IGN: Battlefield 3 Consoles Review

Battlefield 3 suffers from an identity crisis.

It delivers scorching multiplayer, fitting of its decade-long pedigree of famously expansive big-team battles, but stumbles over a generic single-player campaign that feels like a different game.

[-Alpha]

I was expecting 8.5 but I suppose they are reviewing it against console standards?

I'm really disappointed to hear about the texture issues, I noticed that textures seem to load constantly in real time on the PS3. I hope that it isn't too serious.

Also, the biggest problem with 24 players I have is that Conquest becomes completely linear. I really hated that in BC2, it can kill the whole "Freedom" of Battlefield.

[frostyhat123]

Thats what I thought! I was sure it was going to be 8.5 or lower.... oh well this just gives me more faith in the game!
P.s.It's going to be so hard to share playing time with this and Batman!

[deadpoole]

can someone pls tell me when r we gonna get back to karkand map pack for PS3.

[Chuk5]

@Frosty
I'm between Bruce Wayne and marines as well.

[raWfodog]

@ frostyhat123 & Chuk5

Spoiler alert!:
Bruce Wayne is Batman.

[KonGreat]

@deadpoole
I think it was around early 2012!

[zeeshan]

Well, I'd give it a 9 myself if I were at IGN because I would compare this with other shooters especially Call of Duty. The game deserves 9. I don't know why many journalists give COD games 9.5 or 10s. They are the same titles, the same games release every year with slightly different perks and maps and that's it.

DICE worked hard on the maps. They are huge! Everything about multiplayer screams huge and they deserve the credit for putting in the effort.

I can STILL see some glitches (I am on PS3 and can not comment on 360 version as I don't use LIVE service) and there are some tweaks that the multiplayer needs but they have done a great job making you feel as if you are in the middle of a battlefield with all the helis and fighter planers, vehicles and what not.

This game is far from perfect but this IS a military shooter. Not like other shooters that WANT to be known as military shooter *cough* *cod* *cough*.

I am sure that with a couple of tweaks here and there, this game will vastly improve and will become a greater experience. One that you shouldn't miss.

[Jamzluminati]

I was expecting a 4.5 knowing IGN.

[frostyhat123]

Will you stop with the IGN bias and the IGNorant crap? If you don't like them don't click on the article, they are one of the most respected reviewers and I have no idea why there is so much hate towards them!

[memots]

@ frostyhat123

Its because its cool to hate. And there is a lot a sheep out there trying to fit in so they will hate for no reason.

Think about it what are the article with the most comments or heat on here ... Yup you guessed right Article that hate or bash something.

[kaveti6616]

Jamz, you're running the risk of losing another bubble.

People think this is a good thing but I know you'll probably be back with another account so behave yourself.

[Heartnet]

tbh i was expecting that from all reviewers hmm..

[RedSky]

@frostyhat123

Bias is debatable and subjective. IGN is arguably the most popular game reviewing website, okay sure. But IGN being "one of the most respected reviewers". GOOD SIR, I THINK NOT.

[MaxXAttaxX]

IGN has been giving 9.0s a lot lately.

[Goozex]

I'd get it for ps3 so I can timed exclusive maps.

[ambientFLIER]

"I was expecting 8.5 but I suppose they are reviewing it against console standards?"

Duh? They even wrote an article about it because people still refused to understand. Why would console games be reviewed against PC games? That would mean no game on the Wii would ever get a good score in graphics.

[jetlian]

maybe you ment rush is linear conquest on some maps have 4 points to hold!

[joab777]

Thank you for an honest review. For ps3 standards, this game is gorgeous. And despite the player count and map size,it is thebest multiplayer to date. Ironically,it also helps it stand toe to toe w cod. Alot of cod fans would b turned off by 64 players and huge maps. Great job dice.

[DA_SHREDDER]

For ps3 standards this game is gorgeous? Are you sure you aren't playing the pc version? I've seen games in 08 that look better than BF3. Even 360 games that look better. Rage destroys this game when it comes to graphics, let alone GOW, Uncharted, Killzone, ect, ect.....

rented it, gameshared the online code, and I must say I'm not impressed at all. Sure it's better than the beta was, Ill give them that, but um, thats about as far as I would go, it definitely isn't gonna dethrone COD, or many other shooters for that matter.

[aquamala]

Looks damn good on my ps3, As good as the best looking ps3 games, sure looks way better than uncharted 3 subway beta

[nycredude]

Da shredder

I don't know what comparison videos you've been watching. The game looks great on my ps3. Textures are great, framerate is smooth as butter. It's way better than COD but not quite as good as the first party games, but the destruction makes up for it. Rage on the other looks great also but the textures are crap up close and way too much texture loading issues.

[Jayjayff]

@Nycredude
are you sure you're playing the same battlefield ? the texture(help me in here that im no technician ) like that comparison video showed us is quite slow in loading time, when playing the single player there were various time when the game would freeze (checkpoints) and then continue which takes a lot from the experience and the graphics are below Battlefield Bc 2 standards. I am not an expert when it comes to engine but sadly it seems like this one downgrade just to add some lighting and i am quite disappointed but at least the vehicles are there which is what got me into the game in the first place so this will have to do for now.

[KiLLUMiNATi_89]

Console 9/10 and PC a 9/10!!!!! But crysis 2 a 9/10!!!!!! like I'd said b4 ign reviews are just head scratchers...

[joab777]

I agree. B3 on PC is a 9.5...period. it is jaw dropping, the multiplayeris the best to date and the sp isn't terrible, despite opinions. It is a refined cod campaign that garneshed praise a few yrs ago. Is it innovative and refreshing,no, but its what we expect and doesn't diminish the experience. On console, it is a 9. Its the best online to date and one of the best looking games on console. Crysis is an 8.5. It looks good but not as good as battlefield and the multiplayer isn't on b3s plane. Slight edge to sp, but it wasn't inspiring either.

[finbars75]

Textures loading in real time on the PS3? Not to sure about that one.I'm have been playing it constantly on the PS3 and I havnt run into any of those issues a all.The game is always complete when I'm always moving in any direction.But all in all good review and Im just loving the game in every aspect except every now and then our voices cut in and out while in squad which is minore but a little annoying when alt of shit is going down.

[Grandclover]

Just played the campaign last night and it BLEW MY SOCKS OFF!!! The game is absolutly the best looking game i have played on a console. Id throw Crysis up there with it too minus the wicked lighting. I have no idea what people are talkin about with there Tech issues on the game. I put it in installed it and started playing and right off the bat i was just like wow....im on a actual battlefield. The Campaign is the best of any military shooter i have played hands down ( not the story but how they do the story). The campaign to me felt real, i felt like if i was in war this is what would be happing this is how my squad mates would be talking to me and eachother. I mean its a military shooter that has been done a thousand times you honestly think i care why im blowing that building up anymore??? Just give me the RPG and make it look like the most real thing that can be achived this Gen and they did. The MP is just a bonus that could be a Game in and of itself. 8.5 my left nut, just like 9.0 my right nut. This game is a 10 across the board and sets a bar for MW3 that is pretty darn high. I hate that im starting to think about this site when im at home but when i was playing last night just over and over i keep saying "what are the dudes and dudets from N4G talking about? This is the best shooter yet".

[iamnsuperman]

Is it just me but is the closing comments the same as the PC version review (like word for word). Not a big deal just a sense of deja vu

OT: Nice review except for the deja vu parts

[ambientFLIER]

Well, if the game is identical in same ways, then an identical paragraph is ok, right?

[gypsygib]

From my friends who bought it, 3 of them have regrets buying it, one think it's good but not great (7.5-8/10 MP with crap SP) and one guy thinks it's the best MP ever.

Some judging from the people I know, a 9/10 is overrated.

[madden glitch]

I'm nervous to purchase Battlefield 3 just because I don't know if I'll like it. The beta didn't blow my mind, and I'm not that much into the strategic aspect of the Battlefield franchise. I'm more of a fast-pace kind of player and Call of Duty fills that space.

On another side note, I will no doubt love Uncharted 3 when I purchase it day 1. :)

[Hufandpuf]

This is the best battlefield game I've played (and ive played them all)The multiplayer is daunting at first so I suggest you give it a rent at least to see how you like it.

[BattleTorn]

I originally booked a week off work because Halloween (my fav) lands on a Monday. But it's definitely turning out better that I thought.
I'm getting Uncharted 3 and the LotR game!

[madden glitch]

Thanks for the feedback, but I think i'll give it a few more day to think about. But i'm almost positive i'll end up buying it.

[TheFirstClassic]

You could buy bad company 2, it's pretty cheap now and people are still playing online.

[madden glitch]

im not gonna buy Battlefield Bad Company 2 when there is Battlefield 3. I know BF3 is better than BFBC2.

[-Alpha]

BC2 is still a great game but get it for PC. The console community is much more limited and with BF3 I doubt there are too many players left

They are two different series

[Domer25]

Yeah same boat as you (nervous from the beta).. Can't even rent it to try...(no origins code)...tough decision.

[Stewie2k8]

Then don't get battlefield 3, i dont think its for you. battlefield is for teamwork and tactics.

[leogets]

battlefield games always deliver an exeptional mp. people that dont like it probably enjoy playing games such as skyrim,lemmings,things of that nature ;)

[Stewie2k8]

hey i love battlefield, i think it is the greatest FPS made imo and i im sure i will 100% also love skyrim! dont put lemmings and skyrim in that same sentence again!

[Captain Qwark 9]

DISAGREE!!!!

elder scrolls is my fav game series ever and battlefield is, by miles, my fav mp ever. i dont think you can be that general, peoples taste in games can vary drastically for example.....

my fav games of this gen....
Oblivion
Dragon age origins
Dark souls
Batman AA
Ratchet and clank FTOD and CIT
Mass effect 1/2
BC 1 / 2 BF3
Armored Cor 4 / 4A
Mortal Kombat

dont like.....
COD ( any of them )
GTA 4
Forza or GT
Most sports games, madden is okay
bioshock

what im trying to say is, im all over the map, just because i like skyrim and action rpgs doesnt mean i wouldnt/dont like BF, some people will enjoy the game others will not, somebody's genre preferences is absolutely irrelevant. we all have our own opinions.....

[Kenshin_BATT0USAI]

Yes I am a lemming and I happen to enjoy playing games that aren't released yet.

[frostypants]

The online IS the greatest on consoles yet. Hands down.

Forget the single player. It's Battlefield. Anyone who plays Battlefield for the campaign doesn't understand the series.

[frostyhat123]

Nice name.

[Grandclover]

I played it for the campaign and im pretty sure i understood exactly what BF3 was all about.... Frost Bite 2 and what it could achieve turning my ps3/xbox into a Graphical Behemoth. You will not see the game the same in mp as you do in campaign. I could care less about the story, send me on my mission and make cool stuff happens so i can go ooooohhhh and awwwwww and the friggn nailed it. Let me be clear if you don't even play through the campaign once then you havn't seen BF3 or what the game and engine are really capable of.

[GunofthePatriots]

The only problem I have with the multiplayer so far is that you can only have 4 people in your party that make up a squad. I understand the squad part but why can't we have a party up to 12 people and split them up in groups of 4?
I would like to play with more friends.

Also....breaking up the party when joining a game is lame.

[Kleptic]

forgive me on the math...but wouldn't splitting 12 people into groups of 4...be exactly what the game lets you do?...or you can have smaller squads if you want for just you and a friend, which helps at times for certain things...

if you are saying because you want to hear everyone...turn on team chat instead of just squad chat...

[Ashby_JC]

And how do you turn on TEAM chat?? Never saw this option..im on the 360.

[Kleptic]

Not positive on the 360...but for PS3 when you go into 'manage squad' or 'squad options'...whichever it is in an actual match (not just the options menu before going to matchmaking)...there is chat options at the bottom of the screen...

It shows all the available squads, which squad you are in, etc...and at the bottom has VOIP enable/disable (will be grayed out if the server doesn't allow chat)...and beneath that has the options of team, squad, and off I think...off is so no one can hear you, but you can hear others...VOIP off makes it so you can't hear anyone either...

I'd assume the 360 is the same, as these aren't options that have anything to do with the PS3 specifically...its not an xmb menu or anything...but its helpful when you have more than 3 other friends, and want to be able to talk to players on other squads...just remember to have friends on other squads do the same thing, or you won't be able to hear them...

[BattleTorn]

This is cut&paste'd from the PC review. What's different?
I, for one, am happy with how BF3 turned out on console.

[madden glitch]

IGN is notorious for this

[ambientFLIER]

If you simply opened up both reviews side by side, you'd see what's different. ZOMG COPIED AND PASTED!!!!!!1111one

[optimus]

for me the single player is a bit of a let down so far...haven't tried the mutiplayer yet cause i'm not really into that...looks like i'll be returning this one in the coming weeks.

[madden glitch]

Well it looks like DICE focused on the Multiplayer, according to most critics

[DasBunker]

lol who the fawk purchases a BF game for its SP..

[Kleptic]

yeah i never cared either way on the quality of the single player...and its FAR better than either BC single player...

its a little cheap though, which is to be expected...but parts, especially operation guillotine, where you have to 'follow your squad'...and they'll take you directly into fire where you die...and they don't...is a little ridiculous...

Anyone noticing lighting glitches?...I've replayed certain parts where shadows are not where they were the first time through?...its kind of strange, as its only happened when I die and immediately play back through the same section...

[ViperX2]

BF games are MP first and foremost. BF2 didn't even have a SP, it was only MP. This is the first BF game with SP (not counting the BC series).

[gypsygib]

Lol you bought BF for the SP...big mistake. Should have got Batman or Deus or Resistance.

[optimus]

@viper...you're mistaken, battlefield 2 modern combat indeed has a single player story.

[Shackdaddy836]

It's a super loose story though. I did like how once you die you fly to another character. I thought that was really cool...

[Undeadwolfy]

SP,doesn't bother me. For me it's a bonus. I'd buy it solely for MP. After all, im not going to come back and put 100+ hours into the SP

[banner]

Sounds kinda glitchy...

Also sounds like another cod type story... If they couldn't come up with anything better then they should have just made it an all out mp game only... why even bother with a story that you don't put the same effort as mp? Most ppl aren't buying it for the story anyway.

[Chuk5]

I actually like the sp.

[damnyouretall]

i liked most of the single player. one play through is enough though. mp is cool as shit. some people are never satisfied

[Raider69]

Well i actually like the SP campaign at least it haves a story that haves a start and an end.Contrary to some games (COD ) story that you dont get to understand why the fuck you are killing,and in the end it looks more like * scenes for the next chapter*!Not to mention that BF3 even on consoles looks graphics wise 2 generations above COD I found my self repeting some chapters in BF3 without getting bored,but i cant say the same about the latest COD games ,since one play gets me boredom.

[JellyJelly]

Fortunately though, the MP is nothing at all like COD.

[0neShot]

There is something wrong with your brain. All reviews is saying that the BF3 SP is a COD copycat gone terribly wrong and a step backwards. Graphics in Xbox360 good?, check your eyesight, you're brain cells dropping out maybe causing you blurry vision. The graphics looks like BF2, and to be honest with you, MW2 graphics is better than BF3 in Xbox.

[Kenshin_BATT0USAI]

Modern Warfare has a story. A pretty damn good one too considering it's an FPS. Reading your comment all I see is "I LOVE BF3 AND IM A FANBOY SO FVK CoD ITS GAY"

[JonnyBigBoss]

I'm loving this game so much. I'm hooked.

PC/PS3 here.

[ViperX2]

You bought two copies?

[consolez_FTW]

Love this game. Judging from that beta I was gonna cancel my preorder...I glad I kept it. I haven't even played operation metro after about 6 hours of playing! every map is greatly and I mean greatly designed everything is awesome about it.DICE went all out with this one. they fixed all the balance issues and every weapon is fair and not overpowered. Worth every dollar! glad I got my next main online shooter. I'll spend hundreds of hours on this.

[DasBunker]

how many "no vehicles maps" does it have? and is the destruction better than metro on these maps?

[consolez_FTW]

I think there is maybe 1 no vehicle map..every map I remember has some sort of vehicle. also the destruction is WAYY more than in Metro. you can really topple buildings and everything you'd expect. Metro didn't do BF3 any justice. But the final product more than made up for my frustration with Metro in the beta.

[DasBunker]

kewl beans.. thanks cant wait till my copy arrives..

[Ashby_JC]

Played Op Metro for the first time since the Beta,
Was ALOT better....full destruction.

You can really see and hear alot more things getting destroyed.

Night and day from the beta!

So far I really like Bazaar and Sienne Crossing. Gonna take awhile to learn the maps.

I do wish the player count was slightly higher...16v16 or even 24v24 would be awesome on larger conquest maps.

[damnyouretall]

so far ,when i play team deathmatch, there are no vehicles on any map. its more cod style

[Raider69]

For a 6 year old hardware it looks great even in comparison with the PC version.And i play the 360 version to the end tested the PS3 and own a PC than runs BF3 on Ultra without problems.

[DigitalxPiracy]

The fact that the console version received the same score as the PC completely discredits this review. I can understand when IGN posts the same review for all platforms when the experience isn't vastly different but that's not the case here. Play with PC graphics and 64 players and tell me you want to go back to jaggies and 24 players.

[VvKILLAGOOSEvV]

"The fact that the console version received the same score as the PC completely discredits this review."

WHY? Since when do console games get judged by PC counterparts and not on their own merits for whats offered on that console for the time? It's obviously a 9/10 for IGN on PC versus whats offered on PC...and it's obviously a 9/10 for IGN on consoles versus whats offered on consoles, so there's no problem here.

[flappersack]

This means nothing from this site. IGN give out 9s like they're going out of season. Mainly because they do not use the full game rating scale of 1 to 10 with 5 being average. IGN's scale is 7-10

[DANGEROUS-BEANS]

If the story is bringing the game down but the multiplayer is top notch I honestly don't care, SP suffers more from general opinion than multiplayer does anyway and I'm gonna be playing online a hell of a lot more than in single player.

[SyluxPT]

Great review and great score.
Getting BF3 for xbox 360

[Treyb3yond]

I wan moar bubblez pleases.

:3

[BeardedPriest]

I think its easily one of the best online shooters i've ever played. But certain flaws kinda kill it... I like the SP... I think the SP is ok... Half the multiplayer maps are boring... some of the maps are a little bigger than they need to be... The customization is unprecedented... The unlocks are amazing

[ConstipatedGorilla]

"The engine isn't perfect by any means. I encountered prone legs jutting through walls, tears flickering across solid surfaces, saw snipers half-buried in mountainsides, and bits of green flashing across the screen. I've seen trees planted in midair, noticed AI soldiers in their shooting position long after death."

I'm not trying to hate, but does this really deserve a 9? That's an 8 at the very best.

[ConstipatedGorilla]

Haha... the disagrees... you guys are ridiculous.

On Amazon it has a 3 out of 5 star rating from 138 customers. I suspect that's a little more accurate.

[modesign]

9.5 is extremely high for BF3, apart from the Going hunting level(fighter pilot), everything seemed to generic to separate itself from its predecessors or its competition, they go to war with another muslim country how original (sarcasm), there is major bugs and flaws in the game that should be immediately patched or fixed. i definetely know COD MW3 is going to be better.

[SyluxPT]

to much cod fanboys..

[thespaz]

You mean "too many Call of Duty fan-boys"

[Raven_Nomad]

I think a 9 is a tad bit high for BF3. Probably deserves around a 8 or 8.5 tops. I am starting to think these sites are starting to hold back on their reviews as to avoid backlash from fans.

[krazykombatant]

God your the most stupid troll in this website, you get off to this don't you.... I WANT THE OPEN ZONE BACK PLZ!

[Dart89]

Oh Raven your just mad cuz your still gonna be playing MW2.5 XDD.

[VvKILLAGOOSEvV]

"Probably deserves around a 8 or 8.5 tops."

Probably deserves...as in you probably didn't play it, did you.

[Shackdaddy836]

He didn't. He's a really REALLY big CoD fanboy.

It's funny because he used to get pissed off at people ragging on CoD topics and now he does the exact same thing on BF topics.

[tenacious_b]

I hated the beta on ps3 and tried the pc version *which was beautiful* but I hate mouse / keyboard. The ps3 version looks very good and much improved over the ugly beta. Lighting, Fire and Smoke is much better in the retail version. I have to say it could probably stand toe to toe with killzone 3 now. I do not regret my purchase at all *was gonna cancel preorer*. My only complaint now is some of the maps are a little too big *firestom* for 24. 32 players wouldve been preferred but it's not a problem with all of the spawn choices. I'd give it a 9/10 too.

[Ashby_JC]

Here is hoping for 32 or even 64 in the next gen of consoles!

MAG pulled of 256...even thought the gfx was average.

[Oschino1907]

Every map on console is designed with 32 players in mind despite the fact that they only allow 24. Go on PC and every rush map which is the same has a 32 limit and all the conquest maps are the half sized ones which are meant for 32 limit also. They did the same in BFBC2 as that had a 32 player limit but had the same maps for 24 on console.

One of the many reasons I skipped BF3 for console this time around, I am not paying for a PC game that I can't play on console. Also people at DICE have been qouted as saying the sweet spot for multi is 32-40 yet they make zero effort to bring that to console which basically says they don't give two shits about giving console a true Battlefield experiance and instead feel totally fine taking your money knowing they are giving you less of a product and experiance compared to PC.

I would take a BFBC3 with less graphics and 32players with all maps designed for that being their max over BF3 anyday. And that is just the start, a lot I don't like, something I won't even consider getting like BlOps for many reasons. Hopefully they can turn it around and win me back like MW3. BF3 on console = Black Ops. I had issues with BFBC2 but would log another 500+ hours into that again before buying BF3.

[Zephol]

THE GRAPHICS LIKE BAD COMPANY 2

[galmi]

IGN suck at reviews, I never pay too much attention to 'em, almost every game, if not all, with a huge name is a good game regardless

[4lc4pon3]

I agree with you there. IGN is trash. They said the game doesnt look any better then Battlefield BC2 which is pathetic. I have both the 360 & PS3 versions and The graphics eat BC2's graphics atleast on consoles.

I love every aspect of BF3. The single player might not be a story teller but it is fun & the Multiplayer is easily the best multiplayer will ever get for sometime

[0neShot]

The BF3 Xbox review so far is the worst game review I ever read in IGN. What the hell? A copy and paste review from the PC version? IGN is losing its mojo.

[Goozex]

Heard that ps3 version is getting all dlc before 360

[ConstipatedGorilla]

I heard that everyone will be playing COD by the time it's out though.

[Hanilugtehul]

im not getting this game, NO WAY!!!!!!!

[Tonester925]

Not to sound ungrateful but, Im ready for the Ps4 and the Xbox uhh... Or I could spend lots on a gaming PC. Hmmm... So many choices lol

[mayberry]

After cod's ps3 issues and now bf3's issues,
(" I encountered prone legs jutting through walls, tears flickering across solid surfaces, saw snipers half-buried in mountainsides, and bits of green flashing across the screen. I've seen trees planted in midair, noticed AI soldiers in their shooting position long after death."),

I'll again say "KILLZONE 3" is my choice still. Very little issues at all!

[SegataShanshiro]

Perfect dark on xbox arcade got the same score :) a 9.0........ so bf3 is exactly as good as bf3 and perfect dark is more than 10 years old...good job IGNorants i dont like battlefield by the way amd i only play COD for the campaings, check my gamertag Andree Torruco