AsBattlefield 2042begins winding down its seventh and final season in the coming months, EA and developer DICE will no doubt turn their attention towards wrapping up work on the next game in the series. And while some other entries from the famous franchise have gone on to spawn direct sequels, the fact thatBattlefield 2042never managed to develop the dedicated following of some of its forebears means that the 2021 title is likely to be a one-and-done. But even though gamers are unlikely to ever see a sequel toBattlefield 2042, its limited-time Future Strike event provides the perfect template for adding a speedy and strategic new mode to the nextBattlefield.
Introduced as part ofBattlefield 2042’s Future Strike event, the Strike Team mode offers a strategic spin on the series’ traditional run-and-gun gameplay. By switching upBattlefield 2042’s familiar formulafor the limited-time event DICE proved that even an old shooter can still learn new tricks, and it shouldn’t abandon that momentum by leaving Strike Team behind when the nextBattlefieldgame is released. Fleshing out the Strike Team mode and making its smaller, speedier matches part of the upcoming sequel’s core gameplay may even help the series regain some of its former glory.
Battlefield 2042’s Strike Team Mode Sees the Series Step Beyond its Roots
Clearly taking inspiration fromValve’s classicCounter-StrikeandCall of Duty’s popular Search and Destroy mode,Battlefield 2042’s new Strike Team mode ditches the massive battles the franchise is known for in favor of smaller, more strategic matches. Playable in either 4v4 or 8v8 on multiple maps, Strike Team sees teams fighting for control of objectives in rounds that last little more than a minute. Though the mode lacks a traditional respawn mechanic, eliminated players can respawn as drones that can mark enemies for their surviving squadmates to see.
With a far faster pace of play than a typicalBattlefield 2042match and unique mechanics that set it apart from other modes, Strike Team makes for one of the most interesting additions to the game in ages. Though obviously taking some cues from its contemporaries, the limited-time mode also shows that after years of releasing competent but often increasingly formulaic entries in the franchise,Battlefieldcan still try something new. This is why, asBattlefield 2042’s final seasonwinds down, DICE should take the time to fully flesh out the Strike Team mode and make it a staple of the series moving forward.
Strike Team Could Be a Central Piece of a Revitalized Battlefield
Fleshing out Strike Team beforethe nextBattlefieldgamecould make the already innovative mode even more enjoyable. To ensure that the action remains fast-paced and frantic, the mode’s 90-second time timer should be retained, but there are other elements of the gameplay that could benefit from some additional depth. One good place to start would be giving downed players a bit more to do.
The current ability to spawn in as a drone post-death in Strike Team letsBattlefield 2042players help their team even when they’re down and out, but additional options could make them even more useful. From adding a flashbang-like functionality to letting drones slow down enemies’ capture rate for each map’s objective, there are multiple ways their utility could be expanded.Battlefield 2042developer DICEcould even allow each team’s sole Specialist to tap into a video feed from the drones, giving them a better overview of the constantly shifting battlefield.
Battlefield 2042’s Strike Team modeis an innovative and exciting addition to the game and should become a series mainstay moving forward. And whileBattlefieldshould never abandon the large-scale shootouts that helped the franchise become a fan favorite, embracing and expanding Strike Team’s speedy, strategic gameplay for its next entry could keep the series feeling fresh for years to come.
Battlefield 2042
WHERE TO PLAY
Battlefield 2042 is a first-person shooter that marks the return to the iconic all-out warfare of the franchise. With the help of a cutting-edge arsenal, engage in intense, immersive multiplayer battles.Lead your team to victory in both large all-out warfare and close-quarters combat on maps from the world of 2042 and classic Battlefield titles. Find your playstyle in class-based gameplay and take on several experiences comprising elevated versions of Conquest and Breakthrough. Explore Battlefield Portal, a platform where players can discover, create, and share unexpected battles from Battlefield’s past and present.This game includes optional in-game purchases of virtual currency that can be used to acquire virtual in-game items.
