Battlefield Hardline Beta – Our First Impressions

The latest instalment in the EA/Dice Battlefield franchise, Hardline, had its Beta release earlier this month, so team TechNuovo downloaded it and gave it a go and the results were refreshingly positive.

There were three game modes available: Hot Wire, Heist Mode and the traditional conquest. The objectives were completed over two maps, Dust Bowl and Bank Job.

Hot Wire was the first game mode we played and it involved one team stealing marked cars, while the other try to repossess them, cops vs. robbers style. There was definitely a GTA kind of feel with this game mode but that is not a bad thing at all. The game was fast paced and challenging, trying to maintain stolen vehicles for as long as possible to win the game.

We also played a game mode called Conquest. If you are familiar with the Battlefield series, you will be aware of this game mode as it features in the previous versions. Capture the control point, maintain it and win by lowering the enemy’s tickets. Plain and simple but always fun to play.

Both of these game modes were played on the new map, Dust Bowl. The map was diverse with a variety of buildings, vehicles and terrain, with a baron desert town theme that made for an enjoyable and aesthetically pleasing experience.

The final game mode available on this Beta event was ‘Heist Mode’ on a map called Bank Job. Can you guess what this involved? Two teams, cops and robbers again. Cops defend the bank, the robbers attack and try to steal the loot. If you have ever played PayDay, this has the same feel but without the gadgetry. The map was based in a city and had a traditional bank, with vaults and safes that needed to be broken into. This was again a refreshing experience, from the traditional Team Deathmatch or Capture The Flag.

The Beta showed real promise for the game, which is released on the 20th March 2015. The graphics have improved and look great, the new game modes add that extra level of variety and we really enjoyed the experience. Any downsides? The cost. Prices start at £50. From what we’ve seen so far, we’re unsure whether this is a good idea considering add-on packs knowing EA will soon follow.