Team Fortress 2

[zungerman090]

Is it hard to get into? I never played it before, but from what I have seen it looks really good. I just got a Steam account so I was planning on buying it. I am also thinking about getting a retail version (Orange Box) instead of the digital one. Saves me 10 bucks. If I do that, will my stats (achievements, playing time, etc.) be displayed on Steam?

 

[Amnestic]

I really don't think it's hard to get into. A few classes (Spy) will require more practise than others to play well, but as long as you find a good set of servers to play on, it's all good. I started playing pretty much from scratch and found it quite easy to find my groove with my starting class (Medic) before branching out into others, but I still main Medics because I think they're kinda fun.

If you're interested, you should join the Escapist TF2 PC Usergroup [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/groups/view/The-Escapist-Team-Fortress-2-Group-PC]. A lot of guys there with a lot of hours under their belts so they tend to know what's what.

And I don't know how retail Orange Box works with Steam. I would assume that it does connect though, as it seems rather foolish if it didn't.

 

[Aethren]

Totally worth buying, even if you're not traditionally a fan of the FPS genre. It does not take itself seriously at all, which lends itself well to its arcade style of play. It is easy to play, with each class being fairly easy to adjust to, but difficult to master, and for the most part everything is pretty balanced.

You can connect any computer game to your Steam account, and if applicable, it will show achievements and all that.

 

[zungerman090]

It isn't hard to get into, in fact it's easier to get into than most other FPS games.
Stay away from arena and watch the "how to play..." videos on the TF2 forums. They're mostly out of date, but still contain useful information.
Arenas only get good once you have the hang of the game. Otherwise you'll die often and spend a lot of time watching other people play. Which, in retrospect, might not be a bad idea, but it would cause you to be a detriment to your team.

Doesn't matter which version you buy, you can't play without Steam, so yes your stats will be displayed on Steam.

Does that mean that TF 2 would be displayed in my Steam library? Or is it just going to be like any other game (clicking on the shortcut)?

Should I have some friends to play it with? I don't really enjoy being called names just because I can't play too well. Where should I play to get some experience?

 

[Snotnarok]

Easy to get into, sometimes hard to master. Each class has it's own tricks.

Only worth playing on PC fyi.

 

[Aethren]

The map dm_store is a GREAT place to practice getting your rifle-sniping on, I've discovered.

 

[zungerman090]

Are there any specific servers for newbies? Or is it all the same? Which class is the easiest to get into? I am really interested in using Demoman, since I was really good at using grenade launchers in Modern Warfare.

 

[Infernostrider]

yes they will, long as you buy the pc version. it will automaticly link up to steam. you only need the CD key, actually, you can still download it from steam if you loose the cd's themselves somehow.

 

[Amnestic]

Are there any specific servers for newbies? Or is it all the same? Which class is the easiest to get into? I am really interested in using Demoman, since I was really good at using grenade launchers in Modern Warfare.

I would argue that Heavy, Pyro and Medic are probably the easiest classes I found to get into. That said, I've seen a lot of god awful people playing the aforementioned three classes- Heavy's standing still in the path of a sniper scope, Pyros charging straight at an engineer turret alone, Medics who pick a bum buddy and never heal *anyone* else or pull out their other weapons while alone...

Feel free to try Demoman though. In fact, try all the classes. You'll eventually find one you like the most.

 

[ilspooner]

TF2 is really fun and is a great choice to buy. Its easy to play, but hard to master. Spy is quite challenging at first I found. Just keep practicing and having fun. Also, the community is really friendly and helpful.

 

[Kollega]

Regarding Steam, to clear up the confusion: when you buy retail version, you'll need to activate it on Steam, thus adding it to your library.

Are there any specific servers for newbies? Or is it all the same? Which class is the easiest to get into? I am really interested in using Demoman, since I was really good at using grenade launchers in Modern Warfare.

Spoiler: Here's a helpful chart.

And yes, TF2 is totally worth buying.

 

[TerribleAssassin]

Are there any specific servers for newbies? Or is it all the same? Which class is the easiest to get into? I am really interested in using Demoman, since I was really good at using grenade launchers in Modern Warfare.

Ohh, there's a big difference between these two...



OT: It's quite easy to get into, look for a server that host newbies and you'll be fine.

 

[zungerman090]

Are there any specific servers for newbies? Or is it all the same? Which class is the easiest to get into? I am really interested in using Demoman, since I was really good at using grenade launchers in Modern Warfare.

I would argue that Heavy, Pyro and Medic are probably the easiest classes I found to get into. That said, I've seen a lot of god awful people playing the aforementioned three classes- Heavy's standing still in the path of a sniper scope, Pyros charging straight at an engineer turret alone, Medics who pick a bum buddy and never heal *anyone* else or pull out their other weapons while alone...

Feel free to try Demoman though. In fact, try all the classes. You'll eventually find one you like the most.

Thanks. Hopefully I will be able to buy it in a few days. Who do I ask to close this thread?

 

[e2density]

Really good if you play on playing in public games pretty much all your career.
The TF2 competitive community is horrible. And after spending two years in it (and a good 1 year in the top Spy community in the world), it's really kind of a bad game now.

The competitive community is mainly loads of trolls, everyone hates eachother...including their own friends. Just a simple look through the GotFrag forums leads you to believe the TF2 Comp Community is the least intelligent on the planet. They dislike everyone in the community, they dislike everyone that joins, and they dislike the invite level players too... and Valve is trying to expand the TF2 competitive community by saying we're accepting of noobs/etc all sorts of people...

Also, #10
If you think a slow ass game like MW2 and their baddie overpowered grenade launchers are going to make you hit direct pipes like a pro, think again...

Sorry if this seems really negative...I do in fact think TF2 is an amazing game...but for the less intelligent pub minded people. Not for the higher level players. Stick to pubbing...

 

[Amnestic]

Are there any specific servers for newbies? Or is it all the same? Which class is the easiest to get into? I am really interested in using Demoman, since I was really good at using grenade launchers in Modern Warfare.

I would argue that Heavy, Pyro and Medic are probably the easiest classes I found to get into. That said, I've seen a lot of god awful people playing the aforementioned three classes- Heavy's standing still in the path of a sniper scope, Pyros charging straight at an engineer turret alone, Medics who pick a bum buddy and never heal *anyone* else or pull out their other weapons while alone...

Feel free to try Demoman though. In fact, try all the classes. You'll eventually find one you like the most.

Thanks. Hopefully I will be able to buy it in a few days. Who do I ask to close this thread?

I don't really see the need to 'close' the thread per se as helpful tips might still crop up, but if you want to you can try PMing a mod. Labyrinth [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/profiles/view/Labyrinth] is online, so you could probably ask her to do it.

 

[zungerman090]

Really good if you play on playing in public games pretty much all your career.
The TF2 competitive community is horrible. And after spending two years in it (and a good 1 year in the top Spy community in the world), it's really kind of a bad game now.

The competitive community is mainly loads of trolls, everyone hates eachother...including their own friends. Just a simple look through the GotFrag forums leads you to believe the TF2 Comp Community is the least intelligent on the planet. They dislike everyone in the community, they dislike everyone that joins, and they dislike the invite level players too... and Valve is trying to expand the TF2 competitive community by saying we're accepting of noobs/etc all sorts of people...

Also, #10
If you think a slow ass game like MW2 and their baddie overpowered grenade launchers are going to make you hit direct pipes like a pro, think again...

Sorry if this seems really negative...I do in fact think TF2 is an amazing game...but for the less intelligent pub minded people. Not for the higher level players. Stick to pubbing...

Hrmm. You do seem quite negative...

 

[TheComedown]

Easy to learn. Easy to play. Easy to master

No its not easy to master. It depends heavily on your play style, like I picked up heavy within an hour, and I first played 2 years ago, and only recently have I been trying spy, and sure as hell ain't easy to master.

It's not to hard to be good at any class but to be excellent at a class takes some work.

 

[TheComedown]

Spoiler: Here's a helpful chart.

And yes, TF2 is totally worth buying.

Sweet chart. One thing tho. If you enjoyed S.T.A.L.K.E.R it recommends heavy? Now I haven't played much of stalker, but I'm pretty sure I remember dying a lot from only a few rounds.. thats not the heavy... or was it only meant as a joke?

 

[Amnestic]

Spoiler: Here's a helpful chart.

And yes, TF2 is totally worth buying.

Sweet chart. One thing tho. If you enjoyed S.T.A.L.K.E.R it recommends heavy? Now I haven't played much of stalker, but I'm pretty sure I remember dying a lot from only a few rounds.. thats not the heavy... or was it only meant as a joke?

I do believe it's because the Heavy is Russian.

 

[Kollega]

Sweet chart. One thing tho. If you enjoyed S.T.A.L.K.E.R it recommends heavy? Now I haven't played much of stalker, but I'm pretty sure I remember dying a lot from only a few rounds.. thats not the heavy... or was it only meant as a joke?

It's most definitely a joke about Heavy's Russian heritage.