When Respawn Entertainment announced that they’ll be having a closed beta of the game – I registered instantly. Unfortunately, I wasn’t lucky enough to be selected as one of their beta testers. A few days after the initial beta run, they’ve decided to make it available to all people who wants to try the game. They first made it available to all Xbox One users then the PC followed after. I downloaded the game immediately when I saw it on my Origin dashboard (PC). I wanted to know if the game really lives up to the hype, and based on my experience with the game so far, I think it does.

“I wanted to know if the game really lives up to the hype, and based on my experience with the game so far, I think it does.”

Below are a couple of frame by frame snapshots of the game I’ve taken while playing. I’ll briefly describe how the game works and I’ll also share my initial experience with the game. I’ll be honest though, the game is really addicting.

“The game is smart enough to put you on the right server with the lowest ping possible.”

Once you hit that play button in Origin, you’ll be welcomed by the game’s main title screen. I guess this might change once the full game hits the stores on March 11. Main menu is pretty simple with 3 options available. The title screen also indicates the server you are connected to. The game is smart enough to put you on the right server with the lowest ping possible. Been playing for a couple of hours now with absolutely no lag.

[header]Graphical Settings[/header] I’m sure most PC people are wondering what graphical settings are available in the game’s advanced video settings page. The number of options are pretty straightforward compared to let’s say the settings page of Battlefield 4. There are just 4 presets in each option namely low, medium, high, and insane. Currenly playing on GTX680 and it automatically sets every option to high and the texture resolution to insane.

[header]Pilot Customization / Loadouts[/header] In the beta, there are 3 types of Pilot Loadouts. Since the game was developed by the same guys behind the Call of Duty franchise, these “classes”  shares the same concept from their previous games. Each classes carry 3 types of weapons. The standard primary and secondary weapons for use in human players and one “anti-titan” weapon designed to take down those giant player controlled titan mechs. I’m still not sure if there are more classes in the full game. And as far as player customization goes, I think we are just scratching the surface.

[header]Titan Customization[/header] Similar to your pilot, you can also customize your titan. Each titan has a primary weapon (which changes depending on your selected class), a tactical ability, and an ordnance (grenades if you’re a pilot). You can actually mix and match your pilot and your titan mech. You can be an “assassin” pilot with a “tank” type titan or a “CQB” pilot with a titan that specializes in “artillery”. This feature makes the gameplay much more dynamic and lets you master different types gameplay. It also kinda makes the game always “fresh” since how you play as a pilot is a LOT different if you’re inside a titan. I was hoping that you can also customize the titan’s parts but it’s not present in the beta. Not sure if this feature will appear in the full game.

[header]Gameplay Modes[/header] The beta offers a total of 3 gameplay modes. Attrition, Hardpoint, and Last Titan Standing. It also includes a bonus mode called Beta Variety Pack which just cycles through all the available maps and 3 gameplay modes available. Attrition mode is your standard team deathmatch. Hardpoint mode is your “domination” mode in COD. And Last Titan Standing is your typical “search and destroy”, no respawn but all players start inside their own titan mech. I only played Attrition since most of the players are playing there.

[header]Match Lobby[/header] Searching for a match is super fast in the game. I still haven’t encountered any hiccups or disconnects while playing. Once you’re connected, you’re given a minute to customize both your pilot and titan loadouts. The game offers a maximum player count of 12 players per game – so that’s 6v6. If you’re used with Battlefield 4’s 64 player conquest (32v32) you might think that having 12 players per game is boring – no it’s not.

“There’s absolutely no dull moment in the game.”

There’s absolutely no dull moment in the game. Player respawns instantly and the respawning mechanic was pretty well designed too. The game will always respawn you close to your allies, if not, the game will respawn you somewhere with no enemies nearby. Game also has this “npc” included in the match which serves as “cannon fodders”. So even if the server is full of 12 players, if you include all these cannon fodder bots (which are also smart enough to kill you), it literally increases the player count in the map making it like 24v24 battles.

[header]Graphics and Gameplay[/header] Graphics looks good on PC at 1920×1200 running on GTX680. Textures looks crisp and the lighting makes everything look great. It does look next-gen but the graphical fidelity is still not on par with the likes of Battlefield 4 or Killzone Shadowfall. Not sure if this will change on the final game. Gunplay feels a LOT like COD and it’s pretty easy to kill somebody.

“Gunplay feels a LOT like COD…”

But that doesn’t mean the game requires no skill to play. I already saw some high level players doing all sorts of epic stuff in the game – like having their titan fall on top of a players head. But yeah, compared to COD, this game is much more approachable specially to new FPS players.

[header]Playing as a Pilot[/header] It’s really fun to play the game as a pilot. As a pilot, you move really fast and can double jump and wall run like a ninja. These abilities can also be chained together and if you’re good enough, you can actually traverse the map without even hitting the ground. As a pilot, standard protocol applies when you’re in a gunfight.

“…if you’re good enough, you can actually traverse the map without even hitting the ground.”

head shots are obviously lethal and you can endure a couple of body shots before you go down. If you’re taking damage, running away and hiding will slowly regenerate your health. I mostly play as “assault” since it’s pretty well balanced. I can engage enemies from afar and can also do the same in close quarters.

[header]Pilot vs Titan[/header] Here’s where it gets really interesting if you prefer to finish the entire match as a pilot. As a pilot, you have the ability to “rodeo” a titan’s back (both enemy and ally). If you “rodeo” an enemy titan, you can basically hijack it or destroy it by removing a hatch that contains the titan’s weak point. I can tell you first hand that destroying a titan this way is one of the most rewarding aspects of the game.

“As a pilot, you have the ability to “rodeo” a titan’s back.”

If you “rodeo” an ally titan, you basically serve as its “guard” for the other enemy pilots trying to destroy it. In return, the titan you’re “rodeo-ing” serves as your shield to protect you in the process. This gives you some exciting coop opportunities if you’re playing with  your friends.

If you want to settle things with a titan at long range, you can also use your “anti-titan” weapon. Since I’m using the assaullt class in this post, my “anti-titan” weapon is this huge missile launcher that works similar to a stinger missile. You aim it down and wait for the beep – then fire. Not sure how much damage it does to a titan but I think I did take down a titan in 3 shots. Your “anti-titan” weapon also changes depending on the class you’re using.

[header]Playing as a Titan[/header] In Titanfall, every player gets to have their very own customized titan. There’s no limit to how many times you want to use it – but there’s a cooldown if your titan gets destroyed. In each match, every player starts by jumping off their drop ships. You’ll have to fight as a pilot first before you can use your titan. Each titan has a 2 minute wait time.

“…it’s pretty epic when it lands on the ground.”

After 2 minutes, your assistant will notify you that your titan is ready. This is the time where you can initiate “titanfall” by pressing the V key in your keyboard. Once pressed, a green marker will notify you where your titan will drop. It takes roughly 3 seconds for your titan to arrive and it’s pretty epic when it lands on the ground.

[header]Titan vs Pilot[/header] Playing as a titan in Titanfall is a whole different beast to master. Controls are the same when you’re a pilot but you’ll have to change  your tactics and gameplay style. As a titan, you move much more slower compared to a pilot and will mostly stay on the ground. Wall running and double jumping is replaced with a quick dash – useful when escaping or dodging enemy fire. You can feel the titan’s weight when you move but the aiming is still fast and the movement is very responsive.

“You can feel the titan’s weight when you move but the aiming is still fast and the movement is very responsive.”

Titan’s are very powerful specially if you’re attacking enemy pilots. You can kill them fairly quickly with just a few rounds from your primary weapon. You still have to watch out though because these pilots can sneak behind your back and start “rodeo-ing” you. If they do, there will a warning on your HUD that your titan being hijacked. A good tactic is still to stick close to your allies so that enemies will think first before attacking your flank.

[header]Titan vs Titan[/header] Fighting against another titan is a great experience. They’re much more harder to take down compared to pilots running on the ground. I still don’t know if there’s a systematic way of killing this mechs since I just empty my primary weapon’s clip if I encounter one. This is the the part that separates good pilots from the rest since you don’t just run and gun when you’re inside a titan. You have to be more tactical and plan ahead before engaging an enemy.

“Another super rewarding experience is when your titan destroys an enemy titan’s cockpit and pulling the pilot from inside – priceless…”

Remember that if your titan gets destroyed, you’ll have to wait for another 2 minutes to use it again. The titan mechs are a game changer so taking care of it increases the odds of your team winning the match. I just love it when I’m running towards a titan while firing my chain gain, and once I’m close enough, engage in melee combat. Another super rewarding experience is when your titan destroys an enemy titan’s cockpit and pulling the pilot from inside – priceless…

Overall, I had a super great experience while playing the game. It’s one of those games everyone should experience this year. The addition of this titan mechs adds a whole new depth and gameplay style to the already successful FPS formula of Zampella’s team. I just can’t wait to play the full game on March 11!

PS: Still thinking if I’ll get the PC version or if I’ll get an Xbox One for this game.

[header]10 Things I like about Titanfall[/header] 1.) It’s fast paced. You’re always on the go. No dull moment. 2.) Titan mechs. They’re awesome. 3.) Smart and fast respawn system. (Maybe that’s why they’re called Respawn Entertainment?) 4.) “Rodeo-ing” an enemy titan and destroying it. Priceless. 5.) Burn Cards – Temporary stat boost per match. 6.) Gunplay. 7.) Map design. 8.) Titan melee battle. Pulling a pilot out of a titan’s cockpit. 9.) Weapon designs. Specially the Smart Pistol MK5. 10.) Running to your dropship when you lose the match. Almost all epic battles happens in this stage.