What Battlefield Alternative Do We Play? Finding the Perfect FPS Replacement at revWhiteShadow

Since the unfortunate situation with Battlefield 1 arose, many of us at revWhiteShadow have been on a similar quest: to discover a compelling FPS alternative that captures the intensity and strategic depth of Battlefield while offering seamless Linux support. It’s a tall order, but we’ve explored numerous titles, meticulously evaluating them based on gameplay mechanics, community engagement, graphical fidelity, and, crucially, native or near-native Linux compatibility. This article details our findings, providing a comprehensive overview of the Battlefield-esque games we’ve been playing and why they might be the perfect fit for you too.

Our Criteria for a Battlefield Alternative

Before diving into specific games, it’s crucial to establish the criteria we used to assess potential Battlefield replacements. We focused on these key aspects:

  • Large-Scale Combat: A core element of the Battlefield experience is the feeling of being part of a large, coordinated team battling across expansive maps. Games offering similar large-scale conflicts are prioritized.
  • Vehicle Warfare: Battlefield’s iconic tanks, planes, and helicopters add a unique dimension to the gameplay. Alternatives featuring diverse vehicle options are highly valued.
  • Class-Based Gameplay: The strategic depth of Battlefield stems from its class system, where each class contributes unique skills and abilities to the team. Games with well-defined classes and roles are essential.
  • Destructible Environments: The ability to reshape the battlefield by destroying buildings and cover adds a dynamic and immersive element. Games with robust destruction mechanics are preferred.
  • Linux Support: Given our commitment to Linux gaming, native or well-supported Linux compatibility is a non-negotiable requirement.
  • Active Community: A vibrant and active community ensures continued development, support, and engaging multiplayer experiences.

Our Top Battlefield Alternative Picks

Based on these criteria, we’ve compiled a list of games that offer the closest Battlefield experience, with a particular emphasis on Linux compatibility:

1. Enlisted: A Squad-Based MMO Shooter

Enlisted is a free-to-play, squad-based MMO shooter set during World War II. Developed by Darkflow Software and published by Gaijin Entertainment (of War Thunder fame), Enlisted puts players in control of squads of soldiers, each with unique roles and weapons, fighting across historically accurate battlefields.

  • Battlefield-Like Elements:
    • Large-Scale Battles: Enlisted features large-scale battles with up to 100 players, offering a sense of chaotic and immersive combat.
    • Squad-Based Gameplay: Players control entire squads, managing their actions and coordinating with teammates to achieve objectives.
    • Diverse Weaponry: Enlisted boasts a vast arsenal of weapons from World War II, including rifles, machine guns, grenades, and more.
    • Vehicle Warfare: Each campaign incorporates vehicles, such as tanks and aircraft, adding another layer of strategic depth.
  • Linux Support: While not natively supported, Enlisted runs remarkably well on Linux through Proton, with minimal performance loss. We have found that running the game through Steam Proton Experimental gives the best results.
  • Community: Enlisted has a dedicated and active community, ensuring regular updates, events, and feedback that shapes the game’s development.
  • Why We Recommend It: Enlisted offers a unique blend of squad-based tactics and large-scale combat, capturing the essence of Battlefield in a World War II setting. Its excellent Proton compatibility makes it a great option for Linux gamers.

2. War Thunder: A Comprehensive Vehicle Combat Simulator

While primarily focused on vehicle combat, War Thunder offers a vast and detailed simulation experience that can appeal to Battlefield fans, especially those who enjoy the vehicle aspects of the game. Developed and published by Gaijin Entertainment, War Thunder features hundreds of historically accurate vehicles from various nations and eras.

  • Battlefield-Like Elements:
    • Large-Scale Battles (Ground Realistic Battles): War Thunder’s Ground Realistic Battles mode offers large-scale combined arms battles with tanks, aircraft, and anti-aircraft vehicles.
    • Vehicle Variety: War Thunder boasts an unparalleled selection of vehicles, from early biplanes to modern tanks and jets.
    • Realistic Ballistics and Damage Models: The game features realistic ballistics and damage models, adding a layer of strategic depth and requiring players to consider factors like penetration angles and armor thickness.
    • Team-Based Gameplay: Players must coordinate with their teammates to achieve objectives, such as capturing points or destroying enemy vehicles.
  • Linux Support: War Thunder has native Linux support, ensuring optimal performance and compatibility.
  • Community: War Thunder has a massive and active community, with regular updates, tournaments, and events.
  • Why We Recommend It: While not a direct Battlefield replacement, War Thunder offers a highly detailed and engaging vehicle combat experience that can scratch the itch for tank battles and aerial dogfights. Its native Linux support makes it a seamless addition to any Linux gamer’s library.

3. Red Orchestra 2/Rising Storm 2: Vietnam: Tactical and Immersive World War FPS

Developed by Tripwire Interactive, Red Orchestra 2 and Rising Storm 2: Vietnam are tactical and immersive World War II and Vietnam War shooters that prioritize realism and teamwork. While not as large-scale as Battlefield, these games offer intense and strategic combat experiences.

  • Battlefield-Like Elements:
    • Team-Based Gameplay: Red Orchestra 2 and Rising Storm 2 emphasize teamwork and communication, requiring players to coordinate their actions to succeed.
    • Realistic Weaponry: The games feature realistic weapon handling and ballistics, adding a layer of challenge and immersion.
    • Objective-Based Gameplay: Players must complete objectives, such as capturing points or destroying enemy positions, to win the match.
    • Asymmetric Warfare (Rising Storm 2): Rising Storm 2 introduces asymmetric warfare, where the US forces have access to advanced weaponry and air support, while the Vietnamese forces rely on guerilla tactics and traps.
  • Linux Support: Both Red Orchestra 2 and Rising Storm 2 have native Linux support, ensuring optimal performance and compatibility.
  • Community: These games have dedicated communities of players who appreciate the realism and tactical depth they offer.
  • Why We Recommend It: Red Orchestra 2 and Rising Storm 2 offer a more tactical and immersive World War FPS experience compared to Battlefield, but the emphasis on teamwork, realistic weaponry, and objective-based gameplay makes them worthwhile alternatives. Their native Linux support is a significant advantage.

4. Hell Let Loose: Brutal and Realistic World War II Combat

Hell Let Loose is a hardcore World War II first-person shooter developed by Black Matter Pty Ltd and published by Team17. Featuring 100-player battles on large, meticulously recreated maps, Hell Let Loose emphasizes communication, teamwork, and strategic decision-making.

  • Battlefield-Like Elements:
    • Large-Scale Battles: Hell Let Loose features massive 100-player battles, creating a sense of chaotic and immersive warfare.
    • Role-Based Gameplay: Players choose from a variety of roles, each with unique responsibilities and abilities, requiring coordination and cooperation to succeed.
    • Realistic Weaponry and Ballistics: The game features realistic weapon handling and ballistics, adding a layer of challenge and immersion.
    • Strategic Depth: Hell Let Loose incorporates strategic elements, such as resource management and supply lines, that require players to think beyond individual combat.
  • Linux Support: While not natively supported, Hell Let Loose runs well on Linux through Proton, with some tweaking. Performance can vary depending on the system configuration.
  • Community: Hell Let Loose has a passionate and dedicated community that values realism and teamwork.
  • Why We Recommend It: Hell Let Loose offers a brutal and realistic World War II combat experience that emphasizes teamwork and strategic decision-making. While Proton compatibility requires some effort, the immersive gameplay and large-scale battles make it a compelling alternative to Battlefield.

5. Planetside 2: The Massively Multiplayer Online FPS

Planetside 2, developed by Rogue Planet Games and published by Daybreak Game Company, is a free-to-play massively multiplayer online first-person shooter (MMOFPS) that features persistent world battles on a planetary scale. Players join one of three factions and fight for control of territory and resources.

  • Battlefield-Like Elements:
    • Massive Battles: Planetside 2 features the largest battles in the FPS genre, with hundreds of players fighting simultaneously across vast landscapes.
    • Vehicle Warfare: The game boasts a diverse range of vehicles, including tanks, aircraft, and transports, adding a strategic dimension to the combat.
    • Persistent World: Planetside 2’s persistent world means that battles have lasting consequences, with territory changing hands and resources being depleted.
    • Class-Based Gameplay: Players choose from a variety of classes, each with unique abilities and roles, requiring teamwork and coordination to succeed.
  • Linux Support: While Planetside 2 does not have native Linux support, it runs decently through Proton, but may require some tweaking and is not consistently working well.
  • Community: Planetside 2 has a dedicated community of players who enjoy the game’s massive battles and persistent world.
  • Why We Recommend It: Planetside 2 offers a unique and unparalleled scale of combat that no other FPS can match. Its persistent world, vehicle warfare, and class-based gameplay make it a compelling alternative to Battlefield, though the Proton compatibility might require some effort.

Detailed Look: Proton Compatibility and Configuration

For games that rely on Proton for Linux compatibility, achieving optimal performance often requires some configuration. Here’s a breakdown of common issues and solutions:

  • Proton Version: Experiment with different Proton versions (e.g., Proton Experimental, Proton GE) to find the best performance for each game.
  • Launch Options: Use launch options in Steam to customize the game’s behavior. Common options include:
    • PROTON_NO_ESYNC=1: Disables ESYNC, which can sometimes cause performance issues.
    • PROTON_USE_WINED3D=1: Forces the game to use WineD3D for rendering, which can improve compatibility in some cases.
    • VK_ICD_FILENAMES=/usr/share/vulkan/icd.d/nvidia_icd.json: Specifies the path to the NVIDIA Vulkan ICD file, which can resolve issues with Vulkan rendering.
  • Graphics Drivers: Ensure that your graphics drivers are up-to-date. Proprietary drivers from NVIDIA and AMD typically offer better performance than open-source drivers.
  • Wine Configuration: Use winecfg to configure Wine settings, such as the Windows version and graphics settings.
  • Lutris: Consider using Lutris, a game manager for Linux, to simplify the process of installing and configuring games that require Wine or Proton.

Beyond Gaming: The Importance of Community and Support

Finding a suitable Battlefield alternative is just one part of the equation. Equally important is finding a supportive and engaged community. This is why we at revWhiteShadow value community involvement so highly. We actively participate in forums, Discord servers, and other online communities to share our experiences, provide support, and learn from others. A strong community can enhance the gaming experience by:

  • Providing technical support: Helping troubleshoot issues and optimize game settings.
  • Sharing tips and strategies: Offering advice on how to improve your gameplay.
  • Organizing events and tournaments: Creating opportunities for players to compete and socialize.
  • Providing feedback to developers: Contributing to the game’s development and improvement.

Our Final Verdict and Recommendation

Ultimately, the best Battlefield alternative for you will depend on your individual preferences and priorities. However, based on our experience at revWhiteShadow, we can offer these recommendations:

  • For Squad-Based Combat: Enlisted is an excellent choice, offering a unique blend of squad-based tactics and large-scale battles with great Proton compatibility.
  • For Vehicle Warfare Enthusiasts: War Thunder provides an unparalleled selection of vehicles and a highly detailed simulation experience with native Linux support.
  • For Tactical and Immersive World War FPS: Red Orchestra 2 and Rising Storm 2: Vietnam offer intense and strategic combat experiences with native Linux support.
  • For Brutal and Realistic World War II Combat: Hell Let Loose provides a challenging and immersive experience, though Proton compatibility may require some tweaking.
  • For Massive Scale FPS Battles: Planetside 2 offers the largest battles in the FPS genre, with a persistent world and vehicle warfare, though Proton compatibility can be hit or miss.

We encourage you to explore these options and find the game that best captures the Battlefield experience you’re looking for. And as always, we’re here at revWhiteShadow to share our experiences and provide support along the way. Happy gaming! We hope this comprehensive guide helps you find the perfect Battlefield alternative to enjoy on Linux. We continually test and update our recommendations, so stay tuned for more insights and discoveries from the team at revWhiteShadow!