Gamespot: Battlefield 3: Back to Karkand Gameplay Video and Impressions

Even though most Battlefield 3 players are still learning the ins and outs of the game's multiplayer maps, EA is already prepping a four-map downloadable update scheduled for release next month. The map pack is called Back to Karkand, and features a number of classic Battlefield maps as well as a new mode called Conquest Assault. This mode is sort of a combination of Conquest and Rush, putting a team of defenders against a team of attackers as they all fight over three different flag capture points. The twist is that the attackers start with fewer respawns, while the defenders have no spawn base--they can only squad spawn or spawn on successfully defended flags. So what's the deal with those "new" maps? Well, here's a breakdown of the two we got a chance to play:

[-Alpha]

3 Flags for consoles? Come on

I hope that's just for CQ Assault. I want at least 4 in a non linear placement

Other then that, it looks really great

[Hufandpuf]

Karkand looks amazing! They totally redesigned it to give it that modern touch. And they kept the pit in the plaza!!!

Maps look to small on console though, I'd like to see it on PC. There should be more flags especially if it's Conquest Assault.

And Gulf of Oman looks better than every BF3 vanilla map so far. I want to see it on the PC though to see if they kept the aircraft carrier!

[MysticStrummer]

"Maps look to small on console though" They need to be small on consoles because of the low player count. I love the gameplay, but the big maps feel empty. I honestly wish they had cut down the map sizes and cut out the jets and helicopters completely. I know I'm in the minority on that but damn the maps feel empty.

[tmoss726]

Play in a 64 player game then say that. Of course if you have a console, then you're out of luck.

[GrumpyVeteran]

Gulf of Oman is sexy.

[Spitfire_Riggz]

Lol I love how in the video for Gulf of Oman the guy trying to snipe a dude up in a crane is aiming directly at him.

What a noob! BULLET DROP! I think that proves the gamespot staff dont really play games

[ECM0NEY]

Everyone playing on those videos are complete scrubs

[grifter024]

And that goes to show you WHO reviews games these days.

I dont understand how people can care for review scores when none of them even know how to play the game. 30 minutes of the game, give the game a total score and on to the next.

[trancefreak]

I played the single campaign a couple times and got online for a few.

Man I feel so lost in this one. Sometimes I wish you could just explore the maps with or without bots to get familiar online.

That's a cool feature I liked in counterstrike source. I just have to keep getting more familiarized with the maps and figure out how to attack the game at hand and stop getting owned.

[Spitfire_Riggz]

Conquest Assault sounds like fun. And its a mode that seems like it would fit in well with battlefield.

Edit: Sorry I got confused, the article says a new mode. New to B3 I guess

[SJPFTW]

always been part of battlefield

[SJPFTW]

fap fap fap. I wont even go back to the vanilla BF3 maps. Tehran Highway... nuff said.

also notice these are PS3 gameplay. looks beautiful

[Kratos_1986]

that just brough back good memorys from battlefield 2 :)

*** KARKAND *** FTW!!

[Shackdaddy836]

Little bit disappointed they went with the 16 player variants(3 flags) for the console version instead of at least the 32(6 flags). But I guess it's for balance... Hopefully PC gets the full 64 player maps...

[Ducky]

Check the gameplay trailer for B2K, it shows 7 cap points.

That's right. Seven.

It still isn't in the same league as BF2, but still, it's an improvement over the current CQ maps. Firestrom, Kharg and Caspian seem to be the only decent ones so far.

[Shackdaddy836]

Well that's just one less than the 64p so that isn't too bad. They must have thought one of the flags across the river was un-needed or something...

[pody]

Gulf of Oman is indeed as small as I feared. It looks like the aicraft carrier is not even there. Everything is crammed together for the consoles versions. I fucking hate this!

I'm starting to regret that I upgraded my pc for this game.

[caboose32]

Don't jump to any conclusions just yet.

It could just be downsized for console, and regular for pc. Wait until you see it on PC before making a judgement, because how are 7 flags going to fit on that small map?

[pody]

The maps are the same size in the retails version, why would it be different now?

[Hufandpuf]

Did you not see the trailer, it had jets boats and all, for PC. It's us console players that wont be getting that.

[AznGaara]

Having both Xbox360 and PC version I can say that on the consoles they cut off parts of the map, lessen and rearrange the flags. Your overreacting.

[pody]

Ok thanks

[SignifiedSix]

LMAO! Whoever's playing, must be one of those noob COD players. Dude wasn't even adjusting his aim when he was sniping. He was just aiming at the guy. LOL! Noob COD elitist xD

I cant wait to play on these maps. I WANT GULF OF OMAN! :D That was the best map on BF2 :P

[xX-Jak-Xx]

Fail
its only a map pack
there is no new weapons no new vehicles
i thought its gonna be huge like Vietnam

no cod players here its official EA event
they know whats wrong with the game = FIX IT !!!

[Liquid_Ocelot]

I stopped watching as soon as i saw him TRYING to snipe.
Shooting from the hip, trying to knife when the enemy's pointing at him ¬_¬
Sigh, you know a fucking CoD player when you see one.. wouldn't be surprised if he thinks BF3 is garbage and prefers MW3 over it.

Meh, who cares about what I have to say.. it's not like I'm a videogame 'journalist' x)