Titanfall 2 Review: Why This FPS Classic Still Dominates

Released on October 28, 2016, Titanfall 2 remains one of gaming’s most underappreciated gems. Sandwiched between the releases of Battlefield 1 and Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare, this exceptional first-person shooter never received the attention it deserved. Yet years later, its brilliant campaign and frenetic multiplayer continue to offer an experience that few modern shooters can match. This Titanfall 2 review explores why this cult classic deserves your attention today.

Unlike the original Titanfall, which lacked a proper single-player experience, the Titanfall 2 campaign stands as one of the finest in FPS history. Following the story of rifleman Jack Cooper and his titan BT-7274, the narrative unfolds across roughly 6-7 hours of consistently inventive gameplay.

What makes the Titanfall 2 campaign special isn’t just its story – it’s the level design. Each mission introduces unique mechanics that are explored thoroughly before moving on. From the factory level where prefabricated buildings are assembled around you to the now-legendary “Effect and Cause” mission (which rivals Half-Life 2’s best moments), the campaign constantly surprises and delights.

The relationship between Cooper and BT forms the emotional core of the story. Their dialogue exchanges provide both humor and heart, creating a bond that players genuinely care about as they progress through increasingly challenging scenarios. While the villainous Apex Predators might feel somewhat one-dimensional, they serve their purpose as memorable boss fights that test your mastery of different titan loadouts.

The campaign brilliantly showcases Titanfall 2’s exceptional movement system. Wall-running, double-jumping, sliding, and grappling hook traversal create a sense of momentum and freedom rarely matched in the genre. These mechanics aren’t just for show – they’re essential tools for navigating the game’s intricate environments and overcoming its challenges.

The platforming sections are refreshingly challenging, requiring precise timing and spatial awareness. Unlike many FPS games where movement is simply a means to get from one firefight to another, Titanfall 2 makes traversal itself a core part of the gameplay experience.

The Titanfall 2 multiplayer experience builds upon the foundation of the original game while refining its systems. The core loop remains the same: pilots engage in lightning-fast infantry combat until they earn enough points to call down their titans, shifting the battlefield dynamics dramatically.

One of the most significant changes to Titanfall 2 multiplayer is the titan system. Unlike the original game’s customizable titans, the sequel features six distinct titan classes, each with unique weapons, abilities, and playstyles. From the sword-wielding Ronin to the flame-throwing Scorch, each titan feels genuinely different and requires specific strategies to master.

The removal of regenerating shields makes titans more vulnerable but also more tactically interesting. The new “rodeo” system, where pilots can steal batteries from enemy titans and give them to friendly ones, creates a mini-objective within each match that encourages teamwork and adds strategic depth.

Titanfall 2 offers a variety of multiplayer modes beyond the standard team deathmatch. Attrition remains the signature mode, mixing PvP combat with AI enemies for a constantly active battlefield. Bounty Hunt adds an economic element, requiring players to bank their earnings between waves. The Frontier Defense mode provides a cooperative PvE experience where teams defend objectives against waves of increasingly difficult enemies.

The progression system strikes a good balance, rewarding players consistently without excessive grinding. Cosmetic items, weapon attachments, and titan upgrades provide meaningful goals to work toward without locking essential gameplay elements behind excessive time investments.

Titanfall 2 runs on a heavily modified version of Valve’s Source engine, allowing for both impressive visuals and smooth performance across various hardware configurations. The game maintains a solid 60 FPS on most systems, with the PC version offering additional graphical options for those with more powerful hardware.

Unfortunately, Titanfall 2 does not support crossplay functionality between different platforms. Players on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox are limited to playing with others on the same platform. This remains one of the few limitations of the game in today’s cross-platform gaming landscape.

Titanfall 2’s arsenal offers impressive variety, from standard assault rifles and SMGs to more exotic options like the EPG energy launcher and the Smart Pistol (available as a boost). Each weapon feels distinct and serves different playstyles, whether you prefer run-and-gun tactics or precision shooting.

The game launched with 9 maps, with more added through free DLC. Each map is designed to accommodate both pilot mobility and titan combat, with interior spaces for wall-running and open areas for titan battles. Standout maps include Angel City (a returning favorite from the original), Complex, and Glitch.

Despite releasing in 2016, Titanfall 2 maintains an active player base across all platforms. The Titanfall 2 player count has seen fluctuations over the years, with periodic spikes following sales or renewed interest from streamers and content creators.

The PC version on Steam typically sees between 2,000-5,000 concurrent players, with higher numbers on weekends. PlayStation and Xbox platforms maintain similar or slightly higher numbers. While these figures are modest compared to the biggest multiplayer titles, they’re more than sufficient to find matches quickly in popular modes like Attrition and Frontier Defense.

Titanfall 2 servers have faced challenges in recent years, particularly on PC where DDoS attacks temporarily rendered the game unplayable in 2021. Respawn Entertainment has since implemented measures to improve stability, and the situation has largely improved. Console versions have generally remained more stable throughout.

For players concerned about server stability, the campaign alone justifies the purchase, especially considering the game’s frequent discounts to $5-10 during sales.

Titanfall 2 is available in several editions across platforms, with the Ultimate Edition offering the most complete package.

While Titanfall 2 doesn’t officially support modding, the PC community has developed several unofficial tools and mods that enhance the experience. The most significant is the Northstar client, which enables custom servers, game modes, and maps.

Other popular mods include custom skins, balance adjustments, and even entirely new weapons and abilities. These mods are primarily available for the PC version and require some technical knowledge to install and configure properly.

If you enjoy Titanfall 2’s unique blend of mobility and shooting, these similar titles might appeal to you:

Titanfall 2 remains one of the finest first-person shooters of its generation and holds up remarkably well in 2023. The campaign alone justifies the purchase, offering a level of creativity and polish rarely seen in FPS games. The multiplayer, while not as populated as the biggest titles on the market, still provides a unique experience that no other game has successfully replicated.

For new players, the learning curve can be steep, as veteran pilots have mastered the movement system and titan combat over years of play. However, the game does an excellent job of onboarding through its campaign, and the satisfaction of pulling off your first wall-run into a sliding shotgun kill is unmatched in the genre.

At its frequent sale price of under $10, Titanfall 2 represents exceptional value and deserves a place in any FPS fan’s library. It’s a reminder of what shooters can be when they prioritize player movement, mechanical depth, and creative level design over monetization and grinding.