Battlefield 2042 Patch Update 1.02: Everything You Need To Know

Battlefield 2042 is the twelfth game in the first-person/military shooter series. Released in 2021 it was developed by DICE and published by Electronic Arts.

For the first time, there is no single-player campaign mode. Instead, all the focus is directed toward the multiplayer aspect. Released on Xbox One, Series S/X, PS4, PS5, and PC; it is the first the series to support cross-play.

Gameplay:

Being set shortly, players get to use futuristic weapons and gadgets. Like deployable turrets, vehicles, and drones. Players can also use the Call-In system. And request a supply airdrop at any location. Weapon customization- now called plus, can be done on the spot.

In a controversial move, DICE has overhauled the class system. Players take on control of a specialist that corresponds to the series staples such as Assault, Engineer, Recon, and Medic. Instead of each class coming with its weapons and kit, now you can wield any weapon or gadget after unlocking it. Unique gadgets and skills do exist though. Emma Rosier’s is a wingsuit. And Maria Falck’s is a healing pistol.

Levolution(a feature of Frostbite engine) and fully destructible environments make a return from Battlefield 4. There are assorted weather effects like sandstorms and Tornadoes. Out of seven maps, ‘Breakaway’ is the largest yet for the series.

Modes:

There are 3 modes of gameplay. The first, ‘Conquest’ and ‘Breakthrough’, which fall under ‘All-Out Warfare’. Both revolve around reward points. ‘Breakthrough’ involves one team capturing the control point while the other tries to defend it. ‘Conquest’ is similar, except that once the said control points are captured, the entire sector falls under the team’s control. These modes can be played against AI-controlled bots.

Next up is a community-driven mode called ‘Battlefield Portal’. You get to select maps from previous entries in the series and customize them. A web-based scripting application allows you to modify movement, health, and weapon load-outs. The final mode is a co-op one called ‘Hazard Zone’. Players get split into two teams and must compete against AI-controlled bots. While each one tries to recapture and extract data drives from fallen satellites. Successfully extracting a data drive gets you ‘Dark Market Credits’. You can then spend these credits on new upgrades and weapons.

Reception:

While critical reception was mixed. It was the players that took the game to the task. For its lack of features, technical issues, and deviation from the traditional gameplay structure. Currently, the Metacritic score hovers over 60+ on average across platforms.

Some exalted the maps, calling them well-designed. While the introduction of new features was also praised. At least from a technical standpoint, the graphics were also commended. The Hazard Zone mode was less favorably received. Some even called the game rushed. It was also reprimanded for the presence of bugs and net-code issues.

Player Response:

Players were even more scathing. With Battlefield 2042 being one of the worst reviewed games on steam. With nearly 30,000 negative reviews. It was mostly the glitches that bugged them. But the new direction in terms of specialists over traditional classes was also derided. Several missing features from the previous Battlefield game were also rebuked. The player count took a nosedive. From a 100,000 to 52,000. Then plummeting down to 19,000. Even dipping below 1000 at certain times.

Update:

In response to this outlast, DICE released an update in April of 2022. Bringing over 400 changes. Including bug fixes and rebalanced gameplay. A good deal of improvements to the various modes, maps, specialists, items, controls, and Animation. While the focus shifted towards accommodating fewer players. Keeping the unfettered chaos in check. Dice even said they would drop support for ‘Hazard Zone’ mode. Now a new update has been released.

List of Changes in Update 1.2:

1. Bug fixes, quality of life improvements, re-balancing, map reworking, and changes in the style and tone of specialists. Including several updated character models.
2. Kaleidoscope has to be amended. Flag positions, cover assets, visual updates, and terrain elevation all contribute to improving the flow of the gameplay.
3. RAH-68 Huron and YG-99 Hannibal 30 mm Canon will now overheat much faster. This has a direct impact on infantry.
4. Your overall progress and performance will be recorded on the ‘Player Profile’ and Statistics page.
5. Moving targets are now easier to track due to adjustments in the Aim Assist on Controllers.
6. The BSV-M full auto weapon has an accuracy penalty. While the farther away you get, the High Power rounds lose their damage faster.

DICE says that this is the last update before Season 2. Which is expected sometime later in August.

Also Read: Battlefield 2042 Error Code 1004g (Connection Error Battlefield 2042)