Titanfall"Pilot, Prepare for Titan fall!"
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DEV: Respawn Entertainment
PUB: EA
RELEASE DATE: 11/03/2014
FORMAT: PC, XboxOne & Xbox360
Titanfall is the first game from developer Respawn Entertainment which is largely compromised of members of the original Infinity Ward team behind the hugely influential Call of Duty: Modern Warfare. It will become immediately obvious to anyone who plays their new effort that the legacy of their previous game runs deep in the DNA of their highly anticipated new IP. However it is where the game moves on and evolves from COD that really sets it apart as a franchise that will be around for a long time.
The first thing you will notice is that there is no single player mode at all. Even the usually single player Campaign mode is played out via multiplayer here. There is a narrative but to be honest it’s hardly worth mentioning. The two sides, the IMC and the Militia, don’t like each other. That’s all you need to know. The only reason to play is to speed up your XP and unlocks.
Your basic game modes are all present and correct including team deathmatch and base capture; in this case they’re named Attrition and Hardpoint respectively. You get access to 16 maps all of which have a pleasingly distinct look and feel and are well designed to cater to the various gameplay elements. The game is only 6 vs 6 which may be initially off-putting to those used to Battlefield’s hectic 64 sided affairs but it quickly becomes clear that this is a considered gameplay decision rather than any sort of limitations of tech. Any more of the titular Titans running around and the game would likely become a crowded mess. By way of concession the maps are also populated by AI controlled Grunts and Spectre bots which though essentially cannon fodder help give you a feeling a being part of a larger battle.
PUB: EA
RELEASE DATE: 11/03/2014
FORMAT: PC, XboxOne & Xbox360
Titanfall is the first game from developer Respawn Entertainment which is largely compromised of members of the original Infinity Ward team behind the hugely influential Call of Duty: Modern Warfare. It will become immediately obvious to anyone who plays their new effort that the legacy of their previous game runs deep in the DNA of their highly anticipated new IP. However it is where the game moves on and evolves from COD that really sets it apart as a franchise that will be around for a long time.
The first thing you will notice is that there is no single player mode at all. Even the usually single player Campaign mode is played out via multiplayer here. There is a narrative but to be honest it’s hardly worth mentioning. The two sides, the IMC and the Militia, don’t like each other. That’s all you need to know. The only reason to play is to speed up your XP and unlocks.
Your basic game modes are all present and correct including team deathmatch and base capture; in this case they’re named Attrition and Hardpoint respectively. You get access to 16 maps all of which have a pleasingly distinct look and feel and are well designed to cater to the various gameplay elements. The game is only 6 vs 6 which may be initially off-putting to those used to Battlefield’s hectic 64 sided affairs but it quickly becomes clear that this is a considered gameplay decision rather than any sort of limitations of tech. Any more of the titular Titans running around and the game would likely become a crowded mess. By way of concession the maps are also populated by AI controlled Grunts and Spectre bots which though essentially cannon fodder help give you a feeling a being part of a larger battle.
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Once you start playing the twitch style run and gun shooting will
likely come quickly to any COD veterans but they now have an extra layer of
movement to learn. You control a Pilot who is equipped with a personal jetpack
which allows you wall run and double jump adding great verticality and enhanced
tactics beyond your usual shooter. Find yourself in a tight spot? Well that’s
okay because 4 seconds later you could be up on the roof opposite shooting your
foe in the back of the head before he’s realised what’s happened. Kill enough
and you’re rewarded with your beloved Titan. The game does a great job of
making the Titans feel like the weighty robots they are when compared to
controlling the spritely Pilots. Though what you lose in movement you more than
make up for in firepower with rockets and heavy duty machine guns all at your
disposal. Overall everything is very well balanced meaning Pilots and Titans
are both able to exploit certain advantages without it ever being unfair.
Ultimately Titanfall is an excellent game, though whether it’s a must buy depends on your predilection for online shooters. It’s certainly a very good one but offers literally nothing else. When all is said and done Titanfall is a great introduction but it’s the inevitable sequel where the series may really take off.
Ultimately Titanfall is an excellent game, though whether it’s a must buy depends on your predilection for online shooters. It’s certainly a very good one but offers literally nothing else. When all is said and done Titanfall is a great introduction but it’s the inevitable sequel where the series may really take off.
