Battlefield 6 Reveals The Return Of Portal With Massive Upgrades From BF2042

Battlefield 6 is striking out in a different direction from Battlefield 2042, but the new livestream reveals the return of one major feature from the last entry. After the divisive reception of the last two Battlefield games, the series has switched up its approach with a newly formed Battlefield Studios and a long series of playtests to gauge progress and fan feedback. Now that it’s edging closer to release, details on elements beyond the core gameplay are finally being offered.

Battlefield 2042‘s Portal game mode is returning in Battlefield 6, although it doesn’t look exactly like the previous iteration. Portal allowed Battlefield 2042 players to craft custom matches with tweaked gameplay options and assets from previous games. Battlefield 6‘s Portal will hit these same points, but it also features extensive level editing tools to allow for more transformative creations.

Battlefield 6 Is A Big Step Up For Portal Mode

Creativity Is Getting A Boost

New footage of Battlefield 6‘s Portal mode highlights its capabilities, which look much closer to Halo‘s iconic Forge mode than Battlefield 2042‘s more limited offering. Rather than playing out custom matches in fundamentally routine Battlefield maps, players can now craft more diverse gameplay experiences.

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One example highlights vertigo-inducing platforming reminiscent of Only Up!, while another showcases a Fall Guys-like attempt to ascend a ramp while dodging falling obstacles. Assets can be moved around the map to set up a wide variety of challenges, potentially paving the way for some cool custom games once Battlefield 6 releases. Enemy AI can also be adjusted to serve different purposes.

Portal Could Have A Bright Battlefield Feature

Battlefield 6 Is A Big Opportunity

While Battlefield 2042‘s Portal was one of its better features, its relatively limited applications and the game’s lack of an enthusiastic community made it die sooner than necessary. Battlefield 6‘s redux of the concept could be the perfect opportunity to turn things around, especially if the Battlefield community’s current hype translates to positive feelings and a significant player base once the game releases.

Changing course from Battlefield 2042 overall was a necessary step for Battlefield 6, but it’s also nice to see that it’s not afraid to embrace and improve its disappointing predecessor’s most interesting concepts. The Battlefield series is at an interesting crossroads right now, and every good idea is one more brick in the foundation of a more solid future.

Whether Battlefield 6‘s Portal can live up to the legacy of game modes like Forge remains to be seen, but as it stands, it shouldn’t have much trouble outdoing its debut in BF2042.

Battlefield 6

Systems

Developer(s)

Battlefield Studios

Engine

Frostbite

Multiplayer

Online Multiplayer, Online Co-Op

Number of Players

Single-player

Steam Deck Compatibility

Unknown