Battlefield 6 Empire State Map Receives Mixed Reception

Aug 14

The Empire State map in Battlefield 6 has quickly become one of the most debated parts of the beta. Set in the streets and rooftops of Brooklyn, New York, this infantry-only map delivers constant, close-range firefights but has left players split on whether it truly feels like Battlefield.

A Tight, Vertical Battlefield

Empire State abandons Battlefield’s traditional wide-open terrain for dense city combat. Narrow alleyways, layered rooftops, and offset vertical positions keep firefights frequent and unpredictable. This design clearly favors aggressive playstyles and nonstop action, but it removes much of the slower flanking and long-range combat that long-time fans associate with the series.

Controversial Flag Placement

A major concern from players involves flag balance in Conquest mode. Many have noted that NATO’s spawn is extremely close to the A flag, allowing them to secure and defend it almost instantly, while Pax Armata forces must travel much farther to reach comparable objectives like B or E. As a result, some teams have stopped trying to contest A entirely.

Call of Duty Comparisons

Across online discussions, players have compared Empire State’s scale and pace to that of Call of Duty. The smaller map size and constant close-quarters gunfights have been seen by some as a shift toward a faster, more arcade-like style. Others disagree, pointing out that even the smallest Battlefield 6 maps remain far larger and more complex than typical Call of Duty layouts.

Nostalgia for Past Small Maps

Not all feedback has been negative. Some players welcome the return of compact, infantry-focused maps, drawing parallels to Battlefield 3’s Close Quarters DLC and fan favorites like Grand Bazaar. Supporters argue that these tighter environments can still capture the Battlefield feel while increasing match intensity.

Concern Over Map Variety

The debate over Empire State has grown due to the overall map lineup shown in the beta. Of the nine launch maps confirmed, six are small, one is medium, and only two are large. With one of the large maps being a Firestorm remake, some players worry the game will lack enough wide-scale combined arms maps at release.

Looking Ahead

As the beta continues, Empire State will remain under scrutiny. Its long-term place in the map rotation will depend on whether the developers address concerns about objective balance and provide enough variety in the full release to satisfy both fans of small-scale chaos and large-scale warfare.