Saturday, September 29, 2007

Team Awesome

Team Fortress 2 is here! Hurrah! A game that I have been waiting for since QuakeWorld went out of style. The game delivers a frenetic power punch of intense action mixed with morbid humor, creating a game atmosphere unlike any before it. The art direction is what most people notice first. The cell-shaded, cartoon feel doesn't let the player become too serious, allowing the game to stay fun, even if you end up on a team who can't navigate their way out of a paper bag.

What makes the game interesting to me is the fact that the game seems so "fresh" even though it is based on a game play model that existed long before the niceties of modern online gaming. It feels very much like the original, where it almost seems they want you to rocket jump and bunny-hop. They have taken away some of the previous features like grenades, but added some like persistent character stats. It seems that Valve has painstakingly crafted a game that is fun to play over and over again. Its very refreshing to see a developer this dedicated to the PC platform, something you don't see a lot of now-a-days. My deal with BF2 and others is that it seems to take an act of God to win a game. You don't have to fight your own team of noobs to win a game. I just feel that in BF2 and 2142 you have to rely on 31 others to actually do something to win a game. I'm not saying that TF2 doesn't require teamwork, but you don't have to fight an uphill battle to be victorious.

Why is this game worth buying? Well let me put it to you simply: It freakin' rocks! Its got a little bit of something for everyone. With 9 varied and unique classes, the player can choose one that fits his/her style of play. If its the fast pace of a the scout class or the slow moving tank called the Heavy Weapons Guy, TF2 allows for a diverse game play style that is sure to suit any gamer.

Here is why I can't stop talking about this game.
1. Replay ability - doesn't get boring or repetitive
2. Fun Factor - Art Direction and silly giblets never lets the game get to serious
3. Graphics - The Source Engine renders nice pictures even on slower machines
4. Game Time - 1 person can make a difference, don't have to wait for your team of
douche-bag snipers to get TKed.

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