"If you're bored with your typical deathmatch games, then you haven't seen nothing yet."

Introduction
Half-Life is arguably one of the best first-person shooters for the PC in quite some time. Not only was it a smash hit, but there were additions made by various programmers that would enhance the game to a further degree. Team Fortress was one of the many modifications that enhanced online gaming as we know it. TFC is an online team deathmatch mod that provides eight different classes and two teams, red and blue. Each map has a different objective including capturing flags, stealing keys, and just having plain mayhem. With so many classes, the game provides a different playing style based on your personality.

Graphics [9/10]
As with most computer games, you get high quality graphics and animations. This happens to be the case with TFC. Many of the player models have excellent detailing with facial expressions and camo outfits. You can see the glare in the sniper's eyes or the hair on the heavy weapons grunt. A lot of effort was put into the minute details of the models. The maps are another amazing aspect of TFC. There are several maps that are classics in the eyes of many gamers including myself. A good example is 2fort, which is a mirrored capture the flag map that provides heavy amounts of action across a bridge with sniper towers. Another excellent map is dustbowl, which is a tri map that has attackers who must move the flag against defenders with sentry bunkers and tunnels. Either way, the graphics in this game are very good for online play and still meet today's standards. There are a few 2D sprites from explosions that may be slightly out of whack, but they don't take away from the gameplay in anyway shape or form.

Sound/Music [8/10]
One of the great features of TFC is the sound effects. Since the modification is mainly team deathmatch, you don't really have any background music or constant themes. Instead, you have high paced action effect sounds during gun battles. Many rocket launchers and grenade launchers make realistic sounds respectively. Plus, sniper rifles and nail guns have a futuristic tone set within themselves. However, the best feature of all is the ability to use your microphone during the game. You can say something and your fellow comrades will hear it. This is excellent because you can have a great time and express your emotions to your friends or teammates. Plus, they give you the option of muting certain players in case someone had a little too much to drink. At times, the sounds can get fuzzy or muffled, but that's what the volume control is for.

Gameplay [10/10]
This is by far the best aspect of TFC. Not only was the mod developed by an excellent programming team, but the mod has been out long enough that bugs and errors have been fixed. High-paced action, teamwork, and courage are all requirements of TFC. You can get in up close battles with a soldier, or intense sniper battles with the opposing snipers. Either way, TFC is there to settle your taste for adrenaline. However, I can't say that TFC is one of those super realistic mods like Counterstrike or Day of Defeat. The atmosphere is set in a futuristic setting with sentry guns, laser pistols, and a few special launchers. The weapons mainly represent modern day warfare with a few exceptions here and there. The actual combat in the game is gung-ho style with constant respawning, so don't expect a break to hit the jon or grab a klondike bar. Not only is the action itself is great, but you have a choice of classes to give the game a lot of variety.

Fun [7/10]
There hasn't been a time in TFC that I was feeling content. The constant action, teamwork, and surprises really keep you on your heels. If you're nailed by a sentry gun, then you may tell your teammates its location so that vengeance is served. The thing that makes it great is that once you die, you're instantly revived in your spawn area so you can get right back into the action.

Replayability [8/10]
What happens when you get a team deathmatch mod that combines action and adrenaline? You get a lot of replayability. Since the game is so fun, with a large selection of maps, there is a high chance that you'll be coming back to play this mod. Whether you're one of those sneaky players who enjoys infiltrating bases, or just running in like John McClane armed with a rocket launcher, this game is perfect for you.

Difficulty [7/10]/*
This game isn't exactly a piece of cake as some would expect. At times, it can be easy since many new players to Half-life do play this mod. There are some veterans out there that can easily mow down other people. That's why the difficulty varies from time to time. Plus, certain classes have advantages over others which is why strategy can come into play.

/* - Due to the fact that this is an online game, difficulty can vary based on the current players and server settings.

Final Factor [9/10]
When you combine the elements of action, teamwork, and Rambo gun fights, you get one heck of a mod. TFC is the greatest example of this since it is excellent in all departments. One of the key factors that makes this mod a hit is because it automatically comes with the Half-life patch that is downloaded on the internet. So you don't have to worry about downloading this mod separately. Best of all is that it's free!

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 07/02/02, Updated 07/02/02