Team Fortress 2

A foundational, team-based shooter that hasn't kept pace with the competition

Team Fortress 2 is a team-based multiplayer online first-person shooter game featuring distinct character classes. Players must work together to complete objectives such as capturing points or escorting a payload. With numerous cosmetic items and hats, customization is abundant, allowing players to express their personality while securing victory. Engage in fierce competition, strategic gameplay, and a vibrant community in this enduring classic.

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

66%

Audience ScoreBased on 23,779 reviews

gameplay265 positive mentions

monetization40 negative mentions

gameplay
591 mentions
45 % positive mentions
51 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Team Fortress 2 is widely praised for its depth, variety, and engaging mechanics, offering a unique blend of fast-paced action and strategic team play across diverse classes and game modes. While many players appreciate the game's humor, character design, and community, concerns about balance issues, a lack of updates, and the prevalence of bots and cheaters have marred the experience for some. Overall, despite its age, the gameplay remains enjoyable and addictive, appealing to both newcomers and veterans alike.
- “Unlimited potential in the arsenal of weapons, unique character design and personalities, and balanced gameplay.”
- “The game's innovative gameplay mechanics, such as the 'ubercharge' system and the emphasis on teamwork, have become staples of the genre.”
- “The gameplay is fast-paced, chaotic, and, most importantly, fun.”
- “Complete lack of understandable comeback/counterplay mechanics.”
- “Paid for this game years ago, still has unique gameplay experiences ruined by developer inaction, despite profiting from sales of community content.”
- “The state of source multiplayer is growing increasingly abysmal, games like TF2 and Left for Dead 2 are both extremely well-designed games that would have stood the test of time with their iconic design, characters, mechanics, etc., if the games were actually in a playable state.”
humor
479 mentions
97 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The humor in Team Fortress 2 is a standout feature, characterized by its quirky characters, memorable voice lines, and hilarious interactions that create a lighthearted atmosphere. Players appreciate the game's blend of slapstick comedy, absurdity, and clever dialogue, which fosters a fun and engaging community experience. Despite some criticisms regarding the game's current state, the humor remains a significant draw, making it a beloved classic in the FPS genre.
- “Its easy to pick up, fun to play, and the characters have kept me laughing after all these years.”
- “The humor and personality infused into every aspect of the game make it a joy to play, even when you’re on the losing side.”
- “The characters themselves are brimming with personality, each with their own distinct voice lines and humorous interactions that inject an infectious sense of fun into every moment of gameplay.”
- “The game is over 15 years old and I think it's about time the plug is pulled on it so that I no longer have to see unfunny TF2 posts everywhere.”
- “As good and fun as it is, I can't fully enjoy this game to its fullest because of all the bots, cheaters, and all the things that make the game so unfunny and unbearable to play.”
- “This game has the most unfunny fanbase of any game I've played.”
graphics
285 mentions
37 % positive mentions
57 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The graphics of Team Fortress 2 are characterized by a vibrant, cartoonish art style that has aged remarkably well since its 2007 release, making it stand out in the FPS genre. While some players note that the introduction of various cosmetics has occasionally clashed with the original aesthetic, the game's unique visuals and charming character designs continue to be celebrated. Overall, the art style is considered timeless, contributing significantly to the game's enduring appeal and community engagement.
- “The game's vibrant, cartoonish art style and its humor-infused gameplay create an engaging environment that contrasts sharply with the more serious tone of many other shooters.”
- “Despite its age, TF2's graphics have held up remarkably well, thanks in part to its timeless art style.”
- “The vibrant visuals and cartoonish aesthetics not only age remarkably well but also add a sense of lightheartedness that sets Team Fortress 2 apart from the grittier shooters out there.”
- “Although I should bring up some criticism; the game did hit its peak back around 2009-2012; nowadays it's a spaghetti code nightmare mess of a code, the game is unbalanced far more than it used to be, all the great weapons have been nerfed (demoknight the most) and the art style has been all but ruined due to all the cosmetics and certain maps added over the years that clash with the artistic expression of the 1960s which this game portrays.”
- “The original art style and shading are gone thanks to the increasingly worse cosmetics over the years, there are too many 'taunts' that act as social emotes more than actual taunts (which in turn encourages friendlies to appear and annoy the shit out of everyone) and honestly there is no reason to play this game anymore.”
- “Most updates this game is getting are just a bunch of cosmetics stuff, no attempt at improving the graphics or optimization of the game whatsoever.”
story
138 mentions
19 % positive mentions
76 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The game's story is often described as minimal or non-traditional, primarily conveyed through item descriptions, comics, and environmental storytelling rather than a structured narrative. While some players appreciate the humor and lore embedded in the game, many express frustration over the lack of a cohesive or completed storyline, particularly for long-standing franchises like Half-Life. Overall, the community values the character-driven elements and the unique art style, but there is a strong desire for more substantial updates and resolutions to ongoing story arcs.
- “There is also a story that is not forced upon you, being told through item descriptions, map objects, comics, and shorts.”
- “The tongue-in-cheek lore and comedic tones of the story, including the Mann vs. Machine update, have left countless positive memories in my mind.”
- “With its ludicrously charming art style, instantly iconic characters, and a seemingly endless stream of updates, TF2 has transformed from a mere game into a living, breathing ecosystem—a world where every match tells a different, equally absurd story.”
- “It's already bad enough that the game's story is unfinished after decades of existence, which has happened more than twice on these franchises.”
- “The state of the game is pitiful and it's a shame that you, of all companies, don't value the story behind your games.”
- “But in concept, the game is riddled with weird design decisions that make the game worse, and a weird, lackluster story, and you get a terrible game that no one should play.”
monetization
137 mentions
4 % positive mentions
67 % neutral mentions
29 % negative mentions
The monetization in the game is heavily criticized for being exploitative, with frequent microtransactions and lootboxes that detract from the overall experience. While players can earn items through gameplay, the overwhelming presence of bots and the lack of meaningful updates from the developers have led to a perception of the game as a cash grab. Many reviewers express frustration that Valve continues to profit from microtransactions without addressing the game's significant issues, such as rampant cheating and a deteriorating player experience.
- “There are crates and microtransactions sure, but they aren't exactly forced upon you; you can simply get free item drops by just playing the game on servers (at least if they are secure VAC-enabled ones).”
- “That's what many live service games are missing, they are all about microtransactions, but this game isn't.”
- “The microtransactions may turn some of you off, but you can still play the game without paying for a single thing.”
- “Valve has completely ignored TF2's problems, while simultaneously profiting millions off of in-game microtransactions year after year.”
- “It'd be one thing if the game were completely abandoned by Valve like this, but the fact that Valve has left the game in this state for literal years while still offering microtransactions and gacha mechanics is unbelievably scummy.”
- “You keep continuing to practically ignore this game's major issues and keep shoving microtransactions into it at three major times a year (summer, Halloween, and the holidays) when you have far more than enough money and the resources to create an effective anti-cheat that will put an end to the cheater bots once and for all!”
music
72 mentions
17 % positive mentions
75 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The music in the game is characterized by its catchy and humorous soundtrack, featuring iconic themes for each class, which many players find enjoyable and memorable. However, the experience is often marred by disruptive bots that spam loud and inappropriate music over voice chat, detracting from the overall enjoyment of the game's audio landscape. Despite these issues, the original soundtrack remains a highlight, with players praising its creativity and impact on the game's atmosphere.
- “The soundtrack, composed by Mike Morasky and John Patrick Lowrie, is equally impressive, with catchy and humorous theme songs for each class.”
- “Earworm tunes: the quirky soundtrack, including the iconic 'More Gun,' sets the tone.”
- “The art style, the gameplay, even the music - it all captivates you for one hell of an experience.”
- “It's incredibly irritating when these bots use voice chat to spam loud music, slurs, or just harsh noise.”
- “I have steam coming out of my ears in rage whenever they blast the worst music ever created in all of human history over the voice chat!”
- “Now I can't join a game without 10 bots blasting crappy Baltic music and spinbotting.”
optimization
53 mentions
17 % positive mentions
64 % neutral mentions
19 % negative mentions
The optimization of Team Fortress 2 is widely criticized, with many players reporting significant performance issues, including low frame rates, stuttering, and crashes, particularly on older hardware. While some users have found success with community-created optimization mods, the game's inherent "spaghetti code" and lack of official updates have left it feeling neglected and poorly optimized for modern systems. Overall, while some players can achieve satisfactory performance, many others struggle, indicating a pressing need for improvements from the developers.
- “It's pretty cool once you install an optimization mod.”
- “The optimization ensures that even on modest hardware, the game runs smoothly, allowing a broad spectrum of players to enjoy the experience.”
- “Good game and optimization meaning I can play this on a laptop and not have to set everything to low.”
- “The game is extremely unoptimized and requires you to download a script to fix it, which is crazy for a game from 2007.”
- “This game is so horribly optimized, and the devs gave up on it long ago.”
- “Most updates this game is getting are just a bunch of cosmetic stuff, with no attempt at improving the graphics or optimization of the game whatsoever.”
emotional
51 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a deep sense of nostalgia and heartbreak among players who feel a strong attachment to its legacy. Many express sadness over the game's decline due to neglect from its developers, particularly in the face of rampant cheating and a deteriorating community, leading to feelings of betrayal and disappointment. Despite the game's wholesome moments and the fond memories it evokes, the current state of affairs leaves players feeling disillusioned and frustrated.
- “This game has been a huge part of my life; it almost makes me feel emotional about it.”
- “An absolutely heartbreaking state of affairs for a game that is so near and dear to my heart, and to the hearts of countless others.”
- “I love this game to the depths of my heart, but seeing Valve's actions and inactions towards the game is just heartbreaking and disappointing.”
grinding
41 mentions
7 % positive mentions
32 % neutral mentions
61 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is heavily criticized, with players expressing that it requires an excessive time investment, often likening it to needing "a second life" to achieve meaningful progress. The presence of bots, which make up a significant portion of the player base, exacerbates the grind by inflating the economy and making it difficult to find genuine matches, leading to a frustrating experience for real players. Overall, the combination of tedious drop rates and predatory monetization practices has turned the game into a grind-heavy environment that many find unenjoyable.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “A bit grindy... sometimes.”
- “One long, tedious grind.”
- “It is heartbreaking to watch that this masterpiece of a game fall out of grace so much because of the bots and Valve not caring at all, other than farming money from workshop content.”
- “If the bot pandemic continues, it will gradually whittle away at what remains of the real playerbase until the game becomes nothing more but a bunch of bot-infested servers, filled with idlers that are farming item crates for money.”
- “Valve allows the game to be overrun with aimbots and idlebots, making the game tedious to play from having to kick the constant bot swarm before they gaslight real players into kicking other real people.”
replayability
41 mentions
37 % positive mentions
54 % neutral mentions
10 % negative mentions
Overall, Team Fortress 2 is widely regarded as a highly replayable game, with many players praising its diverse characters, community-driven content, and extensive customization options. While recent improvements have made the game more playable, concerns about bot issues and a lack of major updates have led some to question its long-term replayability. Despite these challenges, the game's enduring popularity and active player base suggest that it remains a beloved choice for those seeking a fun and engaging multiplayer experience.
- “Absolutely one of the most replayable games of all time, the community is great and has resulted in boundless new things to do.”
- “Team Fortress 2 is a terrific game, well balanced, endlessly replayable and still has a huge player base and is a must-play for any and all multiplayer FPS fans.”
- “What I look for in games are replayability, and Team Fortress 2 heavily delivers on that, with thousands of different ways to customize your nine characters and a seemingly endless amount of community servers; getting bored of this game is quite the tough challenge.”
- “If it was more like $5-10, I'd be all about suggesting people to buy; however, even at a discount, it's $20 with the DLC, and the replayability is garbage, so it's $20 for 2-3 hours of playing.”
- “Not much replayability.”
- “Don't get me wrong, this game is extremely replayable, but we have not seen anything of a major update in 4 years.”
stability
27 mentions
11 % positive mentions
-7 % neutral mentions
96 % negative mentions
The stability of Team Fortress 2 is widely criticized, with players reporting numerous bugs, glitches, and issues related to map design and weapon functionality. While some users find the game enjoyable despite these problems, many express frustration over the lack of significant updates and the prevalence of bots and exploits, leading to a perception that Valve has neglected the game's maintenance. Overall, while the gameplay can be fun, the persistent technical issues significantly detract from the experience, especially for new players.
- “The gameplay is smooth and enjoyable, with minimal bugs.”
- “I appreciate the stability of the game; it rarely crashes or glitches.”
- “The game runs reliably, providing a consistent experience every time I play.”
- “No big updates for years, little to no care for serious in-game glitches, bugs, or cheaters, and a complete lack of communication with anyone who still plays.”
- “It has bugs and glitches but it is still more fun than other games.”
- “Bots everywhere, toxicity is through the roof, and tons of glitches, along with a developer that doesn't care...? How could that be a game that you would recommend.”
character development
19 mentions
32 % positive mentions
53 % neutral mentions
16 % negative mentions
Character development in Team Fortress 2 is celebrated for its iconic and unique character designs, each reflecting distinct personalities that enhance gameplay and player interaction. Reviewers highlight the game's masterful balance of character traits and visual appeal, which contribute to its enduring popularity and humorous atmosphere. Overall, the character design is seen as a cornerstone of the game's identity, making it a standout in the team-based shooter genre.
- “This game is a masterclass in character design and individual character personality.”
- “Team Fortress 2 is a game above many others; it stands out with witty character design and a wide arrangement of play styles.”
- “This is like complaining that Super Mario Bros lacks character development.”
- “Tf2 is a cornerstone in the lives of anyone who enjoys team-based shooters, and the way it's being treated after over a decade as an icon that changed animation, character design, game philosophy, and player interaction for many people is disgraceful.”
- “The colorful and exaggerated character designs not only add to the game's visual appeal but also contribute to its lighthearted and humorous atmosphere.”
atmosphere
16 mentions
56 % positive mentions
25 % neutral mentions
19 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of Team Fortress 2 is widely praised for its immersive and playful qualities, characterized by vibrant visuals, humor, and a strong sense of community. While some players note distractions from gameplay due to in-game issues, the overall experience is described as fun and welcoming, making it a timeless classic that encourages repeated play. The combination of engaging lore, music, and character design enhances the game's unique charm, creating a captivating environment for players.
- “Tf2 is a game with deep and satisfying gameplay, fun characters, and a semi-relaxed atmosphere which is hard to get from PvP shooters these days.”
- “While TF2 doesn't do anything revolutionary in its combat or gameplay mechanics, the lore behind everything is chock-full of great humor, the music and atmosphere is top-notch, and the game is just straight-up fun.”
- “The colorful and exaggerated character designs not only add to the game's visual appeal but also contribute to its lighthearted and humorous atmosphere.”
- “Matches are often filled with kick votes for these bots (or sometimes the bots start votes for real players), which distracts from the actual gameplay as well as creates an atmosphere of paranoia.”
- “Completely unplayable atmosphere, when without training a person is thrown into open matches, which turns into problem #2.”
- “Another aspect is simply being able to enjoy the sometimes relaxing/aggravating atmosphere that the game has to offer, is very much something that is unique to Team Fortress 2.”