Multiplayer in Hardline is one word: Chaotic. Everything from grips to sights are all acquired by spending some cash. The same currency model is applied to the previously mentioned attachments as well. For example, SMGS have little to no range while Assault Rifles can hit targets from farther away if the right attachments are equipped.

Some guns are more expensive than others and they obviously perform differently. Though the prices in the image above do not reflect the same ones in game (This is from an Alpha photograph by EA), the overall idea is present. “Cash to Spend” is acquired by killing enemies, completing challenges and following objectives while in game. This however doesn’t exempt players from actually unlocking the gear it has to be first unlocked then purchased. Unlike previous games, Hardline utilizes a currency system to acquire new weapons and gear in multiplayer. But the ability to destroy one’s environment isn’t absent it just isn’t always the best option (at least in singleplayer.

In Battlefield 4 one could simply fire a rocket into the room or throw a pack of C4 Hardline on the other hand forces the player to utilize tactical grenades such as flash bangs and FMJ rounds to take down enemies of the state. For example there may be a dozen enemies in the next room. I personally felt as if the combat in Hardline was far more precise and at times harder than previous games in the franchise. It forces players to be more like tacticians and it requires a lot more planning on higher difficulties because unlike the military, Cops don’t have access to LAW rocket launchers and tanks. This has advantages and disadvantages when compared to other Battlefield games when you have access to the hardest hitting weapons in existence. There are some new aspects such as ziplines, tasers, and basically everything else at a police force’s disposal. Gameplay in Battlefield Hardline is nothing too difficult to comprehend if you have played previous games in the series. In summary Visceral really outdid themselves when it came to crafting a unique story for a FPS title. The episodic nature of the campaign also makes the overall feel of the game like of an episode of “Cops” or even “Burn Notice” with its action themes. You aren’t out to kill, you are merely attempting to fulfill your duty of protecting and serving the populace. This is because for once you are a cop, you are a person behind a badge. Ordering crooks to “Freeze, and hit the ground!” honestly is more enjoyable than senselessly killing them. This adds another feature to the game since I personally didn’t want to kill people unless absolutely necessary. Unlike other games where the protagonist is out to kill every single person between point A and B, Battlefield Hardline’s enemies can be arrested and spared from a typical death via gun. Thought the game does of its stereotypical characters such as a witty one, a pretty awful bad guy, etc, the game’s story is memorable. Without going into spoilers for the story, the game begins in Miami, but over time it begins to encompass a larger spectrum. It is a nice new theme that already makes the game stand apart from basically EVERY OTHER shooter on the market in the FPS genre. Instead of being a stereotypical gung ho special forces soldier, the protagonist is a detective/agent in a Police Force. It absolutely tops any FPS that has come out in the past two years when it comes to providing the player with a unique story. Battlefield Hardline has one of the best singleplayer experiences that I have played in most recently. On the other hand this lack of time focused on campaigns or singleplayer story modes often leads to boring and uneventful stories. It provides gamers with a unique social environment where they can team up with friends and compete in a diverse community. Developers in the gaming industry are spending a larger portion of their time working on balancing their multiplayer game modes, which isn’t a bad thing. This is a side effect of the industry’s market regarding competitive multiplayer gaming. Most first person shooters lack a compelling and overall good/great story.

Yet, this game did have some let downs, which I will go into further details regarding its highs and lows. Compared to Battlefield 4, Battlefield Hardline lacks the game breaking bugs and glitches which is an absolute joy considering I myself am an incredible fan of the franchise. This was the outcome of several lengthy Betas that were offered by the developer. After the rough release of Battlefield 4, expectations were relatively high for Visceral Games. The outcome for this game’s release however went quite smoothly.

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