Stop the Faux Destruction: Bring Back Large, Fully Destructible Battlefield Maps

I’ve been playing the Battlefield series for as long as I can remember. Battlefield 1942 and Battlefield 2 on PC were some of the most memorable games of my childhood, setting a standard for large-scale warfare that few FPS titles could match. In recent years though, the franchise has drifted away from the core formula that once made it unique. While this new installment is better than Battlefield 2042, that’s not saying much when it pales in comparison to the monumental games we got over a decade ago.

After a week of playing and talking with other veteran players, a few big issues really stand out. First, the maps in the open beta feel way too small for Battlefield’s signature large-scale battles. The only Conquest map available is one of the smallest I’ve seen for that mode—Wake Island back in 1942 was bigger. Buildings aren’t fully explorable, and many lack fire escapes, ladders, or interior stairways to reach different floors, making them feel hollow and underdeveloped. Second, the destruction and cinematic impact just don’t feel like they used to. Too many walls and even major support pillars can’t be destroyed, stripping away the chaos and tactical depth that once defined the series. Even the effects of explosions look cartoonish compared to the gritty realism past games delivered.

If the devs want Battlefield 6 to stand alongside the classics, they need to fix these fundamentals before focusing on new features or gimmicks. Larger, better-designed maps, more immersive environments, and a return to truly satisfying, fully destructible worlds would go a long way toward bringing back that epic Battlefield feeling. Most importantly, they need to honor the legacy of the early games—remembering what they achieved and why they were beloved—if they want Battlefield 6 to have any shot at being a Game of the Year contender. Until then, this latest entry risks being another shooter instead of the next great Battlefield.