As the latest iteration of the Battlefield series by EA, Hardline moves away from the explosive warmongering of the armies in games three and four and instead brings it down to a more realistic level. This may sound like a sharp downgrade from the other games, but after playing the previously released PS4 beta a month prior, I'd actually say that I prefer what Hardline offered over the last two titles.

The gameplay trailers and teaser trailers alone have kept us excited for the release, over the past year, in the start of March. Featuring a mixture of the tightly secreted single player campaign, which looks to be amazing, and the multiplayer which is what keeps us hooked, all the trailers have done is made us want it more.

Armed with Visceral studios at their side, EA have created an experience that resembles Payday 2 in its intensity, has the destructive tendencies of Battlefield that we know and love with the car chases from Drive Club. It's a wonderful mix and frankly, after the mess that was the Battlefield 4 beta in 2013, it was an absolute joy to play.

With new modes that add a fresh layer to the already sparkling aesthetics, Hardline shapes itself to be the best shooter of 2015. Aside from the addition of Robbery and Hotwire modes which see players stealing millions along with stealing cars for objective points, Visceral have added their own, more personal, touch to the games mechanics and weapons.

After emptying a full magazine or firing a full clip into whatever you choose, you'll have a one in ten thousand chance of a unique reload animation. I don't just mean you'll do something like the reload for the Unica 4 on Battlefield 4, where your hands are slightly bombastic in their animation frames, no.
For example, if you reload an AK-47 on a empty magazine, you'll drop the clip and put the next one in; using telekinesis. Because Dead Space is owned by EA, they have the rights to the telekinesis mode from Dead Space, which is incredibly fun.

Other animations include the disappearing Bald Eagle pistol which vanishes right before your eyes, a third arm which appears to give you a “helping hand” when you reach for another magazine and a revolver reload which will send you spinning. Among these new animations, modes and naps, there's also the added bonus of forty eight player games.

Twenty four team player Rush is something that I've been wanting since I played Battlefield 3 on the 360. It was brilliantly mental to play on the beta, with bullets flying everywhere, explosives been shot around like water balloons in summer and more hails of “I need a medic!” and “anyone get any ammo?!” than you can count.

In short, this game is going to be good, and it's going to be good because it's actually been designed quite well. All EA have to do now is listen to the community and this could be the largest shooter on the next generation of consoles to date.