Team Fortress 2 may be 14 years old, but I'm still coming back for more

Team Fortress 2 Source: Valve

Valve's free-to-play grade shooter Squad Fortress 2 (TF2) has been through some rough times recently. Over the course of the last several months, the game has faced a serious hacker trouble (a recent update has helped set up it significantly). On top of this, the game also hasn't received a single major update since 2022'south Jungle Inferno patch, leaving many to wonder whether TF2 will e'er get significant pieces of new content at all.

As someone who has been playing this game since 2022, watching TF2 get this a crude patch is a huge bummer. That existence said, I'k nevertheless coming dorsum to the game oft despite its 14-year-erstwhile historic period — and according to the official Steam Charts, so are over 100,000 players on a consequent basis. Here's why.

The gameplay has incredible depth

Team Fortress 2 Source: CobaltGemini on DeviantArt

The primary thing that keeps me and then many other players hooked on TF2 is its incredible gameplay depth. The game'southward nine classes (Scout, Soldier, Pyro, Demoman, Heavy, Engineer, Medic, Sniper, and Spy) each have defined strengths and weaknesses, and the skill ceiling of learning how to maximize the former while minimizing the latter with movement, aim, and gamesense is most-infinite. Soldier players can learn how to perform skillful rocket jumps that permit them to stay mobile and make the most of their splash damage; Engineers need to read the battleground and decide where to construct their buildings and when to retreat from an enemy push button; Spies have to effigy out how to motion behind enemy lines safely and then strike with a backstab or 2 when the time is correct. On top of these core principles, in that location are also tons of well-counterbalanced weapon unlocks for each class that allow players to create loadouts that conform their personal playstyle.

TF2's gameplay is rich with depth, more so than any other course-based shooter.

TF2'south gameplay also heavily emphasizes teamwork (it's in the name, afterward all), arguably more and then than other course-based shooters. On top of minimizing your weaknesses with your own skills, you lot and your teammates can also rely on each other to do so. For instance, the Pyro's flamethrower is perfect for finding invisible Spies that are about to accept down a friendly Engineer likewise focused on his buildings to lookout man his back. Frontline classes like Heavy, Soldier, and Demoman help protect the Medic so that he can heal the team and build upward an invincibility UberCharge that can be used for effective pushes or stalwart defenses. Sniper can selection off high-value targets like other Snipers, Medics, and Heavies and so that some pressure is taken off the team.

Ultimately, in that location's a ton of individual and team-wide gameplay depth to sink your teeth into in TF2, and what I've discussed to a higher place is only the tip of the iceberg. Even after playing the game for 11 years, I'm still having a blast learning new strategies, trying out new loadouts, and cooperating with my teammates.

The game oozes charm

Team Fortress 2 Source: Valve

Another big reason why I love returning to TF2 is that the game is full of charm. Each of the classes accept unique personalities supported by dozens of immaculately voiced lines of dialogue, and each one of them is hilarious. Other grade-based shooters usually have some characters that I like, but I oasis't played 1 where I've fallen in dear with the entire cast like I did with TF2 yet.

The game's stylistic art direction has as well aged like a fine wine, which isn't something you can say oft about games released in 2007. There are plenty of cosmetic items similar taunts, skins, hats, and accessories you tin obtain equally well, allowing for deep grapheme customization. Some of the cosmetics do contrast with the game's artistic style, but overall, the corporeality of customization options players have in TF2 is awesome.

TF2's community is stellar

Team Fortress 2 Source: Valve

Lastly, I love the community that has formed around TF2, and I ever enjoy coming back to information technology. At that place are tons of customs-run servers bachelor that exercise an awesome chore of dealing with hackers and griefers, and in my feel, almost players are friendly and welcoming towards new and veteran players alike. The community also has a pop subreddit that has lots of friendly give-and-take and plenty of memes. Information technology's simply fun to be a function of the game'due south playerbase, and after experiencing how unpleasant many other gaming communities can be, I've grown to appreciate that a lot.

TF2's customs is fantabulous, and I love being a part of it.

The TF2 community is too filled with incredibly talented individuals. Fans have been creating crawly new cosmetic items for the game (with official Valve approval and implementation!) for years, and people accept also created some sweet custom gamemodes too. For example, Freak Fortress pits an unabridged server confronting a single player controlling a superpowered boss, while Dodgeball spawns critical heat-seeking rockets that players have to airblast at each other with the Pyro class. These types of custom game modes offering a great culling experience if yous want to take a break from normal TF2, and I can't recommend trying them out enough.

Final thoughts

At the end of the solar day, I still return to TF2 despite its update drought and hacker issues because of the excellence of its gameplay, the charm of its characters and fashion, and the game'southward awesome customs. Have you played TF2? If not, are you planning to give information technology a shot? Let me know. It's hands one of the best PC games available despite its age, and so don't overlook it. Also, if you desire to try a similar game that has more frequent official support from developers, check out Overwatch.

The best course-based shooter available

Team Fortress 2

Old but gold

Team Fortress 2's amazing gameplay, amuse, and community make information technology one of the all-time games e'er made, even later on 14 years.

A mod alternative

Overwatch

The cavalry's hither!

Overwatch is a competitive team-based shooter set in a futuristic world. It's heavily inspired by TF2, and is a great alternative if y'all want something with more than frequent developer back up.

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