SerpApi.Org
The Battlefield franchise has always prided itself on delivering large scale, all-out-warfare experiences across land, air, and sea. However, at the launch of Battlefield 6, the sea part of all-out-warfare was surprisingly missing. Though teased in the game's campaign, all multiplayer maps at launch and released during Seasons 1–3 have all been land locked. Season 4 arrives at a critical time for Battlefield 6 as we head into a holiday season packed with numerous games that threaten to pull even more players away from the game. To spice things up, DICE is finally bringing naval warfare to the game, but is it too late?
We got to go hands-on with Tsuru Reef, the sole map launching alongside the season, and it was an absolute joy and might be the best map released for the game. However, many of the community's biggest issues (i.e. low content output, vehicle handling, the TTK, etc.) remain stubbornly unchanged.
Needing a Tropical Vacation
Tsuru Reef is Battlefield 6's first tropical map, taking the all-out-warfare experience to a gorgeous, lush, picturesque island in Japan. According to DICE, Tsuru Reef is the largest map yet in Battlefield 6, and it showed with 9 objectives in Conquest and Escalation to battle over.
The map is neatly split into three sections, each with a different personality. On the left lies the village section, filled with tropical houses and storage units, clearly meant to represent where those on the island live. The right side, meanwhile, is the industrial section, comprised of docks and manufacturing facilities. Smack-dab in the middle is the tourist section with a village and the return of Hainan Resort.
Across our handful of hours with the map, Tsuru Reef continuously proved itself to be a map capable of offering a variety of experiences. Battles across industrial complexes on the right side and close-quarter house battles on the left. Tight spaces in the village and intense battles to hold the sniper spots on top of the resort. Finally, intense sea shootouts at C and G, the most naval focused points. Simply put, it was difficult to find any fault with Tsuru Reef. Points were well-placed, the patching to each felt fair and natural, and firefights felt well concentrated. Could that change once players get their hands on the map? Sure, but, based on the time we got to spend with the map, Tsuru Reef might leap to the top of the map pool.
Helping that feeling is the work DICE has put in over months. The new dynamic wave system, combined with the game's already excellent lighting and water shaders produces one of the most realistic and gorgeous water in any multiplayer game. Meanwhile, alterations to gunplay last season help the EF88 assault rifle, BROD 3 carbine, and VSSM marksman rifle (a returning fan-favorite from Battlefield 2042) stand out. For infantry players, Battlefield 6 has never played better.
Still Room for Improvement
Tsuru Reef is an undeniable win for DICE, the new weapons are fun additions thanks to meaningful changes to gunplay, and the water is a visual feast for the eyes. However, issues the community have had with the game for months continue to unadressed.
At the forefront this season is vehicle tuning. Since launch, no vehicle has ever felt right to control. Clunky and obtuse, piloting a helicopter, tank, or transport vehicle has never felt as solid as older Battlefield titles. For Season 4, however, naval vehicles join the fray, but not in a great state. Disappointingly, only two naval vehicles are here, the 7.7M NSW RHIB transport boat, and the heavy RCB-90. Cool in concept but massively held back by the weight and obtuseness of Battlefield 6's vehicle handling. After initial curiosity with the boats, participants in the session quickly reverted to air and land vehicles or infantry.
Based on the time we got to spend with the map, Tsuru Reef might leap to the top of the map pool.
Content continues to be a major stumbling block, both in amount and in release pacing. There are still only two maps and four weapons coming per season, and one of these maps is another remake (Wake Island). Beyond that, players will need to wait another month for this second map and the season's premiere game mode, Carrier Assault. Four seasons in, the content DICE is delivering and how it is delivered isn't working.
There's a lot of work to be done, but DICE has delivered an absolute banger with Tsuru Reef. It's beautiful, it plays well, and it heavily stands out compared to every other map in Battlefield 6. Would more content be wonderful? Yes. Would getting more than one map at a time be the best way to deliver content? For sure. Do vehicles need some TLC? Absolutely. When Season 4 arrives though, players get an excellent map, three enjoyable weapons, and a new location fit for a vacation.
Battlefield 6 and Season 4 are available now on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
