9 Reasons The Odds Were Stacked Against Titanfall 2
1. The Best Battlefield In Years
Battlefield has a passionate following - but its most recent releases have not been smooth. Battlefield 4 launched with a host of connectivity problems and a dull campaign, and Battlefield: Hardline's take on cops 'n' robbers fell flat with many fans. Even Star Wars: Battlefront, Battlefield's sci-fi cousin, cast doubt over the DICE shooter template after facing heavy criticism for a lack of content.
Battlefield's unique combination of solid gunplay, vehicle combat, and vast open maps is always going to draw a crowd, but DICE isn't immune to shooting itself in the foot. Battlefield 1, then, was not a guaranteed slam dunk.
But the developer has outdone itself. The FPS genre's current fondness for modern and future settings has left many pining for the mud and blood of the early 20th century, and Battlefield 1 has delivered that in spades. It boasts a very solid campaign, exceptional multiplayer, and some of the most striking visuals we’ve seen this generation. Who’d have thought that one of 2016’s most awe-inspiring gaming sights would be watching a century-old zeppelin crashing into a hillside? Not us.
Battlefield 1’s first week UK sales outstripped BF4 and Hardline combined. The series’ retreat into the past has gained it a wealth of new fans.
Respawn's history means Titanfall will always be seen as a contender for CoD's crown. This year, however, its biggest rival may lie closer to home.