Game images by RAWG
Battlefield 2042
Electronic Arts DICE
About This Game
Super ReviewBattlefield 2042 is an online-only, large-scale team shooter with a robust 'Portal' mode offering creative freedom. Its Mature rating stems from realistic violence and strong language, making it a challenging fit for younger players. Parents should consider its in-game purchases and the social dynamics of online voice chat.
Super Review
Parent verdict
Battlefield 2042 is a qualified fit for mature teens, best with clear limits. Its 'Decent' health score of 52 reflects a game that can offer strategic, cooperative play and extensive creative tools, but comes with significant concerns regarding mature content, online social interactions, and persistent monetization. It works best for families prepared to supervise online engagement and discuss responsible spending, while also understanding the game's intense combat theme.
What players actually do
- Players engage in large-scale, objective-based battles across expansive maps, fostering strategic thinking and teamwork to achieve goals.
- Players customize weapons on the fly using the 'Plus' system, developing tactical decision-making skills in various combat scenarios.
- Players use the 'Portal' mode to design and share unique game modes with custom rules and content, exercising creativity and problem-solving.
Where it shines
- The 'Portal' mode provides exceptional creative freedom, allowing players to build and share custom game experiences with extensive modification tools, fostering imagination and logic.
- Gameplay emphasizes large-scale, team-based combat across expansive battlegrounds, encouraging cooperation and strategic coordination among players.
Parent watch-outs
- The game features realistic violence with blood-splatter effects, strong language, and close-range finishing attacks, contributing to its Mature ESRB rating.
- The online-only nature and presence of voice chat with strangers, despite moderation, carries a social risk due to potential exposure to toxic behavior.
Family rules worth setting
- Set clear time limits for daily play sessions to balance gaming with other activities.
- Require voice chat to be disabled or restricted to known friends to mitigate exposure to inappropriate language or behavior.
Talk about this
- How does collaborating with a team in an online game compare to working with a team in sports or school projects?
- Discuss the presence of in-game purchases and Battle Passes, considering why people buy them and the value they offer versus real money.
Play style
Sessions can vary from quick skirmishes to longer, drawn-out objective-based battles, allowing for flexible engagement. The difficulty is dynamic, depending on player skill and team coordination in the online competitive environment. Players largely engage in cooperative team play, but individual skill is also crucial. Younger or less experienced players might struggle with the fast pace and strategic depth, potentially requiring guidance from teammates or friends.
Score Breakdown
Positive Aspects
Risk Factors
Why this rating
Educational Value
0/5Battlefield 2042 is designed as an entertainment-focused first-person shooter. There is no explicit educational content or learning objectives integrated into the gameplay, resulting in an Educational Value score of 0.
Addictive Monetization
2/5The game includes premium Battle Passes, purchasable cosmetic bundles, and XP boosts, all bought with premium currency. While not pay-to-win, the frequent offers and in-game store could encourage spending, justifying an Addictive Monetization score of 2.
Social Risk
4/5As an online-only multiplayer game with cross-platform play and in-game voice chat with strangers, there is a significant risk of exposure to toxic behavior or inappropriate language. Despite moderation, this warrants a Social Risk score of 4.
Content Intensity
3/5The game features realistic violence, blood-splatter effects, strong language including expletives, and close-range finishing attacks. This mature content earns it an ESRB M rating and contributes to a Content Intensity score of 3.
Pro-Social
4/5Gameplay heavily emphasizes large-scale, team-based combat and objective-based modes, requiring players to cooperate and strategize to succeed. This focus on teamwork and coordination supports a Pro-Social score of 4.
Negatives
- •The game's monetization includes premium Battle Passes, purchasable cosmetic bundles, and XP boosts, which, while not pay-to-win, involve frequent offers and an in-game currency system.
- •The online-only nature of the game and the presence of voice chat with strangers, despite moderation features, present a social risk due to potential exposure to toxic behavior.
- •The content intensity is high, featuring realistic violence with blood-splatter effects, strong language, and close-range finishing attacks, earning it a Mature ESRB rating.
Positives
- •The "Portal" mode provides exceptional creative freedom, allowing players to design and share custom game modes using a wide array of tools and content from various Battlefield eras.
- •Gameplay emphasizes large-scale, team-based combat, encouraging cooperation and strategic play across expansive battlegrounds.
- •The game features cross-platform play, allowing friends on different systems to play together within generational groupings.
Other Recommended Games
Grounded 2
Obsidian Entertainment
Same platform, Same business model, Similar gameplay style, Higher health score
Project Zomboid
The Indie Stone
Same platform, Same business model, Similar gameplay style, Higher health score
Arma Reforger
Bohemia Interactive
Same platform, Same business model, Similar gameplay style, Higher health score
Factorio
Wube Software
Same platform, Same business model, Higher health score
Official Ratings
Age Fit
Help us rate the next game
GameCompass is free for every family and takes nothing from game studios. A coffee is what puts the next game on the list.
Buy us a coffeeWhat support pays for