Battlefield 3 - Xbox 360

From the in your face combat of DICE's Close Quarters DLC, Battlefield 3 stretches out the draw distance by putting you in one of their biggest maps yet in the new Armored Kill add-on coming out this September. During E3 2012, I finally got my hands on the new map that will have you thinking, “Where did everyone go?”

Bandar Desert puts you in the biggest map yet and in sorely need of a good set of wheels (or treads) to get from one end to the other. Even in the 64-player setup we got a taste of with our brief time with the game, I never felt as though things were too crowded or found myself tripping over other people. I’m the kind of guy who likes a little elbowroom and a good rocket launcher to get the job done.

Along with new maps, you’ll get five new vehicles like the speedy ATV that can take you to straight into the heart of the battle, or deep into an embankment if you’re a terrible driver like myself. You’ll also gain new assignments, 20-plus unlocks, dog tag decorations, and a new mode, Tank Superiority.

Surprisingly enough, I still found the personal battles just as rewarding as the all out assaults in the new map. Often, a far away outpost will be the scene of only a handful of guys fighting. In one such instance, I drove up in a massive tank only to play whack-a-mole with the lone enemy gunner hiding in the few houses located at each of the control points. As soon as his head popped up, bang; part of the door or wall would turn into dust and there would be one less place he could hide.

Along with the new DLC, the DICE reps on hand talked a little about the Premium Pack that fans of the game will surely be clamoring for once it launches. Besides saving yourself a little dough on all of the upcoming DLC, players gain early access to the maps, strategy guides, special dog tags, more customization, more modes, and just about more of anything else a die-hard Battlefield 3 veteran could want from the game.