For the most part, the player must traverse mini-sandbox-style levels, in some cases using vehicles, like tanks and boats, to traverse the environment. The single-player campaign has several differences from the main multiplayer component. Standard combat abilities are still current including, reloading whilst sprinting, unlimited sprint, prone and vaulting. In addition, players have more combat capabilities, such as countering melee attacks from the front while standing or crouching, shooting with their sidearm while swimming, and diving underwater to avoid enemy detection. The game's bullet-dropping-system has been significantly enhanced, forcing the player to change the way they play medium to long distance combat. They can 'spot' targets (marking their positions to the player's team) in the single-player campaign (a first in the Battlefield franchise) as well as in multiplayer.

Most weapons can also change between different firing modes (automatic, semi-automatic, and burst fire), allowing the player to adapt to the environment they find themselves in. Primary, secondary and melee weapons can all be customised with weapon attachments and camouflage 'skins'. Weapon customisation is expansive and encouraged. Battlefield 4 options also allow colour-blind players to change the on-screen colour indicators to: tritanomaly, deuteranomaly and protanomaly.

The mini-map, as well as the main game screen, shows symbols denoting three kinds of entities: blue for allies, green for squadmates, and orange for enemies, this applies to all interactivity on the battlefield. On the Windows version of the game, the top left features a chat window when in multiplayer. The top right displays kill notifications of all players in-game. The lower left-hand corner features a mini-map and compass for navigation, and a simplified objective notice above it the lower right includes a compact ammo counter and health meter. The game's heads-up display (HUD) is composed of two compact rectangles.

Battlefield 4 free to play download