Brought to you by Battlefield 1
All-out war.
Battlefield 1 has hit our native shores and with the game plunging us back in time to the First World War, it’s about time you got to grips with each of Battlefield 1’s new online maps. So settle in as we take you through some of the places that inspired them.
Battlefield 1’s maps will bring you around the world, from deserts to forests to destructible cities. Here’s a taste.
Argonne Forest
The Argonne forest will play host to some of the most brutal close-range, infantry-focused combat in the game. This map is going to have some pretty claustrophobic moments.
The Argonne forest, just west of Verdun in France, saw one of the biggest battles of the entire 20th Century. America deployed 1.2 million soldiers, making it still the largest offensive in the history of United States military .
Fao Fortress
Join one of the first amphibious landings in history, as Britain tries desperately to secure Persian Gulf oil facilities. Fight across marshes and dunes as you push up the beach to take the fortress.
In real life, the Allied soldiers dug trenches around the fort until the Royal Navy ships arrived to knock down the fortified walls with artillery. Once inside, it only took the Allies forty-five minutes to capture the fort along with three hundred Ottoman prisoners.
Sinai Desert
Take to the desert and play as either the Allies or the Ottoman empire as you fight to control valuable outposts in the scorching hot locale. Players who got their hands on the beta will already be familiar with the struggle.
This one’s got plenty of vehicle gameplay, especially tanks… Did we mention we’re running a competition to let you drive your own tank? Honestly.
Monte Grappa
The Italians saw their fair share of combat too, fighting against the Austrians in the Venetian Alps. Expect a desperate fight for control of mountain forts, and some serious aerial battles.
Amiens
An urban map, Amiens will see city clashes as the Germans launch an offensive into France. Lots of close quarters shooting through crumbling alleyways, a courthouse and strategic bridges.
This is actually a fictional battle, whereas in 1918 the Germans actually did most of their fighting about 6km eastward in the countryside on the outskirts of the city. The failed offensive eventually spelled doom for the entire German empire.
Empire’s Edge
Play as a Mediterranean village gets smashed to bits by artillery from huge landships. Expect some serious sea combat here.
Set on the Adriatic coast north of Trieste, this battle saw the Italians try and expand their borders in the north-west. In this map, a rugged but fortified shore comes under siege from the Austro-Hungarian navy.
The St. Quentin Scar
The German’s are trying to push back the Allied line to the English channel in this battle. The maps large vast expanses make for perfect aerial battles with it’s bi-plane gameplay, as well as long meandering trenches for advancing on foot.
Prepare to see some of the classic fighting grounds of World War One as northern France gets torn up in the crossfire.
Suez
The Suez canal was one of the most vital supply lines of the First World War. Originally considered impossible, the Ottoman’s pushed across the Sinai desert and headed straight for the canal.
You’ll have to use mortars and field guns to repel their attack. It’ll be hectic.
Ballroom Blitz
Towards the end of the war, join the final Allied offensive of the war. Set in what used to be a plush German officer’s chateau outpost on the rear lines, it’s turned into a battle-scene filled with flamethrowers and artillery, where American forces push towards the railway hub on the edge of the map.
BONUS: Giant’s Shadow
EA have released details of a free new map coming one month after the game launches. DICE have been quiet on the details so far, but it’s to be called “Giant’s Shadow” and is going to have a big bloody airship crashing onto the battlefield.
World War One had such a vast array of different battlefield terrains, and with such different wars of attrition, we’re sure you’re looking forward to experiencing the lot.
Battlefield 1 is available in Ireland now.
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