Knowing the chronological order of the Battlefield games can be a challenge for gamers. The franchise is one of the most iconic in the world of first-person shooters, known for its intense battles, strategic gameplay, and historical and futuristic settings. Since its launch in 2002, the series has won over millions of players around the world.
Moving between scenarios ranging from World War II to a distant future full of technological innovations, each title brought remarkable innovations, whether in graphics, destruction of scenarios or in the way battles are experienced. In this article, we will explore the chronological order of the main games in the franchise, showing the evolution of all Battlefield games over the decades.
Battlefield 1942 (2002)
Released exclusively for PC, Battlefield 1942 was the starting point for the acclaimed franchise. The game recreates the main scenarios of World War II, such as the Pacific and Europe, with maps inspired by real battles. It innovated by offering the possibility of controlling vehicles such as tanks, planes and ships, something revolutionary for the genre at the time.
The title stood out for its large-scale multiplayer mode, supporting up to 64 players. The need for cooperation between classes, such as medics and engineers, helped define the strategic essence of the series. With a solid foundation of gameplay and immersion, Battlefield 1942 is an indispensable milestone in the chronological order of Battlefield games.
Battlefield Vietnam (2004)
Released exclusively for PC, Battlefield Vietnam transports players to the intense and dense environment of the Vietnam War. With battles centered on infantry combat and vehicles typical of the period, such as helicopters and tanks, the game brought an authentic and tense experience. The setting was enriched by a soundtrack composed of iconic songs from the 1960s, creating an immersive atmosphere for players.
In addition to introducing new multiplayer modes, the title stood out for its strategic use of terrain and vehicles, requiring skill and planning from players. The refined mechanics and focus on teamwork helped to consolidate the franchise's pillars. For this reason, Battlefield Vietnam occupies an essential place in the chronological order of Battlefield games, showing the evolution of the series with historic and challenging battles.
Battlefield 2 (2005)
Battlefield 2 marked a major leap forward in the chronological order of Battlefield games, setting the conflicts in a modern, fictional setting. The game, released for PC, explored battles between superpowers and introduced innovations such as the squad and command system. It redefined multiplayer with more complex strategies and immersive maps. Its setting in 2007 reinforced the realism and captivated fans of the franchise.
Shortly after, Battlefield 2: Modern Combat expanded the title to consoles such as the PS2, Xbox and Xbox 360, bringing a new experience. The addition of a single-player campaign allowed for narrative exploration of conflicts, while multiplayer modes were adjusted for consoles. This release expanded the fan base and demonstrated the versatility of the series, solidifying Battlefield as the benchmark for modern warfare.
Battlefield 2142 (2006)
Battlefield 2142 takes players to a distant future where a new ice age has drastically changed the world's geography. In the chronological order of Battlefield games, the title stands out by pitting the European Union, the Pan-Asian Coalition and the Union of African States against each other over scarce natural resources. The game, exclusive to PC, offers new mechanics, such as mechs and futuristic combat equipment, changing the combat style of the series.
The “Titan” mode, one of the game’s biggest innovations, features battles around gigantic ships, requiring a new strategic approach. Battlefield 2142 also brought a distinct narrative, with factions fighting for survival in a post-cataclysmic world. By pushing the boundaries of the franchise, the game proved that the series could reinvent itself over time and explore more futuristic scenarios.
Battlefield: Bad Company (2008)
Battlefield: Bad Company introduced a new approach to the franchise, focusing on a more personal story featuring a group of renegade soldiers in a fictional modern war. Within the chronological order of the Battlefield games, the game stands out for being set in the "near future", with a narrative centered on a Russian-American conflict.
Available for PS3 and Xbox 360, the title innovated by exploring the destruction of environments in a more realistic way, something that would be a milestone for the following games in the series. The gameplay also differentiated itself with a strong emphasis on the total destruction of the environment, allowing players to knock down walls and build new strategies.
Battlefield: Bad Company introduced the possibility of combat in open and interactive environments, which contributed to the growth of the franchise. The series also introduced new multiplayer modes and a more engaging campaign, maintaining the essence of the franchise, but with a lighter and more irreverent tone.
Battlefield 1943 (2009)
Released in 2009, Battlefield 1943 occupies a prominent place in the chronological order of Battlefield games, taking players back to World War II, with a focus on the Pacific theater. Featuring iconic maps such as Wake Island and Guadalcanal, the game offered intense and strategic combat. The use of the Frostbite engine allowed for destructible environments, bringing a new layer of realism to the experience.
Focused on multiplayer, especially in Conquest mode, the title emphasized teamwork and strategy. Developed for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, Battlefield 1943 won fans thanks to its accessibility and impressive graphics for the time. Even without a single-player campaign, the game stood out for its well-balanced and fun gameplay. The combination of simplicity and innovation made it an unforgettable title.
With its dynamic mechanics and well-designed maps, Battlefield 1943 helped cement the series as a benchmark in the FPS genre. It demonstrated that a well-executed multiplayer experience can be just as engaging as more complex games. This legacy has earned the title a special place in the franchise's history.
Battlefield: Bad Company 2 (2010)
Battlefield: Bad Company 2, released in 2010, follows the story of Bad Company and is an important milestone in the chronological order of Battlefield games. The title brings significant improvements to gameplay and environmental destruction, with more realistic graphics and smoother gameplay. In addition, the game introduced new game modes, such as “Squad Deathmatch”, and deepened the multiplayer experience.
Available for PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360, Battlefield: Bad Company 2 kept the franchise on the up with its fresh and engaging approach. The combination of tactical combat, environment destruction, and multiplayer helped define what the series would represent in the future. With an engaging campaign and improved mechanics, the title cemented Battlefield's reputation as one of the premier FPS franchises.
Battlefield 3 (2011)
Battlefield 3, released in 2011, is one of the great milestones in the chronological order of Battlefield games, bringing an immersive experience in modern military conflicts. The game stood out for its advanced graphics for the time and its complete multiplayer mode, with modes such as “Rush” and “Conquest”. The battles were large and intense, with more detailed environmental destruction and the presence of vehicles.
Available for PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360, Battlefield 3 helped cement the franchise by offering a combination of cutting-edge graphics and engaging gameplay. The multiplayer mode became one of its strongest points, while the action-packed campaign attracted many players. This title was instrumental in solidifying the series as one of the biggest names in the FPS genre, taking the franchise's quality to a new level.
Battlefield 4 (2013)
Battlefield 4, released in 2013, is a major milestone in the chronological order of Battlefield games, with graphical and gameplay improvements. The game maintained its focus on modern conflicts, but added dynamic and destructible environments, which made battles even more immersive. The evolution in design and interaction with the environment provided a more realistic and strategic combat experience.
Available for PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360 and Xbox One, Battlefield 4 solidified the franchise by expanding the immersion and impact of battles. The combination of cutting-edge graphics and destructible environments set new standards for FPS games. The title helped define the future of the series, keeping the franchise relevant and innovative, and secured its place among the genre's greatest hits.
Battlefield Hardline (2015)
Battlefield Hardline, released in 2015, brought a new approach to the chronological order of the Battlefield games, moving away from traditional military battles to focus on confrontations between police and criminals. The game is set primarily in Miami, where players take on the role of Detective Nick Mendoza, who is involved in a plot to combat illegal substances and police corruption.
The narrative, which begins in 2012 and continues until 2015, introduced an experience closer to a police drama, with moments of action and investigation. Available for PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360 and Xbox One, Battlefield Hardline innovated by introducing an urban setting of battles between police and criminals, differing from traditional military conflicts.
The mechanics were adapted to police missions and operations, offering a more strategic and investigation-focused experience. While the game moved away from military battles, it maintained the essence of tactical combat and destruction, bringing new challenges to players. This change in direction broadened the franchise, offering a refreshing and unique experience for fans.
Battlefield 1 (2016)
Released in 2016, Battlefield 1 brings a new historical perspective to the chronological order of Battlefield games, setting players in the First World War. With campaigns set between 1915 and 1918, the game allows you to take on different roles on various sides of the conflict, with missions based on real events, such as the famous Gallipoli Campaign.
Each chapter offers a unique insight into the war, bringing stories of courage and sacrifice at key moments in the chronological order of the Battlefield games. Available for PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, Battlefield 1 stands out for its immersive graphics and intense combat across the vast landscapes of World War I.
The game retained the franchise's tactical combat and destruction mechanics, while introducing combat equipment and vehicles from the era, creating a distinct experience. This historical approach gave the series a new identity, appealing to both old and new fans, and further expanding the franchise's impact.
Battlefield V (2018)
Battlefield V, released in 2018, follows the chronological order of the Battlefield games by returning to World War II, but with a more realistic approach and a narrative focused on different combat scenarios. The game features a series of stories set throughout the conflict, with each chapter taking place in a different year but always featuring a new character and a new location.
Starting with a prologue that dates back to World War I, the plot moves forward to 1942 and continues until the final days of the war in 1945. Available for PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, Battlefield V maintained the formula of tactical combat and destruction, but with more focus on personal stories and the decisive moments of each battle.
New game modes, such as “Grand Operations”, brought a more immersive and epic experience to the games in the chronological order of the Battlefield games. The title managed to diversify the franchise even further, by portraying the various war fronts in a unique and detailed way, maintaining the essence of the series while delving deeper into the narrative.
Battlefield 2042 (2021)
Battlefield 2042, released in 2021, follows the chronological order of the Battlefield games by taking place in the near future, with modern battles and dynamic maps. While it doesn't have a single-player campaign, the game creates an interesting backdrop: in the year 2040, the world is on the brink of collapse, with the European Union falling apart and tensions between the US and Russia reaching extreme levels.
Additionally, a catastrophic event causes satellites to crash to Earth, setting the stage for new global conflicts. Available for PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S, Battlefield 2042 focuses entirely on multiplayer, featuring innovative modes such as “Hazard Zone” and “Portal”, which offer unique experiences for players.
Despite the lack of a campaign, the game maintains the elements that define the franchise, such as environmental destruction and massive combat. It brings an exciting multiplayer experience, taking the series in new directions, but without losing the essence that attracts fans so much, adding it as the last in the chronological order of the Battlefield games.
Conclusion
So far, this is the chronological order of the Battlefield games. As you can see in the text, the chronological order is very similar to the Battlefield release order. Have you already heard of all these titles and their expansions? Tell us in the comments which one is your favorite! Be sure to check them out too our article on the best anime games from Roblox and the video below with fun facts about the most recent title in the franchise!
