I had a chance to play Titanfall this past week while attending PAX Prime 2013. For those wondering, it was a PC build using the Xbox 360 controller. When I asked the staff on the floor about how close to the Xbox One build this demo was, they said they are optimizing what we played to be close to both PC and the Xbox One. As I put the controller down after my playtime it was evident that there is one game that Titanfall has in its’ crosshairs, and that game is Call of Duty. I found my limited time with the game very enjoyable and as I watched others play throughout the day it came clear to me that this game really has some great aspects that could make it the next great competitive FPS for fans of the genre to play and challenge Call of Duty for this crown. Here are the reasons why:
1. Familiar Twitch Action and Quick Play Intensified
Any Call of Duty fan plays the yearly installment because of its gameplay style. Call of Duty is a fast paced game with twitch controls and a very quick style of play. It does not try to be a Battlefield like game with immensely large levels or realistic features. When you play any Call of Duty title you know what you are getting given the size of levels, the design of said levels, the speed of the gameplay and how quickly you get back into the action when you meet an untimely demise. It’s a mix of features that many have come to enjoy.
Titanfall follows in the same footsteps of Call of Duty. It is a very fast paced game, controls are again twitch oriented, and if you die you are back in the game very quickly and back into the thick of battle just as quick. Given that this game is designed by former Infinity Ward staff this is somewhat expected, but I honestly didn’t expect it to feel the way it did. As I ventured throughout the level battling the enemy I was right at home given how much time I have spent playing COD: Black Ops 2 lately. It only took a few minutes to get used to the new weapon features before I found my groove. I do admit that I am not the most diehard competitive FPS player, but those who do fall into this group are going to find a lot of comfort in how easy it is to get a feel for this game. It plays amazingly quick while keeping up the intensity at all times. Fans of Call of Duty will find a lot to like here, almost too much to be exact, and this could really play a part in their wanting to play this game.
2. Multiplayer Doesn’t Necessarily feel like Multiplayer
I have heard the term “Campaign Multiplayer” tossed around a few times when Titanfall is being described. Bottomline, this game is indeed a multiplayer only title, but as you play it doesn’t always feel like it. The one level we played, the “War-torn metropolis called Angel City”, had our team trying to protect a key player while the opposing team was looking for the same character. We were treated to a very ‘campaign’ like cutscene and then thrown into battle. Sure, it was two teams facing each other, but as we entered the match after the cinematic and the goal at hand was set, there were times that it just didn’t feel like a simple multiplayer game.
I found this really evident given the fact that you are not only fighting against the human controlled players on the other team, but the game itself also has AI that populates the match and you’ll be up against them as well. There was one particular time during the match that I was killing those playing the demo against my team, as well as various AI characters. It seemed to blur the lines of a simple team vs. team match and a campaign mode, as there were more then just the two human teams playing. It made it feel like I was indeed playing a level in a campaign section of a game, and not just killing other people in a multiplayer match. There is also an ‘epilogue’ to the level as the game just doesn’t end with a score. Here the losing team tries to get to their drop ship and the winning team members try to kill them during their attempt to escape. It brought a ‘story-like’ conclusion to the match. If Respawn can continue to develop this aspect and have gamers feel even more like they are in a campaign like mode with campaign like objectives, it could allow Titanfall to feel more than just another online multiplayer game.
3. Free Running Opens Things Up
One of the biggest features of Titanfall is the new free running mode. With the aid of a jet pack you have the ability to reach areas up high. You’ll also able to run along walls too. It is a very well implemented system. When you ‘jet pack’ up to an area that you can reach your character automatically grabs the ledge, railing, or whatever it is, and you can continue on looking for new areas to access. Add to this that you can run along the walls, billboards, and almost any other section of environment above the streets. The best way I can describe it is that is somewhat akin to that crazy roof-running called Parkour.
As I was venturing through Angel City it was clearly evident through the level design that there are many ways for players to get around and it really opens up the level for not only exploration, but also for some great attacks given there will be more then a few ways to enter the battle area. Once people get this game in their own homes, and get comfortable with the controls, it will be easy to get around taking so many different paths. I know we were limited to one gameplay level, but if this level is any indication of what other levels in Titanfall will have in store for gamers then we are in for a treat.
4. The Game’s Visuals Look Great
I have to say that even at this early stage the visuals look solid. I was amazed with how much action was going on onscreen and how there was little to no technical hiccups. This includes the battles between you and other human players, as well as all those AI players that help populate the map. Add to that the buildings, the special effects, the explosions, lighting, etc. and you have a good looking game. Sure, the game is not done yet, and there was the odd bout of clipping, but this was far and few between. Oh yeah, and as for the framerate, in the match we played it was rock solid with no slowdown, even when so much was happening at once, from multiple Titans battling it out to the various troops firing at each other in the middle of the street. I can’t wait to see how this game ends up looking on the Xbox One as Titanfall has the potential to show off the next-gen capabilities of the Xbox One and I can’t wait.
5. There is Still Strategy Required
You’ll find that to be successful at Titanfall you’ll have to play smart and not just run in and fight. This includes picking your pilot and Titan class that not only suits you, but those who you play with. For our demo there were three classes of pilots, including Assault (medium ranged assault weapons), Tactical (magnetic grenade launcher and smart pistol), and CQB (shotgun and pistol). Each class has a specific Titan oriented weapon to help attack those big mechs. For example, the CQB had an Archer Guided Lock On Rocket Launcher. Of course you can pick a Titan class too, which ranges from a Battle Titan, Heavy Weapons Titan, and High Explosive Titan. I don’t know if there will be more Titans, but hey, you never know.
As you go into battle you’ll discover that a team who communicates and who uses the right classes amongst each other will be successful. I am sure most of you are saying “Sure, like every other FPS”; and granted, you have a point, but once you play this game you’ll understand that class choice and battle strategy are indeed part of this game, from your point of attack, when you choose to call your Titan, to what support you’ll give to your other teammates. I only had the chance for a game or two, but after watching others play throughout the day it’s evident that this game is not just a simple FPS title, and that playing with a group of people that strategize on the fly will make it an even better game. And for those who are worrying, if you’re not playing with a core group of guys/gals, you should still have fun.
6. Use of Microsoft’s Cloud Servers
Respawn has covered this in their own article, but I will sum up what it means for us gamers. The Cloud will provide dedicated servers making for some great lag-free matches. Match making will also be improved as everyone should be able to connect and the new Xbox LIVE matchmaking service will take control (yaaaaaay, no host advantage). Respawn also plans to allow the Cloud to help with CPU power and take the load off the Xbox One in ways that the Xbox One will do what it needs too, and the Cloud will be able to handle other stuff to help the game look and play better. Of course I am sure there is a lot more technicality to this stuff but I don’t have the technical expertise, but I think it’s safe to say that the Cloud will be more then just dedicated servers for matches and Respawn is excited about the prospects of such. Simply put, the Cloud will make for a better game as a whole
7. You Can Control a Mech for Goodness Sake….errrrr….I Mean a Titan!!!
Of course the stars of the game so far are the mechs (aka Titans) that you control. What I really enjoyed was the fact that I did not have to be a super soldier to experience using the Titan, and neither will you. It is on a timer so everyone who plays Titanfall will have a chance to pilot his or her Titan sooner then later. There is nothing cooler then calling your Titan when you are ready and then watch as it falls from the sky, you get in, the Titan viewfinder activates, and you are now in control. There is also something rewarding about going on a ‘Titan-Rampage’ killing all those enemies, including a Titan or two; and it’s just as cool to have to eject from your Titan before it explodes. Titan’s are also somewhat mobile and although they feel heavy, the do not lumber about. There are many different weapons for the various Titans too given the different classes that we got to see, and play, and it all makes for a great gaming experience. And besides, who doesn’t love piloting a big mech in a game? And on a final Titan note, what is also great is that Titan’s are not indestructible and you’ll have a chance to take any Titan down even if you are not in a Titan yourself. The game is not skewed for those using the mechsuit at the time.
So, as I sit here and look at wrapping things up I have to say that even at this early stage Titanfall looks to be putting together one hell of a slate of gameplay features that could indeed make any Call of Duty fan take a second look and leap to this new franchise. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy Call of Duty, but Titanfall takes much of what Call of Duty fans already enjoy and adds to the features that make the series so addictive online. In the end 2014 will be an interesting year not only for those looking to play Titanfall, but to see how Activision counters the direct attack that EA is launching against their long standing and very successful Call of Duty series.
