First Team Fortress 2 Review

[bapenguin]

It appears that Eurogamer (http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=83375) has the first review up of Team Fortress 2. The beta goes live today, with the full game only a few weeks away. So how does the title hold up? And what's changed since the original Team Fortress Classic?Making a complicated team-based online FPS like Team Fortress into an accessible experience was obviously one of Valve's objectives....

Thankfully that doesn't mean TF has been dumbed down. There are nine classes, and, while several are easy to pick up, getting the most out of each will take hours of experimentation and intuition. The Spy, for example, perfectly captures the sense of the name. Armed with a flick-knife and the ability to disguise himself as the enemy, the Spy can infiltrate enemy bases and even make himself invisible. But he's fragile, and you can uncloak him by shooting or brushing against him. And while his flick-knife kills with one hit, it only does so from behind, and using it gives up his position.

Eurogamer gave TF2 a score of 9 out of 10.

I really don't see anyway how this game could be bad.

[Darcydian]

That beta starts today too....

[Ghostbear]

yay! i cant wait to play you guys on Steam

[MrE]

Anyone have an idea as to when the beta kicks off? It says today, but my preload says otherwise (Pre-load complete, unreleased). Was hoping to play all afternoon but it doesn't look like the release will happen until later in the evening.

[Kamalot]

This is a very good time to be a gamer.

[Triprotic]

damn it, I wanted to play this tonight (in the UK), but will have to wait untill after work tomorrow now :(

[Darcydian]

Anyone have an idea as to when the beta kicks off? It says today, but my preload says otherwise (Pre-load complete, unreleased). Was hoping to play all afternoon but it doesn't look like the release will happen until later in the evening.

Forums are down too. Total TF2 says someone caught a glimpse of a "late today" quote from the official forums before they went down, but who knows.

[Tricky Thumb]

TF2 is just about here, I can't wait to lose hundreds of hours to this game.

[captainstrombosis]

No TF2 spoilers please.

I will be buying this on 360 so no Beta for me. You guys will have to tell me how awesome it is.

[Sarconix]

So what's popular at EA when it comes to PC team-based shooters? BF2, BF2142, or is TF2 going to take over? How do UT3 and QW:ET fit in? The distinct lack of vehicles in TF2 makes me think of it as less of a value, but I could be wrong.

I played way more BF1942 (and Desert Combat... oh yeah) than I needed to, and I would love to get in on one of the newer titles... but just one.

[MrE]

Forums are down too. Total TF2 says someone caught a glimpse of a "late today" quote from the official forums before they went down, but who knows.

Damn, thats what I was afraid of. Wonder if Valve got more pre-orders than they expected? Or if a last minute network bug bit them because I was under the impression this would be ready to go in the morning. Its the reason why I ran to my wallet when the Orange box announcement hit last week. :)

[claws]

That was a terrible, choppy review. I wish they'd given the game to someone who could write properly. Still, I'm pretty close to doing something I never do - preordering.

[total]

So what's popular at EA when it comes to PC team-based shooters? BF2, BF2142, or is TF2 going to take over? How do UT3 and QW:ET fit in? The distinct lack of vehicles in TF2 makes me think of it as less of a value, but I could be wrong.

I played way more BF1942 (and Desert Combat... oh yeah) than I needed to, and I would love to get in on one of the newer titles... but just one.

I played BF1942, BF Vietnam, BF2 and still play some BF2142. TF is a completely different game (at least the old ones were). I am going to buy the pack on Wednesday and rock this shit out though.

[Mozgus]

There was a quote from a "Greg" from Valve who said 7pm, but didn't indicate the time zone. Where is their HQ located?

[Lima Beans]

There was a quote from a "Greg" from Valve who said 7pm, but didn't indicate the time zone. Where is their HQ located?

suburb of seattle, so PST

[Xristafer]

I'm getting a 404 error when I try to go to the 2nd page of the review? Is the link at the bottom of the first page bad or am I just retarded...

[Jackel]

Maybe they removed it?

[Triprotic]

Is it me, or does the review seem to be down now?

[claws]

Presumably removed - both pages have gone now. Perhaps they were supposed to hold until the beta is out?

[Xristafer]

I think you're right... now the original link is 404 as well.

[Qoz]

Is the article/review gone?
I can't seem to find it.

I am waiting for the beta unlock on steam also.
Hmm..

edit: wow.. 3 identical posts!

[claws]

Article has returned. Odd.

[[GH-SC]Ryctor]

My money is on 4PM central time. Valve always opens up serves at 4pm central time.....

[torrefaction]

I think Random might actually go into seizures if the beta delivery gets screwed up.

[Mortal Moxie]

What servers are we going to be playing on?

Valves beta servers?

Hope the have alot ready because there are a fuckload of people waiting to drool all over this gameplay.

[Telefrog]

That "review" wasn't very good at all. I don't think it would've been acceptable even for a preview article at most other sites.

How many maps does TF2 come with? I'm getting the Orange Box, but I'd like to know what to expect.

[Varsity]

That "review" wasn't very good at all. I don't think it would've been acceptable even for a preview article at most other sites.

I think it's excellent and should be a model for future ones. I don't particularly want to know the minutiae of a game's mechanics when I'm choosing whether or not to buy it, and it's not like TF2 has a story.

[MasterEvilAce]

Forums are down too. Total TF2 says someone caught a glimpse of a "late today" quote from the official forums before they went down, but who knows.

That quote was up for quite awhile, or the forums went down after I went to work (at ~7am)... everyone thought it was going to hit the minute it hit monday (their time.. so 3am EST).. but apparently a quote was said that it would occur late monday, and that they can't give an exact time.

[Telefrog]

I think it's excellent and should be a model for future ones. I don't particularly want to know the minutiae of a game's mechanics when I'm choosing whether or not to buy it, and it's not like TF2 has a story.

Hmmm. Okay. Most people do want to know specific things about a game. As an example, the game got 9 out of 10, so can you tell me the reason the reviewer docked a point? As far as the article goes, the game was perfect. It's that kind of thing that even the most cursory review should mention.

[themulf]

I agree, that review sucked. Such a grand game with a huge following and history deserves a more in depth review than that.

[KingGorilla]

Can someone explain to me what they reviewed? If final code had gotten out to the press, I think that we would have seen or heard something about it from the standard sources-Gamespot, 1-Up, GFW. That "review" reads like most of the bullshit that is slathered about the internet-here is an arbitrary numeric, and now I will slather together some reasonably coherent pairings of words.

[captainstrombosis]

Says it doesn't exist any more.

[ttoastt]

Not to crap on their parade, but it would be nice to have more concrete info about when they were expecting to let the beta begin. Given how many people are waiting, it seems like a fairly simple courtesy.

[tombofsoldier]

I think Random might actually go into seizures if the beta delivery gets screwed up.

That would almost be worth the wait, almost...

[DangerousDaze]

How can you review a beta?

[KingGorilla]

Eurogamer. IGN, many sources believe that it is more important to be first, than to be correct. And we have played into that, sadly, by clicking that link.

[MrSatan]

No TF2 spoilers please.

I will be buying this on 360 so no Beta for me. You guys will have to tell me how awesome it is.

Dude, I hope you are joking. Team Fortress has no plot so that = no spoilers

[KingGorilla]

Here is a spoiler, always do a spy-check, if there is a guy of your color running the wrong way, shoot him, if he bleeds shoot again, if not...tell him to find a medic station.

[DangerousDaze]

Here is a spoiler, always do a spy-check, if there is a guy of your color running the wrong way, shoot him, if he bleeds shoot again, if not...tell him to find a medic station.

Safer option is to have a scout available. Scouts can strip spies of their disguise (or at least they used to be able to. Don't know about TF2.)

[captainstrombosis]

Dude, I hope you are joking. Team Fortress has no plot so that = no spoilers

Omg no plot? It looked like the Incredibles. Isn't this made by Pixar?

[ElPresidente]

Who was the reviewer? I'm curious who is the target of these review criticisms.

[KingGorilla]

I wish I could say, that page is currently down.

[Varsity]

As an example, the game got 9 out of 10, so can you tell me the reason the reviewer docked a point? As far as the article goes, the game was perfect.

One more reason why scores are a bad idea.

[PhilWal]

Spoiler:

I touched Sasha.

[gspot]

hey, does anyone know when exactly the beta is available, like what time?

[roboninja]

hey, does anyone know when exactly the beta is available, like what time?

Nobody knows except Santa.

[Kamalot]

How can you review a beta?

Same way you review a demo.

[claws]

Who was the reviewer? I'm curious who is the target of these review criticisms.
Tom Bramwell. To be fair, the weird formatting doesn't help.

[DangerousDaze]

Same way you review a demo.

That doesn't answer my question. In fact it asks more questions of its own. :p

[Spiffae]

Any other site, and I would be questioning the reviewer with this early review, but Eurogamer is up there with EDGE for me - some of the only "professional" reviewers (i.e. not Penny Arcade or my friends) that I can trust.

[*Legion*]

That "review" wasn't very good at all. I don't think it would've been acceptable even for a preview article at most other sites.

How many maps does TF2 come with?

You must not have read the review you're bashing, seeing as that information is in the review. Indeed, they state the number of maps (6) more than once.

[51|RandoM]

I think Random might actually go into seizures if the beta delivery gets screwed up.

wtf I took a nap and it still isn't ready yet, booo! :)

I heard 6pm Pacific, give or take a bit.

[yuruflux]

The wait is making me all antsy, tried playing some fortress forever, but to hyped up.

[Cavalier]

No TF2 spoilers please.

Enemy team has taken your flag? :)

[Telefrog]

You must not have read the review you're bashing, seeing as that information is in the review. Indeed, they state the number of maps (6) more than once.

Yeah, thanks, I read that. I was concentrating more on how shitty the article was. Since they based their review (obviously) on the beta, I was wondering if there was an OFFICIAL map count.

I stand by my original assessment of the article. It's shit, and apparently, quite a few posters here agree with me.

Thanks for playing anyway.

[Stupid Fat Hobbit]

Looks like the review is back up now. *goes off to read it*

[Lon Lon Rabbit]

Steam just asked to restart for an update and I got all excited but still no sign of TF2...

Hope I get a chance to play a bit before I go to uni in 2 hours.

[[Jez]]

Is the beta open or only for preorders?

[Lord_Don]

;985320']Is the beta open or only for preorders?

Indeed. Orange box pre-orders only.

[KingGorilla]

;985320']Is the beta open or only for preorders?

http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=36215

[MrE]

Well, its after 7PM (PST) and it isn't out yet. Looks as if Valve isn't going to make the beta time line that hooked me into pre-ordering the game with. Coincidence, or, marketing ploy? Sigh, I just really want to play this game!

[ttoastt]

And again, how hard would it be for them to make some sort of statement on their site...

[Citizen Philip]

Maybe 12am PST..

[Librum]

Oh well, what a pain. Hopefully tomorrow.

[Alexious]

I'm anxiously awaiting it also... you know, as a programmer, I usually side with the developers in being understanding about delays.

However, since this DOES involve money, they really either need to release the beta or a good explanation in a damn hurry! Like several others said, this specific promise lead many to pre-order.

[roboninja]

Fuck, no TF2 tonight. There's always tomorrow, I guess.

[Chainblast]

So is Eurogamer reviewing a beta build or is this "beta" just incentive for potential buyers to go with Steam instead of retail? Anyway I can't wait.

[ElPresidente]

Restart Steam if it isn't showing this but the release is now open for the TF2 beta.

Just needs to do some decrypting to unlock first.

[MaiXu]

Can someone explain to me what they reviewed? If final code had gotten out to the press, I think that we would have seen or heard something about it from the standard sources-Gamespot, 1-Up, GFW. That "review" reads like most of the bullshit that is slathered about the internet-here is an arbitrary numeric, and now I will slather together some reasonably coherent pairings of words.

Amen to that. I felt like anyone who's seen the teaser, trailer, and the "Meet the ..." videos could have written that "review."

As for *spoilers* check below!

Cool link I found also reveals some Steam pre-loaders who have shared the taunts and other audio files (http://users.on.net/%7Etimsmith/tf2/taunts/) for all the classes.

Pretty good stuff all around. We knew the Heavy was Russian, the Engineer was a Texan, and the Solider was a pretty un-accented military-crazed American.

But the new files reveal the personality of others: the Medic is German (saw that one coming a mile away), but the "bad German accent from old WWII movies" German; the Sniper is an Aussie (or at least an American doing an Aussie accent with a lot of British/old slang), the Demoman is a crazed, gravelly Scott (word is his melee is a beer bottle that breaks under certain conditions!), the Spy is sorta pan-European pastiche of accents that leans heavily toward the French, the Pyro has a South Park/Kenny-esque muffle, and the Scout has a fast-talking Philly or maybe generic New York accent.

My laptop can barely rune Steam, let alone TF2, so if anyone knows where I could find links to more audio files from the game, I would be much obliged.

[gspot]

Hey, it's released. And i have it downloaded. But I can't get on. Lame sauce. Really lame sauce. Anyone else with the same problem? Everyone else with the same problem?

[Phhhh]

Everyone else I think.

I'm validating my steam files right now to see if that fixes it.

[ElPresidente]

If people haven't started playing restart Steam and you'll be fine.

Been playing for the last hour and have been having a ball. This game just has so much character.