After a four-year hiatus, the latest entry in the franchise, Battlefield 6, returns with a vengeance—having received quite the praise during its public test. Yet, some grumbled that the test maps, such as the cramped Empire State, limited tactical variety. The developers have since promised to unveil larger maps, a wider array of gadgets, and more vehicles in the future.

I finally had the chance to get my hands on two massive maps: Mirak Valley and Operation Firestorm. Beyond the classic Conquest and Breakthrough modes, I also got a taste of the 'Escalation' mode, where the goal is to capture the majority of the map to rack up points.

Mirak Valley is an elongated, oval-shaped battlefield. It feels like a city caught in the crossfire, anchored by a massive derelict construction site at its heart, surrounded by smaller residential structures. While there is plenty of cover, you are a sitting duck for tank and helicopter pilots, and since the buildings crumble like wet paper, navigating between cover and anti-vehicle defense is the name of the game.

In Conquest mode, I deployed as part of the Pax Armata faction. Each faction brings unique toys to the table, and Pax Armata starts with the Leopard 2 tank right near the HQ. It is a hulking beast that struggles with tight city walls, but its main cannon is devastating—and yes, you can simply drive through smaller structures to clear your path.

The real meat grinder was Conquest Zone B, home to the unfinished construction site. It is far too large and multi-layered for tanks or helicopters to wipe out completely, making boots-on-the-ground infantry essential. The result? A hellish stalemate: tanks lurking outside, while seasoned veterans camped inside to farm kills off unsuspecting rookies. Capturing Zone B and holding the high ground is the only way to play, as the dense cluster of houses elsewhere makes sniping a nightmare for anyone not positioned perfectly.

During my Breakthrough run, I joined the NATO attacking force. The first objective was a mix of small urban streets and rural roads. The sightlines are heavily biased toward the defenders, but a clever tactic involves using tanks to level the city buildings, effectively clearing the view.

Cover is abundant, but given the limited respawns for the attacking side, medics are essentially the lifeblood of the team. Mid-sized skirmishes are constant, and the second capture zone—the same derelict construction site—remains a nightmare for tank drivers. Instead, attack helicopters proved vital for aerial support. Inside the buildings, where visibility is poor, deployable explosives were devastatingly efficient.

Next up was Operation Firestorm, a map with a storied history dating back to Battlefield 3, reimagined for the modern era of Battlefield 6. With wide roads, clearly defined open fields, and vast flatlands, the role of ground vehicles and jets is paramount. For the snipers among us, the tall structures provide a perfect vantage point.

Operation Firestorm is the epitome of modern warfare. In Conquest, the main action revolves around Zones B and C, home to a gargantuan oil refinery. Camping on the chimney stacks offers a tactical edge for snipers or rocket-launcher-wielding engineers. However, you are wide open to helicopter or jet strikes, and shooting the oil tanks often triggers massive explosions that might just take you out along with your target.

The interior of the refinery is surprisingly open yet filled with complex corridors, requiring a good memory of the layout to survive. The heavy hitters like the CV90 and M3A3 Abrams shine here, though they are kept in check by Engineers and Recon units carrying C4. In the hands of a skilled pilot, the F-97 and F-39E jets are simply unstoppable.

In Breakthrough, the oil refinery and the central hub serve as the first point of contention. Attackers have the advantage of sheer numbers via tanks and helicopters along the main road, while the defenders benefit from the refinery's height and long-range sightlines. Beware, though: detonating the oil tanks can wipe out infantry and vehicles alike.

The factory walls in the second zone are fully destructible. Strategically, though, you might want to leave them standing—tearing them down just gives the defenders at the HQ a clear shot at you. While the third zone also favors the defenders, the increased availability of vehicles as the match progresses means a well-coordinated squad can turn the tide.

The new Escalation mode is a unique tug-of-war. Both maps feature seven zones, A through G. The team holding the majority of these zones earns points over time. Once a team hits a certain score, one zone is removed and a point is tallied. First to secure three points wins.

It is a thoughtful mode. With an odd number of zones, a majority is always possible, but holding one too long causes a capture point to vanish, resetting the parity. It keeps the frontline fluid and forces infantry to remain agile and reactive.

In Mirak Valley's Escalation mode, Zone C's massive refinery was the hotspot. From the upper levels, you can scout the entire map, which is a massive boon for squads with good communication. Shotguns and Claymores were unexpectedly effective in these tight spaces, and fixed missile turrets provided a decent deterrent against pesky helicopters.

Operation Firestorm's Escalation mode felt like classic Battlefield. Given the open terrain, tanks were everywhere. Anti-tank engineers were out in force, making life miserable for helicopter pilots. I even saw two engineers coordinate to dismantle a tank with MBT-LAW missiles and mines—a testament to the lethality of a well-prepared infantry squad.

These large-scale maps capture the true essence of what Battlefield 6 aims to be. Operation Firestorm, in particular, provided that chaotic, cinematic intensity of crumbling factories and oil explosions while infantry fought to save their comrades. It is a different beast entirely from the smaller skirmish maps.

Battlefield 6 launches on October 10 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S, with full support for Korean subtitles and voice acting.