- Format: PC
- Source: Origin Access
- Completion: Singleplayer campaign
While Titanfall 2 is primarily a multiplayer game, this review will be solely focusing on the solo mode. Unlike the first game, which had no singleplayer mode, Titanfall 2 has a full campaign mode, with properly structured missions and some great set pieces.
In the Titanfall universe, the most elite soldiers become “pilots”, and get to control a mech suit called a “Titan”. These titans aren’t just powerful suits – they also have an AI complete with a personality. The Titans are able to do stuff independently when required. For the Militia (the “good guys”), an importance is placed on the Titan forming a bond with its pilot, with protecting the pilot being an important protocal.
At the start of the campaign, you are not a Pilot. However, that doesn’t mean you are useless – far from it. Titanfall 2 makes you still feel powerful outside of your Titan, movement is extremely fast and you can double jump and wall jump. Wall jumping is amazingly easy to pull off and it makes moving around a ton of fun. There’s a good range of weapons, most of which feel satisfying to use.
The moment you bump into your mentor – a Pilot who is hopeful you’ll achieve the rank of pilot someday – it’s pretty obvious what will happen to him early on. Needless to say, you get chosen to be linked to a Titan. As you expect, a Titan is much bulkier and slower (relative to size) with poweful weapons, yet the movement of a Titan still feels smooth. The two styles of gameplay are definitely very different, but moving from one to the other is effortless.
The campaign uses this to its advantage extremely well. Some parts focus on the pilot, some focus on spending the whole time with the Titan, some focus on a mixture of being in and out of the Titan while others have you outside the Titan, but working with it. This keeps the whole campaign feeling fresh, and keeps the gameplay exciting.
Some levels also have their unique feel to them. Some of them are focused on a lot of combat – either in the form of defending allies or attacking an enemy stronghold, while others focus on the platforming (including a wonderful level where you’re working through an assembly line). One level even goes far to add a new gameplay feature and is definitely the highlight of the campaign – I won’t go into detail as it’s wonderful to discover, but you’re guaranteed to have a smile on your face the entire mission. It’s something that could have been cumbersome but ends up feeling (this seems to be the key word of this review) smooth.
The campaign isn’t overly long – about seven hours – but it also means that it doesn’t overstay it’s welcome. You feel satisfied while still wanting more. While most of the characters in the game aren’t very memorable (but are still entertaining), you’ll develop a deep bond with your Titan. He’s not your vehicle or suit – he’s your partner.
The Titanfall 2 campaign feels unique and is definitely something that should be experienced. It’s entertaining from beginning to end and has some brilliant moments throughout.
