Battlefield Hardline trailer is all about new toys

Despite being possibly the worst time to make a AAA game about militarised police, EA is forging ahead regardless. Judging from this new trailer, their plan to avoid any tricky real-world parallels is to double-down on the ridiculous gadgets. In real terms, this means grappling hooks and a zipline firing crossbow—tools that make me approximately 50% more interested in a game I was previously ambivalent towards.

All in all, it looks like an enjoyable romp. We'll find out more when the open beta launches next week, on 3 February. Soon after, on 17 March, the full game will be unleashed.

Phil has been writing for PC Gamer for nearly a decade, starting out as a freelance writer covering everything from free games to MMOs. He eventually joined full-time as a news writer, before moving to the magazine to review immersive sims, RPGs and Hitman games. Now he leads PC Gamer's UK team, but still sometimes finds the time to write about his ongoing obsessions with Destiny 2, GTA Online and Apex Legends. When he's not levelling up battle passes, he's checking out the latest tactics game or dipping back into Guild Wars 2. He's largely responsible for the whole Tub Geralt thing, but still isn't sorry.