And Battlefield makes its return. The iconic military shooter franchise, renowned for its large-scale online multiplayer battles featuring countless troops, tanks, and aircraft, is here with its sixth major installment. It’s exciting, monumental, and potent.

While I appreciated the single-player campaign mode, I found the overall experience lacking. The narrative follows familiar territory: extraordinary soldiers on a quest to safeguard global freedoms against a nefarious private military group, a terrorist faction, or an undercover CIA agent. This storyline could easily fit into any military shooter or modern war film featuring a Hemsworth. Unfortunately, it’s a standard 7-hour artillery campaign that demands constant player engagement.

The issue lies in the fact that players don’t typically buy Battlefield for its campaign. In reality, many titles in the series lack a comprehensive single-player mode. This provided the developers with a chance to innovate and take risks. While mainstream cinema has been criticized for transforming patriotic depictions of the military-industrial complex into entertaining action dramas, it has also given us classics like Paths of Glory, M*A*S*H, and The Deer Hunter. Battlefield 6 occasionally hints at the challenging realities of modern hybrid warfare, but it’s hard to care about the characters, who lack depth and are forever spouting military jargon.

There have been memorable games that scrutinize the narrative of a heroic soldier acting in the name of a mostly benevolent military. Titles such as Metal Gear Solid firmly address the tragedies of nuclear conflict, while Ubisoft’s Valiant Hearts offers a poignant reflection on love amidst war. Yet, a key example remains Yager Development’s intriguing 2012 title, Spec Ops: The Line. In this tale, you embody a commander of a covert Delta force dispatched to a devastated Dubai in search of a rogue U.S. military unit. As the plot unfolds, the characters spiral into fatigue and trauma, encountering increasingly surreal hallucinations. The intention was to illustrate warfare’s detrimental psychological impacts while still providing an engaging experience. This mission was indeed accomplished.

In the ever-consolidating gaming sector, where major corporations invest fortunes to capture millions of players, narrative innovation appears increasingly unlikely. The same trend applies to any form of political commentary. However, today’s players have a plethora of shooter options. The success of unconventional films like Atomfall and Megabonk illustrates that it’s beneficial to venture off the beaten path.

Could Battlefield 6’s campaign have transformed into a tense, claustrophobic thriller reminiscent of Alex Garland’s Warfare, or drawn players into survival narratives akin to Until Dawn? Might it have been a sandbox-style adventure filled with diverse tasks, items, and enemies to uncover?

In recent years, we have seen numerous multi-million dollar projects axed and employees laid off. The “greenlight-only” approach, competing fiercely with the perpetual nature of Fortnite, Call of Duty, and Marvel Rivals, creates a zero-sum environment: win or perish. While some may deem this optimism misguided, it feels unsustainable (even considering the fact that these mega titles are faltering). Additionally, the human cost of widespread layoffs raises ethical concerns. Clichés cannot sustain games any longer. Our modern world, rife with shifting allegiances, unpredictable climates, and uprooted societies, presents a strikingly relevant backdrop for a new war story that carries significance. If only someone dared to share it.

What to Play

Originally launched on PC in 2023, VideoVerse serves as a touching homage to the age of instant messaging. It tells a clever and delightful tale of love and friendship between users on a fading social media platform. You step into the shoes of Emmett, a young gaming enthusiast who spends his days chatting with friends online. This changes when a new user stirs deeper feelings within him.

Scheduled for release on PS5, Switch, and Xbox on November 14th, it incorporates all the enhancements made since the initial launch. For those revisiting the game and yearning for the nostalgia of MSN Messenger, this title is essential.

Available: PC, PS5, Switch, Xbox
Estimated Play Time: 10 hours or more

What to Read

• It appears that Microsoft and Sony are on track to release a new generation console in 2027. VGC has compiled the latest rumors. Check out this captivating article for discussions from NeoGaf threads and gossip from tech news outlets.

• An industry initiative titled Palestinian Voices in Games invites volunteers, including artists, coders, and designers, to contribute their expertise to upcoming projects while supporting developers from the region. This feature delves into this endeavor, sharing insights from several developers.

• The exhausted remnants of the harassing Gamergate group seem to have resurfaced, with renewed interest surrounding the acclaimed historical adventure Ghost of Mt. Yotei, particularly due to its female protagonist and subtly progressive themes. For further details, read this comprehensive article.

What to Click

Question Block

This week’s questions come from Peter:

“My 4-year-old daughter has started showing interest in video games. I want to purchase her an affordable handheld console instead of an iPad. What do you suggest?”

There are many options available. Leap Frog, known for children’s electronic toys, offers a range of devices. The Leapster is a handheld console typically available used with 2-3 game cartridges for around £20-30. It’s robust and safe for play. However, I would focus on the Nintendo DS or the newer, sturdier 2DS, both available for about £10-£50 depending on condition from eBay.

These systems boast a vast library of children’s games (original DS titles are compatible with both formats, and new 3DS games can be played on the 2DS, albeit not in 3D), and games can be found in charity shops or local CeX locations for as low as 50p. The original DS has a hinge connecting its screens that can be a weak point, depending on how carefully my daughter uses it. Both models include a stylus, which poses a choking hazard, so supervision is essential during its use. My sons have lost countless styluses! Fortunately, many games don’t require them. Any titles featuring Mario, Wario, Kirby, as well as Animal Crossing, Pokemon, or Lego are perfect choices.

If you have questions for the question block or any feedback regarding the newsletter, feel free to reply or email us at pushbuttons@theguardian.com.