Recent reviews by Malware Mul

TL;DR:
Single player is short and forgettable, basically an extended tutorial with some rewards.
Multiplayer gunplay is excellent, anti-cheat is outstanding, and the game has a lot of potential if you are here for online play first.

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The single player campaign is probably the most mediocre in the Battlefield series. It is fairly short and quite bare bones, and the story never really does anything surprising.

It works as a guided tour of the mechanics, with good audio and visuals, but it is not something I see myself replaying. I would only recommend running it once on the hardest difficulty unless you are a completionist.

On the plus side, you do earn some decent rewards like skins and XP boosts that you can use in multiplayer, which is the main reason I think it is worth a single playthrough.

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This is where the game comes alive. I would honestly say this is one of the stronger multiplayer entries in the series, and it has the potential to become the best if the team keeps patching and balancing.

At the time of writing, a few major game breaking bugs have already been fixed, but there is still work to do. Expect the usual live-service tweaking.

Gunplay and attachments
The gunplay is the strongest the series has had. Weapons feel punchy, recoil is readable, and there is a clear skill ceiling if you put time into mastering movement and aim.

The catch is the attachment system. There is a bit of a balancing act to get the most out of each weapon. Some attachment descriptions are unclear or even a bit misleading, so a little extra reading or testing is needed to understand what they actually do. The difference between a good and bad build can be huge.

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Some of the maps are on the smaller side, which makes the gameplay very fast paced. You are in fights almost constantly. This is great if you like constant action, but it can feel a bit intense or “TDM in disguise” for players who prefer the larger, more sandbox-style battles from older Battlefield titles.

There are still classic objective modes, and Breakthrough is a standout. It feels similar to the fan favourite Rush, but instead of arming and destroying MCOMs you are pushing through linear sectors capturing flags against a rolling defence.

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One of the nicest touches is the “casual” playlists, like Casual Breakthrough. These modes use a mix of human players and bots, for example 8 real players and 16 bots per team.

This setup is:
> Ideal for new players or anyone returning to the series
> A good place to practise gunplay and test attachment setups
> Less punishing if your reactions are not what they used to be

I have seen plenty of comments from older players saying they struggle to keep up in the main modes. These casual playlists are a good middle ground where you can still earn XP and unlocks without being farmed by players who live in the game.

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Vehicle gameplay is in a good spot. Tanks and other vehicles can still go on big kill-streaks in the hands of a skilled player, which feels right for Battlefield.

However, infantry are not helpless. A coordinated squad running launchers, explosives and gadgets can push vehicles off an objective or destroy them outright. A tank driver who overextends without team support is going to get punished.

From what I have seen so far, vehicles feel powerful and rewarding without turning infantry life into a misery.

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The Javelin anti-cheat system is genuinely impressive. Recent stats during launch week suggested that about 98% of matches were free of bots and obvious cheaters, which is pretty much unheard of in this genre.

In over 200 hours of play I have yet to see anyone I can confidently say is cheating. That does not mean cheats do not exist, but they seem rare and are removed quickly enough that they do not dominate the experience.

The fact that accounts are full-price purchases also helps. Burning through £60 / $70 copies just to cheat is not a sustainable hobby for most people.

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If you are buying this purely for single player, I would not recommend it at full price. The campaign is short and forgettable, and you will probably be done in an evening or two.

If you are mainly here for multiplayer, though, it is a very different story. The gunplay is excellent, vehicles feel good, the casual modes give newcomers and older players a place to warm up, and the Javelin anti-cheat system is the best I have seen so far.

It is not perfect yet - there are still bugs, some balance issues and a bit of grind - but the foundation is strong, and Vince Zampella and the team clearly know what they are doing.

Overall: Thumbs up, especially if you are here for multiplayer first and campaign second.

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From the moment you start playing, you'll be hooked. The world of Elden Ring is vast, and it's full of secrets and hidden treasures that will keep you exploring for hours on end. And the best part? The game doesn't hold your hand or guide you along the way - you're on your own, and it's up to you to discover everything the game offers.

But what sets Elden Ring apart is the attention to detail. From the intricate level design to the breathtaking visuals, everything in this game is meticulously crafted. You'll feel like you're in the game, battling against the most challenging bosses you've ever encountered.

And speaking of bosses, they're a highlight of the game. Each one is unique and challenging, and defeating them is an incredibly satisfying experience. But be warned - this game is not for the faint of heart. "Elden Ring" will stomp on your face and throw dirt in your eye every chance it gets, but that's what makes it so thrilling.

The story of Elden Ring is also top-notch. The world-building is incredible, and you'll find yourself invested in the lore of the game. And unlike some games that have lacklustre storytelling, Elden Ring delivers a narrative that's both engaging and thought-provoking.

Overall, Elden Ring is a game that deserves all the praise it gets and more. It's a true masterpiece that defies game development standards and delivers an experience that will keep you coming back for more. Don't wait - dive into the Elden Ring world and prepare to be blown away.