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Played it again two different times today. I am ultimately very glad I was able to get into the beta. I really am. It helped convinced me of what I already thought was the case and as a result it has saved me $60.

 

The beta just did not convince me that Titanfall is worth adding to my (limited) gaming rotation.

 

Basically If it was the good old days of my esteemed gaming career and I had countless hours each day to play video games (as I no doubt once did) I would add this game to the roster of games to play.

 

Unfortunately the truth of my situation is time is very limited these days. If I get 15 hours for an entire week that is considered a truly successful week. As such I am very selective as to what I do play.

 

Add to this fact I still have a few launch PS4/One games to check out, a vast backlog thanks to PS+ and the Sony Holiday Sale, nevermind Infamous 3 and South Park: The Stick Of Truth coming up, a 3DS and a Vita, I literally have enough games to keep me busy the rest of 2014. Without picking up a single new release, which I no doubt plan on doing. That is no exaggeration.

 

In all fairness to Titanfall, the FPS genre itself has slowly lost its appeal over the years for myself. It used to be almost the only genre I did play. Perhaps that is part of the overall issue. I have played so many FPS's for so many years it is truly going to take something extremely special to get me excited about the genre again.

 

I am sure a lot of people are going to like this game. It may even wind up being the reason people use to justify purchasing a One (although I do question this fact after checking the beta out). However this beta just did not convince me this was a game worth adding to my rotation.

WTF?

 

I just got the code for Xbox, but when I signed up, I swear they asked what system, and I picked PC. Where is my PC Code!!!!!

lucky you I sign up but I didn't got any email codes yet so far at least you got something if I will you I will do a trade or sell it on ebay for a PC version :D

Well I have played oh an hour or so and so far my initial impression is pretty good. I certainly notice the visual levels Andy mentioned, although I have to admit that when I'm actually playing the game, the visuals seem fine. I haven't noticed framerate drops yet, but again, I havent had long in the game, but if I stand still and look closely, I can definitely see that this is not a game with high end texture detail. I think many will give it a pass since it is much less noticable while in combat.

So as far as the gameplay goes, I had fun. It was nice to have the tutorial to go through the basics. There definitely seems to be depth to the combat. If you can master features like the jump jets, wall climbing, etc, you can have a real edge. While the gun play is most definitely arcade style and not heavily sim based (I.E. lack of proper recoil, etc), that seems to resonate with a lot of players, makes it more approachable by those that dont take it too seriously :laugh:

The different strategies that sprout up thanks to the custimization in loadouts and titan models seem to offer those that put in the effort a way to hone their skills.

One thing I can say is that the pace is mostly frantic, which can be good and bad. When your playing with a team that is working together, the frantic pace can make you a force to be reckoned with. A team that basically just fans out is much more likely to lose the match. It certainly seems to really want you to work with your teammates.

I'm still on the fence about buying it at launch. I want to know how much content will come with the final game first of all. Then it comes down to if people I know want to get it as well honestly.

 

In all fairness to Titanfall, the FPS genre itself has slowly lost its appeal over the years for myself. It used to be almost the only genre I did play. Perhaps that is part of the overall issue. I have played so many FPS's for so many years it is truly going to take something extremely special to get me excited about the genre again.

 

I am sure a lot of people are going to like this game. It may even wind up being the reason people use to justify purchasing a One (although I do question this fact after checking the beta out). However this beta just did not convince me this was a game worth adding to my rotation.

Well that makes sense, if you already have such a backlog ( I happen to be in your situation as well), any game your going to consider adding to that in the form of buying day one needs to be special to you. You certainly dont need to explain yourself in that regard.

I have also lost interest in the fps genre for quite some time. The last COD game I played was the first Modern Warfare.

For me, the main draw is the fact that so many of my friends are likely to get this and playing with them on the weekends when I have time is pretty appealing.

PC open beta is likely

Try certain - the PC beta opens up on 2/16, and runs through 2/18.

 

Strong advice - play the pilot tutorial.  I went into this beta with a set of expectations, and the tutorial alone has me completely rethinking both pilot strategy AND Titan strategy.

Practically anything a pilot can do outside a Titan, he can do while wearing it - and that includes walljumps.  (That is exactly why I absolutely recommend that you go through the tutorial first so you are not shocked when you see an OGRE Titan running along a wall.)  Titans are what powered "mechs" have been supposed to be since I first read about powered armor in "Starship Troopers" - the book, NOT the movie.  Other than the weapons, you're not really limited in terms of movement while in a Titan; basically, you just wear it.  Bigger weapons, and therefore, greater damage - however, otherwise, you don't sacrifice mobility for firepower.

Try certain - the PC beta opens up on 2/16, and runs through 2/18.

 

Strong advice - play the pilot tutorial.  I went into this beta with a set of expectations, and the tutorial alone has me completely rethinking both pilot strategy AND Titan strategy.

Practically anything a pilot can do outside a Titan, he can do while wearing it - and that includes walljumps.  (That is exactly why I absolutely recommend that you go through the tutorial first so you are not shocked when you see an OGRE Titan running along a wall.)  Titans are what powered "mechs" have been supposed to be since I first read about powered armor in "Starship Troopers" - the book, NOT the movie.  Other than the weapons, you're not really limited in terms of movement while in a Titan; basically, you just wear it.  Bigger weapons, and therefore, greater damage - however, otherwise, you don't sacrifice mobility for firepower.

I had no idea Titans could wall jump. I didnt try to do that in the tutorial. I have not seen that done yet, but that is a great tip. I'll try using it.

Right now, I'm focusing on the ground game as a pilot. I think we could see situations where say one or two team members might not summon titans immediately in order to counter the other team using stealth tactics to take out the Titans. I know I have tried basically escorting a fellow Titan on the ground and saved its butt a few times just killing other pilots that jump on to damage it. Having someone watching out for other pilots on the ground could be very valuable.

Well I have played oh an hour or so and so far my initial impression is pretty good. I certainly notice the visual levels Andy mentioned, although I have to admit that when I'm actually playing the game, the visuals seem fine. I haven't noticed framerate drops yet, but again, I havent had long in the game, but if I stand still and look closely, I can definitely see that this is not a game with high end texture detail. I think many will give it a pass since it is much less noticable while in combat.

So as far as the gameplay goes, I had fun. It was nice to have the tutorial to go through the basics. There definitely seems to be depth to the combat. If you can master features like the jump jets, wall climbing, etc, you can have a real edge. While the gun play is most definitely arcade style and not heavily sim based (I.E. lack of proper recoil, etc), that seems to resonate with a lot of players, makes it more approachable by those that dont take it too seriously :laugh:

The different strategies that sprout up thanks to the custimization in loadouts and titan models seem to offer those that put in the effort a way to hone their skills.

One thing I can say is that the pace is mostly frantic, which can be good and bad. When your playing with a team that is working together, the frantic pace can make you a force to be reckoned with. A team that basically just fans out is much more likely to lose the match. It certainly seems to really want you to work with your teammates.

I'm still on the fence about buying it at launch. I want to know how much content will come with the final game first of all. Then it comes down to if people I know want to get it as well honestly.

 

Well that makes sense, if you already have such a backlog ( I happen to be in your situation as well), any game your going to consider adding to that in the form of buying day one needs to be special to you. You certainly dont need to explain yourself in that regard.

I have also lost interest in the fps genre for quite some time. The last COD game I played was the first Modern Warfare.

For me, the main draw is the fact that so many of my friends are likely to get this and playing with them on the weekends when I have time is pretty appealing.

That is true, trooper - however, merely the basic loadouts are rife with possibilities.

 

The scary part is that there are no real barriers (in terms of mobility) of Titans vs. pilots (except that there are cubbies that are too big for Titans that a pilot can use to ambush an enemy Titan - I used that to devastating effect in the tutorial, in fact).

Nastiest defensive item?  The Vortex Shield (AKA the Bullet-Catcher) - it's one thing to catch bullets like Neo in the Matrix movies; however, it's quite another to be able to - literally - do a return-to-sender-or-senders with the captured ordnance - with absolutely devastating effect.

 

Between Titan mobility and team tactics, this is unlike any other "mech" or even "armor" game I have either seen or played.

Speaking of the tutorial I feel like they could explain a few things a little better. Like why do certain parts on enemy titans glow when you aim at them? They could also explain the game modes as well because it took me a while to realize we're supposed to kill the grunts and that not only do they add to your personal score but to the team score as well.

 

That being said I wish the game could have more players in it. 8v8 or something. It seems like encounters with actual enemy players are few and far between. Game performance seems fine so I don't see why they couldn't do that. And the maps while not as big as I might like are bigger than I was expecting so those could also accommodate 2 more players. 

If there is one game that just about everyone seems to be champing at the bit to play on Xbox One, it?s Titanfall. So when the signups for the public beta went live a few days ago, people were clamoring to get in. But if you didn?t happen to be one of the lucky ones to get a beta code, don?t fret. Xbox Live?s Major Nelson, aka Larry Hryb,  has just announced that Microsoft will be making the Titanfall beta available to all Xbox One owners.

 

You heard that right. Starting today, you can head to the ?New Game Demos? section of the Game Store, or simply say, ?Xbox Bing,? then ?Show me new game demos.?

 

Major Nelson was sure to set expectations by letting users know it may take some time before the beta shows up for some users. If you don?t see it yet, just sit tight. It will be there soon.

If you?re like us and just cannot contain yourself while you wait, check out these Titanfall videos.

 

http://www.wpcentral.com/titanfall-beta-all

Someone above said the open beta (which has started for Xbone, and starts today for PC) runs until the 18th. It now runs until (at least) the 19th. Respawn gave us an extra day across platforms due to the downtime the game suffered on Friday. But another tweet by Vince said that they may give a couple extra days on top of that (maybe). Here's hoping as I've played more of the game and now I'm hooked.

Glad everyone is getting in now! I am loving the game!! I played Alpha and the beta really isn't any different. I still think the graphics aren't 100% yet, but overall DEFINITELY getting this game. 

 

BTW add me to xbox one friends list if you haven't yet so we can play:   smeltn1

Speaking of the tutorial I feel like they could explain a few things a little better. Like why do certain parts on enemy titans glow when you aim at them? They could also explain the game modes as well because it took me a while to realize we're supposed to kill the grunts and that not only do they add to your personal score but to the team score as well.

 

That being said I wish the game could have more players in it. 8v8 or something. It seems like encounters with actual enemy players are few and far between. Game performance seems fine so I don't see why they couldn't do that. And the maps while not as big as I might like are bigger than I was expecting so those could also accommodate 2 more players. 

The parts that are "glowing" are weak spots.  Unlike your personal-defense weapons (which autohome on weak points) the weapons on a Titan don't - which means that you're going to need SOME form of targeting system to point out the weak spots.  Further, there's only a single manufacturer of Titans (Hammond) - of COURSE they know the weak spots of their own designs.

 

Of COURSE you are supposed to kill the grunts - anyone on the opposing team is a TARGET and is supposed to be shredded ASAP - did you NOT go through ALL the combat scenarios in training?

Someone above said the open beta (which has started for Xbone, and starts today for PC) runs until the 18th. It now runs until (at least) the 19th. Respawn gave us an extra day across platforms due to the downtime the game suffered on Friday. But another tweet by Vince said that they may give a couple extra days on top of that (maybe). Here's hoping as I've played more of the game and now I'm hooked.

Tell me about it.

 

I had both Hawken AND Blacklight: Retribution in last year's rotation - unfortunately, both devolved into a nasty case of "meh".

My expectations for Titanfall, therefore, were rather low.

 

I have not been this pleased to be wrong about a mech game - or any game, for that matter - in years.

Just went 16-2... Either I'm getting better, or more rookies are playing

Likely more rookies, and depending on WHEN and WHERE you are playing, likely including me.  I finally got in a match (eastern US) in the pre-dinner hours last night and I had fun (did plenty of dying, but still had fun).  Expect more rookies today as the beta moves from closed to open.  Still, this game is fun in a way that no mech game has been in years - mostly because of the lack of movement liability.  Being in a Titan doesn't feel like you're in a several-ton behemoth - and it isn't supposed to.

 

The closest approach to what Titans are supposed to be like isn't in a game, but a book - specifically, "Starship Troopers".

Other than the weapon differences, you basically wear a Titan - like a suit of clothes.  You have just as much mobility IN a Titan as out of one - that reality, in and of itself, is far different than any other mech/powered-armor game.

There would be one of two reasons why I would NOT get this game at launch (and that is given my typical disinterest in pre-ordering, and I won't be pre-ordering Titanfall, either) - lack of money, or lack of drive space.

Pre-ordering (unless you're getting the CE) is quite pointless - and especially if you are e-purchasing; as long as you have bandwidth, redeeming game codes on Origin is no more difficult than Steam - any difference between the two services is, to be honest, highly subjective.

Ok, I managed to workaround the annoying vsync stuttering issues in the game by playing in borderless windowed mode with vsync off. still has the annoying abitrary 60 fps cap but at least the micro-stuttering, jittering, and tearing is gone and its playable.

 

I've now had the chance to enjoy playing the game more and I may actually end up getting it. I have found the gameplay to be surprisingly addicting. Honestly, I'm not usually a fan of frantic cod-esque gameplay, but they really nailed the "flow" of this game. Everything just comes together very well and the game is just fun and addicting to play.

 

After playing it more I do feel the game does enough to differentiate itself from Call of duty. At a glance it does seem very "COD with mechs", but I feel like the new gameplay elements they've added make it a much a deeper game. The parkour/cloaking/titans etc... add a lot of different strategies you can use in the game, so it has a surprising level of tactical-ness even though its also a very frantic arcade shooter.

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