“More than 60 million soldiers fought in the war to end all wars. It ended nothing.” These words are some of the first game developer Dice gives you in their latest game, Battlefield One. These words set the tone of what kind of game you will be playing. Unlike more recent games in the Battlefield series, a lot of effort was put into its story and it delivered.

Battlefield one takes place during World War 1 and shows the horror of the conflict. The story actually isn’t one overarching narrative but but several smaller stories all told by different people in different situations and on different sides of the line. Each story is engaging and expertly told and just as heartbreaking as any war story. Of the six, my favorite so far has to be Avanti Savoia which is about an Italian veteran telling his daughter about the battle he lost his brother in. Each of them have this deeply personal touch that make you feel for them men and woman you play as.

Despite the near depressing tone of the game, it’s actually a lot of fun to play. Its met the strange middle ground that makes the player think about the horrors of war, but still provides a very enjoyable game play experience. The most fun to be had is probably in multiplayer.

The scale of the multiplayer battles are incredible. With a max of 64 combatants, things get hectic. There are constant explosions, gunfire everywhere and planes falling from the sky all happening at once. It makes you feel like you’re really apart of the action.

Another thing this game has going for it is graphics. The game itself is beautiful.It looks almost photorealistic. The environments are gorgeous, the fire and smoke are so lifelike, and it comes together superbly.

As a game set in a time period like this one, it has to feel like it takes place when it does. With the variety of weapons, both firearms and melee, the vehicles, and overall atmosphere, it does feel like it fits the time period. It’s actually a refresher from the many modern and future set first person shooters.

I think Dice knocked it out of the park with this one. It’s fun, fresh and a good time. I think it was $60 well spent.