Titanfall, it’s probably fair to say, is now a very anticipated title. Last year, at game expos around the world, it was easily one of the most queued-for exhibits on the show floors. I know this for a fact, because I was one of those people. But curiously, the second I’d finished playing it, I immediately queued again.
We can probably deduce two things from this. Firstly, that I’m typically British, and for that reason I’m OK with politely and quietly (but all the while secretly resenting) waiting in line for things. Secondly, and perhaps more crucially, that the game was worth spending mind numbing hours of time waiting to play.
Now, I know what you’re thinking, and I was skeptical too. ‘Just a Call of Duty clone, set in space or whatever’ seemed to be the general consensus of YouTube commentators and fellow queuers alike. And maybe they had a point. There’s a certain look and feel to it that is immediately comparable to its divisive spiritual predecessor. But is that enough to condemn it? Is the fact that it’s a fun game enough to revere it as the saviour of the modern shooter?
Or to put it another way (and make it seems like I’m posing an intellectual question), will Titanfall be the reason Xbox One owners can finally rejoice in their first brand new, next-gen IP, or the reason Microsoft cynics will have a field day mocking an over-hyped failure? Let’s examine the evidence.