Battlefield 2042 has finally introduced its new mode “Hazard Zone”. The reactions so far have been positive, and fans feel reminded of games like Escape from Tarkov. However, there are also a few concerns. We at MeinMMO summarize the feedback for you.
What is Hazard Zone? The mode mixes PvP and PvE elements and resembles a variant of battle royale shooters. You will be dropped onto a map in a 4-player squad and must search for data drives. You then have to extract them.
In search of these data drives, you will encounter human and AI opponents who can make your life difficult. A round unfolds in five different phases, from landing to the final extraction.
We have introduced Hazard Zone for you in our special, here you can also watch the trailer for the mode:
Hazard Zone is “the Escape from Tarkov of Battlefield 2042”
This is how players are reacting to the reveal: Before EA and DICE published more detailed information about Hazard Zone in a follow-up article, the trailer premiere took place. Although this trailer is quite well made and packed with action.
What Hazard Zone actually is was not revealed by this in the eyes of many players. One player commented in the live chat after the premiere: “That was cool, but what kind of game mode is that?” (via reddit)
He was not alone in this view, as other players also criticized: “The trailer…showed basically nothing. Literally nothing special.” (via reddit)
However, with the additional information, it became clear what Hazard Zone aims to be, and many players think: It looks like Escape from Tarkov, Hunt: Showdown, or the Dark Zone from The Division. (via reddit)
Why the comparisons? All these game concepts borrow from the battle royale genre but are not pure BR shooters.
- Although you will encounter other players and compete with them for the actual mission objective, this often leads to fights
- With NPC opponents, there are also non-human enemies that can get in your way
- It’s about collecting specific items to ultimately improve your equipment
- At the end of a round, you must escape from the map
This is well received by many fans. Especially in conjunction with the large maps of Battlefield 2042, players are looking forward to interesting matches. Overall, anticipation is high, as shown by the reactions in the subreddit and on YouTube (via YouTube.com).
Since the reveal on October 14 at 5 PM, the trailer has been viewed over 1.1 million times, receiving around 100,000 likes so far, with only about 5,000 dislikes. (As of: October 15, 11:00 AM).
However, some players are also concerned about the new mode.
Discussion about Free2Play – Will Hazard Zone share the fate of Firestorm from Battlefield V?
This is why players are worried: After the reveal, there is now a discussion about whether Hazard Zone shouldn’t be free to play. Some players would prefer this step. (via reddit)
The reason for this wish lies in the experience with an old mode from Battlefield V: Firestorm. That was a battle royale mode that came out months after the actual release.
However, shortly after it was released, this mode became extinct; there simply weren’t enough players. Some veterans are now fearing this fate for Hazard Zone as well.
What supporters of the F2P model say:
- Back then, they decided against a F2P model for Firestorm
- They see this as the reason for the mode’s extinction
- The thought: If the mode is free, there would definitely be enough players, and the matches would always be full
- The model would be inspired by Apex Legends and CoD Warzone, which also follow a free-to-play model
These are the arguments against it: Not every fan agrees with this. They believe it is perfectly fine for Hazard Zone to be part of the paid game.
- After all, they think the offerings of Battlefield 2042 are very extensive
- All-Out Warfare with Conquest and Breakthrough, two classic modes from the Battlefield series
- Battlefield Portal also brings a comprehensive editor mode with content from three of the most popular classics
- Hazard Zone appeals to lovers of battle royale and fans of Tarkov and Hunt: Showdown
- Additionally, players believe a F2P model would attract more cheaters
- Many also believe that Firestorm failed not only because of player numbers, but also due to numerous poor decisions by developers
- Against a flop is also the fact that Hazard Zone only requires 24 players on Xbox One and PS4, and 32 players on PC, Xbox Series, and PS5
- Firestorm, on the other hand, required 64 players
In addition, there is the crossplay feature of Battlefield 2042. Thus, it should be easier to find matches in Hazard Zone across multiple platforms.
Which of the groups is right is currently hard to assess. This will likely only become clear in the months following the release. Everything will probably depend on how well Battlefield 2042 ultimately performs.
Because many see the reason for the flop of Firestorm in the fact that Battlefield V started poorly and the player base was already lost before the release of the battle royale mode.
When will Battlefield 2042 be released? The release is on November 19, 2021. Then the shooter will be available for PC, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PS5 and PS4.
What do you think about Hazard Zone? Should the mode be free? Or do you see it positively that Hazard Zone is part of the overall package?
