Common Sense Media Review
Epic, violent WWII shooter targets soldiers' emotional toll.
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Battlefield V
What's It About?
For more than a decade and a half, the Battlefield series has put players on the frontlines of theaters of war past, present, and even future, but BATTLEFIELD V brings the series back to where it all began: World War II. Axis and Allied forces face off in massive online multiplayer battles with up to 64 players, charging into the fray on foot, in armored vehicles, or even soaring high in fighter planes and bombers. Players can parachute into battle and find a way to break through the enemy lines, then gain control of key locations and hold their ground against an onslaught of opposition in the ever-shifting tides of war. Or they can see the war unfold on a more personal level in War Stories, emotionally charged, short single-player campaigns that showcase more than just the fighting on the frontlines. These story-driven episodes focus on the impact the war had not on a global scale, but on the individuals who found themselves in the most difficult of circumstances, only to find a strength forged in the fires of battle and a courage to rise above it all.
Is It Any Good?
This epic shooter takes combat and evolves it to full-scale digital warfare, while also adding a personal touch to highlight the struggles of characters fighting these battles. Battlefield V returns the series to its roots and revisits World War II with a presentation that's nothing short of breathtaking. The game has an almost unparalleled level of detail. From the colorful French farmlands of Arras to the snow-covered peaks of the Norwegian port of Narvik, it covers a range of locales in high definition. But the level of detail goes beyond environment, as you listen in on chatter between soldiers and hear the cries for help from wounded in battle. You can't help but feel transported back in time to these moments when history was made.
The Battlefield series is known for how it handles large-scale multiplayer skirmishes, and Battlefield V adds to that experience with tweaks that fans will truly admire. There's a heavier focus on teamwork, not just in your own squad but among all of your allies. Downed soldiers can now be revived by any teammate to get back into action, and anyone can reinforce positions by building makeshift fortifications as cover. Of course, specializing in certain roles (such as Medic or Support) shaves precious time off these tasks and gives access to other abilities to turn the tide of battle. Despite the epic scale of these matches, you never feel like you haven't contributed to your side's efforts. But it's not all about multiplayer. War, by its nature, is never easy and always leaves an indelible mark on those it touches. That comes through in the game's emotionally charged War Stories, which make their return from Battlefield 1. These single-player mini-campaigns focus not on the frontline action most people are familiar with. Instead, they take a close and personal look at the lesser-known fronts, and the individual impact the war had on those who fought. These anthology-style missions scale back much of the action and add a much more humanizing layer to the gameplay. You feel the tension and the anxiety of these characters, and their sacrifices linger with you long after their stories end. Battlefield V is as complete a World War II experience as you're likely to find, and yet there's still more to come, thanks to a series of downloadable content updates to be made available for free. Battlefield V is not only a testament to the harsh realities of World War II, but also a reminder of the emotional toll it took on those who fought ... and a glimpse at the courage it took to fight for something greater and to hold onto hope for a better tomorrow.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about violence in video games. Is the impact of the violence in Battlefield V affected by the realism of the World War II setting? Can the portrayal of that violence teach us something from a historical perspective?
What were some of the reasons people fought in World War II, and how did it change the course of history?
Game Details
- Platforms : PlayStation 4 , Windows , Xbox One
- Pricing structure : Paid
- Available online? : Available online
- Publisher : Electronic Arts
- Release date : November 20, 2018
- Genre : First-Person Shooter
- Topics : Adventures , History
- ESRB rating :
- Last updated : January 8, 2026
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