Titanfall hasn’t had the best time in recent years. Upon its reveal, the first game was lauded as the future of first-person shooters, with its faster movement, emphasis on parkour, and ever-changing dynamic between humanoid and mech combat making even the latest blockbusters feel dated in comparison. It remains a fantastic game, but one that is plagued by server issues and a lack of support I’ll get into shortly.
Its sequel was sandwiched between the launch of Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare and Battlefield 1, leaving it to die in a period packed with not only other shooters, but a number of industry mainstays that made standing out as a smaller title almost impossible. Titanfall 2 has achieved cult status in hindsight thanks to its spectacular solo campaign and ambitious multiplayer component, but it’s a game that has never been able to stand alongside its rivals, no matter how much EA tries to convince you that launching it at that time was the right decision.
Related: I'm Not Ready For Rebuild Of Evangelion To End
Fans aren’t happy with the state of Titanfall, with references to its world and characters in Apex Legends doing little to appease those who not only want a third entry, but for respect to be paid to its predecessors in the form of official support and ensuring the servers aren’t being brought down by hackers and bigotry. It isn’t a lot to ask, but judging from events this past weekend, Respawn Entertainment has yet to address a number of longstanding issues. As someone who sunk countless hours into Titanfall 2 during my time at university, I can’t help but agree with these grievances, and hope they’re resolved soon.
Players are being given this "Important Message" after finishing a match. pic.twitter.com/SGKvduO95p
— Apex Legends News (@alphaINTEL) July 4, 2021
To catch up anyone unacquainted with what’s been happening: for several months, the original Titanfall has been subject to a number of server issues due to hackers spreading bigoted rhetoric and making it impossible to enjoy the game on PC. Despite Respawn Entertainment publicly addressing these concerns on Twitter and promising to do something about it months ago, these changes haven’t come. Earlier this month, someone hacked Apex Legends and left a message for all players.
After logging into the game, you were met with a message that read “[Titanfall 1] is being attacked, so is Apex” while also being encouraged to visit a website dedicated to saving the first-person shooter. The page delves into all of the problems currently plaguing the game, ranging from server issues to a lack of official support from Respawn and EA. Admittedly, the game launched in 2014, so it makes logistical sense for an online title to be left behind, although I think players are just hoping for a way to play without so many issues. The reality is simple – Titanfall is still on sale and isn’t a functioning product anymore, and that isn’t acceptable.
Hacking a game like this is objectively bad, although it's not as if Respawn is listening to its fans either, so it’s unclear where to draw the line here. Apex Legends takes place within the Titanfall universe, and has been making increasingly obvious references to characters and events from the series as part of recent seasons and hero additions. For example, Valkyrie, the latest legend to be introduced, is directly related to a character who appears in Titanfall 2.
Respawn is fully aware of the legacy it’s pulling from to populate its battle royale, but isn’t concerned with keeping its previous games alive when money is being made elsewhere. I understand that, I really do, but it still sucks. If it wanted to foster any goodwill, Respawn would help repair the servers and bring more attention to the world of Titanfall.
Whenever I talk with friends about the best shooters of recent years, Titanfall is always brought into the conversation. The second entry’s main campaign is held in similar esteem to Half-Life 2 and Call of Duty 4, praised as a new benchmark in level design and narrative complexity that forces players to engage with initially familiar systems in new and exciting ways.
The first game didn’t even have a campaign, so seeing Respawn introduce it for the first time and arguably perfect it was a marvel. I personally prefer the weightier feel of the first Titanfall’s gunplay, but the sequel improves upon things with larger maps, greater customisation, and a distinct sense of progression. It’s excellent, and remains underappreciated to this day – and unless something is done, it’s going to stay that way.
Respawn has previously ruled out the possibility of Titanfall 3, and is instead focusing on Apex Legends and Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. I’m not expecting a third entry, and I imagine existing fans are now sceptical as to whether or not it would even be good given how the existing games are being treated. But my hope remains, because Titanfall’s legacy is continually looked to for inspiration both in and outside of the studio that helped create it – that recognition can’t be for nothing. Live-service games and expansive multiplayer affairs are a big part of gaming’s future, but sometimes it’s okay to step back and do something unique – something like Titanfall 2. Maybe one day.
Next: Life Is Strange True Colors Needs To Show A Realistic Depiction Of Grief
