Battlefield 2042 – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Battlefield 2042

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

app2014

32%

WISE Score

2.4

App Store

A troubled 128-player military shooter that launched as one of gaming's most disappointing flops—all the chaos, none of the polish.

Battlefield 2042

app

Mature 17+, 2014

32%

WISE Score

2.4

App Store

A troubled 128-player military shooter that launched as one of gaming's most disappointing flops—all the chaos, none of the polish.

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Where to Find

App Store

Google Play

Screenwise Verdict

Here's the uncomfortable truth: Battlefield 2042 is widely considered one of the biggest disappointments in recent gaming history. It launched broken, missing features that fans expected, and with a player base that evaporated quickly.

From a WISE perspective, it's exactly what you'd expect from a large-scale military shooter—lots of violence, online toxicity potential, and limited enrichment beyond reflexes and tactical thinking. The good news is no predatory monetization in the data provided. The bad news is pretty much everything else.

If your teen is interested in military shooters, there are far better options (older Battlefield games, frankly). This one is hard to recommend even setting aside developmental concerns—it's just not very good or fun, which matters when we're trying to find engaging media that also meets WISE criteria. Sometimes the market does our job for us by rejecting a mediocre product.

Age Fit

Best for older teens (17+) who can handle realistic military violence and navigate toxic online gaming communities. Honestly though, even interested teens might want to skip this one—there are better shooters out there.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Battlefield 2042 is a large-scale military shooter centered on combat and eliminating opponents. The core gameplay loop involves shooting other players in realistic near-future warfare scenarios. While team-based cooperation is encouraged, the emotional tone is violent and militaristic. No models of kindness or prosocial behavior; the pacing is intense and chaotic with 128-player battles.

Imaginative

The game offers dynamic, changing battlegrounds and near-future military technology with a 2042 setting that provides some speculative fiction elements. Players can adapt loadouts and choose from different 'Specialists' with unique abilities. However, the creativity is constrained within a military shooter framework—it's more tactical than truly imaginative. No building, creative expression, or open-ended exploration beyond combat scenarios.

Safe

As a shooter, violence is core but within expected genre norms for teen+ audiences. Users interact online (true), which introduces potential toxicity from other players, though specific online chat is marked false. No in-game purchases or loot boxes according to data provided, which is positive. However, the game launched with significant technical issues and was widely criticized for bugs and missing features, creating a frustrating experience. No ESRB rating provided, but Battlefield games typically receive M (17+) ratings for violence and language.

Enriching

Limited enrichment value beyond tactical thinking, hand-eye coordination, and teamwork in competitive scenarios. The game focuses on combat mechanics rather than meaningful narrative, ethical dilemmas, or personal growth. The IGDB rating of 58/100 suggests mediocre reception. Battlefield 2042 launched in a notoriously poor state with missing features, bugs, and disappointed fans—making it neither particularly entertaining nor enriching compared to franchise predecessors.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Massive 128-player battles offer unprecedented scale and hectic team-based action
Near-future 2042 setting with dynamic weather and environmental destruction adds tactical variety
No loot boxes or aggressive monetization according to available data
Could teach coordination and communication skills in squad-based gameplay

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What to Watch For

This is a military shooter with realistic combat violence—expect gunfire, explosions, and players eliminating each other constantly
Online multiplayer means exposure to other players who may use inappropriate language or toxic behavior
Game launched in notoriously poor condition with bugs, missing features, and frustrated community—may be more frustrating than fun
Likely rated M for Mature (17+) based on franchise history, though official rating not provided in data

Conversation Starters

"What do you think warfare might actually look like in 2042? How realistic is this game's vision?"
"When your team is losing badly, how do you stay motivated? What keeps it fun?"
"Have you run into any toxic players? How do you handle that when it happens?"
"What makes a good teammate in games like this versus someone who's just in it for themselves?"

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