Battlefield 1’s first major DLC ‘They Shall Not Pass’ is coming in March. Until now, we’ve only been looking at concept art and guessing at what the new maps will be. But guess no longer, DICE has released details on all the new maps, check them out below:
VERDUN HEIGHTS:
‘The opening barrage of the Battle of Verdun created massive forest fires in which players will fight for domination. This is an uphill battle towards the massive fortresses of Verdun. A constant grinding struggle where the artillery never stops. Where the forge and “the Devil’s Anvil” continues to consume even the bravest combatants.’
Okay you had me at forest fires. Here’s to hoping we will be fighting IN the fires and they won’t have burned out before the battle starts.
FORT DE VAUX:
‘The first big engagement inside a fort during World War 1 takes place in the dark underworld of Fort de Vaux. Down in the maze of dark galleries and wet stone corridors, French and Germans fight ferociously with grenades, guns, bayonets, and flamethrowers. Watch your corners!’
This looks to be a completely indoor map. Some players love these, some hate them. Personally I like to dabble in them once in awhile. Good thing next week with the ‘Winter Update’ will have a feature to vote on the next map so we don’t end up never seeing the light of day again.
SOISSONS:
‘Take part in one of the biggest tank assaults of World War 1. The French 10th Army moves to take back Soissons using their powerful Saint Chamond tanks. Planes, tanks, and infantry clash in the beautiful French countryside in the early hours of a hot summer day. Only the thunderstorm is louder than the war.’
As I used to say when invading the USSR in Axis & Allies… Tanks for the memories. Expect both sides to be spawning many of these metal monstrosities. Also worth noting, though the photo is sunny- will we be fighting in a thunderstorm?
RUPTURE:
‘In dire need to capture key bridges across the Aisne river, the French find themselves back into battlefields where poppies grow over a rusty wreck from previous tank battles. It might seem calm but this maze of steel beasts provides an excellent place for those who plan an ambush. As the sun sets over Fontenoy, the battle wakes up.’
Harder to immediately spot what is unique about this one. It will be interesting to see how they will use the idea of the wreckage of an older battle rather than a current one. Regardless, it looks like it will breathe some color into the mapset.
What’s most interesting to me is that two of the maps tease environmental effects: forest fires, and thunderstorms. This would be new to Battlefield multiplayer and is a very exciting direction for the series to move in.
Take a look at a detailed description of all the new Weapons, Vehicles, and Game Modes we can expect in the update here.
