The Battlefield series has been a titan in the first-person shooter world since its debut, delivering epic multiplayer battles, breathtaking visuals, and innovative gameplay across various historical and futuristic settings. From World War II to near-future conflicts, each title has left its mark—but how do they compare when judged by the critics? In this SEO-optimized blog post, we’ll rank every mainline Battlefield game by their critic scores, diving into what made each one stand out (or stumble). Whether you’re a seasoned soldier or a curious newcomer, this guide has you covered.

Why Critic Scores Matter for Battlefield Games

Critic scores, often aggregated by sites like Metacritic, offer a snapshot of a game’s quality at launch, reflecting aspects like gameplay, graphics, story, and overall polish. For a franchise as varied as Battlefield, these scores help us measure how each installment stacks up against its predecessors. While scores don’t tell the whole story—many Battlefield titles improve significantly with post-launch updates—they provide a solid starting point for ranking the series’ highs and lows.

How We Ranked the Battlefield Games

For this ranking, we’ve relied on Metacritic scores, focusing exclusively on mainline Battlefield titles. Spin-offs like Battlefield Heroes or Battlefield Play4Free are excluded to keep the list streamlined. The games are ordered from highest to lowest critic score, with each entry featuring a brief overview and insights into what critics loved (or didn’t). Let’s dive into the battlefield!

The Ranking: Every Battlefield Game by Critic Score

1. Battlefield 2 – 91

  • Release Year: 2005
  • Setting: Modern warfare
  • Why It Shines: Battlefield 2 redefined multiplayer shooters with its squad-based mechanics, massive maps, and the groundbreaking Commander role. Critics hailed it as a masterpiece of teamwork and vehicular combat, setting a benchmark for the series. Its focus on strategy over chaos earned it lasting praise.
  • Critic Highlight: “A multiplayer triumph that feels as fresh today as it did in 2005.”

2. Battlefield 3 – 89

  • Release Year: 2011
  • Setting: Modern warfare
  • Why It Shines: With the Frostbite 2 engine, Battlefield 3 stunned critics with its visuals and destruction. The multiplayer was a chaotic thrill ride, while the campaign offered cinematic flair. Some felt the single-player didn’t match the multiplayer’s brilliance, but it remains a fan favorite.
  • Critic Highlight: “A visual and gameplay spectacle that raises the bar for shooters.”

3. Battlefield 1942 – 89

  • Release Year: 2002
  • Setting: World War II
  • Why It Shines: The game that started it all, Battlefield 1942 introduced the series’ signature large-scale battles across land, sea, and air. Critics loved its ambitious scope and the iconic Conquest mode, calling it a revolutionary sandbox for warfare.
  • Critic Highlight: “A bold debut that rewrote the rules of multiplayer gaming.”

4. Battlefield 1 – 88

  • Release Year: 2016
  • Setting: World War I
  • Why It Shines: Battlefield 1 brought a fresh historical twist with its WWI setting, earning praise for its immersive atmosphere and innovative Operations mode. Critics adored its visuals and multiplayer depth, though the short single-player campaign drew some critique.
  • Critic Highlight: “A hauntingly beautiful tribute to the Great War.”

5. Battlefield Bad Company 2 – 88

  • Release Year: 2010
  • Setting: Modern warfare
  • Why It Shines: This sequel perfected destructible environments and delivered a polished campaign with humor and heart. Critics loved the Rush mode and balanced combat, making it a standout in the series.
  • Critic Highlight: “Destruction done right, paired with a campaign that’s pure fun.”

6. Battlefield 4 – 81

  • Release Year: 2013
  • Setting: Modern warfare
  • Why It Shines: Battlefield 4 pushed the envelope with massive maps and destruction, but its buggy launch and weak campaign tempered critic enthusiasm. Post-launch fixes redeemed it for many, but its initial reception was mixed.
  • Critic Highlight: “A multiplayer beast held back by a shaky start.”

7. Battlefield V – 81

  • Release Year: 2018
  • Setting: World War II
  • Why It Shines: Returning to WWII, Battlefield V impressed with tight gunplay and squad mechanics like fortifications. Critics praised its potential but criticized its lack of launch content and uneven War Stories campaign.
  • Critic Highlight: “A solid foundation needing more polish to truly excel.”

8. Battlefield Hardline – 71

  • Release Year: 2015
  • Setting: Cops vs. robbers
  • Why It Shines: Hardline swapped military battles for urban crime, introducing modes like Heist. Critics appreciated the creativity but felt it lacked the epic scale of traditional Battlefield games.
  • Critic Highlight: “A fun detour that doesn’t quite feel like home.”

9. Battlefield 2042 – 68

  • Release Year: 2021
  • Setting: Near-future warfare
  • Why It Shines: With 128-player battles, Battlefield 2042 aimed big but stumbled with bugs, missing features, and no campaign. Critics saw promise in its scale but slammed its lack of polish.
  • Critic Highlight: “Ambitious but unfinished—a battlefield in need of repair.”

The Battlefield series has seen incredible peaks, like Battlefield 2’s multiplayer mastery, and notable dips, like Battlefield 2042’s rocky launch. Critic scores reveal a franchise that thrives on innovation—think Battlefield 1’s WWI brilliance or 1942’s groundbreaking debut—but occasionally falters with execution. What’s clear is that Battlefield’s best moments come from its ability to deliver unforgettable multiplayer chaos, a trait that keeps fans coming back.

Which Battlefield game is your favorite? Let us know in the comments!

What’s the best Battlefield game according to critics?

Battlefield 2 tops the list with a Metacritic score of 91, lauded for its multiplayer innovation.

What’s the worst Battlefield game according to critics?

Battlefield 2042 sits at the bottom with a score of 68, criticized for technical issues and missing content.

Are critic scores the final word on Battlefield games?

Not entirely—scores reflect launch impressions, but many titles, like Battlefield 4, improved over time with updates.