Taste the battlefield before it's released

The free beta offers one map, Operation Métro, and the rush mode of gameplay.  In it there is a defending and attacking team.  The map is split into five parts, each of which is only accessible once the attacking team completes the previous parts' objectives. 

The biggest problems I found were with the map itself.  The latter segments of Operation Métro offer pretty good cover and strategic opportunities for both teams.  However, the very first segment, a huge park complete with a playground and lakes, left the attacking team with too little cover.  In the games I played against the defending team, they always managed to stop the rush on the first map segment.  It wasn't very fun to be pinned down as soon as you spawned.

Battlefield 3 focuses more on squad participation, making the Rambo style of shooters a thing of the past.  Sticking with your squadmates and watching each others' backs get you lots of points in the lastest version of the franchise. 

In addition to the long-time savior and avenger bonuses, a new suppression bonus allows you to gain points for helping to pin an opponent down while your teammates finish them off. 

In-depth customization of the four character classes, assault, engineer, support, and recon, gives the game a lot of playability.  While gaming you can focus on each class, leveling them up and gaining more weapons and abilities.  The classes have differing weapon sets, gadgets (such as health packs and ammo boxes), and you can also customize your character with specializations, such as a faster sprint or more ammo, which are unlocked as you level up.

Assault is your straightforward warrior class, with the more powerful weapons.  In addition, in this installation of Battlefield the assault class can heal team members and resurrect them as well.  The engineer class still boasts the arsenal needed to take out vehicles, unfortunately there aren't any to fight in the beta.  Don't worry though, the tight confines of Operation Métro offer ample opportunities to use the engineer's RPG. 

The support class is just that, support for the squad.  Outfitted with weapons that hold bigger clips for ammunition and the ammo boxes gadget, which allows teammates to resupply during the game, the support class may be the easiest way to level up quickly. The recon class is the sniper class, and with the headshot bonus still active, also a good way to gain experience points.  One of their gadgets, the radio beacon, sets up a mobile spawn point for your squad, a nifty way to keep reinforcements close to the action. 

Overall, Battlefield 3 looks to impress with its launch later this month. Check out the beta and get a taste for free, before it's gone.