October 2016, EA release two published titles in quick succession. One of those is Battlefield 1, the latest in the juggernaut fps series set in the first World War. The game is a financial success, it is marketed extensively and releases with all the fanfare of a typical Battlefield game. The other game was Titanfall 2. Released just seven days after Battlefield 1, Respawn Entertainments' sequel to Titanfall was released in relatively low key fashion. Titanfall 2 went on to sell in underwhelming numbers but to receive critical acclaim from both players and reviewers alike. So why is this significant? Just another fps in an overcrowded market, right? Well it's a little more complicated than that, and upon reflection, Titanfall 2 might just be one of the most significant and interesting games of the last five years.
After the release of Titanfall, the developer began work on a sequel in 2014 with a view to improving existing multiplayer game play as well as adding compelling story elements, which many agree the original release was lacking. Those who played Titanfall 2 at the time were impressed with its competent, fun and kinetic online multiplayer and generally agreed that it was a superior experience to it's predecessor. However, the real appeal of the sequel was the campaign. A robust, colourful and heart wrenching story mode which connected with audiences on an emotional level and really proved beyond a shadow of at doubt that Respawn
(a studio of ex Call Of Duty developers) had the ability to pull of a great, well rounded game. The campaign put the player in the boots of Rifleman Jack Cooper, a soldier in the Frontier Militia fighting against the IMC
(Interstellar Manufacturing Corporation), a conflict borne from the IMCs lust for resources and the Militias desire for freedom. Rifleman Cooper is quickly thrust into a desperate situation where he comes into contact with a large bipedal assault robot
(a titular Titan), from there Cooper and the Titan named BT embark upon a world spanning adventure full of excellent gun play, engaging story and colourful enemies
(as well as some fantastically memorable missions). Perhaps the most iconic and endearing part of Titanfall 2 is the excellent storytelling, the relationship between BT and Cooper grows throughout the campaign and fosters a genuine and warm emotional connection in the player. It encourages the player to care. Care about what happens to BT. Care about the journey the characters are embarking upon. The relationship building is so effective that at several points during my play through I was visibly shaken when my robotic companions' life was in jeopardy, I was so invested in the world of Titanfall that I struggled to put the controller down before I'd finished the story.
So why if the game was so good, did it sell so poorly? I believe the answer is simple. Timing. In their infinite wisdom, the publisher EA decided to sandwich the release of Titanfall 2 between the aforementioned Battlefield One and the years Call of Duty title. This decision seems at face value to be completely stupid at best and an act of deliberate sabotage at worst. Did EA want Titanfall 2 to flop? Did they even consider the date properly or was it just random? You can come to your own conclusions about this, many conspiracy theories exist online; some say EA deliberate screwed over Titanfall 2 because of Respawns policy on delivering free DLC to everyone, juxtaposing EAs stance on "live services". I'm not saying I believe that or I don't. But I certainly believe that something was going on behind the scenes which directly affected the sales potential of Titanfall 2.
Buried as it was between the Call of Duties and Battlefields, Titanfall 2 shone like a diamond in a heap of shit. Destined to be far superior to its peers but to always be overlooked. Whilst talk of Titanfall 3 persisted into 2018/19 even though poor sales meant that may not happen the tale took an unexpected twist on the 4th of February 2019. Respawn Entertainment released Apex Legends.
Apex Legends is the
(now) world famous Battle Royale entry from Respawn, released with pretty much no prior warning. Set in the universe of Titanfall, the spirit of the franchise lives on in a new format full of fast paced game play and interesting character abilities. The game has been a storming success and the influence of Titanfall 2 can be felt everywhere you look. Many of the weapons are the same, the gun play is similarly satisfying, and the movement retains some of the unique momentum which made Titanfall 2 so unique. It is a little toned down, but sliding down hills and mantling up sheer walls gives the game a fantastic feeling of freedom of movement. Respawns innate talent for concocting good story is also present here. Set many years after the end of Titanfall 2, the characters are interesting and varied and many have curious links to Titanfall lore people might be familiar with. For example; One of the heroes named Mirage is the son of the woman who invented the pilot decoy ability, seen in Titanfall 2. The character Bangalore is an IMC soldier separated from her unit and Pathfinder is a model of robot that we gunned down hundreds of in the previous Titanfall games. As a Titanfall fan, Apex is at once familiar and refreshing. A polished and engaging take on what is by now a well-worn genre.
In conclusion, the DNA of what Respawn has lovingly created can be found within its latest creation. 50 million players and counting, using systems first iterated in Titanfall, perfected in Titanfall 2 and now used in Apex Legends to enthral the masses. The legacy of Titanfall will certainly be felt for years to come, I for one am glad that the studio is getting recognition for their good work and I'm hoping that somewhere, sometime, Titanfall 3 gets announced so that we can once again experience fps done right, by a developer that cares.
Did you play Titanfall 2? Are you enjoying Apex Legends? Let me know in the comments and thanks for reading!
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