What’s New?

The Battlefield 3: End Game expansion pack brings frenetic action back to the battlefield, bringing to the fray four new maps, three new vehicles, and two new game modes, as well as the addition of the dropship (a variant of the AC130 presented in Armored Kill) with the ability to deploy IFVs in the field. Let’s take a moment to observe these new features and their significance in the battlefield.

New Maps

Intense and frenzied combat has always been a staple of the Battlefield experience and the four new maps found in End Game certainly guarantee that. These new theaters of operation vary from dusty and sun-parched farmland—complete with a dilapidated warehouse and stables—to a snowy, mountainous landscape that a large oil refinery calls home. While these new environments are perfectly suited to armored combat, these maps really shine when you make use of the newest addition to the motor pool: dirtbikes. Strewn throughout the maps are plenty of opportunities to use these swift, maneuverable vehicles, including makeshift ramps that can be used to set up an ambush on unsuspecting hostiles or to make a quick escape, should you find yourself staring down the cannon of a tank. In the Multiplayer Maps chapter, recon regarding each of these maps, as well as their key strategic elements and objectives that can turn the tide of a battle are covered in detail.

Air Superiority

Originally introduced as a game mode in Battlefield 1943, End Game presents the return of large-scale air combat. In Air Superiority, two teams of twelve with only jets at their disposal battle for control of three objectives. These objectives, in the form of indestructible white airships, remain stationary at varied elevations over the map. Once a team holds a majority of the objectives, the opposing team will begin to lose tickets until one of the teams has been depleted of them. Another way to deplete the number of tickets held by an opposing team is to earn kills by shooting down hostile aircraft, as each kill depletes the enemy tickets by one. Objectives are captured in the same manner as a flag while in conquest, except that their capture range is a 230 meter radius surrounding the airship. Establishing wingmen and maintaining contact with them is essential to the capture and control of objectives, as well as preventing deaths at the hands of the enemy. In contrast to the Air Superiority mode previously presented in Battlefield 1943, this time around players spawn into their vehicles while airborne, with no ability to escape from the cockpit due to an ejection seat malfunction. This malfunction ups the ante significantly, as the only hope of repairing a vehicle is through the use of an extinguisher. Preparation of an efficient loadout and teamwork is vital in surviving these fast-paced dogfights.

Capture the Flag

End Game sees the return of another classic game mode, Capture the Flag. Taking place on versions of the maps with tighter boundaries and bases that both teams can access, the objective of this game mode is to acquire the enemy’s flag, which is located at their base, and deliver it to your own. The first team to successfully capture three enemy flags, or that has captured the highest number of flags, when the timer runs out wins the round. In the event that both teams have captured an equal number of flags when the timer runs out, the highest cumulative score of each team will be compared, and the highest scoring team is the victor. In the rare occasion that both teams’ score is equal when the timer runs out, the victory will be given to the US team by default.

To keep track of the mayhem, displayed above the minimap is a timer, indicating the remaining time for the round, as well as a count of how many flags are held by each team. Another important element displayed above the minimap is a flag gauge; this gauge indicates the distance a flag is from its home or enemy base. Vehicles play an important role in capturing and defending flags. Both teams begin each round with a tank, an anti-aircraft vehicle, a helicopter, and dirtbikes, with additional vehicles located within a centralized location on the map. Despite having this assortment of vehicles, players must exit them to capture a flag, and the same is true when delivering an opposing team’s flag to your base. Once captured, the flag can then be taken into a vehicle to quickly return it to your own base. Keeping this in mind, having a helicopter within the area to pick up a flag carrier greatly assists in the capture of an enemy flag. Should this be the method that the enemy is using against you, be sure to make use of the anti-aircraft vehicles to keep enemy helicopters at bay. If a flag carrier is killed, the flag will remain in the position on the map where the soldier fell for a brief period or until it is reclaimed by a friendly or opposing team’s soldier. Should the former happen the flag will then return to its base.

Anti-Aircraft Vehicles

The ASRAD and Vodnik AA are armored jeeps that have been outfitted with anti-aircraft cannons. Both of these vehicles can carry up to four persons, including the driver. One of the vehicle seats places the passenger in command of the roof-mounted cannon that fires a lockable, short-range rocket that makes quick work of any aircraft—including the dropship. Should the vehicle be attacked by ground forces, the roof-mounted cannon can fire unguided shells to make quick work of foes. These vehicles are maneuverable, but not the fastest or most armored, so avoid engaging in a direct firefight with attack helicopters and tanks. Aside from their efficient firepower, these vehicles are useful for transporting troops around the battlefield.

Dirtbikes

An exciting addition to the battlefield this time around are dirtbikes. These nimble and easily underestimated vehicles are perfectly suited for navigating the terrain of the new End Game maps. While not armored or equipped with weapons, the ability to sit two people per dirtbike makes them excellent in the placement of mines or C4 while in motion. With none of the other vehicles able to match their speed, these are very useful for scouting or dropping off recon squad mates at their favorite sniper perches before the enemy has the chance to encamp at an objective.