Thunder and Frost: In the Name of the Tsar Review

Last week, Battlefield 1’s second expansion DLC released for Battlefield Premium subscribers. In the Name of the Tsar tears into the outstanding online multiplayer game with a cavalcade of new content for players. As one can guess, the expansion introduces the Russian armies and the endless expanse of the Russian front of World War I. New maps, weapons, vehicles, and even stationary weapons are abound in this significant addition to Battlefield 1. Let’s begin.

As you can imagine, based on our soaring review of Battlefield 1’s base game, this review will be short and sweet. This expansion truly is a perfect extension of the game’s stellar gameplay and design, just as its first expansion, They Shall Not Pass is. Of course, it is really interesting to experience the new armies, being the rebellious Bolshevik Red Army and the Tsar’s Imperial White Army. This introduces a component of WWI’s history previously unexplored by Battlefield 1: civil war. The Russian’s bowed out of the Eastern Front of the way around 1917 to fight their own internal war, as the Bolsheviks, and In the Name of the Tsar explores this dynamic event quite well, even without a campaign portion.

Language, apparel, locations, and cultural caveats all reflect the Russian perspective of the era across all six new maps, ranging from the desolate tundran waste, to the formerly-bustling squares of modernized Russia. A new approach to cavalry is now included in this expansion, including a brutal but wickedly entertaining lancer. Players who spawn on horseback now have access to a massive spear rather than a sword and rifle. Charging an enemy combatant results in very effective collision. In regards to those six new locations, Battlefield 1’s tide-turning and dynamic weather patterns make due with their new snowy environments. On the hills of Lupkow Pass, heavy winds can bring up a blinding snow storm. The First World War is nothing to make trivial, so it’s encouraging to see DICE continue to make Battlefield 1 a representation of WWI comprised of chaos, twisted machinery, and the tragedy of human innovation.

New, unlock-able weapons from the Russian armory include several new rifles, pistols, and fascinating turn of the century automatic guns. Players need to complete certain tasks to earn these weapons, creating a number of fun new goals for players - something that Battlefield 1 is excellent at. Tasks lists include anything from “get 5 headshots in a round with the SMLE MKIII,” or “perform 6 squad heals.” All doable things that give players some great in-the-moment goals to latch onto while they dive into the new game.

Aside from about eleven new weapons, players have access to several new land, sea, and air vehicles such as the Ilya-Muromets Heavy Bomber or the Y-Lighter Landing Craft. Players can use these interesting new Russian vehicles while in classic Conquest mode, or in a new game mode called Supply Drop, during which teams compete for gear being airdropped onto the battlefield. Most excitingly, however, are two brand new matches of Operations. New to the Battlefield series, Operations is a healthy marriage of the game mode Rush and Conquest - an attacking team fights for sections of the map in order to progress, but will progress to an entire new map once successfully breaking through. The new Operations, Bursilov Offensive and Red Tide are fantastic matches that explore the new maps with great detail.

To summarize: Battlefield 1 is very good, In the Name of the Tsar Expansion is also very good, and folks just go play it because you know you want to. New content with few strings, same great online gaming experience. While WWI is neither something to marginalize nor take lightly, DICE has executed a phenomenal game worthy continued of praise and attention.

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Ben Stembridge, Editor-in-Chief

Ben leads the reviews and news coverage for Game Chop. He also offers opinions on games and the industry, covering a wide range of genres and platforms. Ben especially enjoys discussions on game narratives, design styles, and independent titles.

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