Slight spoilers ahead!
If you told me that the follow-up to the multiplayer only game "Titanfall" would shatter my expectations, I would have laughed in your face. And now, after logging in over 100 hours of gameplay in the first two weeks, I can safely say that the game is incredibly fun.
Let's start with the story. On paper it's not that original. A foot soldier is promoted in the field to replace a Pilot, and is given a Titan (giant mech for those uninformed). They then uncover a super-weapon and team up with the SRS Militia to stop it from being used.
What really gives it weight is the character development of your Titan, and the interactions between BT-7274 and your pilot character, Jack Cooper. It's one or two dialogue options that don't really affect the story, but the humor is top notch, and the serious tones are never too angsty. Even when BT is describing his career with his dead pilot, it's very factual, and not overly dramatic or shoved in your face.
Controls are about as fluid as they come, and wall running and double jumping feel slightly easier this time around to me. Titanfall lost me when I couldn't wall run in the tutorial. I tried and tried again, and could never do it. My first wall run in the SP campaign... I did it with flying colors and landed the jump with room to spare.
In addition, boss fights against other Titans add a level of challenge that I loved as well. Some could be easier (*Viper*), but each of them is beatable if you know their style of fighting.
As for multiplayer, I've heard complaints that the game is too slow. It may be slower than Titanfall, but I find it's still a fast paced game. It's about five times faster than Battlefield 1, and much slower than Infinite Warfare. I find it strikes a nice balance of speed, while still giving players time to react.
I haven't found a weapon that isn't interesting, or fun to use. Aside from the R-201's accuracy over range, the strengths and weaknesses are all fair in my eyes. For example, the Kraber is a one shot sniper, but the bullet drops rather hard over range. The Hemlok BF-R is now a burst fire assault rifle, and it can one burst if fired correctly, but suffers from a decreased fire rate compared to other weapons.
Titans have changed the most, in that they no longer start with shields. In order to get one, you must have a battery, or a friendly player with a battery (which they get from landing a rodeo on an enemy titan the first time) must rodeo you and give it to you in a scripted animation.
There are also six distinct Titan classes in this game, whereas the original had three chassis models and multiple weapon options. Though I play mostly "Tone" I have tried all of them and find them all to be viable in their distinct play styles.
All in all, Titanfall 2 is my favorite of this year's shooter offerings. It's a departure from the original in some ways, but I find many of those differences to be an advantage. At least try it, and if it isn't your type of game, then so be it.
If you told me that the follow-up to the multiplayer only game "Titanfall" would shatter my expectations, I would have laughed in your face. And now, after logging in over 100 hours of gameplay in the first two weeks, I can safely say that the game is incredibly fun.
Let's start with the story. On paper it's not that original. A foot soldier is promoted in the field to replace a Pilot, and is given a Titan (giant mech for those uninformed). They then uncover a super-weapon and team up with the SRS Militia to stop it from being used.
What really gives it weight is the character development of your Titan, and the interactions between BT-7274 and your pilot character, Jack Cooper. It's one or two dialogue options that don't really affect the story, but the humor is top notch, and the serious tones are never too angsty. Even when BT is describing his career with his dead pilot, it's very factual, and not overly dramatic or shoved in your face.
Controls are about as fluid as they come, and wall running and double jumping feel slightly easier this time around to me. Titanfall lost me when I couldn't wall run in the tutorial. I tried and tried again, and could never do it. My first wall run in the SP campaign... I did it with flying colors and landed the jump with room to spare.
In addition, boss fights against other Titans add a level of challenge that I loved as well. Some could be easier (*Viper*), but each of them is beatable if you know their style of fighting.
As for multiplayer, I've heard complaints that the game is too slow. It may be slower than Titanfall, but I find it's still a fast paced game. It's about five times faster than Battlefield 1, and much slower than Infinite Warfare. I find it strikes a nice balance of speed, while still giving players time to react.
I haven't found a weapon that isn't interesting, or fun to use. Aside from the R-201's accuracy over range, the strengths and weaknesses are all fair in my eyes. For example, the Kraber is a one shot sniper, but the bullet drops rather hard over range. The Hemlok BF-R is now a burst fire assault rifle, and it can one burst if fired correctly, but suffers from a decreased fire rate compared to other weapons.
Titans have changed the most, in that they no longer start with shields. In order to get one, you must have a battery, or a friendly player with a battery (which they get from landing a rodeo on an enemy titan the first time) must rodeo you and give it to you in a scripted animation.
There are also six distinct Titan classes in this game, whereas the original had three chassis models and multiple weapon options. Though I play mostly "Tone" I have tried all of them and find them all to be viable in their distinct play styles.
All in all, Titanfall 2 is my favorite of this year's shooter offerings. It's a departure from the original in some ways, but I find many of those differences to be an advantage. At least try it, and if it isn't your type of game, then so be it.