A while back I posed the question of what would be the bigger hit: Halo 3 or Crysis (see the blog post here and check out the video on Tom’s Hardware Guide). Ultimately, I decided that while Crysis would be the better game, Halo 3 would be the bigger hit because of the power of the Halo franchise and Microsoft’s incessant hype for the game, among other reasons. Since the comparison was a little too apples-and-oranges, since I was stacking up a console title against a PC title, I decided to look at two more titles that a little bit more in common: Team Fortress 2 and Enemy Territory: Quake Wars.
These team-based shooters are two of the more anticipated PC games for 2007. Enemy Territory: Quake Wars is Id Software’s is sort of a prequel to Quake II and features objective-based online multiplayer action set in the Quake universe. Players can choose between Humans and Stroggs, with five character classes available, and Enemy Territory can support up to 24 players in a single game. The new title also features Id’s MegaTexture rendering technology for next-generation graphics.
Then there’s the long-awaited Team Fortress 2 from Valve. The game, which had been mired with overhauls and delays, also features team-based multiplayer action with a first-person shooter perspective. And like Enemy Territory, TF2 has unique character classes (all of the original nine classes from Team Fortress show up, from Heavy Weapons Guy to Sniper). But TF2 will have a distinctly different look from other Valve games, using cartoon-like animation instead of a photo-realistic design.
So which game are your looking forward to more? If you could only buy one of the two games this year, which would it be? Personally, I’m going with TF2. After seeing the comic book-like animation and slapstick action of the gameplay trailers, TF2 shot to the top of my “Can’t Wait to Get This Title” list (that’s right, even ahead of Crysis and Half-Life 2: Episode 2). I’m so glad that Valve took its sweet time once again and scrapped the old build of TF2 to come up with a more original and fun look for the game. That said, I still see myself playing Enemy Territory quite a bit when it comes out.
Team Fortress 2 is scheduled to arrive this fall. Enemy Territory is scheduled for 2007 but no specific release date has been announced yet.
For some Enemy Territory trailers, check the official Web site.
As for TF2, here is Trailer 1 and Trailer 2, as well as a humorous little clip devoted to the Heavy Weapons Guy.
Stay tuned for more…
Comments (13)
Team Fortress 2 !
Looks so sweeeeet !
Ya, I'm with you.... glad they opted for "fun", which is what games ought to be. (Think back to days of "Warcraft 2" vs all the other "realistic" RTS ). It's got something for the old TF fans like me, and something to attract the younger crowd.
Posted by Manual | May 31, 2007 7:53 PM
Posted on May 31, 2007 19:53
Enemy Territory Quake wars
this game looks like its gonna be huge, ive been waiting for it for awhile now, looks promising. also the original ET was great
btw:ET can support more than 24 players, it depends on the server, just the best action could be seen in a 24 slot server
Posted by Phobos | May 31, 2007 8:06 PM
Posted on May 31, 2007 20:06
I am looking forward more to TF2. It might be because it is a Valve game, it may be that I have read and heard more about it, but in the end it is the game I would choose, hands down, over Quake. I have high hopes that TF2 will finally bring about team-based FPS games as opposed to what usually happens: a game with good team-based intentions morphs into an all-out deathmatch. It seems that will be quite difficult to do in TF2. I'm excited.
The kooky graphics also help.
Posted by John P | May 31, 2007 8:45 PM
Posted on May 31, 2007 20:45
TF2
Posted by Anonymous | May 31, 2007 11:14 PM
Posted on May 31, 2007 23:14
TF2
Posted by Swick | May 31, 2007 11:15 PM
Posted on May 31, 2007 23:15
ET:QW
Anyone who has played Enemy territory knows that is it the most rewarding online FPS ever created, and ET:QW should take it one step farther. The team play and real need for it in Quake Wars is really going to surpass that of TF 2 imo. Quake Wars can actually be seen as the real sequel to Team Fortress anyway.
Posted by Mike | May 31, 2007 11:44 PM
Posted on May 31, 2007 23:44
One under-noted bit about Enemy Territory: Quake Wars on the graphical side of things:
While Crysis may have it beaten on every other individual category, ET2 does appear to have the best animations since Toy Story itself. And they're dynamic.
From what I hear, it's got build in systems that aren't even player controlled, such as moving flat against a wall when you're near one instead of just standing there like anywhere else on the map. Impressive stuff, especially when it's all so fluid & life like. I've never seen a sprinting animation that could also make realistic turns... >_>
Posted by GyRo567 | June 1, 2007 12:59 AM
Posted on June 1, 2007 00:59
ET
Posted by steve | June 1, 2007 1:14 AM
Posted on June 1, 2007 01:14
FF, if it ever comes out.
Posted by Charlie | June 1, 2007 2:28 AM
Posted on June 1, 2007 02:28
I think that ET was one of the best team games I've ever played. It was super fun, all of the classes had special abilities that actually got more powerful and the objectives were unique. All of that being said, I'm looking forward most to TF2. LOOK AT IT. The visual stylings of TF2 just scream fun fun fun. I'm definitely going to play both and the one that ends up winning this debate will be the one that plays better, period. It all comes down to gameplay (doesn't it always?).
Posted by Carlton | June 1, 2007 2:57 AM
Posted on June 1, 2007 02:57
I'm thinking ET:QW personally. It really depends who has the first linux client. Then again, I'll buy them both if they support linux!
For all you trolls, linux has huge gaming potential since it can be stripped of the bloat far easier than a Windows box and use the same hardware. I play RTCW:ET quite regularly as well as occasionally UT2004 (also own UT2003) all of which I've never installed and played on Windows past the demo for testing machines.
Posted by Mr O | June 3, 2007 10:00 PM
Posted on June 3, 2007 22:00
TF2
game looks sick
ET looks sick as well...
i think ima cop both.
Posted by Nick | September 21, 2007 10:11 AM
Posted on September 21, 2007 10:11
John P (above) is a smart man. He hit it on the button:
"I have high hopes that TF2 will finally bring about team-based FPS games as opposed to what usually happens: a game with good team-based intentions morphs into an all-out deathmatch."
This is what happened with Wolf ET. I had fun for two years, but eventually the idiots who are just kill-hungry mess up the game. Quake Wars seems like its going to be more of the same. Both games probably are awesome, but if you had to compare them with TF2, TF2 blows them away.
TF2 is a game built around cooperation and teamwork, and most importantly, what games are for (no, not highest kill-death ratio, or winning the clan war in a shootout): fun. It's just pure fun. And it almost forces you to cooperate with your team instead of just going for kills. And it also requires you to complete the mission to win.
TF2 is probably one of the greatest multiplayer games of all time. Hell, one of the greatest PC games, and one of the greatest video games. Casual gamers like me is what this game appeals to, and this is why it will go further than Quake Wars or Unreal 3 or COD 4.
Posted by xruntime | April 22, 2008 7:13 PM
Posted on April 22, 2008 19:13