Still enjoying the game as well.. I'm Gen 2 now and I honestly think I'll keep playing all the way up to Gen 10 and beyond because the game is just that fun..
it's truly the combination of the verticality of the maps combined with the dynamics of the Titans that keeps the game fresh in my opinion.. Even the AI minions play their part in keeping the game fresh and fun..
To explain, in more traditional FPS like Battlefield 4, if I'm playing Domination, there's a really limited number of routes to take to the target area because everyone is camping any given number of other routes and entrances.. realistically, you're gonna either be coming down alley A or door B.. The rest are blocked/rigged with claymores or heavily watched by snipers.. You get my point.. Very quickly the game can degrade into a repetitive exercise in quick deaths from campers and snipers.. In addition, the "battlefield" becomes a virtual graveyard that seems dead because everyone is either camping or afraid to make the first move.. This is compounded greatly if you aren't one of the "elite" players who pours hours and hours into the game.. In Battlefield 4, these issues are potentially changed if you're in a party with skilled or playing on the larger Conquest maps that have vehicles but, in general, this type of frustration is the experience you get if you just hop into a game solo on the smaller maps..
great for competitiveness, not too great for "fun"..
on the other hand, take Titanfall.. Domination feels drastically different.. Not just because Battlefield 4 is more of a realistic shooter but because of the differentiating factors I mentioned earlier.. With that verticality, there are SO MANY routes to take to a given target zone, that truly camping one or two routes is counterproductive.. And you always feel like you're discovering a new way to traverse the map.. You got people camping inside the building?.. Instead of two entry points, there's eight.. There's also an ability to temporarily see through walls.. Or if the area is large enough, just bust up in there with a Titan!!.. The developers have done a great job of limiting the benefits of camping and rewarding those who actively pursue the action.. Which brings us to the AI minions..
I personally like that they are in the game.. At a minimum, they are there to keep the action moving.. Something easier to shoot at in between the more intense battles of fighting another pilot or titan.. They also give XP, so even if you're having a "bad game" and other pilots are owning you, you can still have a measure of fun and satisfaction from getting loads of XP from killing Grunts.. A Pilot kill gives you 100 pts while a minion kill gives you 20-30 pts.. Killing a quick pack of four gives you decent XP.. They also serve to keep the battlefield looking like an actual battlefield instead of a virtual graveyard in case people do start to play defensively and camp targets.. Even then, you still always have something productive to do with the AI minions running around.. In terms of E-Sports competitiveness, I can see the counterarguments.. But in terms of keeping the game FUN for both novice and expert players, they are a welcome addition and their implementation is almost perfect..
And don't get me started on how satisfying and diversifying the Titan gameplay adds into the equation..
anyway, I've ranted enough lol.. Obviously I love the game.. Everytime I get online there's an "Xbox, Record That" moment.. My favorite game type is Hardpoint Domination so far, I still prefer the Campaign mode even after running through it countless times, my favorite gun is the Hemlock burst-fire assault rifle, and favorite Titan is the Stryder.. All fanboy BS aside, believe the hype.. Stand by for Titanfall..
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