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on the fence? skip TF2!

O

oftheheavens

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Jul 9, 2008
1,988
498
cherry point
So after all the hype and asking people on here what i was not understanding i have continued to try and like TF2. After the session i just finished, I have to say it is flat out terrible and I am not sure why there was such a big fuss about it.

If you like any console shooting games...and I mean any at all, you will not like this game. This game has no realism whatsoever and really is just plain dumb.

So I would recommend not buying this game, and wish there was a way to get a refund from steam.

just my opinion and short review, so take it as it is.
 
I have to disagree.
I haven't played any console shooters yet, but I did play a lot of other games/shooters (mainly on pc).
TF2 is one of the best shooters for pc, perhaps it's not really realistic, but it does look really great. The levels look really cool and are very well balanced. As are the different classes, even though they are very different they are very well balanced !
It definitely is worth all the fuss, it's just really fun !
 
Well, I play quite a bit of fps, and the current online one I'm playing frequently is Modern Warfare 2. Also played a lot of CS:S on Windows, just waiting for it to be ported to Mac. I have to say that MW2, CS:S, and TF2 are all very different for me. MW2 is on the realistic side, whereas TF2 is on the unrealistic, pure wreakage fun side. Tried it for the first time yesterday, and it got me playing it for the whole day and this morning. It is much more fast paced, and it is definitely easy for me to get into.

My bottom line for the game is: If you want some insane unrealistic but still fun and tactical game, you'll have a smashing time with TF2. Just don't dismiss it so quickly. It's free to play weekend!
 
Very nice to see mature counters to my review.

I will say that i couldn't figure out how to download the free weekend so i just bought it, my mistake.but I just can't get into it.
 
oftheheavens said:
So after all the hype and asking people on here what i was not understanding i have continued to try and like TF2. After the session i just finished, I have to say it is flat out terrible and I am not sure why there was such a big fuss about it.

If you like any console shooting games...and I mean any at all, you will not like this game. This game has no realism whatsoever and really is just plain dumb.

So I would recommend not buying this game, and wish there was a way to get a refund from steam.

just my opinion and short review, so take it as it is.
Click to expand...

Before you bought it, you must have seen some trailers, or screenshots that showed the heavy over-the-top cartoon line. It's supposed to be a unrealistic and expressionist setting. Like The Incredibles, and other Pixar films; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnuYi-nzE90


1) The game is not about immersion. Choosing a cartoon style, allowed them to use strong colors that are much more interesting to look at, than dark greys and black of a realistic generic war game, like Call of Duty or Rainbow Six.

2) One of Valves arguments is that, all shooters, no matter if it's Ghost Recon, Halo, Gears of War, Call of Duty, Battlefield or something else - Always have moments that look stupid. Bunny jumping, unrealistic fights... there are tons of illogical things going on in even the most "realistic" war games.
TF2 plays on this and goes in a different direction. It doesn't want to be realistic. Instead you can be creative and HAVE FUN. You can do stupid, silly and funny stuff. They had gameplay and fun factor as a priority over realism.

3)TF2 looks like no other game out there.
Almost all online shooters are about world war 2, terrorists and about using modern day weapons.



In conclusion, I will say that the game is downright fantastic. It might not be for you, but I don't think anyone could say it's bad, when it clearly sets a new standard for replyability, unlockables, free post-release downloads, art design, balancing, variation in classes, items and looks, along with it's great level design, fantastic animations and hilarious high quality sound work.

I could go on about it. I'll say though - The game can be hard to get into. Learning the classes takes some time. Learning the objectives take time. You might have to spent a good 10 hours or so to really find out, what class works best for you.



I would highly recommend Left 4 Dead also. It's more of a co-op experience, but also a Valve game. Very good.
 
I also played a bunch of MW2 when it first came out and absolutely loved it. When a few buddies of mine picked up tf2, I joined in and bought it.

I hated it.

I thought the graphics were dumb, the mechanics were difficult to master, and it took way too long to shoot someone down. Completely and absolutly unrealistic and worthless.

Then as my friends kept badgering me to play with them, I eventually found a class I really enjoyed. Playing the healer and really getting into the whole team dynamic of it completely changed how i viewed the game. It's meant to be silly and fun while incorporating some very advance skill and team based concepts. No single class could outright beat everyone else. As strong of a combo as some may be, there is always a counter. After I got into it, I couldn't stop.

It's a game with a learning curve. But once you pop, you just can't stop.
 
Skip it? I think not. It's an outstanding game and just because you don't understand it you think others shouldn't bother with it?

The game isn't intended to be real. It's stylistic and better for it. By removing realistic proportions and visuals (as a designer) you're able to highlight and emphasis on certain points. I remember reading about the decisions behind the character designs, they said they were created so you'd instantly know what class was in the distance and could quickly evaluate the events of a battle. It really does work too -- at no point have I ever been confused or had to think twice about what was going on (and I play on large 34-player servers). Team colours are also instantly distinguishable. Visually it's perfect.
Funnily enough even Battlefield Heroes (a TF2 clone) doesn't do a good enough job at distinguishing between classes and teams.

Why would you want yet another realistic looking FPS? We already have too many, where we're at the point of the market being flooded by generic looking games.

I'd love to know why you define the game as "dumb". I'd argue it's the complete opposite. It's actually quite genius.
 
oftheheavens said:
Very nice to see mature counters to my review.

I will say that i couldn't figure out how to download the free weekend so i just bought it, my mistake.but I just can't get into it.
Click to expand...

If nothing else check out the guide I posted it will help you out. It's one of the best multiplayer games around.

http://tf2strategy.com/class-guides/
 
I played CS and DOD for a long time before my brother recommended me TF2, I've seen him play before but was never intrigued until the day I installed it via Crossover. I love the gameplay, there is never a dull moment, and I love choosing different classes and playing entirely different roles. I also love the humor in the design of the characters themselves, the hats, taunts, the achievements, etc. TF2 is also an ever evolving game, Valve updates the game ever so often with new and better things, Needless to say I don't play CS or DoD anymore, well, maybe DoD if it ever comes out for Mac.
 
oftheheavens said:
So after all the hype and asking people on here what i was not understanding i have continued to try and like TF2. After the session i just finished, I have to say it is flat out terrible and I am not sure why there was such a big fuss about it.

If you like any console shooting games...and I mean any at all, you will not like this game. This game has no realism whatsoever and really is just plain dumb.

So I would recommend not buying this game, and wish there was a way to get a refund from steam.

just my opinion and short review, so take it as it is.
Click to expand...

I agree with you. To me, it seems to be a twitch game like the old quake where everyone is jumping around and shooting. It does seem like a console shooting game and I much prefer UT from 10 years ago :).
 
Most console shooting games have AUTO-AIM = aka easier.

Try to rocket jump on a console.

Btw, TF2 is a great humorous game. And also, realistic shooting games = rainbow 6.

Most gamers / game reviews have high praise for TF2. And it actually depends on teamwork and strategy. Lone wolf are usually dead, unless you are really good. Oh and it's great for me raaaaping newbies who don't know the proper strategies. =)
 
Btw, hiding in the corning sucking on your thumbs gives you full health? That's realistic.

Team Fortress 2 updates and new maps are all free. Valve puts in a ton of effort into it.
 
Consultant said:
Btw, hiding in the corning sucking on your thumbs gives you full health? That's realistic.
Click to expand...

Agreed!

I wonder how many times the OP died in MW2 to complete the storyline game!!

Realism......

Don't make me laugh, if you want realism, sign up and get your ass to Afghanistan..
 
Rogue. said:
Don't make me laugh, if you want realism, sign up and get your ass to Afghanistan..
Click to expand...
Hear hear!
Games have never been about realism. Even sim games alter things slightly to create a playable game. That's why it's a computer game and not real life.
 
Rogue. said:
Agreed!

I wonder how many times the OP died in MW2 to complete the storyline game!!

Realism......

Don't make me laugh, if you want realism, sign up and get your ass to Afghanistan..
Click to expand...


ahh this comment made me mad and laugh at the same time. I am a Marine stationed now in Japan and have done 2 tours. One in Jordan and one in Afghanistan. Had my fair share of realism...

Back on topic. I think the main part i don't like about this game is how long it takes to kill someone. I have tried soldier with a rocket launcher and heavy with a gatling gun (have also tried other toons) and you can sit there and unload on others and they just won't drop. Best I got was 2 kills which were scouts.

O and i never completed the even 25% of the storyline in MW2 i bought it for the multiplayer.
 
luffytubby said:
Bunny jumping, unrealistic fights... there are tons of illogical things going on in even the most "realistic" war games.

I would highly recommend Left 4 Dead also. It's more of a co-op experience, but also a Valve game. Very good.
Click to expand...

Team Fortress reminds me of UT. It's a good arena style shooter. If your are looking for Rainbow Six or COD, this would not be it. :)

Isn't bunny hopping a characteristic of the physics in the game? I remember UT did not really have it, Quake Arena did, next thing you know UT had it and some people hated it. It just made the game more challenging. I love L4D too, the 1st and 2nd. :)
 
I've said it before and I'll say it again. If you're new to TF2 go watch the movies. This will give you some insight into the "attitude" of the game.
http://www.teamfortress.com/movies.htm

As others have mentioned it will take a little time to learn the different classes and find your groove. As with all online games it also helps to find a good server where the players actually care about working together and achieving the objectives.

.
 
Its a great game that seems VERY simple on the surface, but actually has a LOT of depth to it. If you do get it, play it on bootcamp, because the OSX version is garbage. I get roughly 5fps in OSX and 60-80fps in Windows 7.
 
AFter playing roughly 10 hours the past two days on the free demo, think I am gonna pass.

Yeah, I was having some fun, but not enough.

And the reason why.... there is no level playing field. Almost every time I died, it shows me the weapon of the dude and it has some 25% chance to insta-kill or somesuch.

I understand being rewarded for playing for a long time... but the disparity between a newbie and a long time player is just too wide. And most of that is due to equipment which is kinda sad. Because other than that, I was honestly enjoying the difference in the classes.
 
MrBean said:
And the reason why.... there is no level playing field. Almost every time I died, it shows me the weapon of the dude and it has some 25% chance to insta-kill or somesuch.

I understand being rewarded for playing for a long time... but the disparity between a newbie and a long time player is just too wide. And most of that is due to equipment which is kinda sad. Because other than that, I was honestly enjoying the difference in the classes.
Click to expand...
Actually it IS a level playing field. Valve are very good at balancing, and any new weapon that is too powerful will be nerfed swiftly. The Demomans seen so many nerfs :(.

None of the unlockable weapons are clearly better than the originals. Every single weapon has good and bad points. Take the pyro's flamethrower and backburner. The flamethrower has random crits, can airblast enemies/projectiles. The backburner has no random crits, but every hit from behind is a crit and theres no airblast.
The soldiers rocket launcher and Direct Hit? The Direct Hit's splash damage is non-existant but the rockets are much faster.
Sasha and Natasha? Natasha slows you down but does 25% less damage.

It's because of the new weapons having no clear advantage that people want them unlocked from the start.
 
Well aside from the Spy's dead ringer and clock and dagger watches (though no weapons), I don't think any spy used the regular silver watch anymore. Even though the silver watch has a long clock time.

Valve is so active in TF2, and I love the humor, the videos they make, their writings etc is absolutely creatively hilarious. Read the description from this page:

"Mac users can experience the head-covering excitement by getting online this weekend and playing America's #1 war-themed hat simulator for themselves."

http://www.teamfortress.com/macupdate/earbuds/
 
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