Pilots[edit]
Similar to its predecessor, Titanfall 2 is a first-person shooter where players can control both a pilot and their Titans—mecha-style robots that stand roughly seven to ten meters tall. The pilot has a large variety of abilities that enhance their abilities during combat. All pilots have a jump kit which assists with parkour, double-jumping, and wall-running.
In multiplayer, pilots have more specific abilities unique to each 'class' which augments their offensive and defensive ability, such as a grappling hook for enhanced mobility, or a holographic visual cloaking device. Pilots use their jump kits to run on walls, movements which can be chained together to travel between locations quickly. The game introduces several new gameplay mechanics. These include: a movement system that allows players to slide on the ground, the pulse blade (which is a throwing knife that reveals the location of any nearby enemy), the holo-pilot (a holographic pilot that mimics players' action to confuse enemies), and a grappling hook, which can be used to slingshot players to a building or reel in an enemy it attaches to. The Pilots have a large arsenal of gadgets and weapons, such as shotguns, submachine guns, pistols, and grenades to fight their enemies. At close range, players can execute their opponents from behind in a short animation with a melee attack. Melee attacks are always instantly fatal should they connect.
Titans[edit]
Titans are significantly less mobile than the pilots, but they have stronger firearms and superior protection. Replacing the three classes featured in the first Titanfall, six Titans were introduced at launch: Ion, Scorch, Northstar, Ronin, Tone, and Legion, with Monarch being introduced in the May 2017 Monarch's Reign DLC. Expedition, the default Titan Loadout in the campaign, is not available for use in other game modes. Titans available in other game modes are listed below.
- Ion uses a directed-energy arsenal and makes use of a shield that can catch then reflect enemy projectile attacks.
- Scorch engages in combat using area-denial incendiary weaponry and indirect-fire thermite mortar.
- Northstar excels in long-range precision attacks with a charged railgun, and sets movement-restricting traps, and is the only Titan with the ability to leave the ground and hover.
- Ronin specializes in close quarters combat, using a 'Leadwall' shotgun and a sword.
- Tone focuses on mid-range combat with its target locking weapons.
- Legion uses a rotary cannon designed for sustained fire at both mid- and close-range.
- Monarch, added post-release via downloadable content (DLC), is a Vanguard-class chassis that can steal power from other Titans to power up its own defensive shield.
The Titans have their own move sets which are different from those of the pilots. For instance, they can dodge quickly to evade attacks.
Single-player[edit]
Unlike its predecessor, Titanfall 2 has a single-player story campaign with gameplay split between commanding the Titan (BT-7274, voiced by Glenn Steinbaum) and controlling the Pilot (Rifleman Third Class Jack Cooper, voiced by Matthew Mercer). It features a linear story, but levels offer players multiple paths to explore. For most parts of the game the Titan BT-7274 accompanies players, alongside allied NPCs from the universe's Frontier Militia faction (of which BT-7274 and Jack Cooper are a part). He can change his weapon loadouts under players' command to maximize his efficiency when combating local wildlife, IMC infantry, and other Titans. These loadouts are unlocked by finding abandoned equipment in each level, typically before a sequence which will benefit from the player switching to that loadout.
Players are able to use multiple ways to complete objectives and attack enemies, such as utilizing Cooper's Pilot stealth ability, jump-kit assisted traversal of the level, and using firearms provided in the game. Levels are large, and there are multiple paths for players to choose from to reach their destination. The game also features platform elements, which task players to make use of Cooper's parkour abilities to solve environmental puzzles, and travel to previously inaccessible areas. Some weapons are level-specific and can only be used in certain areas. There are also level-specific gameplay mechanics. For instance, in the Effect and Cause level, players are required to shift between the present and past with a time travel device. Players can also select dialogue options and have Cooper talk to BT-7274 at certain points in the campaign to develop the characters' personalities and often to comedic effect. The campaign also features a training gauntlet, which acts as a tutorial for players. The faster they complete the gauntlet, the higher their position will be on a leaderboard.
The game tracks the collection of Pilot Helmets, scattered throughout every level at varying numbers, and the completion of levels on the Master difficulty, the highest difficulty setting, in the Mission Select menu. The Mission Select feature can be used to collect Pilot Helmets that have been previously missed and even complete stages on Master in any order.
Multiplayer[edit]
The multiplayer mode sees the return of Titanfall's Titan meter, which fills slowly when the player is playing the game. It fills faster when the player kills an opponent, inflicts damage on enemies, or completes the map's objectives such as capturing points in the Hardpoint game mode. When the meter is completely filled, the player can summon their selected Titan, which descends from the sky in a titular titanfall deployment. A titanfall can crush opponents if it lands on one when summoned and will instantly kill any enemy directly impacted. When the Titan meter is filled completely while in a Titan, the Titan can use their 'Core' ability, which often takes the form of a special attack or otherwise augments the Titan's abilities. Examples include the Ion Titan's Laser Core, which makes the Titan emit a bright red laser attack, or the Monarch Titan's Upgrade Core, which upgrades the Titan's abilities, defenses, or primary weapon.
Pilots are able to rodeo a Titan similar to the original Titanfall, but rather than attacking a weak point with their weapon, Pilots now steal a Titan's battery, causing damage to it and giving the Pilot a Titan battery. The battery can be taken and inserted into a friendly Titan, charging its shield and partially filling both the Titan's Core Meter and the Pilot player's Titan Meter. Players can disembark from their Titan at any time. It will continue attacking nearby opponents under "follow mode", where the Titan follows the pilot as closely as it can. Players can also set it to "guard mode" and it will stay put. Finally, the Pilot can activate the Titan's ejection system, destroying the titan (and creating a large explosion if the 'Nuclear Eject' perk is selected in the Titan's loadout) and launching the Pilot high into the air.
Players earn "merits" based on their performance in a multiplayer match whether their team wins or loses. Merits are experience points through participating in the match or getting access to unlocks. Players need to accumulate merits to level up, which unlocks additional weapons, abilities, customization options, and more. There are also other ways to earn merits, like surviving the evacuation phase when the players' team loses a match. Players can also earn Credits, a form of currency used to buy weapons, boosts, Titans, or abilities before they are unlocked. These can be earned by gaining merits and completing challenges.
The game's customization options have expanded significantly compared to Titanfall. Players' outfits and weapons, as well as Titans' appearances and combat efficiency, can be extensively customized. Boosts replace burn cards featured in the earlier game. They are tactical abilities that enhance the players' combat efficiency. Each boost has its own specific access requirement. Ticks, which are explosive mines that track enemies, for example, require 65% of the Titan meter filled. Amped Weapons, where players inflict more damage with their firearms, need 80%. Players must decide which boost they are going to use before a match begins; they cannot swap their boost during the game.
Modes[edit]
Titanfall 2 features several multiplayer modes at launch. These modes include:
- Amped Hardpoint: In this mode, teams receive points if they can hold control points for an extended period. The team that accumulates more points wins.
- Bounty Hunt: Players are rewarded with money if they kill enemies, opponents, or AI-controlled grunts. Players need to return to specific points to deposit the money. Players can also steal opponents' money by killing them. The team that has the highest score wins.
- Pilot vs. Pilot: A standard team deathmatch mode but players cannot summon any Titan.
- Capture the Flag: Players are tasked to capture the flag of an enemy and bring it to their team's base, while preventing opponents from stealing the player's flag.
- Attrition: A standard team deathmatch mode in which players can summon Titans. Points are rewarded to a player's team when they kill a human-controlled enemy or an AI-controlled grunt. When a team earns enough points, the game transitions into the following phase: the losing team needs to reach the evacuation zone and escape, while the winning team needs to eliminate all opponents.
- Skirmish: This mode is like Attrition, but there are no AI-controlled grunts and the score needed for phase transitioning is lower.
- Last Titan Standing: A last player standing mode, where the first team to eliminate all opposing titans wins. Players are spawned in their titan and can collect batteries scattered around the map.
- Free for All: Players are tasked to kill each other in this mode. All other players will be marked as their opponents.
- Coliseum: This is a one-versus-one multiplayer mode where the player is tasked to eliminate the other player. Players can gain access to this mode through Coliseum tickets. These are earned by playing other multiplayer modes, buying them with credits, or receiving them in gifts granted when the player levels up a faction.
- Titan Brawl: A standard team deathmatch mode, but players spawn with their titans and cannot eject or disembark from their titans.
- Frontier Defense: A player versus environment (PvE) multiplayer game mode where four players must face up to five waves of enemies.
Matchmaking is also enhanced, with the game automatically helping players to find a new match after the end of every match. The game also introduces a new feature called "Networks", which allows players to form a group, similar to a guild. The game automatically groups both the player and other members of the network together in a match. Players can join more than one network and can switch between joined networks in-game. Each network has its own "happy hour". If the player plays the game during this period, they gain extra merits.