Team Fortress 2

"Class based multiplayer at its best"

As the successor of Team Fortress Classic, TF2 really had a lot to live up too. Could it improve on what was already a truely magnificent multiplayer experience? Could it translate what made TFC such a thrilling experience into modern times whilst still keeping the elements that made that game so great intact?

In a nutshell, Team Fortress 2 delivers what can only be considered the greatest class based multiplayer experience the video games industry has ever known.

When Team Fortress 2 was announced showing off it's cartoon like style there was a lot of debate on what sort of audience the game would be catering for, as Team Fortress Classic primarily catered for the hardcore fanbase. However as a whole the graphical reprensentation of the game compliments the action is a positive way. The game has an overall smooth feel to it that makes it gorgeous to look at and play through and at no point do you think to yourself "damn, that graphic is really ugly". Valve have polished this aspect of the game to an extremely high standard.

In terms of Gameplay, Valve seemed to have really pushed for game balance, and the fact that every class can compete with one another in their own unique ways, which is a big improvement over TFC, as class balance in that game is still debated simply because certain classes seemed less able that others i.e. the Pyro was considered by some to be utterly useless in comparison to his class counterparts. I am pleased to say that TF2 addresses these issues, every class is unique and has distinct differences to one another that really drives multiplayer teamwork and cooperation in order to complete team objectives. Depending on what your style of play is, there will be a class for you. If you like to be on the front line of battle, there's classes like the Heavy and Soldier. But if you prefer taking a support role to aid your team, you could take the Sniper or the Medic. The excellent class diversity means that everyone can find a class that will be fun for them to play.

The only reason I didn't give this game a full score is because of a gripe that veteran players may have with it. In Team Fortress Classic there was a heavy reliance on using grenades to defeat your opponents. However in TF2 these weapons have been removed, to much disappointment of the hardcore fanbase.

As a whole, for anyone who likes a good multiplayer shooting, Team Fortress 2 is worth looking at. If you're a veteran Team Fortress Classic player, then you should have already bought the game and be well on your way to mastering your preferred class, despite the loss of grenades. But as a whole I think there is enough replayability in this game to keep people coming back for more, and also experiencing something new with each play through.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 07/08/09

Game Release: Team Fortress 2 (EU, 04/11/08)