Metascore
84 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 57 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 53 out of 57
  2. Negative: 0 out of 57
  1. Oct 25, 2011
    90
    DICE's adoration of and expertise with the online experience permeates every aspect of its multiplayer. Regardless of the narrative missteps or the occasional glitches, Battlefield 3 offers an unforgettable, world-class multiplayer suite so fun that it more than makes up for the package's shortcomings.
  2. 94
    To put it bluntly, Battlefield 3 has one of the best online multiplayer components out there, blending some of the most interesting maps and intense combat moments with one another to create the best full-scale war simulator out there, and it's one that promotes tactical gameplay. Stunning stuff… And the campaign and co-op ain't bad either.
  3. Nov 7, 2011
    80
    Battlefield 3 ships an unbelievable mutliplayer with a short, unoriginal campaign.
  4. Oct 28, 2011
    95
    During our review period the servers for online matchmaking crashed twice and locked out all players. The singleplayer also has its limitations in terms of storytelling but none of this detracts from the AAA multiplayer experience offered. For any other game these hiccups may have affected the overall score but even those who have only played BF3 for a few hours should be able to tell the game will have a bright future.
  5. 80
    It's very much one of the year's best shooters, but for all Frostbite 2's volcanic achievements, it's more a triumph of consolidation, blending elements from past games and popular competitors, than a triumph in its own right.
  6. Oct 26, 2011
    70
    Still, as a complete package it in no way lives up to the expectation. Only one of its three core elements (single player, co-op and multiplayer) is worth your time, the other two feeling as though they've been added merely to increase the number of potential bullet points on the back of the box. Depending on which elements you're interested in Battlefield 3 will either be your game of the year, or your letdown of… well, the year.
  7. Feb 25, 2012
    91
    If you're looking for a great single player campaign you're out of luck, rent BF3 or pick it up in the bargain bin. If you're looking for the best online multiplayer action then BF3 is your game hands down.
  8. Jan 24, 2012
    90
    While Battlefield 3 was aiming to be the biggest name this holiday season, and while it has made strides towards knocking off Modern Warfare 3, it misses the mark. That's not to say it is a bad game, it's a very good one, but the polish and excitement that is found on the Call of Duty series feels missing here. Still, there are much worse games you could end up with this holiday season, and the competition between the two series should heat up significantly in the next few years.
  9. Jan 3, 2012
    90
    This experience alone sums up what Battlefield 3 is about. It isn't a John Rambo run and gun shooter and it shouldn't really be compared to MW3 in terms of how you play it. For players to truly understand the Battlefield experience you need to embrace the teamwork by joining a squad and calling out your spotted enemies, as after all, sometimes you also need your back covered too.
  10. Dec 13, 2011
    80
    All the other components are in place and Battlefield 3 is a good game, but the x-factor of the players is holding it back right now.
  11. Nov 21, 2011
    85
    While this game does deliver some amazing gameplay experiences, there are multiple times when you sit there thinking that this game could have been better. That doesn't mean however that Battlefield 3 doesn't deliver at all; it means that gamers will just have to be patient as DICE and everyone work out all the details to deliver the Battlefield 3 experience we all know is out there.
  12. 96
    Every FPS game has its place but if you loved Battlefield 2 and Battlefield Bad Company 2 and sunk hours into the multiplayer of those games, then be prepared to sink another few hundred hours into Battlefield 3.
  13. Nov 10, 2011
    88
    On consoles, DICE's work comes without the two things that made it great on PC: scale and over the top graphics. It's still an incredibly solid and compelling online shooter, but it definitely feels too close to Bad Company 2. This year, Battlefield should be a PC only matter.
  14. Nov 9, 2011
    80
    What's most surprising about Battlefield 3 is that even the things that are assumed to be poor are at least tolerable, if not conflicting with the scope of the multiplayer.
  15. Nov 7, 2011
    80
    Battlefield 3 was supposed to bring down CoD, and without a campaign – which seems to be DICE's approximation of a CoD experience – this wouldn't have been possible. This is unfortunate, because the instances in which DICE seem to have tried to beat their rivals at their own game have resulted in Battlefield 3's weakest content.
  16. Nov 7, 2011
    82
    Battlefield 3 has a near-perfect multiplayer experience. Unfortunately, it also has a sad single-player campaign with a mess of a story (even for a first-person shooter), and the co-op is just barely above adequate.
  17. Nov 7, 2011
    79
    The campaign was completely disposable and most gamers can probably skip unless they are questing for achievements – there are some fun mission-specific challenges to earn those. But for gamers looking for a solid multiplayer offering with a heavy focus on cooperative team play, look no further than the expansive gameplay that Battlefield 3 has to offer.
  18. Nov 5, 2011
    90
    The appeal of Battlefield 3 ultimately lies where it has for the entire series, which is some of the best multiplayer in existence. EA will probably be disappointed by poor reception to the single-player campaign, but the game as a whole is guaranteed to be popular so long as enough people can sink their teeth into Conquest or Rush.
  19. Nov 4, 2011
    88
    That said, if you enjoy online, vehicle- and objective-based warfare, it has quite a bit of staying power. Just don't expect to get your money's worth from the campaign.
  20. Nov 4, 2011
    77
    Battlefield 3 is still good at what Battlefield has always done best, but the rest of the package is more disappointing than anything else.
  21. Nov 3, 2011
    80
    Battlefield 3's multiplayer continues to excel at providing a FPS experience beyond just shooting each other with handguns. The single-player barely holds up.
  22. Nov 3, 2011
    88
    With a powerful new engine, amazing graphics, and gameplay Battlefield 3 lives up to its much hyped anticipation. Boasting hours-and-hours of unlockables, you can be sure that you will be playing this game from sunset to sunrise without notice.
  23. Nov 3, 2011
    85
    Battlefield 3 is a fine objective-based multiplayer shooter, but that's it. In all other respects, it comes up short.
  24. Nov 2, 2011
    90
    Graphics-wise, Battlefield 3 rocks. But not only are the visuals stunning. With a nice campaign and one of the best multiplayer modes out there, Battlefield 3 makes Call of Duty look old.
  25. Nov 2, 2011
    80
    The highly awaited Battlefield 3 gives a twofold impression. There's a single player campaign that looks and sounds great but is extremely linear and scripted and provides no room for thinking outside the box. On the other hand there's a simply fantastic multiplayer mode, that may well be the best multiplayer experience that this year has to offer. If you're interested in multiplayer warfare, then Battlefield 3 is the game for you.
  26. Nov 2, 2011
    80
    The single player game feels as if it has been specifically crafted to 'beat' another franchise. And, while it enjoys a number of memorable set-pieces and some incredible sound design, in tracing over the template laid down by Infinity Ward's series, it inherits all of the weaknesses as well as strengths of that game.
  27. Nov 2, 2011
    91
    Battlefield 3's multiplayer earns top marks because it is almost exactly what any fan of that series would want-a new edition of a classic game that brings forward its best assets while introducing meaningful new elements. If the single player game were at least competent, this would easily be a no-brainer solid "A" game and one that I would recommend to any shooter fan.
  28. Nov 2, 2011
    80
    Your enjoyment of Battlefield 3 will be dependent on what you want out of it. If you are the type of gamer who only wants to play the game for its story then I would highly suggest you rent this game first so that you know what you are getting in to. The multiplayer is really where the fun is here and if you have been a fan of the franchise in the past then you should have a great time here.
  29. Nov 1, 2011
    80
    This is an online game to the core, built for the long-term enjoyment of millions of fans looking to keep one game in their console for months to come. In that respect, Battlefield 3 is a resounding success, it's just a shame that it didn't deliver where I hoped it would.
  30. Nov 1, 2011
    78
    The glitches are once again at the forefront of my complaints against the game. From disappearing squad mates, to events not triggering; there are parts of this game that feel unfinished.
User Score

Mixed or average reviews- based on 1956 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. The user reviews posted are highly biased from a fanboy perspective. 10 from the BF fanboys, and 1 from the Cod chaps. Neither score is representitive of the games quality.

    If you intend on buying BF3 for the campaign, I strongly suggest that you rent instead as it is an uninspired standard shooter from start to finish (which isn't very long). Multiplayer is where it is at. BF3 is certainly worth a look for its MP component, and there is a lot of fun to be had here. From my perspective, if you didn't enjoy Bad Company 2, then you aren't going to be won over by this instalment, but for the best part, it is worth a look. The weapons feel tight and punchy, the vehicles feel very distinct, and the graphics are some of the best avaiable on consoles. Unfortunately as a console game, BF3 fails to deliver its true potential, as the limit of 24 players on such huge maps really does limit the game from delivering the full on scale of war that it should. The pace is certainly a lot slower than that of COD games, and there is far less class customisation. Over all, BF3 is a fun, but lacking experience which only supports the fact that we need a new generation of console to provide the 64 players that games like Battlefield really deserve.
    Full Review »
  2. This game is incredibly fun. Never was a big fan of the BF series, but BC2 was what turned me. The online is hectic and tactical/slow and deliberate all at the same time. This iteration shows a huge leap in the controls and hit detection. Your movement is tight and fluid. Gone is the BC2 clunkiness. Minimal lag so far which is surprising on launch nite. IMPROVED EVERY SINGLE ISSUE MANY HAD WITH THE BETA! First game i got in i had a "Battlefield Moment". Its an amazing feeling to be defending an MCOM and feel a huge explosion and turn around to see the building you are in now has a huge hole in the wall. It is so immersive. The campaign is akin to a blockbuster movie more so than a huge adventure, but thats how fps games are in todays industry. Anyone saying this experience is less than an 8 needs to stop basing their review on how well they play online and start basing it on the game itself. BF3 is sure to be the top contender for shooters this year. i give it a 10 simply because it lives up to all it was said to be, which is all most gamers ask for. Great work DICE! Full Review »
  3. I would like to change my previous rating of a 6 to a 9. I shouldn't review a game after only playing ten minutes of it. Now that I've played this game everyday for the past week, I can tell you without a doubt that I love it now. At first I was skeptical, but I just had to get used to the controls and the gameplay. I basically had to shed my Call of Duty-scales and acclimate to Battlefield, and now that I have, I can honestly say that this is a great game. Definitely the most realistic military FPS I've ever played. Full Review »