Battlefield 6 Shouldn’t Waste the Chance to Make Good on BF Portal’s Biggest Omission
Operation Metro Deserves a New Life in Battlefield 6
The Battlefield franchise is known for its massive, expansive maps that allow players to embrace different playstyles, from sniping across wide-open fields to engaging in intense close-quarter combat inside urban buildings. The series’ greatest maps are the ones that find the right balance between these styles, featuring open spaces for vehicles and snipers, as well as tight spots perfect for infantry firefights. And if a map includes a standout feature, like a jaw-dropping Levolution event, it’s a bonus.
In Battlefield 2042, the Portal mode brought back many fan-favorite maps, including classics like Caspian Border, Arica Harbor, and El Alamein. However, one major map was missing: Operation Metro from Battlefield 3. It’s time for Battlefield 6 to right this wrong and bring the chaotic underground arena back to life.
Operation Metro: A Classic That Defined Chaos
When Battlefield 3 launched in 2011, Operation Metro stood out as a completely different experience compared to the game's usual sprawling landscapes. While most of BF3's maps were vast, open spaces with vehicles and distant objectives, Operation Metro threw players into a far more confined setting, making for frenetic, close-quarters action.
Set within Paris' underground metro system, Operation Metro was a relatively small map featuring an underground terminal, a modest park area, and two-story buildings. It lacked the large-scale battlefields Battlefield is known for, but that was part of the appeal. The compact design led to some of the most chaotic and fast-paced firefights in the franchise, especially when played in 64-player lobbies. Players found themselves caught in frantic combat, with no vehicles or wide open spaces to hide in. Just pure, unrelenting action.
Despite its lack of large set pieces or vehicle-based combat, Operation Metro became iconic due to the sheer intensity of its gameplay. It offered something completely different from the norm, and quickly became a fan favorite. While it returned in Battlefield 4 and inspired maps in Battlefield V, it was noticeably absent in Battlefield 2042's Portal mode. And that absence left a noticeable gap in the experience.
How Battlefield 6 Could Reimagine Operation Metro
Though nostalgia for Operation Metro is strong, Battlefield 6 would need to put a fresh spin on the map to keep it relevant for modern players. Simply remaking it wouldn’t be enough to keep players engaged long-term. Here’s how the developers could bring something new to the table:
One simple yet impactful change would be introducing moving trains into the map. These trains could periodically rush through the station, forcing players who are caught on the tracks to scramble out of the way to avoid getting hit. This would add a layer of chaos to an already chaotic map, giving players new dynamics to deal with. Players standing near the platform’s edges could be shielded by the trains, creating moments of tension and unpredictability.
However, Battlefield 6 would need to tread carefully with these changes. Operation Metro earned its iconic status because of its original, fast-paced design. Altering too much could risk losing the very essence that made it beloved.
In the end, Battlefield 6 has the opportunity to revisit this classic map, tweak it to suit modern sensibilities, and give fans a fresh yet familiar experience. If done right, Operation Metro could once again become the chaotic centerpiece of Battlefield's underground combat.