We are three weeks away from Battlefield Hardline’s release date.
http://www.gamespot.com/articles/battlefield-hardline-goes-gold/1100-6425504/
So that makes it official, the retail copies are in production. Most of us on PC are going digital download, so that isn’t as big a milestone, and patches can be expected for any online game.
http://www.battlefield.com/hardline/news
There isn’t much true “new” information about the release. The developers have applied the results of the Beta and made some changes, and have the completed game ready to go for us. We will need to wait and see just what changes were made between the Beta and retail, but I suspect much of it will match the last day patch during the Beta.
What there are questions about are the Pre-Order and Deluxe bonus weapons unlocked from special Battlepacks included with either. For a Pre-Order from Origin (or any order of Deluxe), you get the Versatility Battlepack plus three Gold Battlepacks (at one per week). If you order Deluxe (pre or otherwise), you get seven more Gold Battlepacks (10 total), and the Precision and the Suppression Battlepacks. We had a chance to see Gold Battlepacks in the Beta, and shouldn’t expect surprises there. So what is in the other packs?
- Versatility: A versatile assault weapon — the ACW-R: http://battlefield.wikia.com/wiki/ACW-R#Battlefield_Hardline.
- Precision: An accurate assault rifle — the L85A2: http://battlefield.wikia.com/wiki/L85#Battlefield_Hardline
- Suppression: An assault rifle with lots of ammo — the CAR-556: http://battlefield.wikia.com/wiki/ACE_21_CQB#Battlefield_Hardline
You also get an XP Boost and weapon camo in each of these, but it is the additional weapon which is the bigger deal. All are for the Operator kit. So here is the key question, and a possible answer:
@AsthmaBlows Those weapons are exclusive for the Deluxe edition.
— Battlefield (@Battlefield) February 18, 2015
Now that sounds definitive. But we know from BF3 that the supposedly exclusive weapons became available to everyone after release. Also, though not purchasable in the Beta, it isn’t unreasonable to assume that there will be a way to get them without either preordering or getting Deluxe. If there will be another way to get them, we have no clue as yet as to how hard it will be. In terms of balance, people did get to try them out during closed play sessions, and I don’t believe that any of them are going to be clearly superior to the other weapons available (four carbines and four assault rifles for Operator kit).
What we know for sure is that you will get these extra guns unlocked when you start play, which will improve your choices greatly for the Operator kit. The other kits get no special offering here, but the XP Boosts should help them too. I can’t tell you how much that will be worth, compared to waiting and earning them in game (if that is possible). But I’ll make a quick summary of your choices if you’ve decided to get Hardline.
- Digital Deluxe Edition: $69.99 US. Get all three weapon Battlepacks and 10 Gold, whether preordered or purchased later.
- Regular Edition, not prepurchased: $59.99, no bonus items.
- Origin Preorder Regular Edition: $59.99, Versatility (ACW-R) and 3 Gold.
- Gamestop Preorder Regular Edition: $59.99, Versatility and Precision Battlepacks, 3 Gold.
http://www.gamestop.com/pc/games/battlefield-hardline/119833#bonusFeatures
- Wait until it goes on sale. Can’t say how long or what price, but you’ll trade saving money for not playing when everyone else starts.
So are you going to buy it? Here is a quick checklist to help with your decision.
- Do you have the money? Can you afford it, without someone yelling at you?
- Did you like the Beta? Do you want to play more?
- How many hours did you play? Do you think you’ll play this game enough hours to get your money’s worth? ( I estimate this at 60-80 hours minimum, a number easy to reach if you play the game much over the course of a year)>
- Bonus Value: Will you play and enjoy the single player game? For a Battlefield game, this is a bonus since multiplayer is the main focus, but if true it definitely increases the time you’ll spend playing the game and having fun.
http://www.pcgamer.com/gta-5-delayed-again-on-pc/
For us on PC, we are going to have to wait an additional four weeks to get this game, The release date was pushed back from March 24 to April 14, 2015. That means that rather than having one week between Hardline’s release and GTA V, there are now five weeks. On the plus side, the new multiplayer Heists should be tested and ready by then. Based on Beta playtime, it wouldn’t be hard to hit 60+ hours of Hardline gaming during that time.
That should be enough time to see if this game will hold up as a good alternative to playing BF4 or other FPS games. And post-release, we may get more information about its future and what both developers and players will make of it.
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