Battlefield Heroes Preview

One of EA’s premier development studios, DICE has been quite busy. Not only has the developer recently released the well-received FPS Battlefield: Bad Company and are currently at work on the highly-anticipated Mirror’s Edge, but they’re also getting ready to release a title that will shake the foundation of the gaming industry at least from a monetary perspective. Battlefield: Heroes is an online shooter that adds a new cartoony element to the popular franchise while retaining the classic feel that online shooter fans have come to know and love. Additionally, the game will feature tons of customization options, allowing you to create a completely unique character thanks to robust customization options. Oh yeah, and it’s free.

Battlefield: Heroes will boast a pretty enticing marketing strategy, as it will be a completely free-to-play game, earning revenue from in-game advertising and microtransactions. While those who want to drop money on added features can do so, the basic game will be free to anyone who wants to play. Additionally, the game is actually quite fun. While some purists may decry the cartoon aesthetic, the game still nails the basics of the franchise while being immediately accessible to all different types of gamers.

Battlefield: Heroes won’t have very lofty requirements, and being a web-based game, it should allow anyone with a current low-to-mid range PC get in the game. You start by creating your character, choosing from either the Royal Army or the National Army and selecting their class. The game gives you plenty of options for customizing your character, from different uniforms and accessories as well as facial characteristics.

The gameplay itself plays very similar to previous Battlefield games. You must both attack your enemy’s spawnpoints and attempt to capture them while defending your own. You’ll have access to vehicles too, including tanks and airplanes, just like in other games in the series. The game differs from other Battlefield titles by opting for a third-person perspective instead of a first-person one. Additionally, each different class comes with its own skill set, which are mapped to certain keys on the keyboard and get be activated at the push of a button.

Aesthetically, the game looks quite good, especially for a web-based game. While the textures aren’t as detailed as they are in other games and the cartoon style of the game might rub some players the wrong way, the game looks pretty good and runs very smoothly.

Battlefield: Heroes is currently in closed beta, but is scheduled to go live later this fall.