Battlefield 2042 Update Brings A Sliver of Hope Back Into The Franchise

“Battlefield: 2042” has had a rocky ride since its release in November 2021. The game was immediately slammed for its multiple bugs, divisive creative decisions, and an annoying cast of characters (which is a weird mention for a Battlefield game). DICE and Ripple Effect Studios (Formally DICE LA) soon took a step back from the game to re-strategize their approach to the base game. DICE announced rather early on into the game’s lifecycle that they were going to delay the first season of new content to correct the missteps that occurred at launch. Now, after months of small bug fixes and promises of future content, DICE has finally released the first major update and expansion to “Battlefield: 2042”, which is titled “Zero Hour.” Despite all of its hardships, at least DICE is finally stumbling in the right direction.

I’ve been a sucker for “Battlefield” for years, so it’s only fair that I begin by highlighting the best elements from this update that makes it a part of the “Battlefield” franchise. “Battlefield: 2042 – Zero Hour” brought one new playable specialist, two new guns, two new vehicles*, a ton of bugs and quality of life fixes, and the best map in the game so far.

The gleaming highlight of this expansion is the map, “Exposure.” It combines all the best features of what defines a “Battlefield” game. The large map centers around a Canadian research lab that was exposed due to a landslide. Canadian-American soldiers must defend against the Russian Assault. Like the rest of the game, this map features a whopping 128 players, making firefights feel more chaotic than ever. The best thing to say about the map design is its perfect balance between close-quarters combat and large-scale assault.

As someone who prefers action, the research lab is one of the most fun areas DICE has developed yet. It features many choke points for defenders to hold out to, but the helipad and nearby cliffs grant multiple areas of infiltration for attackers. This map brings out the best moments this game has to offer but also exposes some fundamental flaws that many of the base game maps have.

 In place of the typical class structure that the franchise was known for, “Battlefield: 2042” chose to go into a new direction by introducing Specialists. Specialists are by far the most controversial decision introduced with this sequel. Inspired by its main competitor, Call of Duty, Specialists in “Battlefield” were individually named characters that had unique gadgets and traits. The specialist “Dozer” is resistant to explosives while the specialist “Sundance” has a wingsuit for advanced mobility. With the Zero Hour expansion, one more specialist joined the battle: Lis.

Lis is an anti-vehicle beast. Her unique gadget is a manually controlled rocket launcher that players can control until it either hits its target or runs out of fuel. This gadget only gets more deadly when used in sync with her unique trait, which spots nearby damaged enemy vehicles. I will admit that I am an old-school fan and was initially put off by the inclusion of specialists, but Lis is a ton of fun and has the potential to turn the tide of battle when used smartly.

During one firefight, my team was holding out at the top of a staircase against an enemy advance. Suddenly an explosion rocks the cluster of soldiers beside me, leaving behind a massive crater of fallen comrades. It dawned on me that an enemy Lis used manually controlled their rocket launcher into an arc that none of us saw coming. It’s moments like these where the franchise shines, and I’m glad I can experience this once again in 2042.

Despite things coming back on track for DICE, there are some lingering concerns left behind from this update. Despite advertising two new vehicles, The Huron for the US and the Hannibal for the Russians, they are effectively the same vehicle with a different appearance. While they are exceptionally effective at their job and a blast to play with, it feels disingenuous to falsely report that there are two new vehicles when, in reality, it’s just one that was copied and pasted.

This update also brings two new weapons, the BSV-M Marksman rifle, and the Ghostmaker Crossbow. The BSV-M Marksman is the first weapon that you unlock in the Zero Hour update. Based on the real-life AS-VAL, this weapon is a jack of all trades. You can customize this weapon to be a DMR with the high-power rounds to attack from afar or equip the close-quarters magazine for when the fight gets up-close and personal. This weapon is awesome, and it features some cool traits that make it stand out from other weapons, such as it coming with a built-in suppressor. The most disappointing thing about this weapon is the fact that it technically already exists in the game. With the Portal function, a way for DICE to bring back classic “Battlefield” maps, guns, and vehicles from older installments into 2042, the AS-VAL was already included. Out of all of the guns you have available, I don’t understand why you would make a copy of something that already exists in the game. While it’s a good gun, it also emphasizes the corners DICE is willing to cut.

The most aggravating part of this update is definitely the Ghostmaker Crossbow. I don’t know what it is with first-person shooters and the need to include a projectile crossbow. They are, and always will be, gimmicks. In a game that is dying to prove itself, it boggles my mind that the developers would waste resources on a weapon that a player will use once and never again. Think of where that workforce could have been placed instead. Perhaps this is an opinion that I alone have but let me say that after countless hours and matches, I have yet to have killed/been killed by this weapon.

                The Zero Hour update without a doubt elevates the potential “Battlefield: 2042” has as a game. The developers definitely care about this game and are set on continuing to improve future updates in the game’s future. That being said, there are still many promises that have yet to be fulfilled, and I cautiously wait for future updates to come. If you already own “Battlefield: 2042” and haven’t played the new update yet, go on and give it a try. If you’re still on the fence about delving into this title, I’d wait until it goes on sale. DICE may be going in the right direction, but they are sure taking their time.