Battlefield One Buy: Why This WWI Epic Still Deserves a Spot in Your Game Library
Step into the mud, smoke, and thunder of the Great War — where cavalry charges meet biplanes, and poetry hides in the trenches. If you’ve ever typed “battlefield one buy” into a search bar, you’re not alone. But beyond the impulse to own a classic, there’s a deeper reason this title continues to resonate with gamers half a decade after its release.
Released in 2016 by EA DICE, Battlefield 1 wasn’t just another shooter. It was a bold pivot — away from modern warfare and futuristic battlefields — into the haunting, chaotic theater of World War I. While sequels and spin-offs have come and gone, many players still find themselves returning to this title, or seeking it out for the first time. So why, in 2025, should you consider making a battlefield one buy?
A War Unlike Any Other — In Gaming
Most first-person shooters rely on sleek gadgets, laser sights, and drone strikes. Battlefield 1 strips that away. Instead, you’re handed bolt-action rifles, flare guns, and horses. The setting alone — a global conflict that reshaped civilization — gives the game an emotional gravity rarely matched in the genre.
The campaign, “War Stories,” doesn’t follow a single super-soldier. Instead, it weaves together vignettes from soldiers across the globe: an African-American tank crew in France, an Italian Arditi stormtrooper in the Alps, a British messenger pigeon handler in the skies over Gallipoli. These aren’t just missions — they’re memorials. And that emotional depth? It’s part of why a battlefield one buy isn’t just about gameplay — it’s about experience.
Multiplayer That Still Feels Alive
Even today, the multiplayer servers hum with activity. Thanks to a passionate community and consistent optimization patches, Battlefield 1 remains surprisingly vibrant. The 64-player battles on maps like Sinai Desert or Empire’s Edge still deliver that signature Battlefield chaos: tanks rolling over trenches, dogfights spiraling overhead, and squads coordinating artillery strikes.
What sets it apart is the asymmetry of warfare. You’re not just fighting other players — you’re battling the environment, the era’s technology, and even the weather. Sandstorms reduce visibility to zero. Rain turns No Man’s Land into a quagmire. And unlike later entries in the franchise, vehicles feel earned, not handed out. Piloting a two-seater biplane requires real skill — and dying to a cavalry charge still feels surreal, in the best way.
Case Study: The “They Shall Not Pass” Expansion
One of the best examples of Battlefield 1’s enduring appeal is its DLC. Take They Shall Not Pass, which introduced the French Army and the brutal map Verdun Heights. Players were thrust into the meat grinder of the Western Front — artillery barrages shaking the screen, gas creeping across trenches, and flamethrower troopers clearing bunkers in claustrophobic horror.
Critics at the time praised the expansion for its historical reverence and gameplay innovation. Five years later? It’s still a fan favorite. Reddit threads and Discord servers regularly host “Verdun Nights,” where players recreate historical battles using in-game tools. That’s the magic of Battlefield 1: it doesn’t just simulate war — it invites you to live it, respectfully and immersively.
Why Buy Battlefield 1 in 2025?
Let’s be honest — newer shooters boast better graphics, faster matchmaking, and more social features. So why drop $20 (or less, during frequent Steam or EA sales) on a game from 2016?
1. It’s a Time Capsule of Design Excellence
Battlefield 1 represents a high watermark for DICE. Before microtransactions dominated headlines and battle passes dictated progression, this was a game built on momentum and atmosphere. The sound design alone — the whistle of incoming shells, the clatter of a Chauchat rifle — is award-worthy. The destruction physics? Still unmatched in many ways. Buildings don’t just explode — they crumble, floor by floor, beam by beam.
2. Cross-Platform Accessibility
Whether you’re on PC, PlayStation, or Xbox, Battlefield 1 runs beautifully. And with backward compatibility on newer consoles, performance is often better than at launch. Frame rates are stable, load times are reasonable, and controller support is seamless. For players seeking a no-fuss, plug-and-play war sim, this is as reliable as it gets.
3. A Living, Breathing Community
Don’t believe the “dead game” rumors. Active subreddits, modding communities (on PC), and custom server tools keep the experience fresh. Want to play a 32v32 infantry-only match on Argonne Forest? There’s a server for that. Prefer aerial dogfights with period-accurate planes? Join a “Dogfight Club” server. The community hasn’t just survived — it’s curated the ideal Battlefield 1 experience.
Who Should Make the Battlefield One Buy?
- History Buffs: Few games treat WWI with this level of reverence and detail — from uniforms to weaponry to battlefield geography.
- Tactical Shooters Fans: If you love teamwork, positioning, and high-stakes objective play, Battlefield 1’s Conquest and Operations modes remain unmatched.
- Atmosphere