Much like war, it is far better to take this journey with others, than going at it alone.

Let's face it, when it comes to war games, only one franchise rolls off the tongue (and wallets) of gamers everywhere...Call of Duty. Well the folks at EA and DICE are looking to catch some of that proverbial cash flow and direct gamers onto what they consider a more definitive and realistic war shooter and online experience that will appeal to more of a hardcore audience. They are looking to also grab those gamers, that after 7 CoD titles, are feeling like they have been there and done that with their beloved franchise. Do they succeed, or much like Battlefield Bad Company 2, give the gamers something more genuine, but still lacking in depth and execution? The answer is yes, but will word of mouth spread enough to gamers to get them to jump the "comfortable" ship they've been sailing on these many years?

One aspect to think about when playing this type of game is the single player campaign. If you are one of those gamers with little time on their hands and typically buy these titles for the single player experience and never set foot onto online soil, then you may want to look elsewhere. It is true the single player game is slightly longer than any offering thus far from the Call of Duty franchise, but honestly a lot of it seems "borrowed" and cliché and fails to deliver the same heart pounding thrills and drama created by CoD. When the online component feels more authentic and genuine, and honestly more focused upon, you can't help but feel left alone on the frontline screaming to the skies...what about me!?!

If you are in the majority that plays the single player to get the "feel" of the game's mechanics, and then takes those essentials online to deliver a can of whoop ass, then by all means this title is worth its bang for buck. Not only do you get the single player, lacking as it may be, but an online game that not only outdoes BFBC2, but in many aspects anything that the CoD games have brought before it. What's more, you will tend to find more "mature" gamers if you know what I mean when randomly joining a good online match. What do I mean? No modding, no hacking, no worrying about "prestige", very few 10 year olds calling you their bitch as they utilize a modded controller, etc. Battlefield 3 plays as fair of a war game as you could ask for. I seriously haven't enjoyed online as much here since the days of Battlefield 1942/1943. It is really that good.

Visually, Battlefield 3 game is gorgeous from a distance and even doesn't get real ugly up close. Granted you have to install a 1.5 GB texture patch on the Xbox 360 to get the full glory and do an install on the PS3 version as well, but it is very much worth it. The new Frostbite engine does a wonderful job delivering lighting, smoke, and destruction that has very little rival from any other developer. This is course referring to the online portion I mean. Why do I say this? Sure there is damage, destruction, and the lot, but it all comes scripted and predetermined in the single player experience. The online is open ended and provides the gamer with not only freedom of choice of where to go, but what to shoot, and how to take things out, with the end result of all the climatic damage not being canned and predetermined like in the offline mode. This is the first time that I can recall that a game actually felt more inferior and restricted offline than online. Again, I know that the competition to get gamers online to buy those map packs, but I can't help but feel shafted when I want a good story and have to settle for a game that provides a story that is predictable and played out.

Audio delivers the biggest bang, but this is expected from this team as the surround sound, weapon samples, destructive effects, and booming explosions all are polished and will give your stereo/headphones a workout providing the most authentic sounding game this side of the peace line. Even the game's voice acting is well delivered and the pain and anguish left by your fallen mates will give you a moment of hesitation as you must push forward to complete your mission. The game's offline score is heart wrenching as well, delivering those moments of excitement, heart breaking loss, and drama in an orchestrated form that rivals any John Williams score.

Game play also stands alone...in multiplayer that is. Yes, the single player as mentioned is linear, so the big moments of the game play out more dramatically, and that's fine, but the days of quick time events to play them out is being severely overdone - and this is coming from a big fan of Shenmue and God of War. Heck, even some of the single player moments are borrowed from DICE's own franchises, like Mirror's Edge (which asks another question, where's my sequel DICE)? In any event, if you want to feel war, play war, and live war, it must be done online if you are to get the real deal in Battlefield 3. Here you will control vehicles, play as classes that will determine success or failure dependent on your ability to hold up your end of the bargain, have access to open areas with multiple ways to produce an outcome, and what's more, let it all hang out and deliver the big kill and rank up. The phrase "all's fair in love and war" is easily summed up in Battlefield 3 as it not only delivers a deep and immersive experience, it brings forth large maps, great game play, and the reliance on your mates to keep you and your team alive. It has been a while since I've played an online game that has been so satisfying and rewarding without feeling cheated or lied to, which in the end should turn a lot of gamers' heads and eyes in the direction of what could be called the best online shooter this year.

When the smoke clears and the medals are pinned on the chest of the walking wounded, it may indeed be Battlefield 3 that will have its hand raised in victory for this year's battle of the war shooter. This is if you are judging on the overall package and online implementation. I say, maybe, as of course we have yet to get our dirty little hands on the final product of the completion, but if the past is any indication, we should already know what to expect from those guys. As solid of a game as they may deliver, and even what I feel will be a better single player game, I can't foresee them delivering a more solid, realistic and deeper online experience than what the team at DICE has laid before us.

To use the word amazing would be an understatement when describing how engaging, fun, and addicting the online game is, but it is a shame the same can't be said about the single player game, which leaves Battlefield 3 feeling like a mixed bag that focused heavily on one aspect more than the other. I guess as far as longevity goes, this is a good thing for EA and DICE as the only gamers "borrowing" or buying used will be the single player loyalists...which in the case of the delivery of that portion of the game, will be very few. Which makes me beg the question - if the focus is on the online portion, why even bother with the time, effort, and money it takes to create a single player experience if that is not where your true intentions are being directed towards? For those who are playing online, congratulations as you have been treated to one of the best the gaming world has seen in this day and age.

*Eds. Note: This review covers the console versions of Battlefield 3 only. A separate PC review will be published shortly.*