What’s new in Battlefield 3’s Aftermath DLC
Last week we brought you the premiere trailer for Battlefield 3 map pack Aftermath, the game’s next multiplayer expansion from developer DICE. This week, we can tell you a little bit more about what it includes.
Whole lotta shakin’ goin’ on
Remember that scene from campaign mission Operation Swordbreaker, where an earthquake brings a multi-storey building down on top of your troop of US Marines? Well, Aftermath’s four new maps are set in this wrecked Iran/Iraq region. The city lies in ruin, your characters are bloody and bruised, and your composure will be unsettled by periodic aftershocks during skirmishes.
I get around
Players will be able to navigate their earthquake-stricken surroundings using three new modes of transportation: the Barsuk, the Rhino and the Phoenix. Although we don’t have specifics about these vehicles yet, we do know they will sport a variety of environment-appropriate modifications.
Let’s blow stuff up
Each environment will contain destructible objects that can be used to change the shape of the battle. For example, players can blow up red propane tanks to clear debris, opening up new routes to objectives, or take out clusters of foes with a mighty explosion.
Anything CoD can do…
As we mentioned previously, Aftermath will introduce a crossbow similar to the one in Call of Duty: Black Ops. However, unlike Treyarch’s, DICE’s will accommodate four different arrow types:
- A standard bolt, for traditional use
- A scan bolt, which emits a pulse that informs you of your enemies’ proximity
- An explosive bolt, tipped with C4
- A balanced bolt – a projectile able to travel longer distances than its standard equivalent
I’m a survivor
Finally, Aftermath will add a new game mode called Scavenger. The premise is this: Battlefield 3’s class system is redundant. When the match begins everyone’s equal, armed with only a knife, and finding a firearm is top priority for all. Once you acquire one the killing can begin, but each weapon’s clip will have limited, non-renewable ammunition. The search for new guns can never cease, therefore, because if you run out of bullets you’re a sitting duck. It’s going to be the most tense experience in Battlefield history.
Aftermath is available on (*takes deep breath*) November 27th for PlayStation 3 Premium members, December 4th for Xbox 360 and PC Premium members, December 11th for non-premium PlayStation 3 owners, and December 18th for non-premium Xbox 360 and PC owners. Are you looking forward to Battlefield 3’s penultimate piece of DLC? Let us know in the comments field below.
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