Top 10 Battlefield soundtracks
Oh Battlefield. You former pearl of tactical shooters. You guarantor of fun for long gaming evenings. You milestone of immersive gameplay. I had so much fun with you... I'm getting nostalgic again. Does your career epitomize the ones of all the other great video game series of my youth? Or even for video games in general? Is Triple-A now synonymous with mass-compatible downgrading? Or am I simply used to something different than today's gamers, who prefere Fortnite, Call of Duty and Apex Legends for their different kind of gameplay? Have I become the cranky old man who stands sadly in his run-down arcade and curses this internet? Probably a combination of all of the above, coupled with a good dose of anger at the latest spin-off Battlefield 2042.
However, since the internet in general and I in particular have already shared our opinions on the matter several times now, I thought a little look into the series' past would be appropriate. An overview of musical highlights and memorable compositions. That's why I've compiled a ranking of the soundtracks of the Battlefield-games, from the worst to, in my opinion, the best scores in the series. As usual with this format, I'm going strictly by the number of 5-star tracks in the albums. In the event of a tie, the average album score will determine the ranking. In addition, expansions contribute to the positioning of the main game, which naturally gives editions with many add-ons or DLCs a bit of an advantage. To a certain extent, however, this nullifies itself to some extent, as these often have no or very low scores. In general, there are a few entries in the series for which I have unfortunately not found any scores, which is why they are not listed here.
For the sake of completeness, however, I'll give you a brief overview of the spin-offs from the main series that didn't make it into this article:
- Battlefield 1943 (mostly tracks from Battlefield 1942 as well as Battlefield Heroes)
- Battlefield Online (no soundtrack found)
- Battlefield Play4Free (no soundtrack found)
- Battlefield Hardline (no 5-star track and an average rating of 3.0)
- Battlefield 2042 (no 5-star track and an average rating of 2.5)
Number 10-7
In my review of Battlefield 1942 I already told you in detail how the soundtrack, which is okay in itself, could safely remain under the radar if it weren't for this main theme, which, together with the Battlefield-series is divided into 1942 (or 2002) found it's beginning. The characteristic Dada dat da dat dat should ring a bell with every gamer, as it has been taken up, adapted and varied in some form in almost every part of the series to date - sometimes more, sometimes less stylishly. Apart from that 1942 offers little worth listening to, but still ends up ahead of 1943, Hardline and 2042 ... because those are even shittier.
The offshoot that many have probably already forgotten since it strayed off the furthest was propably Battlefield Heroeswhich in 2009 with its brightly colored comic look, attempted to replicate the success of Team Fortress 2 . The experiment failed for me, because after the grittier predecessors Battlefield 2, 2142 and Bad Company it didn't feel like a 'real' Battlefield to me. When I wanted immersive battlefield atmosphere, I played Battlefield, and for comic-style goofing around I stick to TF2 - at least that's my logic. Nevertheless, I still have a soft spot for the stupid main theme, whose whistling sounds like a cheerful warm-up on a military training ground. It skillfully combines the well-known Battlefield-theme, until a dramatic break interrupts the track, only to goof off again. It also doesn't help that even today still this variation is stuck in my head... oh cruel irony.
I was always a little sad that, due to it's console exclusiveness, I could never play the first Bad Company . Unfortunately, the hope of being able to alleviate my regrets somewhat with its OST was not fulfilled either, as the best I can give it is something of a 'nice' rating. It debuts the concept of focusing on a classical note and offering tracks in variations in an orchestral and a chamber version. The score is drawn out and gloomy, lacking the action focus of the series and moving more towards the cinematic - which makes sense, as this is the first time in the series that we have a single player that has to strike a calmer note from time to time. To me, this doesn't really cut it for a Battlefield , nevertheless, I appreciate the instrumentalization with dominant strings and above all the powerful chellos, which is why Battlefield Theme [Chamber Version] receives 5 stars from me and the score takes 8th place in my list.
One ranking that honestly surprised me is part 3 of the series - one of, if not the Battlefield, that I have played the most. I can't even describe the feeling of anticipation I had when I first saw the trailer for Battlefield 3 and heard the familiar theme in the synthesizer version blasting away at me. It is fair to say, I will probably only experience a similar feeling when my first child is born - if ever. Man, that was awesome. Before every match, you were really pumped up by the hard bass, and it just made you feel thrilled. A good time gaming and a good time listening. Still 'only' 7th place.
Number 6-4
Right before Battlefield 3 there is another contender, which I propably played the most. Like its predecessor Bad Company geht Bad Company 2 takes an orchestral direction, but offers more original melodies, which I find nostalgia-tinged fun. The mixture of military action and James Bond-like agent feeling works well. Unfortunately, it doesn't get enough top ratings from me, which is why it's only good enough for 6th place. But if you like a bit of heroic epic, a bit of melodrama and the slightly different Battlefield-experience, this one's for you.
5
Year: 2005
Composer(s): Fredrik Englund; David Tallroth; Jonas Östholm
5 star tracks: 2
I'll say it like it is: The Battlefield 2-score to me consists of 2 tracks - the MEC Loading Theme and the US Loading Theme... so effectively the two songs that we hear when loading the map on the side of the respective faction. Well, there's also the China Loading Theme , but for me only those two tracks really count. We already know the US Loading-version, because it is - drum roll - a variation of the well-known Battlefield-theme from 1942, this time with a few snappy vocals and a little more SFX bling bling. This is contrasted by the MEC Loading Theme, which is original for this game and simply rocks beyond belief with its Arabic-influenced interplay of zithers, strings and the contrasting electric guitar. Anyone who doesn't do a belly dance in front of the loading bar followed by an air guitar solo is dead to me.
After going the future route with part 3, 4 and Hardline the time was turned backwarts as Battlefield 1 takes us futher back than ever before: into the First World War. DICE placed great importance on an authentic staging of one of the worst chapters in world history and also went a few more steps musically. The soundtrack to Battlefield 1 sounds like a good AAA score with a strong narrative should sound. Varied, cinematic and high quality. If I had played the game, I would probably have included even more tracks in my favorites, but this offshoot falls just short of the podium behind three games that score points partly, but not exclusively, because of my nostalgia.
Number 3-1
Talking about Battlefield 1 and its respectful treatment of the artistic demands of a historical production, Battlefield 4 hits two more of my soft spots: Brute force banger and tearjerker. While the first part is presented to us in the form of the Warsaw Theme - again a variation of the Battlefield-theme - and Battlefield 4: Dragon’s Teeth a seemless continuation of the tradition of Battlefield 3 with more synthesizers, more dubstep and powerful beats, A Theme for Kjell is the exact opposite. It is regret turned into a song, an ode to sadness that escalates immeasurably over 3.5 minutes and makes us look back with a teary eye and forward with a hopeful one. It is not for nothing that I have included it in my list of Top 15 saddest tracks as well as my Top 100 best video game tracks A score well worth listening to and a much-deserved 3rd place.
I don't know what it is about the soundtrack of Battlefield 2142 that I like so much. Is it the mixture of the musical tradition of the previous Battlefield with the later installments, the clash of past and modern? Or is it the sci-fi aesthetic, which radiates a kind of flawlessness with bright tones and of course immediately appeals to me as an old Trekkie? Or is it simply the main theme Battlefield 2142, which passes by the listener like a whole marching band and offers so many facets that it's hard to pick out that one awesome moment because the overall work just flows perfectly?
What ever it might be, even though Battlefield 2142 is one of the less popular titles, its score is, in my opinion, well worth listening to and offers the highly polished charm of the old games without simply copying them. It introduces a new chapter whilst remaining true to its roots and at the same time catapults itself into 2nd place on this list. But now we come to the winner of my heart and a game that simply has an objectively fantastic soundtrack.
That the score of Battlefield V must be objectively good is a fact. After all, although I played the game quite extensively, I never reached the point where I would think back to it wistfully. In fact, it makes me rather sad that I never played its predecessor Battlefield 1 which is considered to be superior in the community. That may be the case in terms of gameplay, but musically I see Battlefield V miles ahead and consequently at number 1 on this list.
With Johan Söderqvist and Patrik Andrén, two film composers are at work who have created a soundtrack that, while clearly moving in the direction of screen music, features quotes from the well-known Battlefield-themes in tracks like Spitfires and Triumph does not hide its gaming roots. With its melancholic tune on the flute in Under No Flag, an organ orgasm with Glorifica and enough action tracks brings the soundtrack of Battlefield V masterfully summarizes the development of the entire series, from a pure multiplayer experience to a cinematic action flick, providing the listener with the Best of Both Worlds and receiving a clear recommendation from me as well as a well-deserved 1st place in the best Battlefield-scores.
| Title | Artist(s) | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Vehicle IV (Main Theme) | Joel Eriksson | Battlefield 1942 |
 | West Flag | Marc Canham | Battlefield Heroes |
 | Battlefield Theme [Chamber Version] | Mikael Karlsson | Battlefield: Bad Company |
 | Battlefield 3 | Johan Skugge; Jukka Rintamäki | Battlefield 3 |
| Epic Tank | Johan Skugge; Jukka Rintamäki | Battlefield 3 [Premium Edition] |
 | The Storm | Mikael Karlsson | Battlefield: Bad Company 2 |
| Snowy Mountains | Mikael Karlsson | Battlefield: Bad Company 2 |
 | MEC Loading Theme | Fredrik Englund; David Tallroth; Jonas Östholm | Battlefield 2 |
| US Loading Theme | Fredrik Englund; David Tallroth; Jonas Östholm | Battlefield 2 |
 | BF Menu Music | Rupert Gregson-Williams | Battlefield 2: Modern Combat |
 | Hunting Down | Johan Söderqvist; Patrik Andrén | Battlefield 1: In the Name of the Tsar |
 | Sand and Dust | Johan Söderqvist; Patrik Andrén | Battlefield 1: Turning Tides |
| The Peninsula | Johan Söderqvist; Patrik Andrén | Battlefield 1: Turning Tides |
 | Warsaw Theme | Jukka Rintamäki | Battlefield 4 |
| A Theme for Kjell | Johan Skugge; Jukka Rintamäki | Battlefield 4 |
 | Battlefield 4: Dragon's Teeth | Daniel James | Battlefield 4: Dragon's Teeth |
 | Battlefield 2142 | Gregor Narholz | Battlefield 2142 [Gamerip] |
| Shuhia Taiba | Gregor Narholz | Battlefield 2142 [Gamerip] |
| Sidi Power Plant | Gregor Narholz | Battlefield 2142 [Gamerip] |
 | Under No Flag | Johan Söderqvist; Patrik Andrén | Battlefield V |
| Pride & Honour | Johan Söderqvist; Patrik Andrén | Battlefield V |
| Spitfires | Johan Söderqvist; Patrik Andrén | Battlefield V |
| Triumph | Johan Söderqvist; Patrik Andrén | Battlefield V |
| Glorifica | Johan Söderqvist; Patrik Andrén | Battlefield V |
 | Wake Island | Johan Söderqvist; Patrik Andrén | Battlefield V: War in the Pacific |
| Tropical Storm | Johan Söderqvist; Patrik Andrén | Battlefield V: War in the Pacific |
| The Jungle / Waves of Darkness | Johan Söderqvist; Patrik Andrén | Battlefield V: War in the Pacific |
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