It may not have brought in quite the same sales figures as Call of Duty’s latest instalment, but has EA finally brought something to the table that could shoot its rival off its long reign at the top spot?

Let’s get straight to the multiplayer, which is without a doubt the game’s stongest asset. No-one can deny that the multiplayer is a truly stunning experience on Battlefield 3, in terms of both graphics and gameplay.The different multiplayer game modes cater for every type of player, featuring the standard Team Deathmatch, for those wanting to play just to get the best kill death ratio, and some more tactical game modes like Conquest and Rush. Alongside these larger multiplayer game modes, DICE have also included Squad versions, where squads can take on other squads to work their way up the Battlefield ranks. The range of things you can do in maps is huge, and, unlike its rival, Modern Warfare 3, Battlefield 3 allows players to use a large range of vehicles such as jets, helicopters, tanks, jeeps and boats. One rather fun feature is the ability to base-jump off a cliff or parachute out of a destroyed helicopter, meaning that you can swap from vehicle warfare to ground warfare when your vehicle is about to be hit by a missile and turned into a flaming wreck. This isn’t Call of Duty! Instead it’s an open, realistic combat experience where teamwork is encouraged, and in some specific game modes, vital.

The phenomenal size of the maps makes Battlefield 3 incredibly lifelike, as you are not instantly thrown into a hectic gunfight when you spawn. However the game does allow for both long distance play and point-blank runnin’ and gunnin’. On many maps, you can have multiple battles going on at once, both on the ground and in the air. The Frostbite 2 engine allows for a much greater scale of destruction than in previous Battlefield games, meaning that maps are constantly changing as buildings are razed to the ground. In Battlefield 3, if you don’t feel like walking round a building or wall, you can blast your way through it. This is what makes Battlefield 3 so exciting, you never know what is going to happen to the building you are in or the sniping spot you have found. This also discourages camping, and the “spot” function enables those players fighting as a team to point out enemies and get extra points when a fellow team-mate gets the killing shot if you miss or need to reload. Another great thing about Battlefield 3 is that you cannot be ‘panic-knifed’. Killing someone with your knife is dangerous but rewarding, and if you get it wrong you could end up dead. The numerous cinematic animations for knifing make it much more satisfying, and you steal the enemy’s dog-tags as well.

There is a huge amount of customization to keep you occupied in the Multiplayer part of the game. All vehicles have upgrades which are unlocked when you gain enough points, and camouflage and dog-tags can also be fully customized, along with the soldier classes. There are four classes, Assault, Engineer, Support and Recon, each having its advantages and disadvantages, and can be tailored to your style of play. For instance the Assault class allows you to revive downed players and heal those in need, whilst the Engineer class allows you to carry a rocket launcher and a vehicle maintenance kit, which can be upgraded to a remote-controlled robot that can arm or disarm the bomb in Rush mode, destroy enemy vehicles or repair friendly vehicles. As you level up, you unlock various upgrades or new weapons. These can then be used to unlock further sights, silencers and grips for that weapon, just to name a few.

Due to the capabilities of graphics on consoles, the game is limited to 720p, but still the graphics are truly stunning. Every leaf blowing in the wind, or building collapsing to rubble has been paid close attention to by Battlefield’s designers. Whilst the console version has a maximum of 24 players and the PC version can cope with 64, you never feel as if there are too few players to enjoy the vast maps on console, and there is never a quiet moment. Even with the 720p cap, the game is one of the best looking out there for consoles, and on PC version looks even better.

The weakest part of the game takes the form of the Single-Player Campaign, which can only really be described as a series of flashbacks, much like those in the Call of Duty: Black Ops campaign. DICE has showcased all of its jaw-dropping graphical achievements, with the textures and colours flowing seamlessly from one frame to the next. Unlike the Multiplayer, the Campaign feels strict, limited and scripted, with next to no room for exploring the beautiful maps that they have created. However, most people who buy Battlefield 3 will buy it for one thing, the Multiplayer, so the slightly under par Campaign should not be criticised too much as it is not the focus of the game, merely a side dish to the main course. The only reason DICE have included the campaign really is to rival the Call of Duty series, and where they have not tried to copy Call of Duty they have truly excelled.

The Co-op mode is much better than the Single-Player Campaign, but unfortunately it only features a handful of missions. Whilst the Single-Player Campaign can feel slow, and quite frankly dull at points, the Co-op is brutally difficult at times even on the easiest setting and requires constant communication with your teammate. There are few negatives about the Co-op mode, but small things like not being able to switch pilots in the second mission means that it can take several attempts before the better flier is called upon to pilot the helicopter, and not fly it straight into a mountain or plummet to the ground. These small problems can make this mode a little frustrating but still enjoyable for the majority of the time. Flying is a skill on Battlefield 3 and it takes serious patience and practice, especially in the Multiplayer where other people may have unlocked better upgrades for their vehicles. By completing Co-op missions you unlock various weapons which can then be used in the Multiplayer. It should be noted that some of these unlockables can only be won in the Co-op missions.

When you first set eyes on this game, the first thought that comes to mind is “WOW”. The graphics and sounds are outstanding throughout the game. Every gun sounds different, adding to the realistic feel of Battlefield 3. RPGs whizz past your head, whilst the blurring suppression caused by enemy fire coupled with the cracks from guns and the terrifying explosions make this game truly immersive and you feel like you are at the heart of the action. Furthermore, the magnificent Frostbite 2 game engine means campers are rare. Once a camper is spotted, engineers lay into the building they are sniping from with RPGs whilst fellow gunners kill the enemy now standing helplessly in the open behind what was a fully protective wall.

The introduction of Battlelog allows players to track and compare their friends’ stats with their own. Platoons enable you to find out which of you is the best at what particular field of combat at the click of a button. Battlelog is EA/DICE’s answer to Call of Duty’s Elite subscription service. Whilst it is an added bonus for console players, it has had complaints from PC users. Even to play the Single-Player Campaign mode, an internet connection is needed to launch the game, which means that you cannot play it when offline. Apart from this fairly major flaw, Battlelog makes it easy for PC players to invite friends and join matches by simply dragging their contacts into a game to invite them.

Even though Battlefield 3 wasn’t without its flaws upon release, DICE have been quick to release patches and updates, eliminating the majority of glitches. It seems that they are listening to the gaming community much more than other companies, with the Forum section on Battlelog offering players the opportunity to report problems or wishes for future patches and updates. Whilst the game does fall down on the plot of the Single-Player Campaign, it is obvious Battlefield 3 has really pushed the boundaries in terms of graphics, sounds, and Multiplayer, particularly with its incorporation of the Frostbite 2 game engine, and has created a serious rival for makers of Call of Duty to worry about.