'Battlefield 4' shows off shiny Siege of Shanghai level

Given pride of place at the Electronic Arts E3 presentation on June 10, a multiplayer stage from "Battlefield 4" showcased the game's Shanghai level, with multiplayer antics underground and atop a skyscraper.

Infantry-mobile-armor-and-air-forces-clash-in-the-Battlefield-4-Siege-of-Shanghai-level-Photo-AFP

Given pride of place at the Electronic Arts E3 presentation on June 10, a multiplayer stage from 'Battlefield 4' showcased the game's Shanghai level, with multiplayer antics underground and atop a skyscraper.

The series has become well-known for its use of destructible architecture, much to players' delight, making them think laterally when it comes to completing missions or escaping opponents.

And where 'Call of Duty: Ghosts' released footage from several single-player levels on Sunday, 'Battlefield 4' was subject to a multiplayer session.

So it was that a crew of game demonstrators convened in a car park under Shanghai's digitized streets, blowing away a concrete support to scupper an enemy tank's progress.

Absent from the series since 2006 spin-off 'Battlefield 2142,' the Commander role -- a team leader position -- returns in 'Battlefield 4,' thanks to the rise of the tablet device.

Studio manager Karl-Magnus Troedsson tapped on his iPad, issuing commands to his cadre of teammates, directing them to the next objective, and calling down missiles upon a lair of enemy armor.

Announced for release the week of October 29 on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC, 'Battlefield 4' is to feature 64-player battles on PC and the next-gen Xbox One and PS4 platforms.