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The Tricky Trees look to put their domestic worries aside as they travel to Austria.

Battlefield REDSEC arrives seven years after the battle royale genre began in earnest, boasting a free-to-play structure, a whole lot of destruction, and of course, a Battle Pass. It launched as a surprise free-to-play update to Battlefield 6, but it can also be downloaded separately.

Review info

Platform reviewed: PS5 Pro
Available on: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X and Series S
Release date: October 28, 2025

I imagine you now have a clear picture in your head as to what Battlefield REDSEC looks like, what mechanics it uses to push players further and further into the map, and can practically see the various icons for currencies both paid for and free.

While Battlefield REDSEC does have a few interesting design choices, I’d almost guarantee that you’ve pretty much played this one before. You'll no doubt recognize key mechanics lifted from several of the best FPS games to come out in recent years, with very little that jumps out as new.

Late for departure

(Image credit: EA)

The highlights then. Battlefield is a perfect fit for battle royale design, and its destructible environments are easily the best I've ever seen in the genre.

The class system borrows from the main game and offers genuinely enticing and decidedly distinct ways to play. There’s tanks too - yes, tanks in a battle royale game. They’re brilliant, but also balanced in a way that makes them extremely difficult to manage, especially if your enemies have brought in an Engineer.

Even the gunplay is tight and enjoyable, and really gives Warzone a run for its money. All in all, I’d recommend Battlefield REDSEC if you’re a fan of shooters, and if you want a more streamlined experience when compared to the bloated monster that main competitor Warzone has become over the years.

The main issue with REDSEC is timing. Had it launched 3 years ago, I reckon it would’ve been a rather exciting proposition.

Instead, it joins Apex Legends, Warzone, Fortnite, and other battle royale games, all jostling for your attention. It’s not just those games either, as 2025 has been a veritable goldmine of innovative multiplayer experiences like Peak, R.E.P.O, and most recently: Arc Raiders. With the arrival of the latter in particular, I’ve found it very difficult to justify sinking hour after hour in Battlefield REDSEC when there’s another game that I’d desperately rather be playing.

Military medley

In my mind, PUBG: Battlegrounds kicked off the ongoing fascination with closing circles and last survivor-victories all the way back in 2018. Battlefield REDSEC then, has quite a bit to borrow from, and borrow it does, rather masterfully in fact. There’s the map design of Warzone, the squad-formation drop-ins from Apex, and the Battle Pass structure perfected by Fortnite. All of this is spliced together into quite a neat package, making Battlefield REDSEC a sort of best-of compilation of games you’ve probably played over the last seven years.

There’s very little fat to trim here, and if you’re looking for a battle royale game that feels the way you remember Warzone feeling in 2020, you’ve found it. Inventories are clean and simple, armor plates aren’t stored in some extra menu or bag that you have to manage on the fly, and matches are all action, all the time.

(Image credit: EA)Burn this city

My favorite quirk of Battlefield REDSEC is the closing circle of flame. Rather than slowly doing damage over time, the flames will instantly kill you if it catches you, and you’ll even take burn damage just by being anywhere near the closing wall.

This does two things: it prevents players from using the closing circle as a hiding spot, while encouraging players to move inwards at all times. That first effect is a very welcome one indeed, and anyone who’s played Warzone over the years can attest to how frustrating it is to get to the final circle and learn that the opposing team is using gas masks and health stims to stay alive in the gas.

Best bit

(Image credit: EA)

Don’t sleep on Gauntlet mode, which pits teams against each other in a variety of different mini-modes set on the battle royale map. For those that don’t want to invest in Battlefield 6, it’s a great sampler of what to expect from the more structured gameplay sessions of the base game. It’s the perfect way to learn the gunplay, as well.

The second effect can be felt dramatically throughout matches, as you and your team frequently have to change position and make quick decisions before the flames get too close. Given the rapidity with which the deadly flaming circle contracts, vehicles become vital means for repositioning.

Gatling gun-mounted buggies feel weighty and fun to drive, while helicopters are hilariously complicated beasts that require careful practice, and a whole lot of bravery to pilot. Add in the tanks and you’ve got a winning formula, as you send vehicles careening through buildings, charging across debris-ridden plains, and soaring across a sky filled to the brim with missiles.

“Iconic DNA”

EA has been hammering on about Battlefield’s “Iconic DNA” in the marketing for REDSEC. Presumably, this refers to the destructability and class-based warfare that I’ve certainly enjoyed while playing the main game’s multiplayer modes. In REDSEC, however, I’m left wanting a bit more of a signature style, something to differentiate it from the countless others vying for my attention.

Part of this identity crisis stems back to the overall design mentality of this new era of Battlefield. After the floundering performance of Battlefield 2042, EA has stripped everything back to the bone, choosing to appease Battlefield 3 and 4 purists rather than risk anything remotely new.

This has been an overcorrection, and while I do enjoy both Battlefield 6 and REDSEC, there’s very little that’s truly memorable about either. This all translates over to REDSEC’s Battle Pass, which is woefully dull, filled with generic military skins and green-brown color swaps of boilerplate character designs.

I’m genuinely left wondering why anybody would spend real money on any of it, and while I understand the need for EA to avoid the wacky and often-maligned cosmetics of Call of Duty, there’s got to be a middle ground.

(Image credit: EA)On a mission

There’s a mission system in Battlefield REDSEC which gives players varied objectives to complete in addition to the main goal of looting and shooting. These range from bomb defusals to tasks that have you aligning satellite beacons. They’re almost always worth doing, and often serve as sneaky ways to bring rival teams closer together. It’s all little more than Contracts in Warzone, or missions in Fortnite, but I do like the implementation better in Battlefield REDSEC.

Similarly, the way loot is labelled and upgraded is sleek and intuitive. Orange crates give you loot that’s specific to your class, while weapon kits can be used to upgrade an aspect of your held weapon.

Custom weapon caches drop from the skies periodically, leading to yet more opportunities for skirmishes between squads. Battlefield REDSEC really excels in pacing, and I’ve found the majority of matches to be action-packed and just bit-sized enough to encourage me to jump back in.

(Image credit: EA)

In terms of incentives, however, REDSEC is once again held back by the trappings of the battle royale genre. There’s really no reward for winning, par for the course at this point, but other games like Fortnite have managed to use victory crowns and exclusive Gliders as a reason for players to want to win again and again. There’s an XP bonus that ties nicely into the shared progression of guns across REDSEC and Battlefield 6, but given the lacklustre nature of the Battle Pass rewards, I find very little reason to keep playing night after night.

By positioning Battlefield REDSREC as a separate, free to play, title, EA has at least made the barrier to entry fairly low. I’d recommend it for those that love battle royale games, as it’s solid enough, and often fun enough, to warrant getting a full squad together to give it a go.

Unfortunately, there’s only Duos and Quads right now, so be aware that you will need to play with randoms often, and there’s really no way to play solo, which is disappointing. For those that’ve gotten their fill from years of Warzone, Fortnite and Apex Legends, however, there’s very little that differentiates REDSEC from titles you’ve already played. Perhaps the genre has started to run its course

Should I play Battlefield REDSEC?

(Image credit: EA)Play it if...

You live and breathe battle royale games
While Battlefield REDSEC doesn’t bring anything new to the genre per se, it is a great culmination of elements borrowed from some of the best that we’ve seen so far. The destructible environments are well worth checking out, at a minimum.

You have a full squad
REDSEC only offers Duos and Quads, and partnering with randoms is a mixed bag at present. The Ping system isn’t perfect, and it can be difficult to coordinate without a mic. Get a full team of pals together to really experience the best of what a Battlefield-branded battle royale has to offer.

You’re enjoying Battlefield 6
There’s shared progression between Battlefield 6 and REDSEC, and the battle royale mode is likely already installed on your hardware. There’s challenges to complete in REDSEC, and the classes line up nicely with those in the main game. You can bring in your custom weapons as well, granted you find a cache that spits them out.

Don't play it if...

You’re looking for something new
I think it’s fair to say that the battle royale genre has lost much of its appeal over the last couple of years. REDSEC is very much by the numbers, and you won’t really find anything in here that you didn’t get in Warzone over five years ago.

You want to progress and unlock new rewards
The battle pass and rewards system is pretty lacking in REDSEC at the moment. If you don’t really want to dig into its various loadout options and grind out attachments, there’s very little to incentivize you to play regularly.View Deal

Accessibility features

Battlefield REDSEC has some decent accessibility settings like Menu Narration, customizable color elements for the HUD, and Tinnitus-related audio sliders. There’s also color profiles for Deuteranopia, Tritanopia, and Protanopia color blindness options. Custom color blind settings can be applied too.

Subtitles can be increased in size, and tweaked to alter outline, background opacity, text opacity, and more. Camera effects like motion blur and HUD motion have sliders, and you can dial down camera shake and turn off camera sprint camera bobbing.

How I reviewed Battlefield REDSEC

I’ve played around 15 hours of Battlefield REDSEC, predominantly in Quads mode. I’ve also spent around an hour of that time in Gauntlet mode. All of this was on PS5 Pro in Auto (Performance) mode, using a DualSense Edge wireless controller with back buttons assigned to jump and interact.

While playing Battlefield REDSEC, I used an LG Ultragear 27GR93U 4K monitor, as well as a Steel Series Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 headset. For one play session, I also tested the game on PlayStation Portal, and found Gauntlet mode to work well, and it looked great on the handheld screen.

First reviewed November 2025

Battlefield REDSEC is a solid foundation made up of the best bits from your other favorite games, though it’s in danger of being eclipsed by newer, more innovative competitors.

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Nikon Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II: one-minute review

Nikon's Z-mount mirrorless cameras system has come of age – seven years since its first Z-mount cameras, we now have its first second-generation lens, the Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II, which is designed to replace the original Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S.

I have a particular personal interest in this new lens, because I've relied on the original for personal and professional work for several years, and I'm still completely happy with it today.

So the question I had going into this review was not whether this lens would be any good – I knew it was going to be a five-star performer. Rather, it's whether it gives users of the original like me enough of a reason to upgrade, and whether it's worth the extra outlay.

I'll cut to the chase and say I don't think it is... depending on the price difference. I've reviewed enough second-generation Sony lenses where I've seen genuine improvement – new lenses that are optically sharper, plus much smaller and lighter. Nikon's new 24-70mm boasts similar improvements, but for me Nikon hasn't quite gone far enough with the upgrades, given the big difference in price at launch and the already excellent quality of the original.

(Image credit: Tim Coleman)

Still, the Nikon Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II is a five-star lens by every metric. Its optical and build quality are top drawer, with edge-to-edge pin sharpness at any focal length, impressive control over lens distortion, and smooth rendering of bokeh.

Build quality impresses, too. Its weather-resistant design betters the original in one key way – zoom is internal, which is one less potential weak spot for dust and water to enter the lens internals.

The original lens is in fact slightly smaller in length, but it extends past the new lens as you zoom up to 70mm. For me, the internal zoom, snappier autofocus, lighter weight and moderately sharper detail are the biggest upgrades, but not enough of a reason to spend so much extra now, rather than waiting for potential price cuts or until the original is phased out.

Price considerations aside, you'll struggle to find a better-quality professional lens, with a versatile 24-70mm zoom and consistent f/2.8 aperture across that range – this is a five-star performer all the way, and key new addition to the Nikon Z lens range.

Nikon Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II: price and availability

• Priced at $2,799 / £2,599 / AU$4,599
• Lens hood included
• Announced in August 2025

(Image credit: Tim Coleman)

Nikon's Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II lens was announced in August 2025, costing $2,799 / £2,599 / AU$4,599, lens hood included. At the time of writing the lens has already got its first price cuts in the US and UK where it's now $2,599 / £2,299.

At the time of the mark II's launch, the original 24-70mm lens was already on sale for $2,099 / £1,999, while you can also buy that lens secondhand from trustworthy retailers for much, much less, with prices depending on the condition.

Personally, I'd buy the original secondhand in excellent condition for around 30% less than the mark II new at its current sale price. However, if money is no object for you, then the new lens is of course the better choice of the two.

Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II specsNikkor Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II specs

Type:

Standard zoom

Mount:

Z-mount

Sensor:

Full-frame

Focal length:

24-70mm

Max aperture:

f/2.8

Minimum focus:

0.79ft / 0.24 m at 24mm, 1.09ft / 0.33 m at 70mm with a 0.32x max magnification

Filter size:

77mm

Dimensions:

3.4in x 5.6 inches / 84mm x 142mm

Weight:

1.49lbs / 675g

Nikon Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II: Design

• Lightest lens of its kind, just 675g
• Weather-resistant design, internal zoom
• Multiple control rings, including a clicked / de-clicked

The 24-70mm f/2.8 is a classic standard zoom and essential offering in a professional mirrorless camera system, historically sitting in the middle of a trio of professional f/2.8 zooms – the other two usually being a 14-24mm f/2.8 and 70-200mm f/2.8.

When I bought my first mirrorless camera, the Nikon Z6 II, I chose the original Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S as my first lens. Such is its quality and versatility that it ended up being the only lens I owned for years, until I splurged on a fast-aperture telephoto prime.

I didn't think the original 24-70mm needed updating – it's such a good lens already. However, the mark II is the first second-generation Z-mount lens, and it does indeed upgrade the original in several ways.

In terms of design, the Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II is the lightest of its kind, just 675g – that's approximately 16% lighter than the 805g original. I used both lenses together and I can't say I noticed the difference particularly, even over a long day of event photography. However, that is a decent drop in weight.

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(Image credit: Tim Coleman)Image 2 of 2

(Image credit: Tim Coleman)

The new lens's diameter is slimmer than before, too, with a 77mm filter thread to the original's 82mm. However, the new lens is longer than the original – that is when both lenses are set to the 24mm focal length.

Zoom each lens to 70mm, and that's where the difference kicks in – the new lens has an internal zoom, meaning its dimensions are unchanged as you move through the zoom range (see above), whereas the original lens extends past its successor as you zoom in.

For me, the internal zoom is the single biggest upgrade in the new lens, not only for better balance, but improved ruggedness – it's one less potential point of weakness in terms of dust and dirt ingress. Also, being shorter at 70mm, it's less likely to knock against your surroundings, which is helpful for hectic environments like weddings and events. You can see how the two lenses differ in length below.

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(Image credit: Tim Coleman)Image 2 of 2

(Image credit: Tim Coleman)

We lose the basic top LED, which on the original could display key lens settings, including focus distance. In practice, it's not a feature that I particularly missed. Instead, we gain a control ring which can be set to clicked or de-clicked – I suspect most users will set this ring to control aperture. There's three rings in all; zoom, focus and that custom ring.

There's a reassuring quality to the lens, despite its lightweight design – each ring, button and switch handles well. And it balances perfectly with the Nikon Z6 III, which is the camera I was testing the lens with. By extension, it'll be a decent fit with the Z8 and Z9 cameras, too.

A lens hood is supplied with the lens, and it features a hatch. The idea is that when the hatch is open, it's much easier to make on the go adjustments to a filter, say a variable ND for video recording.

On that note, there is a general sense that the mark II version of the lens is better designed for video work. Autofocus is speedier – more on that shortly – focus breathing is suppressed, and there's that de-clicked aperture control ring for smooth adjustments while recording.

Close focusing is also improved – the minimum focus distance depends on the focal length, but the maximum magnification is 0.32x – that's an improvement from the original's 0.22x, and suitable for close up details such as wedding rings, without being a proper macro lens.

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(Image credit: Tim Coleman)Nikon Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II: Performance

• Incredibly sharp edge to edge
• Smooth bokeh and impressive control of all lens distortions
• Versatile maximum f/2.8 aperture and snappy autofocus

I've taken a wide range of photos in various scenarios with the lens attached to a Nikon Z6 III (with all in-camera lens corrections turned off), using the various aperture settings and focal lengths. Put simply, the Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II is optically flawless, save for a light fall-off at f/2.8 (vignetting, which I rather like).

Detail is pin-sharp from center to edges. For reference, I compared like-for-like images shot with the original, and the new lens has the edge (I'm also working on a versus piece between the two lenses where I will share comparison images, coming soon). You'll need to zoom in to 100% to appreciate the difference, but it is there. I wouldn't feel the need to apply any sharpness corrections when editing the images, whereas with the original I tend to apply a little.

Bokeh quality is similar between both lenses. Sure, you'll want a f/1.4 prime or faster for bigger bokeh, but bokeh rendering at f/2.8 is pleasantly smooth and free of any distortion.

What's all the more impressive is that optical quality is better despite what is a simpler optical design – the new lens has 14 elements in 10 groups, compared to the original's 17 elements in 15 groups (this also partly explains the lighter weight of the new lens).

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You'll get lovely crsip sunstars when stopping lens aperture down to, say, f/16 (Image credit: Tim Coleman)Image 2 of 7

At f/2.8, I'm not seeing chromatic aberration distortion (Image credit: Tim Coleman)Image 3 of 7

At f/2.8, there is light fall-off (vignetting) (Image credit: Tim Coleman)Image 4 of 7

In the same scene but at f/8, light fall off is all but gone (Image credit: Tim Coleman)Image 5 of 7

Bokeh is smooth (Image credit: Tim Coleman)Image 6 of 7

Detail is crisp, autofocus reliable (with the Z6 III's subject detection AF) (Image credit: Tim Coleman)Image 7 of 7

Finally, some flare! Not that I'd take a poor quality picture like this for real – I was just trying to eke out flare (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

Photos I took in woodland with strong backlighting at f/2.8 are free from chromatic aberration – a distortion I'd expect to see in such a scenario with lesser-quality lenses. In the same scenario with the lens aperture stopped down to f/16, the lens rendered a crisp sunstar (you can see those two photos in the gallery, above).

Only when I pointed the camera straight towards the sun for a backlit selfie could I get any kind of lens flare – that's not a lens drawback, just an impossible situation I presented the lens with, and better lighting required!

Focus breathing is really well controlled, while autofocus performance is superb too. There's no sense of laboring – the lens snappily latches onto subjects, especially when paired with the Z6 III and making use of that camera's subject-detection tracking autofocus skills.

Combine that optical quality, decent close-focusing skills and speedy autofocus, and the Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II is an impressive performer on all fronts.

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I could rely on the camera and lens combination for sharp focus even in low light (Image credit: Tim Coleman)Image 2 of 7

Detail is incredibly sharp across this scene (Image credit: Tim Coleman)Image 3 of 7

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(Image credit: Tim Coleman)Should you buy the Nikon Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II?Buy it if...

You want a versatile professional zoom lens

The 24-70mm zoom range and maximum f/2.8 aperture cover off a huge range of scenarios.

You shoot events and weddings

That maximum f/2.8 aperture, fast autofocus skills and robust build are a dream combo for the rigors of event and wedding photography.

Don't buy it if...

You own the original 24-70mm f/2.8

Yes, there are a few improvements, but I don't think this new mark II version merits the financial hit of an upgrade at full price; it'll be a different story when its price drops.

You don't mind a secondhand saving

The original 24-70mm f/2.8 can be purchased secondhand for around 30% less than its successor's list price – that feels like the better deal.

(Image credit: Tim Coleman)How I tested the Nikon Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II

• I tested it for one month
• I paired it with the Nikon Z6 III and Nikon ZR cameras
• I used it for photography and video, both indoors and out

Nikon loaned me the Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II lens for a month, and during this time I've used it for event, portraiture and landscape photography, and as an everyday lens. I've also shot video with it.

I've made direct comparisons with my own 24-70mm f/2.8 S lens to see to what degree Nikon has improved on the original.

I've made sure to take images using various aperture settings and focal lengths, with all in-camera lens corrections switched off, and compared those images to check for any lens distortions and assess bokeh quality.

• First reviewed November 2025