A Blast from the Past: Battlefield 2042's Mysterious Map Harkens Back to Operation Metro and Locker

Article Key Points

Battlefield 2042 has worked hard to distance itself from its troubled launch and has seen a positive turnaround with consistent post-launch updates and new content.

The Season 6 map, Redacted, delivers an adrenaline-fueled infantry-only experience centered around intense close-quarters battles. Taking cues from renowned Battlefield maps such as Operation Metro and Operation Locker, Redacted pays tribute to the beloved close-quarters environments of the franchise. With enhanced opportunities for flanking and escaping, it combines the chaos and frenzy that fans adore, elevating Battlefield 2042 to new heights of iconic Battlefield gameplay.

Battlefield 2042 has made substantial efforts to distance itself from its negative reputation following its problematic launch in 2021. The initial release of the game was lacking in content, resulting in a significant decline in its player base. However, consistent post-launch updates have caused a positive shift in the game's trajectory.

In the past month, Battlefield 2042 has experienced a remarkable turnaround. A comprehensive update and the introduction of free-to-play weekends have significantly increased the game's popularity, aligning it more closely with the success expected of a Battlefield title. Additionally, the recent expansion of the map pool, including the thrilling new Redacted map, has further amplified the excitement, making it one of the most exhilarating Battlefield experiences to date.

Battlefield 2042's Redacted Map: An Ode To Past Operations

Season 6: Dark Creations of Battlefield 2042, launched on October 10th, brought along numerous enhancements to the game. However, it was the inclusion of the highly anticipated Redacted map that truly drew players' interest. Additionally, Season 6 introduced a fresh 100-tier Battle Pass for Battlefield 2042.

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The YUV-2 "Pondhawk" vehicle focuses on close-quarters combat in Battlefield and diverges from the franchise's typical open experiences. Although Battlefield excels in expansive maps featuring land, air, and naval battles, it surprisingly thrives in intense and restricted engagements. Redacted, an infantry-only experience set in a remote underground Scottish research facility, embodies this unique semi-futuristic setting.

DICE has displayed transparency regarding the significance of Operation Metro and Operation Locker in the development of Redacted. These two operations were featured in Battlefield 3 and Battlefield 4 respectively, known for their intense close-quarter combat and linear gameplay. Metro and Locker became iconic maps for the franchise, with Battlefield 5 even paying tribute to them through its own Operation Underground.

Unlike the cinematic aerial battles and expansive landscapes found in traditional Battlefield maps, experiences like Metro and Locker introduced a fresh and immersive gameplay style for the series. Prior to Season 6 and Redacted, Battlefield 2042 was criticized for lacking the usual content seen in previous installments, further highlighting the importance of these operations.

Operation Metro and Operation Locker were highly popular, with 24/7 servers dedicated to these maps in both BF3 and BF4. As a result, any similar maps can be expected to be well-received.

In official communications about Redacted, DICE compared the new map to an evolution of Metro and Locker. It maintains the intense chaos and tight corridors of the previous maps while enhancing flanking and escape opportunities. Redacted pays homage to Metro and Locker, providing a familiar experience for fans. Additionally, Redacted introduces new play-styles and tactics, significantly elevating the gameplay in Battlefield 2042. It brings the struggling title up to par with the iconic Battlefield experiences of the past.

The recently released Battlefield 2042 is the newest addition to the well-established Battlefield series. Developed by DICE, this title embraces next-generation graphics while maintaining the beloved game modes and structures found in previous installments. Players can immerse themselves in the familiar large-scale battles that have become a trademark of the franchise.

Franchise: Battlefield

Platform: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X

Release Date: November 19, 2021

Developers: DICE, Criterion Games, Ripple Effect

Publisher: Electronic Arts

ESRB Rating: M for Mature - Blood, Strong Language, Violence

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z fan, I am thrilled about the release of the Redacted map in Battlefield 2042. The map pays homage to two of my favorite maps from previous Battlefield titles, Operation Metro and Operation Locker. These maps were known for their intense close-quarters combat, and I am excited to experience that type of gameplay again in Battlefield 2042.

The Redacted map is a great addition to Battlefield 2042, and it shows that DICE is listening to fan feedback. The map is a lot of fun to play, and it is a great way to experience the intense close-quarters combat that Battlefield is known for. I am excited to see what other maps DICE releases in the future, and I hope they continue to listen to fan feedback.