Battlefield: 2042 is the latest multiplayer title from the DICE-developed first-person shooter franchise and promises a gameplay experience unlike anything fans have seen before. With a futuristic twist, it’s possible that a new spin could be put on some of the video game series’ most famous maps.
Whether it’s fan-favorite locations that have appeared multiple times throughout the franchise or perhaps one-off classics that have stood the test of time, each one of these maps could certainly bring something unique to the table. What’s even more interesting is how these settings would interact with the new weather mechanics and other updates to the Frostbite Engine.
St. Quentin Scar
Battlefield 1’s historical setting could feel a little out of place in the futuristic world of Battlefield: 2042. The formerly picturesque area has a lot to offer though and is a breath of fresh air from some of the more urban settings that players are used to with the franchise.
It would be intriguing to see the area restored to its former glory, with its mill and ruins built up once more—a historic landscape preserved in a sci-fi setting. The map would therefore offer a change of pace from some of the highrise structures players might be used to, but may still incorporate some trench warfare as well.
Caspian Border
Sometimes, first-person shooters fail to capitalize fully on the capabilities of a multiplayer mode. The Caspian Border map seen in both the third and fourth titles of the series managed to open up the games to fully unleash everything available to players. The sheer size of the map alone was completely unique at the time.
What’s more, it’s rare to find such open spaces that allow players to wage all-out war. With the variety of tanks and other machinery available in 2042, this is the perfect kind of location that could receive a next-gen update to test out this latest technology.
White Pass
It’s always useful to include maps with completely different environments, and White Pass is perhaps one of the franchise’s best snow-based maps. Appearing first in Bad Company 2, the location provided even terrain for both sides and some breathtaking vistas to do combat on.
There’s a chaotic energy to this location, and the map offers both a variety of open spaces and close-quarters areas which results in a frenzied variety of combat tactics in use. A 2042 return could utilize the setting in a range of unique new ways and perhaps bring in more elemental dangers involving avalanches and low visibility conditions.
Wake Island
Wake Island is certainly a Battlefield classic. Beloved for its diversity in both land, air, and sea combat and celebrated for its beautiful visuals and dynamic environments, the team behind the series had to bring back the map from its 1942 origins into Battlefield V.
While the trailer for Battlefield: 2042 teased a lot of great maps, Wake Island was noticeably absent. It’s easy to imagine this idyllic island getting a sci-fi twist, on next-gen consoles. There’s no doubt that the location would look more epic than ever and create some interesting new combat situations.
Strike At Karkand
Finding its origins in Battlefield 2, Strike At Karkand had a great deal of variety for players to explore. Indeed, it’s even gone through its own evolution throughout the Battlefield series, demonstrating the versatility of the location. A far more urbanized landscape, this would fit into the sci-fi themes of 2042 well.
However, it’s also the sort of map that can stand out from the rest thanks to the smaller details. With EA and DICE continuing to learn from other projects like the Battlefront series in continued development, some of these next-gen and previous lessons could be applied to a slightly more conventional map like this.
Operation Outbreak
The Battlefield 4 map was actually the result of community input, designed by the DICE team in order to address some of the elements that fans really wanted out of their gameplay. One of the most asked for features was that it was a jungle-like setting.
The result was a big map that allowed for a variety of different gameplay options, and very much played into this exotic setting. It would be very intriguing to see the beauty of the landscape updated in next-gen and find out how the futuristic elements of 2042 could combine and clash with this natural setting.
Dragon Valley
Dragon Valley has appeared in a few titles including Battlefield 2 and 4 and is one of the most ambitious landscapes in the game. Certainly large in size, this map has a number of Asian influences, all of which represent the rich culture of China. The setting could certainly be updated further for a more modern take though.
With its incredible scale and a lot of intriguing details scattered throughout, the map offered a number of gameplay types with ariel combat really coming into play. Gorgeously designed buildings might have been fun to play through, but, ultimately, the combat available showcases the best of the franchise.
Africa Harbor
This Bad Company 2 map really had a little bit of everything. While the concept of a harbor-based setting is intriguing enough, the destructibility of the landscape was also very exciting. What’s more, the water elements give plenty more opportunities for naval combat.
The result of all of this was a map that was incredibly unpredictable and could be recreated in exquisite detail with the newest edition of the Frostbite Engine. Any futuristic components could certainly mesh well with what’s already in place in this classic map.
El Alamein
There’s nothing complex about this map that was featured in Battlefield 1942. It’s simply a desolate landscape, a wide-ranging desert perfect for the use of vehicles. It’s this simplicity that makes it a perfect candidate to return in some form in Battlefield: 2042.
The original game itself is perhaps one of the most underrated first-person shooters of the series, as it simply stripped back all the noise and allowed players to fully go into battle. A next-gen remake could capitalize on the desert setting and increase environmental elements like sandstorms and perhaps use sand dunes to greater effect.
Operation Métro
It’s uncommon to see an underground sequence in the Battlefield series, but this Battlefield 3 map allowed for some of the series’ classic infantry features to come to the forefront of the gameplay. This tight space increases the tension in unimaginable ways.
It has since returned again and again in different formats (Operation Underground) and has proven to be a catalyst for chaos. Combine this with some of the science fiction technology available to the future infantry of 2042, and there’s no telling what kinds of situations can be unleashed below the streets of a high-rise city.
