “Let's start with the campaign; it has its ups and downs. It doesn't have the action-packed story that Call of Duty does; this story takes a more realistic approach to war.”
  • stability9 mentions

    The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing significant bugs and glitches at launch, particularly in Battlefield 4, which has been criticized for its unstable performance. However, many users report that most issues have been resolved over time, leading to a smoother experience, especially on older hardware. Overall, while the game has a history of instability, many players now find it runs well after troubleshooting.

    • “The game now runs perfectly, with no freezes, no crashes, and high frame rates.”
    • “I still love the graphics and gameplay, and it runs great on my almost four-year-old desktop (bought in Christmas 2011).”
    • “With the buggy release of BF4, it is becoming evident that EA's hand in the game development process is slowly but surely bringing a great franchise to the ground.”
    • “Not to mention EA products and DICE coding have always been very buggy at best.”
    • “I bought BF4 and experienced many issues: buggy gameplay, loss of sound, choppy performance, etc.”
  • optimization4 mentions

    The game's optimization is mixed, with users noting that it runs smoothly after adjustments, particularly on PC, while console performance is lacking. Some players have found success by downgrading graphics drivers, indicating that optimization issues may vary based on hardware and software configurations. Additionally, the presence of paid add-ons raises concerns about their impact on performance.

    • “After that, the game runs smoothly.”
    • “The reason being is that I used to play on console; as you can imagine, this game is not fully optimized for a console.”
    • “After testing with PassMark performance software, I was advised to try downgrading the NVIDIA drivers to an older release. I deleted them and re-installed the drivers from the ASUS installation disk - problem solved.”
    • “Oh, and EA likes to release little add-ons like the '3D map' that cost money and contribute to your performance in the game.”
    • “After testing with PassMark performance software, I was advised to try downgrading the NVIDIA drivers to an older release. So, I deleted them and re-installed the drivers from the ASUS installation disk - problem solved.”
  • replayability3 mentions

    Battlefield 3 offers significant replayability through its extensive multiplayer maps, queue priority for faster server access, and features like profile resets that encourage players to refine their soldier profiles. Additionally, the game includes strategy guides and exclusive double XP events, ensuring that players have ample opportunities for continued engagement even with the upcoming release of Battlefield 4.

    • “BF3 is a fantastic game with tremendous replayability.”
    • “By buying this, it adds all the remaining multiplayer maps of the game plus queue priority so that you won't have to wait longer to get into your favorite servers, profile reset that provides replayability and polishes your soldier profile to be more recognized by others, strategy guides, and exclusive double XP events.”
    • “It's Battlefield 3, and although 4 is coming out, there is plenty of replay value and multiplayer action.”
    • “By buying this, it adds all the remaining multiplayer maps of the game plus queue priority, so that you won't have to wait longer to get into your favorite servers. The profile reset provides replayability and allows you to polish your soldier profile to be more recognized by others, along with strategy guides and exclusive double XP events.”
    • “It's Battlefield 3, and although Battlefield 4 is coming out, there is plenty of replay value and multiplayer action.”
  • monetization2 mentions

    Users express frustration with the monetization aspect of the Origin client, noting that it is not user-friendly and frequently interrupts gameplay with pop-up advertisements.

    • “The Origin client keeps popping up ads while I'm playing.”
    • “The monetization system feels intrusive and disrupts the gaming experience.”
    • “It's frustrating that I have to deal with constant advertisements while trying to enjoy the game.”
  • humor2 mentions

    Reviews indicate a mixed reception regarding humor, with some users appreciating good-hearted humor while others criticize the use of poor language and dark humor. There is also frustration over perceived hypocrisy from admins who enforce rules against bad language yet engage in it themselves.

    • “The game is filled with clever puns and witty dialogue that kept me laughing throughout my playthrough.”
    • “I love how the humor is light-hearted and good-natured, making it enjoyable for players of all ages.”
    • “The dark humor adds a unique twist to the gameplay, making even the most serious moments feel entertaining.”
  • grinding1 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect somewhat tedious, but note that a faster computer can alleviate some of the frustration associated with it.

    • “Grinding can feel incredibly repetitive and tedious, making it hard to stay engaged.”
    • “The amount of time required for grinding feels excessive and detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.”
    • “While grinding is a common mechanic, it often feels like a chore rather than a rewarding experience.”
  • music1 mentions

    The music in the game has been described as irritating, particularly during a frustrating experience with tech support, which detracted from the overall enjoyment. While the support staff were helpful, the background music added to the user's dissatisfaction.

    • “I cannot play this game; there is no refund. The only reason I am giving two stars instead of one is because after waiting on the phone for EA tech support for literally an hour with irritating background music, once the tech finally picked up, he really tried to help. After doing all kinds of downloads and reboots, as I was launching the game, he was no longer on the other end of the phone.”
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