Before you dig into the game and start to explore the world and story that it offers there are elements that are worthy of review, among them the modes that are on offer, as they have a definite impact on play when they are properly used.
Battlefield: Hardline introduces both familiar modes and some new ones to the series. That being so, an overview of each mode is certainly desirable and so we present that below:
The multi-player side of this game is actually (probably) the mode that it was really created for - that has been the Legacy of the games in this series, with the single-player story mode tending to be shorter and shorter with each new game... That is odd because the story mode in this series is among the better ones for the genre. Just saying.
In MP mode for Hardline you have a number of options:
Quick Match
Server Browser
Squad Join
For Squad Join you mostly use that for grouping with mates - the other two are pretty self-explanatory, starting a quick game match or picking from the available servers.
The other options are:
Customize
My Agent
Battle Packs
You use Customize to set up your default avatar - as you can select custom weapons (you purchase the more advanced ones but you do have decent starters) as well as gadgets and kit, and appearnace.
The My Agent section allows you to review your progress, assignments, coins and bounties. You can also select from the Patches you have unlocked.
Battle Packs include the ones you unlocked during story mode play - which are totally worth it - and the ones you unlock - and purchase - in MP play.
This is where you go through the ten episodes - which is totally worth doing since (a) you get most of the Achievements that way, and (b) unlock a bunch of Battle Packs for the MP mode as well. That and again, the story is pretty good!