Categories: GamingXbox

Retiring My Titanfall Mech (and Xbox One)

After recording my first flawless victory, in terms of K/D ratio, and frequently landing the top spot in Hardpoint gameplay, it’s time to retire my Titanfall mech. As you probably know, Titanfall launched a month ago as the first, big exclusive Xbox One title and the game is also notable by forgoing a single player campaign, offering only online combat. In fact, its release finally compelled me to pick up the Xbone One via Titanfall bundle on day one.

In terms of gameplay, the Titanfall controls are mostly spot on – I’d say pretty close to flawless when playing as a human and generally very good when strapped into your mech. Available weaponry is well balanced, although as with most shooters, snipers will be frustrated when they’re taken down at range by a mere assault rifle. And satchel charges do supersize damage – including usage as a more effective grenade. Back to sniping, I generally prefer to creep (versus camp) in first person shooters, but Titanfall is designed to keep you moving and that style of gameplay doesn’t really work here. With that in mind, my typical loadout was the R-101C Carbine or C.A.R. SMG, both scoped, along with the previously mentioned satchel charges (in conjunction with Dead Man’s Trigger – think CoD’s Martyrdom). And I spent way more time running and gunning in human form, versus mech – which are surprisingly vulnerable and ineffective when not under your direct control.

Much has been made of Titanfall’s human double jumps (and wall running/hanging), opening up the environment in the vertical. However, I’ve been parachuting from Call of Duty or Bad Company titles since 2006, and games like Shadowrun and Lost Planet have taken us there before. And, speaking of Lost Planet, that title also featured mechs. So Titanfall is definitely derivative. But in such a way (graphics, control, gameplay) that it exceeds perhaps all of its predecessors. But, with my in-game success and flakey free month of Xbox Live Gold shortly coming to an end, I’ll be packing up the Xbox One until the next amazing release – be it game or console software update.

Published by
Dave Zatz