Skip to main content

Battlefield Hardline

Battlefield Hardline takes the franchise to a totally new level with the inclusion of "cops" and "robbers" that is pure fun!
69%Game Brain Score
story, gameplay
stability, monetization
66% User Score Based on 1,371 reviews
Critic Score 71%Based on 33 reviews

Platforms

PCPCPlaystation 4Playstation 4Playstation 5Playstation 5WindowsWindowsXbox OneXbox OneXbox Series X|SXbox Series X|SPlayStationPlayStationPlaystation 3Playstation 3XboxXboxXbox 360Xbox 360

About

Battlefield Hardline is a first-person shooter game that combines an episodic crime drama single-player campaign with multiplayer modes. In the campaign, players assume the role of detective Nick Mendoza, using new tactics to gather intel, obtain warrants, and make arrests. Multiplayer offers fast-paced action with cops and criminals across new maps and gadgets, encouraging teamwork to control the turf war. Vehicles, from muscle cars to transports, add excitement and strategy to the gameplay.

Battlefield Hardline screenshot
Battlefield Hardline screenshot
Battlefield Hardline screenshot
Battlefield Hardline screenshot
Battlefield Hardline screenshot

66%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,404 reviews
story134 positive mentions
stability22 negative mentions

  • The campaign offers a unique and engaging storyline that feels like an interactive crime drama, with memorable characters and plot twists.
  • The game features innovative multiplayer modes like Heist and Hotwire, providing a refreshing change from traditional Battlefield gameplay.
  • Despite its flaws, the graphics hold up well for a game released in 2015, and the gunplay is satisfying and enjoyable.
  • The multiplayer is essentially dead, with very few active servers, making it difficult to find matches.
  • The game requires launching through a web browser and the EA app, which complicates the user experience and frustrates players.
  • The AI can be inconsistent and the story can feel clichéd, with unskippable cutscenes that disrupt the flow of gameplay.
  • story
    405 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of "Battlefield Hardline" is a mixed bag, with many players appreciating its unique cop vs. criminal narrative and episodic structure reminiscent of a TV series. While some found the plot engaging with interesting twists, others criticized it for being clichéd and predictable, leading to a lack of emotional investment. Overall, the campaign is seen as a fun, albeit flawed, experience that offers a refreshing departure from traditional military shooter narratives, though it may not resonate with everyone.

    • “A surprising breath of fresh air for the franchise that puts you in the shoes of a Miami Vice detective working on a major drug scandal with so many twists and turns in the plot to keep it engaging all the way through its 5-hour campaign!”
    • “The single-player campaign in Battlefield Hardline presents a story-driven experience centered on Nick Mendoza, a detective who gets caught up in a complex web of corruption, crime, and betrayal.”
    • “The story is one of the more ambitious aspects of the game, aiming to deliver a cinematic crime drama in the vein of The Wire or Breaking Bad.”
    • “Unskippable cutscenes in a game with this boring of a story is criminal.”
    • “The story is awful.”
    • “The story felt edgy and incoherent, and the mechanics are too divorced from battlefield - why would there be stealth sections in a battlefield game?”
  • gameplay
    194 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "Battlefield Hardline" receives mixed reviews, with some players enjoying its innovative mechanics and tactical multiplayer modes, while others criticize it for being repetitive and lacking depth compared to previous titles in the series. The campaign offers a blend of stealth and action, but many find the AI and level design lacking, leading to a less engaging experience. Overall, while the game has its fun moments and unique elements, it struggles with technical issues and a perceived lack of originality.

    • “The game shines in its multiplayer modes, where players can enjoy a variety of tactical and fast-paced gameplay experiences.”
    • “The campaign offers a mix of action and stealth gameplay, allowing players to choose between going in guns blazing or using non-lethal methods to subdue enemies.”
    • “Overall, Battlefield Hardline offers a new twist on the Battlefield franchise with a decent story and gameplay.”
    • “Despite a strong opening with a TV show-like presentation, the missions soon become a tedious chore of repetitive gameplay actions, terrible AI, and painfully generic level design.”
    • “The story, character development, and even the gameplay mechanics feel shallow and unoriginal.”
    • “The awkward launch method, combined with a lackluster gameplay experience, makes Hardline feel more like an attempt to cash in on the Battlefield name than a genuine entry in the series.”
  • graphics
    97 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many praising their quality and detail, especially for a title released in 2015. While some players noted that the visuals still hold up well today, others pointed out occasional graphical glitches and a departure from the franchise's traditional aesthetic. Overall, the game is considered visually appealing, with impressive environments and character models, though some aspects may feel outdated compared to newer releases.

    • “The visuals, the environments, the feel all were absolutely breathtaking.”
    • “The game features stunning graphics that bring its urban environments to life.”
    • “The graphics are amazing; the gameplay is amazing. In fact, everything about Battlefield Hardline is awesome and I would recommend this to anyone.”
    • “A lot of times they also get bugged or you would see some graphical glitches which just make this game less serious.”
    • “While the graphics are predominantly well presented, Hardline has an annoying habit of slipping to 2009-quality graphics all too frequently.”
    • “The only thing good this game does is, maybe the atmosphere and the sounds, but the graphics are ugly, minimum effort for a triple-A company.”
  • music
    28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players praising the soundtrack as enjoyable and fitting for the game's atmosphere, particularly during action sequences. While some found it memorable and a highlight of the experience, others felt it was decent but not particularly standout. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a solid complement to the gameplay, enhancing immersion without being overly remarkable.

    • “The gameplay was nice, had interesting characters and a really cool soundtrack.”
    • “There is no better feeling than roaming with people in a jeep, listening to amazing music on the radio, gunning enemies in a turret.”
    • “The music wasn't anything particularly special.”
    • “The game’s soundtrack is suitable, adding to the tense atmosphere during action sequences, but it does not stand out as a major highlight.”
    • “Also, this game is kinda stuck in 2012-2015 as evidenced by its music, engine, and weapon choices.”
  • stability
    22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The stability of the games is widely criticized, with numerous users reporting significant issues such as crashes, glitches, and performance problems, particularly on high-end PCs. Many players experienced frustrating troubleshooting attempts that often failed to resolve these issues, leading to a consensus that the games are riddled with bugs and suboptimal performance. While some found enjoyment in the gameplay, the overall sentiment reflects a need for substantial improvements in stability before the games can be fully recommended.

    • “All 3 games will not launch on my high-end PC, even after hours of troubleshooting.”
    • “The game is buggy, the sound design is broken, constant crashes and freezing while loading, and trying to launch the game is a real struggle.”
    • “It's riddled with bugs and glitches that force you to either restart the mission or the application.”
  • replayability
    18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's replayability is a mixed bag; while it offers significant longevity through multiplayer modes and various choices in the campaign, some players find the narrative predictable and the inability to skip cutscenes detracts from the experience. Overall, it provides a fun gameplay experience, but the campaign may lack substantial replay value for those not interested in collectibles or multiplayer.

    • “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.”
    • “It has a fairly decent story set up like a cop drama, and best of all it has an immense amount of replayability.”
    • “The story is okay, but it gets rather stale in the end: it's a little predictable and the game doesn't really have replay value.”
    • “If you really want to play it for the campaign, I would just buy EA Play for the $1 month access. Honestly, it's not worth paying for the full game just for the campaign; it does not really offer any real replay value unless you really want to get all the collectibles and didn't manage to get them all in your first run.”
    • “The campaign plays like a cop drama show, but the gameplay in it is fun. There's not much replayability, but if it's your first time, you will have a blast.”
  • optimization
    14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's optimization is a mixed bag; while some players report smooth performance even on low-end hardware, others experience significant issues such as frame rate drops during cutscenes and glitches that hinder gameplay. The reliance on multiple platforms for launching the game adds to the frustration, with some users noting that the overall optimization feels lacking, particularly for multiplayer modes. Overall, while there are instances of good performance, many players find the optimization inconsistent and problematic.

    • “This game was so overlooked and underrated, way better than 2042... this game plays very smoothly and it's really well optimized, so much that you can run it on an Intel UHD 620, perfect!”
    • “I got really good performance on the ultra preset, I didn't check my FPS counter but I'm pretty sure it was 100+ all of the time (2060 + 10750H), there is a lot of room to increase performance, considering this game came out on the 360/PS3.”
    • “Great game fully optimized for PC 8/10”
    • “Optimization is especially poor in those cutscenes, with 30 fps hangs, but somehow it's over.”
    • “This video game exhibits a considerable degree of suboptimal performance arising from a multitude of glitches.”
    • “It's a Steam game, but it's also an Origin game, so when you launch the game from Steam, it starts up Origin, which is poorly optimized. Origin then launches the Battlelog webpage in your default internet browser, and from there, within the Battlelog menu, you have to select single player campaign or multiplayer. Launching the campaign seems to take forever, if it launches at all!”
  • humor
    13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's humor is characterized by well-placed comedic moments, quirky side conversations, and over-the-top storytelling that enhance the overall experience, despite being somewhat inconsistent. Players appreciate the amusing interactions and funny quips, which contribute to a likable cast and a lighthearted tone amidst the serious themes. Overall, the humor adds a unique charm, making the game enjoyable and distinct from typical titles in the genre.

    • “Its attempt at humor is well put.”
    • “The level design, gadgets, side conversations from grunts, and funny little quips everyone has will keep you amused.”
    • “These humorous moments are sparse, yet their presence in between a war on drugs makes for an even more likable cast.”
  • atmosphere
    9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's atmosphere is generally well-received, with an effective soundtrack and immersive sound design that enhance the experience, particularly during action sequences. However, the graphics are criticized for being subpar, and while cutscenes contribute to the atmosphere, they may detract from the gameplay experience. Overall, the atmosphere is considered a strong point, despite some inconsistencies in execution.

    • “The sound design was equally impressive, with immersive audio effects that enhanced the overall atmosphere.”
    • “The AI is pretty dumb (like all Battlefield games), but the atmosphere is great and the gameplay is generally enjoyable.”
    • “All the unlocks, boosts, and features are a clever lure into getting you to love the actual gameplay, atmosphere, and total devotion the developers went through to develop this game.”
    • “This destroys the war atmosphere logic in the game name.”
    • “Graphics and atmosphere look kind of okay, but it's not dark and gritty.”
    • “All the unlocks, boosts, and distractions are a clever lure into getting you to love the actual gameplay, atmosphere, and total devotion the developers went through to develop this game.”
  • monetization
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization aspect of the game has drawn significant criticism for its reliance on microtransactions, particularly for customization options that can create an uneven playing field. Many players express frustration over the inability to unlock all content through gameplay alone, leading to concerns about a "pay-to-win" model. Despite some positive gameplay elements, the monetization strategy has overshadowed the overall experience for a portion of the player base.

    • “However, some players have criticized the game for leaning too heavily into microtransactions, as certain customization options can be unlocked through paid content, potentially giving players an advantage in certain cases.”
    • “Microtransactions: the inclusion of microtransactions for customization content is a downside for players who want to unlock everything through gameplay alone.”
    • “However, the single-player campaign doesn’t live up to the high expectations set by previous Battlefield titles, and the inclusion of microtransactions may frustrate some players.”
  • grinding
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively tedious, with repetitive missions and poor AI contributing to a lack of engagement. Many express that the grind feels overwhelming, suggesting that it requires an unrealistic time investment to progress. Overall, the grinding is seen as a significant drawback that detracts from the initial appeal of the game.

    • “Despite a strong opening with a TV show-like presentation, the missions soon become a tedious chore of repetitive gameplay actions, terrible AI, and painfully generic level design.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “A bit grindy sometimes.”
  • emotional
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Reviews highlight a stark contrast in emotional engagement, with some players feeling disconnected due to poor writing, frustrating gameplay mechanics, and technical issues, while others appreciate the immersive storytelling and character connection in certain campaigns. Overall, the emotional impact varies significantly, with many expressing disappointment in the narrative quality and gameplay experience.

    • “This level of immersion amplifies the emotional investment in the story and enhances the overall experience.”
    • “However, hardline's new approach to storytelling formed a more memorable campaign and made me feel closer to the characters.”
    • “The multiplayer was really good but now feels dead. I repurchased for nostalgia, but the story mode is absolute dog water. The writing is terrible, the AI is frustrating, and the dialogues are annoyingly repetitive. Overall, the story is unoriginal and boring. I paid $5 but feel like EA has ripped me off.”
  • character development
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is criticized for being shallow and poorly executed, with reviewers noting a lack of originality and depth in both the story and gameplay mechanics. The overall narrative is described as poorly written, contributing to a sluggish and uninspired experience reminiscent of Grand Theft Auto, which some players find unappealing.

    • “The story, character development, and even the gameplay mechanics feel shallow and unoriginal.”
    • “The story was poorly written, with terrible character development. The game feels sluggish and is more or less inspired by Grand Theft Auto, which I don't like.”

Buy Battlefield Hardline

7h Median play time
16h Average play time
8h Main story
24h Completionist
6-35h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 3 analyzed playthroughs

Videos

Games Like Battlefield Hardline

Battlefield 3™ Image
Battlefield 4 Image
This game contains adult content
Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Image
This game contains adult content
Call of Duty: WWII Image
This game contains adult content
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Image
This game contains adult content
Far Cry 3 Image
This game contains adult content
Gears 5 Image
This game contains adult content
Far Cry 6 Image
This game contains adult content
Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare Image
This game contains adult content
Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Future Soldier ImageTom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Future Soldier ImageTom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Future Soldier Image
This game contains adult content