Titanfall 2 is a first person shooter and sequel videogame to Titanfall, developed by Respawn Entertainment and published by Electronic Arts (EA). The game is set in what is known as The Frontier, a system of planets consisting of two warring sides, the Frontier Militia and the Interstellar Manufacturing Corporation (IMC), both of which are fighting for control over their planetary system.
The opening sequence of the game is epic, with a narration describing what it means to be a pilot and the bond pilots share with their Titans (mecha-styled robots). The single player campaign involves an intriguing plot, in which players take on the role of Jack Cooper, a rifleman with the Frontier Militia fighting to free The Frontier from the IMC.
Titanfall 2 begins with a bit of an introduction to the characters and the plot of the game. Cooper is sent to a foreign planet to fight the IMC. After being dropped into the battlefield, he discovers an injured and dying squad Captain as well as the crippled Titan, BT-7274. Required to partner up with BT-7274, Cooper goes on to befriend the Titan and fights alongside it to defeat both alien and human enemies from IMC.
The sequel plays like its predecessor, with players being able to control and play as both the pilot and the Titan. However, despite being largely similar to Titanfall, this game includes a single-player story campaign, that was lacking and high in demand in Titanfall, which allows players new to the Titanfall games and first person shooters to pick it up with ease. Having a single-player campaign, to me, is one of the best features of Titanfall 2 as it provides players the opportunity to play however they wish and explore vast, open-ended arenas. Not only that, but the single-player campaign includes all the multiplayer aspects of the game without the competitiveness, which is a welcome feature for casual gamers like myself.
The game introduces six different classes of Titans to choose from, all with different abilities and super moves, as opposed to the original game’s three. In single-player mode, players are able to unlock and play with each Titan load out, allowing them to experience each Titan’s uniqueness. This makes the single-player campaign all the more appealing, as with multiplayer, players are forced to stick with their chosen class.
Multiplayer mode in this game includes a marked improvement in the skill system. Players are now rated by their own merit and performance in multiplayer matches rather than the number of wins they have. The difference in this game’s multiplayer mode is that everything is customisable, from pilot abilities to a range of different weapons. The aim of the multiplayer mode is to complete objectives, which varies depending on the game mode and play style you choose. The multiplayer mechanics in both Titanfall games makes for a fun gaming experience even for those who aren’t necessarily ‘good’ at multiplayer shooters. By having achievement objectives, players are still able to contribute to their team even if they aren’t experienced gamers. This, in my opinion, puts Titanfall and, subsequently, Titanfall 2, at a higher level compared to other multiplayer shooters.
Some of Titanfall 2′s best features include the ability to summon a Titan and watch them descend from the sky upon attaining sufficient points. In addition, embarking on a Titan is extremely cool as well as the ability to remove yourself from a Titan, while in combat, to tackle more difficult enemies and situations, all the while having the Titan patrol the area to keep you safe. Furthermore, the game involves some elements of platforming, thereby including puzzle solving into its gameplay, which allows for more diverse fun. Not only that, but players are also able to talk and interact with their Titan, which provides Titans with their own personalities, something that certainly illustrates what a step up games are nowadays.
As with gameplay, the visuals of the game are incredible with crisp and clear graphics that simply add allure and beauty to the game. In addition, the controls feel delightfully good, with everything within the game feeling easy and smooth, from wall running to double jumping and embarking onto a Titan. It’s interesting to note that players are able to ‘feel’ the weight of the Titan upon embarking them, which provides a certain realism to the game. The only downside to having brilliant visuals is not having a superb soundtrack to back it up with. Other than that, Titanfall 2 is simply divine.
I’ve rarely ever been good at first person shooters and am the kind of player that dies and respawns multiple times over in games like Call of Duty, which can be incredibly frustrating. However, Titanfall 2 allows players a decent amount of play time before they are ultimately killed, which is another plus for me. To be very honest, there isn’t much not to like about Titanfall 2 and it is certainly a welcome addition to the first person shooter genre.
If you’re into first person shooter games like Call of Duty and are a fan of Pacific Rim, Titanfall 2 comes highly recommended. If you aren’t into shooters but would like to give them a go, I would recommend Titanfall 2 as your game of choice as it is a fun, simple and easy enough game to pick up, regardless of how experienced a gamer you are.