One of the biggest pieces of feedback from the open beta was the lack of large-scale maps. Until recently, BF Studios had stayed quiet on that front, but in a recent multiplayer preview, we got hands-on with Mirak Valley and Operation Firestorm, two expansive maps set to launch with the highly anticipated Battlefield 6.
From the moment you load into Mirak Valley, it’s clear this map channels the classic Battlefield scale. Each side begins with a wide selection of vehicles at their disposal, tanks, armoured transports, helicopters, and fighter jets all enter the fray. Unlike the more infantry-focused maps from the beta, Mirak Valley demands team composition. Engineers and anti-vehicle roles are crucial here, supporting the combined arms gameplay that defines the best of Battlefield.
Mirak Valley provides some breathing room to navigate, something we didn’t really see during the Open Beta or early previews. It’s vast with open terrain but still provides plenty of cover. There’s a good mix of trenches, buildings, verticality, and rotation paths, giving infantry squads a fighting chance even against heavy armour. The centre of the map features partially constructed buildings and a towering crane, creating a contested mid-zone ideal for close-quarters infantry combat. For the OGs, this really feels like the traditional Battlefield experience.
Overall, my experience with Mirak Valley was overwhelmingly positive. It strikes a solid balance between infantry and vehicle combat, with smart map design that encourages dynamic engagements and strategic flanking.
Apart from the usual Conquest and Breakthrough modes that many fans are familiar with, we had a taste of the new Escalation mode. It was an interesting take on conquest where the map starts off with heaps of points while progressively closing. As the match progresses, the control points start to dwindle and the combat closes in. Upfront, the mode feels like an evolved version of conquest which is different. The first team to reach three points while holding majority of the capture points wins. The mode was a tad confusing at first but offers a tighter Conquest experience. We only had a taste of this mode with a few rounds so I’m curious to see how the community plays it out. So far, it’s a welcome addition but only time will tell once the players get a feel for it.
It’s clear that the team at BF Studios is taking feedback from the open beta seriously. Not only did this new build feature two of the largest maps to date, but it also introduced gadgets and systems that were missing in the beta, hinting at a much more complete and refined experience at launch. One of the major things I’ve noticed was the reduced movement speed which the developers have mentioned a few times since the Open Beta, moving to a more grounded based combat, the sliding, spamming of crouch and basically launching yourself. The movement is still fluid and fast but not over the top – almost 1:1 with Battlefield 4’s speed but with the added sliding and dynamic manoeuvres. I also managed to play around with the ladder, something that was missing from the open beta. The ladder was by far my favourite gadget to have handy as you can easily flank different positions and even 2nd story windows to surprise unsuspecting campers and enemies. While it can get a little silly with where you can reach with the ladder – it also provides a new dynamic to the regular Battlefield combat loop.
Sledgehammer takedown in #battlefield6 – latest preview build on Mirak Valley
After spending significant time with the game both before and after the open beta, it’s great to see how much progress has been made based on community feedback. The addition of the two large maps perfectly captures those classic Battlefield moments, and I’m excited to see which other fan-favorite maps make a return. So far, Battlefield 6 is shaping up to be the shooter of the year and a major comeback for the franchise.
Battlefield 6 releases on October 10th 2025 for PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC. The cheapest copy is on Amazon for $89 with free shipping.