Is Battlefield 2042 Worth It In 2022? A Thorough Evaluation

Battlefield 2042 launched in a notoriously buggy and content-light state last November, leaving many fans of the long-running FPS series disappointed and frustrated. Now in 2022, after several major updates from DICE, is Battlefield 2042 worth buying? As a long-time Battlefield player and fan, I have extensively analyzed the highs and lows of 2042 to help you decide if it‘s worth picking up yet.

The Rocky Launch and Fall of Battlefield 2042

First, it‘s important to examine Battlefield 2042‘s disastrous launch state last year, as it provides context on just how far the game has come. Upon release, Battlefield 2042 was utterly plagued by bugs, glitches, crashes and performance issues leading to an extremely unstable and unpolished experience. Even basic features that Battlefield veterans took for granted were missing, like voice chat and the iconic end of round scoreboard.

Perhaps most critically, the new Specialists system allowing players to use any weapon was poorly received by the community, who overwhelmingly preferred the traditional class roles and teamplay of previous Battlefields. Chaotic 128 player matches stretched engaging map design thin, while restrictive mechanics like disbanding lobbies and limiting weapon use between factions added frustration.

This perfect storm of problems led to a staggering drop off in players – Battlefield 2042 bled over 70% of its player base by the end of November 2021 according to publicly available Steam data. For comparison, the well-received Battlefield 4 only lost around 45% of players in its bumpy first month per SteamCharts. Angry fans lamented the lack of content and direction. The once leading FPS franchise had hit a new low.

Slowly Battling Back – Improvements and Added Content

Facing urgent pressure, EA DICE did manage to slowly turn the tide on Battlefield 2042‘s downward trajectory through 2022 with major updates fixing bugs, improving stability, and adding some missing legacy features. Core gameplay mechanics like hit registration and enemy visibility were smoothed out. Server crashing and client performance saw optimization. Fan favorites like persistent servers, the scoreboard and server browser finally returned.

While the Specialists system remains controversial, more limitations on gadget usage have helped factions feel more like conventional Battlefield classes. Map reworks and introduction of smaller 64 player modes have improved the chaotic pacing issues. And over 2 seasons of content, 4 new maps, 2 Specialists, and a selection of new vehicles and weapons have provided some fresh gameplay.

Overall, Battlefield 2042 just functions far better and delivers more of that classic Battlefield sandbox gameplay compared to the nearly unplayable state it launched in. This slow but steady progress has helped player numbers stabilize somewhat as well.

The Long Road Ahead – What‘s Still Missing

However, most hardcore Battlefield veterans agree there is still a long road ahead before 2042 fulfills its potential as a worthy, content-rich entry in the storied FPS franchise.

The amount of maps, weapons, vehicles and factions is still dwarfed by previous games like Battlefield 3, 4 or 1 at the same point after launch. Only exposure to 2 near future themed armies limits long term faction variety. Strategic legacy features like commander abilities and detailed telemetry remain absent. The flow and interactivity of fan favorite maps such as Siege of Shanghai seem miles away from 2042‘s sprawling, open designs.

Perhaps most critically, Specialists still encourage lone wolf play over teamplay dynamics that once defined the series. Disbanding lobbies after every match continues fracturing community building and rivalries. Removal of server browsing suppresses metagame communities and custom experiences that gave past Battlefields long tails. As a series veteran, these philosophical changes continue to concern me greatly about the franchise‘s direction – even post-launch updates have not truly reverted them.

So Is Battlefield 2042 Worth Buying in 2022?

Considering all factors, is Battlefield 2042 worth purchasing here in 2022? Here is my personal take for players on the fence:

The Good

• Core sandbox gunplay, vehicle play, and physics hold up against the best of the franchise after polish. Provided spectacular Battlefield moments at times.

• Technical issues largely ironed out, with smoother performance and fewer crashes or game-breaking bugs.

• New content such as maps Exposure and Stranded are genuinely great, proving map design is improving.

The Bad

• Specialists system remains highly controversial, discouraging teamplay. I strongly prefer the classic class system.

• Only 10 maps and 2 factions is still quite barebones content compared to previous titles at this point after launch.

• Design choices like disbanding lobbies and lack of persistent servers sacrifice too much community and metagame potential.

• Player population is lower than ideal, you may struggle finding matches for your preferred mode or map.

The Verdict

While improved, I cannot wholeheartedly recommend Battlefield 2042 yet based on my 50+ hours spent in game. It now lives up to being a functional, playable Battlefield title and has plenty of potential. But certain design choices and amount of content continue leaving a sour taste compared to beloved predecessors like Battlefield 3 and Bad Company 2. I would wait until at least Season 3 brings more content and changes before revisiting. If you absolutely must play 2042 now, get it at a discount around $20-30. But for most series veterans, patience remains key.