titanfall 2 game review

Titanfall 2: the FPS outsider who became a tenor

After having seen it up and down during the second half of 2016, here we are finally facing the full copy of Titanfall 2, which includes a multi more punchy than ever as well as a solo mode than the we secretly hoped to be up to it, contrary to what the first installment of the saga proposed. Does this new version manage to find a place in a busy end of the year on the FPS side? This is what we will try to see during this test ...

Wakeup call

Note for those who have taken the train on the way that Titanfall is a license developed by Respawn Entertainment, a studio founded by former members of Infinity Ward. These ex-developers of Call of Duty have in mind to offer with their new franchise a nervous epic, in the form of FPS, by introducing a large dose of asymmetry in the clashes. The players here are pilots, ultra-mobile and formidable, who can call on their titan, massive and destructive mechas, in order to carry out the solo missions and turn the tide during combat in multiplayer.

THE MODERN FPS “VERTICAL” DEPOSIT IS BACK

So let's start our analysis with the gameplay of Titanfall 2, directly inherited from its big brother. The title published by EA therefore cleverly reuses the recipe from the opus released in 2014 and embellishes it with the passage of many additions, as we told you during our Gaming Live and Preview made in recent months. We are here on an ultra dynamic FPS, mimicking the sensations of the fast-FPS of yesteryear, by giving players the opportunity to play it parkour with wallruns, walljump, slides and other toys to always go faster and surprise the enemy with class.

The shooting itself and the dynamics of key is similar to that of a Call of Duty which is probably not unrelated to the fact that the developers have produced 4 during their career. It should also be remembered that, for 3 years, the Activision license has gone in the same direction as Titanfall in terms of displacement and heightened verticality. So we stay here on a gameplay that has initiated a new dynamic in the FPS ecosystem, and to really see the nuance with the first Titanfall, you will have to go first to the loadout menus, crucial to define which equipment you want to bring , with you, for the battle.

NOT ENOUGH CONTENT? VERY WELL…

One of the main criticisms of Titanfall was its lack of content, which also resulted in the relatively small number of weapons, accessories and accessories. The developers have apparently heard complaints from the community since there are now on average 4 models for each category of weapons, each with several sights, grips and magazines. The good thing that accompanies this finding is that we keep here the "unique" aspect of the weapons of Titanfall.

Unlike a Batlefield 1, also published by EA, each rifle is recognizable and proves to be quite "marked", with its own feeling, so that we will very often change the favorite depending on the situation , the game mode or the type of player facing us. These different weapons are unlocked as we progress through the ranks of multiplayer and we are therefore quickly reassured to notice that the desire to go always further is present, even after several tens hours of multiplayer play.

AN EXCELLENT NEW GAME MODE: BOUNTY HUNT

In terms of game modes, here again Respawn has been listening to its players. If the classics of the genre are still there under more or less recognizable names (Attrition, Capture the Flag, Team Deathmatch with or without AI or titans, without forgetting Free For All), we will notice new entrants, like the excellent and very Bounty Hunt strategy. This mode, which we had already presented to you, offers players to compete to bring rewards in "virtual banks" which opens at the end of each wave.

These famous waves are made up of increasingly sturdy AIs (grunts, robots, but also titans) that land and bring in big money for players who overcome them. Once the banks are opened, the two teams will seek to "deposit" their hard-earned money and will not hesitate to kill members of the opposing team, who have also come to shed their bonuses. Each time you die, you lose 50% of your wallet: that is to say that reversals are not uncommon and that everything is sometimes due to very little… This new game mode is particularly tasty and turns out to be one of the best additions to the title.

NEW OUT OF OLD ?

However, the old modes are not outdone and we return with pleasure on Amped Hardpoint, a domination mode which is offered with TF2 a variant where the players present on an allied point can make it double count, which generates an aggressive and defensive dynamic with interesting ramifications. Last Titan Standing, a seemingly innocuous mode where everyone starts with a titan and operates in such a way that the opposing team has none left, is also appearing again. Only here, Respawn has redesigned the mechanics of its concept and offers, as you have surely noticed thanks to the trailers and presentations of the game, a new system of Titans. These are no longer simple light, medium and heavy chassis to which are added some offensive tools. The selection of mechas now includes 6 unique chassis, with their own skills and playing styles. A new dimension which makes the Last Titan Standing mode (and the rest of the game) particularly appreciable and strategic.

A MULTI COSTAUD

Who says new unique chassis obviously says specialization of the titans, and at this level, we notice very quickly "who does what". From Northstar the flying sniper who uses cables to block his opponents to Legion, the big brute who plays the shield and gatling, via Ronin the light and ultra mobile Mecha-Ninja: players will be spoiled for choice . They can therefore use the Titans as an ideal counter against forces in presence or against objectives. Thanks to these new modes and types of games revisited, enriched by a solid range of possibilities in terms of customization of loadouts and by the variety of boosts (holograms, grapples, stim etc.), Titanfall 2 already perfect on excellent bases. Respawn takes vice a step further by adding to this a unique duel system in a closed arena for those who would like to have a little 1V1 with a friend.

This mode, called Coliseum, is quite effective and deserves to appear more often in the sphere of competitive FPS, even if we regret the lack of rotation in the proposed weapons. In terms of interesting features, we will also mention the Network, a network of chat and matchmaking between communities that has enough good ideas to be a success. To put it simply, let's say that this is a system of chat channels that allow two very useful things: to launch games and offer them quickly to members, but also to define happy hours, which allow players to earn more credit if they take part in fixed-time fights, together.

These famous credits, mentioned above, are part of the economic system of the title, and offer the possibility to players to unlock skills and weapons to perfect their game configuration. Note also that Respawn and EA do not plan any paid DLC for this episode, as we announced earlier this year. Cards and game modes will therefore be delivered to players for free, which for a multi FPS deserves to be praised. However, with a multi as good, there remained a question before the test: what is the value of the solo campaign, which was so lacking in the first installment?

A SUCCESSFUL CAMPAIGN?

With its 9 missions, the Titanfall 2 solo campaign is short (5 to 6 hours) but very pleasant. No length, a simple but effective narration, humor and very good gameplay ideas are therefore to be expected for this new entrant in the category of triple A multi and solo. It explores the feats of arms of Jack Cooper, a simple militia soldier, taken under the wing of the pilot Lastimosa who teaches him the basics of the trade. After a first battle, our man finds himself in spite of himself in charge of BT 7274, the titan of his mentor.

Then begins an epic in the relatively classic scenario halfway between Star Wars and Avatar, which will make us explore back and forth and across the planet Typhon, occupied by the IMC, belligerent corporation of industrialists hungry for resources. Facing them, the Militia, composed of farmers, soldiers and free men above all. A faction which at the time of the first Titanfall made their weapons and now effectively tracks the IMC across the Border, zone where Typhon is located.

From the first contact with BT until the end of our campaign, we will spend time here on foot as in titan, playing on the interdependence between the pilot and his mecha. BT’s AI, its responses and reflections bring a bit of life to the adventure’s relatively interventionist journey. However, we are regularly surprised by the good gameplay ideas exploited by Respawn Entertainment, ideas that we will not spoil to keep the surprise. Well thought out, effective and very pleasant, this campaign is therefore an honest success which complements an almost faultless.

BUT WHAT IS BELLING?

Among the reproaches that can be made to this Titanfall 2, we note all the same the somewhat dated side of the realization, turning on a "Source base" which sometimes reminds us of its canonical age by sequences of uncertain animations or by graphics that are a little too plastic. However, these concerns do not detract from the mood or exemplary nervousness of the action. Likewise, some maps seem a bit blank and lack detail, but that's not all that bad and we can't wait to see what the team has in store for players for the next free content additions. Note also that despite these few technical limitations, the game displays regular 60FPS on consoles and even offers some sumptuous panoramas. Hats off to the team and hope that the aura of the first episode does not penalize the sequel, which comes out in a very busy period in the FPS category.

The notes
+ Positive points
A gameplay with heightened verticality, ultra dynamic and enjoyable
A rather successful solo adventure, with no downtime, sometimes funny, and with very good gameplay ideas
An effective reinforcement in terms of content at the multi level (weapons, equipment, aesthetic customization, capacities, classes of titans).
A good feeling of progress over the long term
Some essential and strategic game modes: Bounty Hunt, Last Titan Standing, Amped Hardpoints…
No Season Pass and free content planned for short and medium term support
An interesting Coliseum mode for 1V1 but which should have been further explored

Negative points
The graphics engine begins to date despite beautiful panoramas (sequences of animations a little too raw, some maps a little empty and sometimes dull)
AIs a bit limited in single player mode (especially when playing the stealth and stealth card)

Titanfall 2 is a real success. Thanks to its multi boost, haloed in various game modes (including the excellent Bounty Hunt), or even thanks to its titan classes and its range of weapons and abilities, the title ensures a good lifespan online. In addition, Respawn intends to keep its community without adding paid post-release content, which is a great thing if the support can keep up. We will also note the presence of private matches and Networks to organize the games with his band. Far from being only a multiplayer game, Titanfall 2 succeeds where its big brother had failed, by proposing a real solo epic interesting, funny and rather effective thanks to very good ideas of gameplay. A campaign and a multi that prove that the developers have real expertise on both sides of the FPS.