I’ve Seen Enough Battlefield Labs Leaked Gameplay to Be Convinced They’re Finally Nailing This Fundamental Aspect

A few weeks back, EA announced the official name for its testing venture concerning the upcoming Battlefield installment. They introduced Battlefield Labs, a dedicated hub for all community testing activities, and soon after, opened the doors for player sign-ups.

The response was overwhelming—so much so that the website was practically under siege for days. With countless eager fans clamoring to dive in, wait times skyrocketed to several hours, with overwhelming queues at every turn. Amidst this frenzy, a lucky few managed to snag a spot and have since been dropping snippets of gameplay from the ongoing tests.

As someone who’s been deeply invested in the Battlefield series since the days of BF2, it’s tough not to feel a twinge of excitement when seeing the new game. Even more fascinating, though, is how my enthusiasm isn’t merely based on nostalgia but also on the impressively polished state of the current build.

A long-standing complaint among Battlefield enthusiasts is that DICE, the developer, seems to reinvent the wheel with each new release. In contrast to Call of Duty, where successful features and advancements are often carried forward, Battlefield games tend to discard them and start anew, which can be particularly jarring.

While some of these changes align with the game’s shift in historical context or setting, it’s frustrating when popular elements aren’t given the chance to evolve. Battlefield 2042, for example, disregarded the remarkable movement mechanics of Battlefield 5. Rather than enhancing them, they were tossed aside—a loss for fans who appreciated the seamless character control and dynamics introduced back then.

This pattern of underused innovation doesn’t stop at movement mechanics. Take, for instance, Battlefield 1’s Behemoths and Operations mode, or the intricate destruction and fortification systems in Battlefield 5. Not to mention the beloved mechanics from BF3 and BF4 that either got lost in translation or were altered for the worse in newer iterations.

What floored me about the Battlefield Labs footage is seeing features from Battlefield 5 making a return. The crouch run, combat dive, and landing roll—integral parts of the Battlefield experience—are all making a comeback. Even the body dragging feature, which was a hyped aspect that faltered in previous titles, seems to be running smoothly this time around.

Moreover, the contextual leaning feature starting from Battlefield 5 is present and executed more fluidly. It shows a promising commitment to developing features rather than discarding them.

In terms of the game’s style, there’s a throwback vibe to BF4, especially in its visuals and interface. The HUD and UI appear to be polished versions of those seen in BF4, and you’ll even spot its in-match Field Upgrade progression system here.

Character classes are distinctly defined, every bit as much in their look as in their roles in the game. Although EA may eventually lean into customizable skins akin to Warzone, the current setup provides a solid base to build upon.

From Battlefield 5, the destruction mechanics have notably evolved, reacting dynamically to how damage is inflicted. The aftermath of a tank bulldozing through a structure contrasts starkly with that of a grenade detonating indoors, adding depth to the gameplay environment.

The map design borrows inspiration from the close-knit confrontations of BF3’s Seine Crossing and BC2’s Arica Harbor. Some pre-destroyed structures guide player interactions, while others allow for novel strategic paths.

At its core, the next Battlefield feels like it’s embracing everything that made previous entries memorable. It’s far more than rehashing old maps; it feels like a carefully crafted homage that stitches together the brightest elements from past games.

In my opinion, this is exactly what the franchise needs to remind players why Battlefield captivated them initially and why it still holds a special place in the crowded arena of shooters.