Battlefield 6 has introduced a new PvE-centric mode called Casual Breakthrough, where about two-thirds of the players in each match are bots. While this change aims to provide an alternative to the traditional player-versus-player (PvP) experience, it’s received mixed reactions from the community. Some fans are worried that the game is straying too far from what has historically defined the series.
According to the official description, Casual Breakthrough offers “a more relaxed way” for players to earn XP and progress. However, some gamers are already concerned that the shooter is easier than they’d like. The Tactical Brit, a popular FPS streamer, voiced his frustrations on X/Twitter, pointing out, “The game is already casual; it has no matchmaking parameters.” He believes this new mode sacrifices the memorable moments and replayability that the franchise is known for, saying, “The more on-rails Battlefield gameplay becomes, the less we have a real sandbox environment.”
Concerns About Bots and Feedback
Interestingly, the fear of bots isn’t unfounded. During the open beta, the developers clarified that “AI soldiers” would only populate training grounds playlists — not regular matches. However, players are still apprehensive about the heavy inclusion of bots in their gameplay experience.
In fact, some within the community feel increasingly alienated by the direction EA and the Battlefield 6 team have taken since the game’s launch. A Reddit user remarked on the feedback surrounding the game’s challenges, saying, “They see the feedback saying we’re losing the real Battlefield… and what do they do? Another casual mode with mixed progression for smaller player bases.” This sentiment highlights a growing unease among players. A top reply to the same thread expressed confusion about the game’s trajectory: “I have no idea where we are going with this game.”
The Shift in Gameplay
Since the open beta, various players have voiced their dissatisfaction with Battlefield 6, feeling that it leans more towards a Call of Duty-style experience rather than the explosive military gameplay they’re accustomed to. Issues such as smaller maps and questionable character skins have left some players feeling that the series might be risking its own identity.
Nevertheless, those who give Casual Breakthrough a shot seem to appreciate it. One user on Twitter shared, “As a battledad with limited time, this is great for me, and I’m sure others as well. Especially the 80% that never even go online to look up games.” Another Redditor chimed in, stating that it offers “a fun game mode for a few warmup matches” and makes tackling grindy challenges feel more manageable.
It’s evident that the Battlefield developers are navigating a challenging landscape. You can’t please everyone, and as we all know, players have varied tastes in gameplay modes. Ultimately, players will choose how they want to engage—whether it’s through intense PvP battles or the more laid-back Casual Breakthrough.
With Season 1 and the rollout of Battle Royale RedSec, some fans feel that the game is evolving into a “soulless” imitation of Call of Duty, with comments like, “I feel disgusted and downright sad!” reflecting this sentiment.