Considering the real dearth of quality software on Xbox One, tomorrow can't some soon enough for the system's owners. After months of anticipation, Titanfall will soon be out on Microsoft's new console and PC, and most of the reviews are in.*
It's the game that has been carrying by far the highest expectations for Xbox One, as it's seen as the first major release on the console that can supplement the relative lack of games available for the system. You may have played the beta, you might have only watched, and it's possible you avoided hearing much about it altogether. If you've been listening to the feedback, it might not be surprising that the reviews are very positive across the board.
The uniformity in response to a big-budget release is almost unsettling-is it the expectations created by the hype, or is Titanfall genuinely just that good? Read the review excerpts below (and the full versions at the links) to make a determination for yourself.
*Several outlets are holding their reviews until the game is played extensively with the public and they can better appraise the game.
Polygon, 9/10: "Titanfall is the rare game that feels like it came out on top of the few compromises Respawn has had to make. Sliding the spectacle and holy shit moments of an epic campaign among bold, fast multiplayer that steals unlikely elements, Respawn has made them shine like they belonged there all along. Titanfall may not mark the same kind of sea change that Modern Warfare started but the pieces are all there in a game that delivers on its potential as the next big thing...
...If there are complaints to be had, I'd point to performance. Titanfall sits at 60 frames per second most of the time, but when three or four Titans are on the screen at once, firing rockets and arc blasts, things take a dive. It's never not playable, but it is noticeable.
I also wanted more "stuff"--more options and more customization. For starters, Titanfall is begging for a spectator mode and more complex broadcasting options that have appeared in games like the Battlefield series. I also would have liked to see visual customization for Titans."
CVG, 9/10: "Lastly, the game's always-online requirements are a little too restrictive: it's daft that you can't even play the tutorial if the servers are down.
Though in truth, there's little reason to. It says much about Titanfall that its training courses are all but irrelevant: you'll pick up the controller and pretty much instinctively know how to play the game. Some will see that as a bad thing, and it's true that Vince Zampella, Jason West and co haven't strayed far from what they know. As debuts go, this is pretty safe territory, and not a Titan-sized stride forward.
Yet by making some smart tweaks to established design standards, Respawn's terrific shooter is a jet-powered hop ahead of its rivals."
Games Radar 4/5: "When you mix together all of these unique elements, you're left with gameplay that's relentlessly cool. You'll run along a wall like a boss, hitch a ride on the back of an allied titan, and then shoot at stupid minions as the metal monster runs around the map; or you'll call down a titan of your own and get it to follow you as you sneak through buildings, picking off enemy pilots that are jumping along rooftops...
...Titanfall blends familiar concepts with innovative ideas in remarkable ways, leading to a nearly nonstop supply of awesome moments. But for as fun as it is, you'll likely find yourself wishing Respawn was more ambitious when it comes to game modes, since there's a good chance you've captured enough flags for one lifetime."
Joystiq 4.5/5: When it's not all a clash of the you-know-whats, when there's a volatile mix of scampering boots and earth-rattling bipeds on the battlefield, Titanfall truly excels. It subsists on imbalance and the race to bear big arms first. It feeds on the fallout that results when equality means the other guy gets a robot too. Titanfall isn't tuned to perfection for everyone yet, but it starts as a smart, swift and startling movement in well-traveled space."
Gamespot 9/10: "When you look at Titanfall, it's easy to see the familiar. Most of the weapons, grenades, and abilities fill well-worn niches. Many of the environments are like the grimy villages and industrial complexes that have hosted countless online battles in dozens of other games. The competitive modes are bog standard. And yet, when you play Titanfall, it's impossible to shake the feeling that you're playing something special.
The overarching experience of playing Titanfall is one of rejuvenation and reinvigoration. The sprint speed, the arsenal, the game modes, and more are all firmly derived from some of the most successful online shooters of recent years. But by reinventing the way you move, Titanfall reinvents what it feels like to play a competitive shooter. The high-flying action intertwines beautifully with the brutish, tactical titan battles, creating battlefields that crackle with possibility. Titanfall is a leap forward for shooters, a game that combines the vibrant and new with the tried and true to create something special."
