The Battlefield franchise has always been known for its large-scale multiplayer battles, but that doesn’t mean its single-player campaigns haven’t left a mark. While not every entry in the series has beenpraised for its storytelling, some have delivered intense action, well-crafted narratives and memorable characters that make them stand out.
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Whether it’s the chaotic spectacle of war, a personal tale of survival or a story-driven departure from the usual formula, these campaigns prove that Battlefield can do more than just multiplayer mayhem.
7Battlefield 5
A War Story that Never Reached Its Full Potential
Battlefield 5
Trying to follow up on Battlefield 1’s well-received War Stories,Battlefield 5attempted to recreate the same format by presenting multiple smaller narratives set across World War II. It explores lesser-known aspects of the war, such as the Norwegian resistance, the Senegalese Tirailleurs and a rogue British officer in North Africa.
While the idea was promising, the execution lacked the same emotional weight and polish as its predecessor. The campaign features beautiful environments and an impressive level of destruction that adds to the immersion, but the writing didn’t quite stick the landing. Some stories feel rushed, and the characters don’t leave a lasting impression.
Still, there are moments where the game shines, like the stealth-focused mission in Norway that forces players to navigate a frozen landscape while evading German patrols. Unfortunately, with EA’s decision to move away from traditionalsingle-player content, Battlefield 5’s campaign felt like an afterthought rather than a fully realized experience.
6Battlefield 4
Great Spectacle, But an Unfinished Story
Battlefield 4
With its highly-destructible environments and massive set pieces,Battlefield 4delivers on the action-packed moments that the series is known for. The campaign follows Sgt. Daniel Recker, asilent protagonistleading a squad known as Tombstone through a conflict involving China, the U.S. and Russia. It’s a classic military thriller setup with political intrigue, betrayals and plenty of explosions.
The problem? It’s all over too soon. Clocking in at just a few hours, the campaign introduces characters and plot points that barely get time to develop. The story sets up an interesting premise where the world is on the brink of war due to a power struggle in China, but never fully capitalizes on it.
That said, the campaign does feature impressive sequences, like a mission where players fight through a sinking aircraft carrier, demonstrating Battlefield 4’s signature large-scale destruction. It also introduces choices at the end, though they feel tacked on rather than meaningful.
5Battlefield 3
The Michael Bay Movie of Battlefield Campaigns
Battlefield 3
If Battlefield 3’s campaign had a motto, it would be “go big or go home.” It throws players into an action-packed narrative that spans across multiple perspectives, including a U.S. Marine, a Russian GRU operative and an Iranian insurgent. The story revolves around a nuclear threat and a rogue Russian faction, with plenty of plot twists and betrayals along the way.
While the campaign leans heavily on military shooter clichés, it makes up for it with some truly unforgettable moments. The jet fighter sequence in “Going Hunting” stands out as one of the most visually-stunning missions in the franchise, putting players in the cockpit for an exhilarating dogfight.
Battlefield 3 also features tense urban combat in Tehran and Paris, with impressive destructibility that adds to the chaos. However, the linear structure and overuse of quick-time events make it feel more like a Hollywood action movie than a deep, engaging war story.
4Battlefield Hardline
A Crime Thriller in Battlefield Clothing
Battlefield Hardline
A departure from the usual war settings,Battlefield Hardlinetrades military conflicts for a cop drama inspired by TV crime shows. Playing as Detective Nick Mendoza, players navigate a world of corruption, drug busts and high-speed chases across Miami and Los Angeles. The episodic structure, complete with “previously on” recaps, gives it a unique flavor that sets it apart from other entries in the series.
What makes Hardline stand out is its emphasis on stealth and non-lethal takedowns. Instead of mowing down enemies with machine guns, players can arrest criminals, use a scanner to gather evidence and approach missions with more flexibility.
The writing is also surprisingly solid, with engaging performances and a plot that, while predictable, keeps things interesting. It may not be the traditional Battlefield experience, but as a single-player campaign, it offers something fresh.
A Band of Misfits in a War for Gold
Battlefield: Bad Company
Battlefield: Bad Company took a different approach to storytelling, injecting humor into the typically serious tone of military shooters. It follows a squad of outcasts – Preston Marlowe, Sweetwater, Haggard and their reluctant leader, Sgt. Redford – as they go AWOL in pursuit of stolen gold. Their journey takes them through warzones filled with explosive set pieces, destructible environments and plenty of sarcastic banter.
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What makes Bad Company special is its characters. Unlike the faceless soldiers of most Battlefield campaigns, the squad has real personality, with hilarious dialogue that keeps things lighthearted even in the heat of battle.
The game also introduced the now-iconic Frostbite engine, allowing for unprecedented destruction, letting players blast through buildings and reshape the battlefield. Though the story itself is straightforward, the chemistry between the characters makes it one of the most enjoyable campaigns in the franchise.
2Battlefield 1
A Haunting, Beautiful Tribute to the Great War
Battlefield 1
Set during World War 1,Battlefield 1tells its story through multiple War Stories, each focusing on a different soldier in various theaters of war. From piloting a British Mark V tank in the muddy fields of France to fighting as an Italian shock trooper in the Alps, each vignette captures a different aspect of the war.
The result is a campaign that feels deeply personal, highlighting the brutality and heroism of those who fought. Rather than following a single protagonist, Battlefield 1 emphasizes the human cost of war, often ending its stories on somber notes.
The opening mission alone sets the tone, forcing players to control multiple soldiers who inevitably fall in battle. The campaign’s breathtaking visuals, emotionally-charged writing and varied gameplay make it one of the most well-executed single-player experiences in Battlefield history.
The Perfect Blend of Action and Humor
Battlefield: Bad Company 2
The Bad Company squad returns in a sequel that refines everything that made the original great while delivering an even better campaign. This time, Marlowe and his crew are sent on a globe-trotting mission to stop a secret weapon from falling into enemy hands, blending the squad’s signature humor with a more action-packed and cinematic experience.
Unlike most Battlefield campaigns, Bad Company 2 doesn’t just serve as an afterthought to multiplayer – it’s a full-fledged experience with memorable set pieces, tight pacing and some of the best dialogue in the franchise. The destruction mechanics are pushed to the next level, allowing entire buildings to be leveled in real-time, making firefights feel dynamic and unpredictable.
For many fans, Bad Company 2 remains the gold standard for Battlefield campaigns, proving that the series could deliver not just intense warfare but also engaging storytelling with characters worth remembering.
