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The Finals vs. Battlefield: Redefining Destruction in FPS Games

Last Updated: October 28, 2025

The Finals gameplay showcasing building destruction alongside Battlefield comparison.

In a seismic shift for the first-person shooter genre, Embark Studios, a developer founded by former DICE visionaries, has not only launched a breakout hit with *The Finals* but has also fundamentally challenged the legacy of its creative predecessor, *Battlefield*. While the team’s shared DNA with the iconic military franchise is undeniable, Embark's success in delivering next-generation destruction has set a new benchmark, coming at a critical time as EA orchestrates a massive, multi-studio reboot to bring the *Battlefield* series back to its former glory.

A Legacy Forged in Frostbite

The connection between Embark Studios and *Battlefield* is foundational. Established in 2018 by industry leaders like former EA Chief Design Officer Patrick Söderlund and other key veterans from DICE, Embark was built upon decades of experience crafting large-scale, high-fidelity shooters. The studio’s talent honed their skills on landmark titles that defined a generation of FPS gaming, including *Battlefield: Bad Company 2*, *Battlefield 3*, and *Battlefield 4*. These games were celebrated for their signature mix of vehicular combat, squad-based strategy, and, most importantly, groundbreaking environmental destruction.

This shared history makes Embark's achievements with *The Finals* particularly significant. The game’s revolutionary server-side destruction system, which allows for the complete, physics-based demolition of entire buildings, feels like the ultimate evolution of the 'Levolution' concepts they pioneered at DICE. While their former studio struggled with the technical scope and identity of *Battlefield 2042*, the veterans at Embark focused on perfecting this single, explosive feature and building an entire game around it.

The Finals vs. Battlefield: A Tale of Two Philosophies

While born from a similar development ethos, the two shooters now represent diverging paths for the genre. The modern *Battlefield* series, especially with the troubled launch of *2042*, took a step back from the granular, meaningful destruction that once defined it. In contrast, *The Finals* has made destruction the core strategic pillar of its gameplay.

*Battlefield* has long been defined by its 64-to-128-player military sandbox, a calculated experience of combined-arms warfare across sprawling maps. It’s about controlling sectors, managing vehicles, and engaging in large-front battles. Destruction is a tactical element, but rarely the central focus.

*The Finals* operates as a hyper-kinetic, squad-based game show where physics-based mayhem is the primary tool. Teams aren't just blowing holes in walls; they are strategically collapsing entire high-rises to deny objectives, create new sightlines from the rubble, or drop a building on an enemy team cashing out. This has created a dynamic and unpredictable combat loop that has resonated powerfully with players, proving there is a massive appetite for innovation in a crowded market.

The Battlefield Universe: A Franchise-Wide Reboot

In response to the rocky reception of *Battlefield 2042*, publisher EA has put the entire franchise under review, initiating a complete strategic overhaul. Overseen by Vince Zampella, the celebrated head of Respawn Entertainment, the goal is to create a "connected Battlefield universe." This new direction mimics the successful multi-studio development model of *Call of Duty*, spreading the creative load to ensure higher quality and a more consistent release cadence.

Several studios are now collaborating on the future of the series. DICE remains a core pillar, likely focusing on the central multiplayer component. Criterion Games, known for its vehicle expertise in the *Need for Speed* series, is also heavily involved. Ripple Effect (formerly DICE LA) continues its work after successfully developing *Battlefield 2042's* popular Portal mode.

A key part of this strategy was the formation of Ridgeline Games, a new studio led by *Halo* co-creator Marcus Lehto, which was tasked with creating a narrative-driven single-player campaign. However, in early 2024, Lehto departed and Ridgeline was shuttered, with its team being absorbed into DICE to continue work on the narrative experience. This move consolidates the effort and shows EA's commitment to delivering a cohesive, story-rich component alongside its multiplayer offerings for the next major installment, expected around 2025.

A New Era Forged in Healthy Competition

The success of *The Finals* is more than just a win for a new IP; it's a gauntlet thrown down for the entire genre. Embark Studios' laser focus on dynamic destruction has demonstrated what's possible and, in doing so, has raised player expectations for what a modern shooter should deliver. This isn't just friendly competition; it's a direct challenge from the masters who helped build the original throne.

For FPS fans, this dynamic is a massive victory. The pressure Embark has applied ensures that the next *Battlefield* cannot be a simple iteration. EA and its coalition of studios must now respond with a truly polished, innovative, and spectacular experience that respects the series' legacy while pushing it forward. As the creators of *The Finals* continue to build on their chaotic, destructible world, the gaming community watches and waits, eager to see how the titans at DICE will answer the call.