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Who would have bet that the next generation of military shooters would be ushered in by the soft rock strains of Bonnie Tyler’s classic Total Eclipse Of The Heart? Or, stranger still, that it would work?

Our first look at Battlefield 4 opens with Tombstone Squad slowly sinking into the ocean in a 4x4 – while Bonnie’s song blasts out from the car stereo.

But with the water creeping in, the soldiers realise that not everyone is getting out alive, and player-character Recker is forced to make a life-or-death decision, shooting out the windshield to escape – and leaving his trapped squad leader behind. It’s a ­remarkable opening to a single player campaign that Sweden-based ­developers DICE promises will emphasise the ­human side to war.

It’s aiming for a dramatic and ­believable frontline experience, ­following the squad as they enter ­Shanghai to rescue American personnel – and are then left to fight their way home when war breaks out.

An arsenal of new single-player gameplay elements will complement this revised focus on drama, such as the ability to issue direct orders to both your squad and to aerial allies, telling them to ­suppress targets – or to blast them with helicopter fire.

And it isn’t just your comrades who will get to pilot vehicles. As ever with Battlefield, you’ll be able to get behind the wheel – or stick – of numerous tanks, helicopters and attack boats. The most impressive aspect of our 17-minute first look at the game, though, was seeing its new next-generation graphics engine in action.

The Frostbite 3 game ­engine allows stunning visuals, lifelike facial animations and, according to the developers, “no limits”. Which means no more ­excuses, right?

Sadly, there’s no news yet of the game’s multi-player modes – especially disappointing given it is traditionally the part of the franchise fans most look forward to. But with months to go until Battlefield 4’s release, there’s still plenty of time left for DICE to roll out its big guns. Your move, Call of Duty.

Next gen consoles, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC. Out October

LAUREN WAINWRIGHT