So I've had Titanfall 2 in my backlog for a while now along with dozens of other games, and two days ago I thought I'd attempt to clear through some of it.
Started with the new DOOM and it just wasn't doing it for me. Something about it just seemed a bit too chaotic and repetitive, and the levels too busy. Then I moved on to Metro Redux (2033), seeing as this is a remaster of an older title, the graphics left a bit to be desired, and the build-up at the beginning felt a bit too slow for my mood at the time, so I stopped that too (will return to it later).
Enter Titanfall 2.
Honestly, the campaign in the game really took me by surprise. I was expecting something completely ho-hum and ordinary, but it's actually much more than that, instead, it's a bolder, more innovative, diverse and creative take on what you might normally find in a war based campaign.
So what elements make it so fun?
The game is not perfect by any means, there's still some jank, trial and error platforming moments, some not so creative boss battles, some repetition, weak elements of visuals (faces, textures etc) and ropey dialogue here and there, but they don't detract too heavily from the overall experience, which is pretty unique and ultimately very fun.
If you haven't checked Titanfall 2 out already, it can be had for so cheap lately that I'd give it a go just for the single player campaign, even if you're not interested in the multiplayer. Hell, I saw it going for like £5-£10 the other day. Easily worth that, even if it's not the longest game in the world.
Thought I'd make the thread because I feel Titanfall 2 got somewhat overlooked, but in truth, the single player campaign at least is a much more creative, efforted and fun experience than most typical or standard war shooters.
Gameplay shots (Xbox One).
Started with the new DOOM and it just wasn't doing it for me. Something about it just seemed a bit too chaotic and repetitive, and the levels too busy. Then I moved on to Metro Redux (2033), seeing as this is a remaster of an older title, the graphics left a bit to be desired, and the build-up at the beginning felt a bit too slow for my mood at the time, so I stopped that too (will return to it later).
Enter Titanfall 2.
Honestly, the campaign in the game really took me by surprise. I was expecting something completely ho-hum and ordinary, but it's actually much more than that, instead, it's a bolder, more innovative, diverse and creative take on what you might normally find in a war based campaign.
So what elements make it so fun?
- The diversity of gameplay. Whilst Titanfall is predominantly an FPS, it mixes things up constantly with a heavy emphasis on fluid parkour and platforming gameplay segments, copious amounts of mech combat, numerous Titan based boss battles, light puzzle segments, and more that I don't want to spoil. There's segments and tools or abilities you get in this game that I simply was not expecting, and they're used in such interesting and creative ways. They not only make you feel unbelievably cool or badass, but offer really unique scenarios I've not experienced in a shooter before.
- Super satisfying gunplay. Similar to Call of Duty it's precise and impactful, but here most of the weapons pack a meatier punch and were, to me at least, more interesting and diverse. Throughout the campaign, you're constantly cycling through new weapons and that diversity, coupled with the excellent and dramatic weapon audio and excessive blood splatter, plumes and effects, really add an element of tactility and drama to gunfights.
- The breadth of mobility with moving, wall running, jumping and dashing around is all just really fluid and fun. You feel very nimble and powerful, and can approach combat scenarios more creatively than in many other shooters. Add to that, the wall running and jumping isn't all fully automated either, instead, there's a surprising amount of skill associated with it, plus a certain freedom to some of the level design that enables more airborne creativity, which is only further highlighted when trying to collect the secret helmets that are numerously dotted around.
- The art direction and locations are beautiful, diverse and aesthetically rich. When I talked about what I'd want form a Titanfall 2 campaign post Titanfall 1 launch, I mentioned wanting jungle and mountain areas from movies like Avatar, with alien creatures et all, and in a sense, Titanfall 2 delivers that. One minute you'll be in some dense tropical-like environment, the next you'll be in some cool looking installation, then some Japanese looking gardens, and then some beautiful high up mountain region depicting something like the floating hallelujah mountains of Zhangjiajie in China or Avatar's weird alien world etc. Despite the 60fps frame rate and not so ideal visuals at times, art direction wise things are strong and make the visual identity quite striking, plus there's a tonne of verticality and elevation to some of the levels that give them added fun factor.
- The sense of scale and scope to the campaign is impressive. A lot of the moments throughout the game are just really epic and awesome. There's big, bombastic set pieces and moments, which aided by your airborne abilities and massive Titan, have an added air of grandeur and scale about them.
The game is not perfect by any means, there's still some jank, trial and error platforming moments, some not so creative boss battles, some repetition, weak elements of visuals (faces, textures etc) and ropey dialogue here and there, but they don't detract too heavily from the overall experience, which is pretty unique and ultimately very fun.
If you haven't checked Titanfall 2 out already, it can be had for so cheap lately that I'd give it a go just for the single player campaign, even if you're not interested in the multiplayer. Hell, I saw it going for like £5-£10 the other day. Easily worth that, even if it's not the longest game in the world.
Thought I'd make the thread because I feel Titanfall 2 got somewhat overlooked, but in truth, the single player campaign at least is a much more creative, efforted and fun experience than most typical or standard war shooters.
Gameplay shots (Xbox One).
