Team Fortress 2 (emphasis on "team") (Half-Life 2: The Orange Box (PC))

Member Name: agewills

Product:	Half-Life 2: The Orange Box (PC)
Date:	10/09/09 (8 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: good team play, fun graphics, constantly updated and improved

Disadvantages: hard !

Since Team Fortress 2 has been updated alot lately,so i want to do a good review to jusity it.
TF2 is a first person shooter, online multiplayer fiasco. Its like Battlefield 2 took some drugs with Walt Disney and then got in a washing machine and set its self to rinse.
The graphics, as you can see, are very cartoony, as was the case with TF classic (so im lead to believe). But dont let that put you off. They are awfully good graphics and its quite a pretty game.

Its worth mentioning that like the battlefield series of games, (and others) TF2 has "classes". There's the scout, Pyro, heavy, demoman, soldier, medic, spy, engineer and sniper. Unlike other games though, the classes here are very very different. The difference between the Scout and Heavy for example are astronomical. The scout has only 150 health, a bat, a pistol and shotgun, he can run like the wind and bounce about the map like a mexican jumping bean. Whereas the Heavy is slow, fat and packs 300(?) health, he has a minigun, shotgun and fists that could punch through a wall. But he's an oaf and has trouble turning. So a nippy scout could, in theory beat him, but only if he's quick and nimble.
The idea of TF2 is in the name. Its very much a TEAM game. Like most other games, your team have to complete the objectives or stop the enemy from doing theirs or both. This means working together. This is why the classes are split into "offensive", "defensive" and support. Engineers can build drone/sentry guns to defend intelligence, flags or bomb sites. They can also provide dispensers to distribute health and supplies as well as teleporters to get the slow members of the team to where they need to be, but they are no good as an attacking class. Demomen similarly so, rubbish close up, demoman is all about setting traps. Sniper shoots from a distance just like in any game.

One thing i've found about TF2 is the accuracy of the weapons is unusual. Alot of the time it doesnt feel like you're hitting anything, yet it doesnt seem to matter. Lose the ideals of perfect KDR's and you will enjoy the game for what it is, a good fun, team based game. Many happy hours ive spent just running about with the medic gun out, healing team mates. Id come out with 1 kill and 30 deaths, but it didnt matter, because i was helping the team. Getting kill assists and having giggles.
Team Fortress 2 has much improved over time. Valve have done a spectacular job of updating the game through various patches. when i first bought it, the novelty wore off, but now, they've released updates which have introduced UNLOCKS into the game, BF style. Its a joy. Sure they take ages to get, as you have to get a number of "achievements" first, but its such a joy and there is such a mix to look forward too and work for. Everything from the sandwich for the heavy.

To the upgraded "backburner" flame thrower for the Pyro, which gives 100% critical hits if you can get behind someone.
Upgraded bats, axes, medic guns...there's all sorts and lots of fun to be had. It breathes new life into an already super game.

New game modes too, like one where one team have to move the (on rails) bomb from one point to another, while the other team try to stop them.
Or simple capture the flag, Steal the intelligence or arena mode.

New maps have been introduced and despite a few hours on the game i sometimes find myself thinking, "whats this map?" and "Where do i go?"
TF2 is awesome and for £13.99 off steam, you'd be a fool to miss out.

Summary: Recommended varied fun!