Battlefield 1942 PC
  • Publisher: EA Games
  • Release Date: Sep 10, 2002
Metascore
89 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 27 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 27
  3. Negative: 0 out of 27
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  1. CPUGamer
    100
    It’s got anything, and EVERYTHING you would EVER want in a WWII game, actually its got pretty much everything you’d ever want in a game, period.
  2. G4 TV
    100
    In addition to standard team-based first-person shooter action, Battlefield 1942 incorporates the brilliant gameplay concept of vehicles and other machinery.
  3. Entertainment Weekly
    100
    The incredible online experience surely delivers. [11 Oct 2002, p.86]
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  4. PC Gameworld
    97
    For gamers thrilled by the action and heroes of movies based on World War II, or for any other red-blooded, meat-eating, chest-thumping, flatulating normal kinds of dudes, Battlefield 1942 will be virtual nirvana.
  5. Computer Games Online RO
    94
    Battlefield 1942 is a living proof of an exceptional game in its simplicity.
  6. IGN
    93
    We play nearly every multiplayer game that comes out here at work and nothing, not even "Warcraft III" has pulled in the kinds of crowds we're getting here at work.
  7. PC Gamer
    91
    In a team-on-team multiplayer battle on the well-designed maps, you may well find yourself kissing your monitor out of pure joy. [Dec 2002, p.126]
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  8. Game Revolution
    91
    This is a whole new level of online first-person fragging, and though it's not without its missteps, it's about as close to the front lines as you're gonna get while staring at your monitor....A very, very compelling game.
  9. GameShark
    90
    It's an addictive romp into a time long past that keeps many gamers begging for more.
  10. Game Informer
    90
    Has everything we've ever wanted in a WWII battlefield game. [Nov 2002, p.146]
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  11. GameSpy
    90
    If your PC has the horsepower, Battlefield: 1942 is an online action experience no gamer should miss.
  12. AtomicGamer
    90
    BF1942 is an impressive game that's great fun in multiplayer.
  13. Yahoo! Games
    90
    The most exhilarating mix of simulation, realism, arcade fun, destructive firepower, strategy and action available for your PC.
  14. Computer Gaming World
    90
    A fantastic game - ridiculously fun, completely infectious, and one of the best massively multiplayer designs I've ever seen in an action game. [Jan 2003, p.116]
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  15. GameSpot
    88
    For now, as long as you can find skilled teammates and aren't getting pestered by the game's technical problems, Battlefield 1942 can be, quite appropriately, a real blast.
  16. Media and Games Online Network
    88
    One of the best team multiplayer games to release for a long time. Huge battles, different vehicles and smooth transformation between vehicles and first person will have players wanting more and more.
  17. Game Over Online
    88
    What makes Battlefield 1942 so playable is because it's so subtle.
  18. netjak
    88
    Easily the best online game to date. Sporting 40 weapons and 35 vehicles on servers that reach up to 64 players of pure chaos, there is no lack of excitement. Excellent controls, decent visuals and sounds add to the mix.
  19. GameZone
    87
    As good as the sound usually is in Battlefield, it's the worst aspect of the game overall.
  20. FiringSquad
    87
    It’s a tribute to the developers that Battlefield 1942 stands head and shoulders above most of its competition, after all these years of real-world shooters.
  21. Gamer.tv
    84
    Not the brightest tool in the shed, but if it’s top multiplayer action you’re after it’s sharp as hell.
  22. GameNow
    83
    A great online game. [Dec 2002, p.76]
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  23. ActionTrip
    82
    This is a brilliant game... It has it all - massive WWII battles, furious action, and more vehicles than you can shake a dead cat at. Nevertheless, this one will require a T1 and a beast of a machine to run this game half as good as the programmers intended it to.
  24. PC Format
    82
    Battlefield 1942 is absolutely a multiplayer title – and don’t let anyone tell you different – and in that respect it really does the business.
  25. Total Video Games
    80
    One of the most enjoyable multiplayer games we have played in a very long time...[but] the lack of any decent single player mode leaves us feeling a little unhappy!
  26. Adrenaline Vault
    80
    Despite the laundry list of bugs and the steep hardware requirements, Battlefield 1942 remains as engrossing an online experience as they come, with great graphics and explosive gameplay - providing one has a solid Internet connection.
  27. Gamer's Pulse
    76
    There are some bugs in the gameplay that really need attention. The final strike against it is caused by the fact that the crowd of people playing this game online is one of the worst online communities I’ve ever been a part of.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.6 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 147 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 33 out of 34
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 34
  3. Negative: 1 out of 34
  1. ATF_Isamu
    9
    BF42 has GREAT multi-player potential. While all the same levels are available for both solo & multi games, you loose a lot when going up against bots. They have team deathmatches, CTF, and other modes but the 'Conquest' gameplay mode stands out as by far the most popular. This also puts more focus on teamwork, which is where this game excels. A coordinated 8-man team can easily defeat force twice it's since if you are working together. Vehicles play an important role in battle and combining ground, air, and sea elements with your infantry will turn tables very quickly. Every vehicle has it's strengths and weaknesses. A Battleship can take out many destroyers, but will sink if a single submarine finds it, while the Destroyer can take out subs. This rock-paper-scissors relationship can be seen in just about every vehicle and infantry type (or which there are 5). As for the historical aspect, the planes and tanks look exactly the same on the history channel as they do in-game. Depending on the battle and country you are with, you will have a different variety of weapons as well. I also love how the voice commands are written in plain English, but spoken in Japanese, Russian, German, or whatever country you fight for (can be turned off, and there are subtitles anyway). Your history teacher would be proud to see you finally learning what he/she was trying to teach you the whole time. The majority of complaints I hear about BF42 include high system requirements, HORRIBLE admin capabilities for clans who want to run a server, and the in-accuracy of weapons. To that last point, I would add that this game requires more than twitch-reflexes and a fast comp to win... you need teamwork. There is no amount of hopping and ducking that will help you escape a destroyer shelling the beach, or a Panzer tank rolling down the hill. Also, if you unload a clip on full automatic, expect to hit a lot of air, while a smarter opponent will crouch, steady his aim, and fire in 2-3 round bursts. Once you get bored of 1942 combat, there are plenty of excellent quality mods such as Desert Combat (1990's Gulf War) or Eve of Destruction (Vietnam war) that easily make the game worthwhile on their own. IMHO, Desert Combat is to BF42 what Counter Strike is to Half-life.… Full Review »
  2. XxMasonxX
    10
    This Game is so Funny I never play Battlefield 2 or Battlefield 3 but this Game is so funny and so cool very long playtime. The Multiplayer is good to there are very great player and not so many flamer because this Kiddies are now playing Games like Battlefield 3 or Call of Duty Black Ops 2. This Game is a Have To Buy.
    You Have to Played before you are playing Battlefield 3.    … Full Review »
  3. notsolittlejon
    9
    Addictive, captivating fun. The ability to switch between toolkits (sniper, engineer, medic, etc.) and drive any vehicle found on the battlefield (tanks, airplanes, jeeps, submarines...) leaves me coming back again and again for more! It's even fun to play offline with bots, if that's your cup of tea.… Full Review »
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