Team Fortress 2 Review

Team Fortress 2 is the father of many modern games. Do you like playing as different classes in shooters like Overwatch and Apex: Legends? Arguably, you would never have those games without Team Fortress 2.

Then again, this venerable shooter came out back in 2007. With so much modern competition, the question remains: is it still worth playing this classic shooter? Or should you move on to something else?

‘Toon Aesthetic

One of the first things you’ll notice about this game is the aesthetic. Specifically, everyone and everything looks like it came from a demented cartoon.

This works in the game’s favor on several levels. First, the cartoon aesthetic has held up well over all these years. Like World of Warcraft, this game has really benefited from not trying to look super realistic. The game’s more realistic peers have ended up looking dated and played out.

The cartoon aesthetic also works well with the game’s weird sense of humor. The characters are all full of wacky and manic personalities. Looking like a modern Looney Tunes cartoon helps to sell that humor quite successfully.

A Team Effort

It may seem quaint now, but Team Fortress 2 (and its predecessor) was one of the first games to popularize different classes in shooters. So, instead of every character playing the same, we have characters like the Soldier playing very different from the Pyro. And he, in turn, is completely different from the Medic!

Many games have copied this formula, and games like Overwatch have done it even more successfully. Still, it’s very rewarding knowing that there is a character for every playstyle, and there’s always a chance for a new experience if you’re willing to play a different character.

For better or for worse, this class-based gameplay means that whether you win or lose mostly comes down to team composition. If no one is willing to heal, then the team is doomed. Likewise, if no one plays Engineer, then your defense is practically non-existent.

Because of this, try to play with your friends whenever possible!