We are less than a month away from the launch of Battlefield 6, and the hype is only growing. Following an open beta that attracted a huge number of players, EA gave the press and content creators a chance to try out two new maps not previously shown: Operation Crossfire, a reimagined classic, and Vale Mirak, the largest battlefield of the game’s release.
Coming into this test as someone who usually clears the campaigns but rarely dives into Battlefield’s multiplayer, I was curious to see whether the new installment could win over a relative “noob.” Here are my impressions.
Operation Crossfire: A Classic Reimagined
Fans of Battlefield 3 will recognize this as a remake of the legendary Operation Firestorm map. While the spirit of the refinery setting remains intact, the map has been restructured with new layouts, offering varied tactical options.
The terrain now allows for combat across multiple levels—ground skirmishes, building firefights, and sniper duels from high towers. Explosive elements, like fuel pipes and storage tanks, can turn the tide of a match in an instant.
Visually, the leap from BF3 to BF6 is striking, though I expected more in terms of environmental destruction. While smaller structures crumble satisfyingly, the towering refinery centerpiece remains oddly indestructible. Still, the tight quarters and dense cover make this a map geared toward fast-paced, close-quarters combat.
Vale Mirak: Expansive and Strategic
In contrast, Vale Mirak quickly became my favorite. It’s the largest launch map in Battlefield 6, set in a war-torn valley dotted with ruined villages, trenches, open fields, and scattered strongholds.
Unlike Crossfire, Vale Mirak favors horizontal gunplay over verticality. Vehicles are crucial for covering ground, but moving on foot can be just as effective with cautious, tactical approaches. This map rewards patience and long-range engagements while still offering hotspots for close encounters.
Its scale and openness reminded me of the pacing I enjoy in games like PUBG, where strategy and positioning matter as much as reflexes.
Modes, Classes, and Vehicles
The preview also showcased returning modes like Conquest and Breakthrough, alongside a new addition: Climb. Similar to Conquest, Climb tasks teams with capturing points, but with a twist—the first squad to secure three locations wins, and capture zones shrink as the match progresses, intensifying the final moments.
All four classic classes were available—Assault, Engineer, Recon, and Support—each with customizable loadouts that evolve as you level up. Vehicles, too, played a central role, with tanks, helicopters, and jets complementing ground combat in both maps.
Can Battlefield 6 Attract New Players?
As someone who usually avoids fast-paced shooters, I was surprised by how much Battlefield 6 pulled me in. The gunplay feels smooth, the pacing strikes a good balance between chaos and control, and most importantly, the game runs incredibly well.
On my setup (GeForce RTX 5070, 1440p, medium settings), the game consistently hit 120 FPS, a testament to Frostbite’s continued optimization. While destruction may not have advanced as much as expected since Battlefield 4, the visuals are gorgeous, even on lower presets.
After 4+ hours of testing, I can confidently say: Battlefield 6 hooked me. For someone who usually gravitates toward Soulslikes, Metroidvanias, and third-person adventures, that’s saying a lot. And with the yet-to-be-released Battle Royale mode still on the horizon, I’m more excited than ever.
