Battlefield Heroes
Battlefield Heroes was an MMO third-person shooter with light RPG progression, set in a playful, WWII-inspired version of the Battlefield universe. It was among Electronic Arts’ early “Play 4 Free” experiments, built around microtransactions and advertising, and it stood out from the mainline series by leaning into accessibility, stylized visuals, and class-based matches rather than large-scale simulation.
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Publisher: Electronic Arts, Aeria Games Type: MMO third-person shooter Release Date: June 25, 2009 Closure Date: July 14, 2015 Pros: +Colorful, readable art style. +Fairly even matchmaking for quick games. +Three distinct classes with clear roles. Cons: -Monetization could feel pay-to-win. -Private hosting and server options were limited and frustrating. |
Battlefield Heroes Overview
Battlefield Heroes took the familiar Battlefield idea of two armies clashing over objectives and reworked it into a lighter, third-person format with MMO-style matchmaking and character progression. Instead of the series’ usual first-person view and more grounded tone, Heroes used a bright, cartoon-like presentation (often compared to the era’s class shooters) and streamlined the action into shorter, lobby-driven matches. The result was a game that felt immediately approachable, even to players who bounced off the more technical pacing of traditional Battlefield entries.
At its core, the game was built around three classes, Soldier, Gunner, and Commando, each with a simple identity that was easy to read in motion. Soldier served as the flexible middle ground, Gunner emphasized sustained fire and toughness, and Commando leaned toward mobility and burst damage. While the class list was small, it encouraged clear team compositions, and the ability system gave players a reason to specialize over time rather than treating every character as identical.
Vehicles were also part of the package, with designs clearly inspired by recognizable WWII-era hardware. Tanks and aircraft added variety to matches and provided those classic Battlefield moments where a single well-used vehicle could swing an objective. Even so, Heroes generally kept vehicle play less intimidating than in the main series, fitting the game’s overall focus on quick, readable battles.
Progression tied the experience together. By playing matches, players earned experience to level up and unlock or improve class abilities, giving a light RPG layer to the shooter loop. It was not a deep MMO in the traditional sense, but the steady drip of unlocks and ability choices helped players develop a “build” and return for one more round. Overall, Battlefield Heroes was best described as a simplified, free-to-play, third-person Battlefield spin-off designed for fast matchmaking and long-term progression rather than large, persistent worlds.
Battlefield Heroes Key Features:
- Three Playable Classes (Soldier, Gunner, Commando) – Choose one of three roles, each tuned for a different approach to fights and objectives.
- Experience and RPG Elements – Earn XP through matches, level up, and invest points into class abilities to shape how your character performs.
- Multiple Game Modes –Queue through the matchmaker for modes like Team Deathmatch, Hero of the Hill, Capture the Flag, and Team Elimination.
- Tons of Weapons and Outfits to Collect – Pick up gear and cosmetics through renting or purchasing, including items that affected combat and plenty of playful outfit options.
Battlefield Heroes Screenshots
Battlefield Heroes Featured Video
Battlefield Heroes Online Links
Battlefield Heroes Information
Battlefield Heroes Wikia (Database / Guides)
Battlefield Heroes Reddit
Battlefield Heroes Music & Soundtrack
Coming soon…
Battlefield Heroes Additional Information
Developer(s): EA Digital Illusions CE, Easy Studios
Publisher(s): Electronic Arts, Aeria Games
Game Engine: Refractor 2 Engine
Closed Beta Date: May 6, 2008
Release Date: June 25, 2009
Closure Date: July 14, 2015
Battlefield Heroes began production under EA Digital Illusions CE and later saw further development handled by Easy Studios. Electronic Arts published the title at launch, and it eventually also appeared under Aeria Games’ publishing network. The closed beta started in 2008 and initially targeted professional beta testers, then gradually widened access through community-driven key distribution that used social media engagement, comments, and small puzzle-style prompts to hand out invites. Interest around entry was high at the time, and the game’s audience grew steadily as it moved toward broader availability and into open beta in 2009.
When the game officially launched in 2009, it found a solid foothold thanks to its free-to-play model and its easygoing take on Battlefield’s objective-driven combat. However, the business model became a major talking point. By late 2009, the gap between non-paying players and those spending money became more noticeable, especially in how quickly paying users could progress and improve effectiveness. That imbalance fed ongoing criticism that the game’s monetization crossed into pay-to-win territory rather than staying purely cosmetic or convenience-based.
Battlefield Heroes ultimately shut down on July 14, 2015. The decision was attributed to a shrinking player base, and it occurred alongside closures of other free-to-play titles. The shutdown was controversial within the community, particularly because players who had converted real money into in-game currency were not offered refunds for balances that would no longer have any use once the servers went offline.