As I have just finished Titanfall 2 for the second time recently, I thought I would write a quick post about it's seamless and amazing campaign levels. I loved every second and now with a design outlook, I've noticed a lot! To start, Titanfall 2 (developed by Respawn Entertainment and released in 2016), is often celebrated for its exceptional multiplayer gameplay. However, it's the game's campaign level design that truly stands out as a masterpiece of innovation. In this blog post, we will delve into the intricacies of Titanfall 2's campaign levels, exploring how they blend storytelling, gameplay mechanics, and breathtaking visuals to create an unforgettable gaming experience.
The Perfect Blend of Gameplay and Narrative
One of the more remarkable aspects of Titanfall 2's campaign is its ability to seamlessly weave together storytelling and gameplay. Each level serves as a chapter in the larger narrative, with a clear objective that propels the story forward. What sets Titanfall 2 apart however is how it uses level design to reinforce the narrative and vice versa.
For instance, the level "BT-7274" introduces players to the bond between the protagonist, Jack Cooper, and his Titan, BT. As players progress through the level, they learn about BT's AI personality, his abilities, and the growing trust between Jack and BT. This is accomplished through gameplay segments that require cooperation and synergy between the two characters. These segments are action packed and usually intense, though they still remain smooth and focused enough to allow for quieter moments that allow for dialogue, puzzles and the like. It's a brilliant example of how Titanfall 2 leverages level design to deepen the player's emotional connection to the story. This also ties into the small but impactful voice lines usually prompted after large fights or at the ends of levels, where BT relays their combat effectiveness, which gradually grows over time.
Varied Environments and Unique Mechanics
Titanfall 2's campaign takes players on a thrilling journey through a wide range of environments, each with its own distinct challenges and mechanics. From the lush, overgrown landscapes of "The Beacon" to the gravity-defying puzzles of "Effect and Cause," the game constantly surprises players with new experiences. As the player continues through the game they also gain access to new titan sub-classes, which were accounted for in the design of the levels as each one has it's own unique play style.
The level "Effect and Cause" also deserves special mention. In this level, players gain access to a time-traveling device that allows them to switch between two timelines: the present and the past. This not only adds a layer of complexity to the gameplay but also opens up entirely new ways to explore the environment and solve puzzles. How these puzzles were so interconnected with the environment is something to be studied within itself, as one of the most memorable moments for me was rapidly swapping between timelines while going down a narrow vent. It also substituted the "Mech" side of gameplay with this time-travelling feature, keeping the amount of mechanics players have to interact the same from start to finish. It's a prime example of how Titanfall 2's level design constantly evolves to keep players engaged.
Freedom of Movement
One of Titanfall 2's defining features is its emphasis on fluid and acrobatic movement. This design philosophy is carried over into the campaign levels, where players are encouraged to use their Pilot mobility to the fullest.
Levels like "The Beacon" and "The Fold Weapon" showcase the game's dedication to free-flowing movement. Players can wall-run, double-jump, and use a grappling hook to traverse the terrain with ease. The levels are designed to accommodate this mobility, creating exhilarating moments where players can effortlessly chain together parkour moves while taking down enemies.
This kind of movement within these levels are not only limited to pilot movement, but also include titan movement as well. Hard cover always within dash-able range, dynamic elevation in multiple areas and a multitude of minor details like a solid mix of close quarters and long range combat, wide and short hallways, tight spaces, and so on.
Creative Puzzles and Challenges
In addition to its fast-paced combat, Titanfall 2's campaign also offers a variety of creative puzzles and challenges. These moments provide a welcome change of pace and further showcase the game's commitment to diverse and captivating gameplay. For instance, "The Beacon" features a puzzle where players must manipulate large cranes to create pathways and reach their objectives. These puzzles require careful observation and problem-solving skills, adding depth to the gameplay experience. This level also includes multiple jumping puzzles to keep a balance in gameplay.
Going back to "Effect and Cause", another highlight for this level and it's creative puzzle design is it's viability for multiple approaches due to it's problem solving focus and it's emphasis on having player's think in 4 dimensions with it's time travel feature. With doors being blocked in the past and enemies being present in the past, it allows players to interact with the environment in a multitude of ways, for example, you could take it slow and switch between times only when needed, or you could rapidly switch in and out to get behind enemies and keep a consistent level of movement. Another one of my personal favorite moments was when on entering a area with enemy titans, only able to face them while in pilot form, I was able to jump in the air in the past, switch to the present, then land on them and take their battery.
Conclusion
Titanfall 2's campaign level design is a testament to the artistry and innovation that can be achieved in the world of video games. Its ability to seamlessly blend storytelling with gameplay, offer diverse environments and mechanics, encourage free-flowing movement, and present creative challenges makes it a standout example of exceptional game design. Even years after its release, Titanfall 2's campaign continues to be celebrated and admired by gamers and industry professionals alike, setting a high bar for future game developers to reach.
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