The 'compromise edition' of Battlefield 3 is still a great game. Its mix of vehicle and infantry fighting with a nice variety of satisfying weapons should entertain anyone wanting a fun online experience, though those seeking a single-player game should look elsewhere.

To put it bluntly, Battlefield 3 has one of the best online multiplayer components out there, blending some of the most interesting maps and intense combat moments with one another to create the best full-scale war simulator out there, and it's one that promotes tactical gameplay.

If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then the folks at Infinity Ward and Treyarch must be feeling pretty special right now. In retooling DICE's military multiplayer favourite as a direct competitor to reigning heavyweight champ Call of Duty, EA has constructed a package that echoes its...

These games were almost the total package to me: they had interesting single-player campaigns laced with humorous characters and dialogue, as well as a competitive multiplayer mode that was both fun and addictive and didn't leave me cursing "most" of the time.

Not everything about Battlefield 3 will align with your expectations, but as long as you're going into it expecting a superb multiplayer experience, then you'll be absolutely astonished at how much care and effort has been put into making Battlefield 3 the game that it is.

Battlefield 3 is not the next evolutionary leap for the series that Battlefield 2 was, but with enough tweaks here and there, the multiplayer experience is just as fresh and addictive as you remember it being.

Stunning visuals and sound design; addictive-as-ever multiplayer

Uninteresting campaign from start to finish; some online connectivity issues