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Team Fortress 2

A foundational, team-based shooter that hasn't kept pace with the competition
Team Fortress 2 Game Cover
85%Game Brain Score
gameplay, humor
monetization, stability
89% User Score Based on 714,296 reviews
Critic Score 70%Based on 2 reviews

Platforms

Playstation 3LinuxXbox 360PCCloudMac OSNVIDIA GeForce NOWWindowsPlayStation
Team Fortress 2 Game Cover

About

Team Fortress 2 is a multiplayer shooter game with a comedy theme. It was developed by Valve and was released on October 10, 2007. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and positive reviews from players.

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.

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89%
Audience ScoreBased on 714,296 reviews
gameplay8.4k positive mentions
monetization416 negative mentions

  • Team Fortress 2 features fast-paced, chaotic gameplay with a diverse cast of unique classes, making it engaging and fun for players of all skill levels.
  • The game's humor, characterized by quirky characters and witty dialogue, creates a lighthearted atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.
  • TF2's vibrant community and endless replayability, driven by custom content and modding, contribute to its lasting appeal and enjoyment.
  • The game suffers from significant issues with bots, unbalanced gameplay, and a lack of meaningful updates from developers, leading to frustration among players.
  • Many players criticize the game's optimization and performance, reporting bugs, glitches, and crashes that disrupt gameplay.
  • The reliance on microtransactions and the grinding aspect of the game are seen as barriers to enjoyment, particularly for new players.
  • gameplay
    17,697 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of Team Fortress 2 (TF2) is widely praised for its fast-paced, chaotic, and engaging nature, featuring a diverse cast of nine unique classes that each offer distinct playstyles and mechanics. Players appreciate the blend of strategy and humor, with many noting the game's ability to remain fun and addictive even after years of play. However, concerns about the prevalence of bots, unbalanced gameplay, and a lack of significant updates from the developers have led to frustrations within the community, impacting the overall experience for both new and veteran players.

    • “The gameplay is fun, the visual style is a breath of fresh air, and the community... well, there are very few games I have played that have the sense of camaraderie that it does.”
    • “Team Fortress 2 is a timeless classic with unique characters, fast-paced gameplay, and endless fun for players of all skill levels.”
    • “The gameplay is fast-paced and exciting, with constant action around every turn, objectives that encourage teamwork and strategies, and a winning feeling like no other.”
    • “The gameplay is fast-paced and chaotic, with an emphasis on objective-based missions such as capturing points or escorting payloads.”
    • “The gameplay in team fortress 2 is fast-paced and exciting, with a focus on teamwork and strategy that keeps the matches fresh and exciting.”
    • “The gameplay is chaotic, frenetic, and a whole lot of fun.”
  • humor
    16,685 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in Team Fortress 2 (TF2) is a defining feature that resonates strongly with players, characterized by its quirky characters, witty dialogue, and absurd situations. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to create hilarious moments, from unexpected ragdoll physics to comical voice lines, making it a source of endless entertainment. Despite some criticisms regarding the community and bot issues, the overall sentiment is that TF2 remains a beloved, funny experience that continues to engage players with its unique blend of chaos and humor.

    • “So many weapon combinations, funny characters, hundreds of voice lines, a passionate community, this game has everything.”
    • “The humor and tone of the game set it apart from other shooters.”
    • “Its charming, cartoonish art style and unique sense of humor create a chaotic and endlessly entertaining experience that remains unparalleled even years after its release.”
    • “Casual is still an unfunny joke that has unfortunately sapped the life out of this game.”
    • “The community is filled with losers, unfunny people, furries, unfunny racists, pedophiles, and people laughing at the same old jokes over and over again.”
    • “Game is fun but it's filled with cheaters, bots, and an unfunny community.”
  • graphics
    9,106 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of Team Fortress 2 (TF2) are characterized by a distinctive, cartoonish art style that has aged remarkably well since its release in 2007. While some players note that the visuals can feel dated compared to modern titles, many appreciate the game's vibrant colors and unique character designs, which contribute to its charm and humor. Overall, TF2's graphics are often described as fun and accessible, making it easy to run on lower-end systems while still providing an enjoyable visual experience.

    • “Visually, TF2 has aged incredibly well thanks to its cartoonish art style.”
    • “Its charming, cartoonish art style and unique sense of humor create a chaotic and endlessly entertaining experience that remains unparalleled even years after its release.”
    • “The game's vibrant and cartoonish art style remains timeless, helping it age better than many of its contemporaries.”
    • “Aside from that, terrible cosmetics, warpaints, unusual effects, and maps have done nothing but degrade a timeless art style and, for some, performance.”
    • “The graphics suck, the characters are chill I guess, but there's like 10.”
    • “The graphics have not aged well at all, even if the community says 'best graphics in any game ever, it's so silly and wacky'.”
  • story
    3,324 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story aspect of Team Fortress 2 is often described as minimal or non-existent within the gameplay itself, with most narrative elements conveyed through external comics and animated shorts. Players appreciate the rich backstories of the characters, which add depth and humor to the game, but many express a desire for a more integrated storytelling experience within the game. Overall, while the game lacks a traditional narrative, its quirky characters and community-driven lore create a unique and engaging atmosphere.

    • “This game is beautiful, the storyline is amazing, and the relationships are tear-jerking.”
    • “Entire story arcs, memes, and reinterpretations of the TF2 universe have emerged through the ingenuity of its fanbase, proving that this game is not just played but lived in the imaginations of those who love it.”
    • “The characters, the story, the balancing, the music, the everything.”
    • “✅ this game has no story”
    • “With no story to engage players and a difficulty level that leans towards hard, it may frustrate those looking for a meaningful experience.”
    • “The story in the game is quite simple, there are two organizations, red and blu, that wage incessant wars for the possession of territories.”
  • music
    1,771 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in Team Fortress 2 is widely praised for its catchy and memorable soundtrack, which enhances the game's whimsical atmosphere and complements its unique characters. However, many players express frustration with the prevalence of bots that spam loud and often inappropriate music in voice chat, detracting from the overall experience. Despite these issues, the game's original compositions remain a highlight, contributing to its lasting appeal and cultural impact within the gaming community.

    • “The music is amazing and is a must listen too.”
    • “The soundtrack is one of the best in any game, and I love it.”
    • “The music, the classes, the game modes, everything.”
    • “The graphics are merely normal, and the music is forgettable, contributing to an overall sense of disinterest.”
    • “Every casual server is marred by at least two bots per team, spamming loud, terrible music in voice chat and aimbotting.”
    • “The game is full of sniper bots that instantly kill you while other bots join your team and play loud music and spam votes.”
  • monetization
    1,692 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization model of Team Fortress 2 has drawn mixed reactions from players, with many expressing frustration over the prevalence of microtransactions, particularly for cosmetic items. While some appreciate that these purchases are optional and do not impact gameplay balance, others criticize Valve for prioritizing profit through microtransactions over addressing significant issues like bot infestations and game maintenance. Overall, the game's transition to a free-to-play model has led to a reliance on microtransactions, which some players view as a cash grab that detracts from the overall experience.

    • “A classic, a cornerstone of my teen years, and in my opinion a representation of how all games should be - engaging, free, fun, and not stuffed with microtransactions.”
    • “In a time when many 'free-to-play' games are filled with aggressive monetization, time-gated content, or pay-to-win mechanics, TF2 is surprisingly fair.”
    • “Despite the free-to-play model, the game’s community remains largely free from the predatory practices that plague many other titles, with cosmetic items being the primary in-game purchase.”
    • “This game is a cash grab abomination that brings shame to Valve.”
    • “Updates to TF2 are very lazy copy and pastes from the workshop, which makes a lot of people sad with how the game is just another forgotten cash grab for Valve.”
    • “Valve has done nothing to resolve the situation for years - Valve even profits off the bots making premium accounts to spam slurs, self-advertisements, and defamatory statements in stolen voices, and Steam gets a cut off every trade made on the Steam marketplace - including the tens of thousands of trading bots, which sell items received and crafted from the free item drop system by idle bots.”
  • replayability
    957 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Team Fortress 2 is widely regarded as one of the most replayable games available, with players praising its infinite replay value stemming from a diverse array of classes, community-driven content, and custom game modes. The game's vibrant community and ongoing support have contributed to its longevity, ensuring that each match feels unique and engaging. Despite some concerns about balance and bot issues, the overall consensus is that TF2 offers a rich, endlessly entertaining experience that keeps players coming back for more.

    • “The community-driven modding scene and custom servers—like Uncle Dane’s Engi Paradise or silly meme maps—add infinite replayability.”
    • “From custom maps to fan-made cosmetics to silly memes, the community adds a level of creativity that makes the game endlessly replayable.”
    • “Team Fortress 2 is a timeless multiplayer shooter that combines fast-paced action with a deep class system, offering endless replayability.”
    • “While it might be free, I find it hard to recommend this game as it offers little more than confusion and a lack of replayability.”
    • “If you find a game with no bots and has real people, you'll soon find Team Fortress 2 has little to offer in terms of replay value.”
    • “I can't imagine anyone dumping more than 30 minutes into this un-replayable piece of shit and if they do they deserve to get the fuck kicked out of them.”
  • stability
    931 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The stability of Team Fortress 2 is a significant concern among players, with many reporting frequent bugs, glitches, and crashes that can disrupt gameplay. While some players find the glitches amusing and part of the game's charm, others express frustration over persistent issues, particularly with matchmaking and server stability. Overall, the game is described as a "buggy mess," with many calling for better support and updates from Valve to address these ongoing problems.

    • “I installed it on my Steam Deck and at 90fps it runs great with low battery consumption.”
    • “It runs great even on less powerful PCs; I have a potato computer but haven't experienced many frame drops during my time playing this.”
    • “This game runs great on lower-end PCs too, so you can play this on a potato.”
    • “The game has become a buggy mess, with glitched animations and projectiles flying out of walls. I've been killed by projectiles that shouldn't even be there.”
    • “This game is a broken, buggy, abandoned mess that has been neglected by its developers, filled with glitches and exploits that ruin the experience.”
    • “The game is incredibly buggy and inconsistent at times, having weird issues caused by programming errors that can tend to appear, or odd happenings as the result of constantly trying to update a game that's running on an engine from 2004.”
  • emotional
    893 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of Team Fortress 2 (TF2) is a complex tapestry woven from nostalgia, community bonds, and the heartache of neglect. Players express deep emotional connections to the game, often reminiscing about the joy and camaraderie it brought them, while simultaneously feeling heartbroken over its current state plagued by bots and developer inaction. The community is described as both toxic and wholesome, creating a unique environment where players experience a rollercoaster of emotions, from laughter and joy to frustration and sadness.

    • “Valve forgot it exists, the community keeps it alive with duct tape and memes, and we’re all too emotionally attached to quit.”
    • “The emotional highs and lows—from a last-minute victory to the crushing defeat of a failed push.”
    • “This game has made me feel more emotions than anything before.”
    • “The emotional depth of the game feels shallow and unengaging, leaving players disconnected from the characters.”
    • “Despite attempts at storytelling, the emotional moments often fall flat and fail to resonate with the audience.”
    • “The game lacks the emotional weight needed to make the player's journey feel meaningful or impactful.”
  • optimization
    888 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The optimization of Team Fortress 2 has been widely criticized, with many players reporting significant performance issues, including frame rate drops and stuttering, even on high-end systems. The game's aging engine and the increasing number of cosmetics and particle effects have contributed to these problems, leading to a reliance on community-created performance configurations to achieve smoother gameplay. While some players find it runs adequately on lower-end hardware, the overall sentiment is that the game is in dire need of optimization updates and better support from Valve.

    • “The optimization ensures that even on modest hardware, the game runs smoothly, allowing a broad spectrum of players to enjoy the experience.”
    • “Despite its age, TF2 still looks fantastic and runs smoothly on modern hardware.”
    • “I highly recommend using something like mastercomfig to enable better performance while still making the game look great.”
    • “The game suffers from really bad performance; the developers didn't put as much optimization work.”
    • “The optimization of the game is terrible.”
    • “The performance issues and downgrades (whether they're cosmetic, have to do with animations, etc.) have made the game unplayable for many.”
  • grinding
    824 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized, with many players noting that it requires an excessive amount of time and effort to unlock items and progress, often feeling tedious and repetitive. While some find enjoyment in the grind, especially for cosmetic items, the overwhelming presence of bots and the pay-to-win elements exacerbate the frustration, leading to a sentiment that players may need "a second life" to fully engage with the game. Overall, the grind is seen as a significant barrier to enjoyment, particularly for new players.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “One long, tedious grind.”
    • “A bit grindy sometimes.”
    • “This game is grindy as hell.”
    • “The game is overrun by cheater bots and farming bots making the player count a lie.”
    • “The casual queues were filled with spinning sniper bot hackers farming in-game items, the community servers I joined were full of people who were 'not trying' and when asked to try told others to not take the game so seriously.”
  • atmosphere
    346 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of Team Fortress 2 is characterized by its lighthearted, cartoonish charm, enhanced by iconic voice lines, humorous character interactions, and vibrant visuals. Players appreciate the game's unique blend of chaotic gameplay and comedic elements, creating a fun and welcoming environment that encourages both casual play and competitive spirit. However, some reviews note that recent updates have shifted the atmosphere towards a more competitive tone, which may detract from the original casual and friendly vibe that many players cherish.

    • “The game's witty writing, memorable characters, and humorous interactions contribute to a lighthearted atmosphere that makes every match enjoyable.”
    • “Combined with witty voice lines and absurd humor, TF2 creates a lighthearted but chaotic atmosphere that feels timeless.”
    • “The cartoonish graphics and humorous dialogue contribute to the game's lighthearted atmosphere.”
    • “The atmosphere in-game is way different than the promotional and fan animated material.”
    • “I can't experience the uninterrupted joy of TF2's atmosphere anymore because most of the 'gameplay' is joining and leaving infested servers.”
    • “The whole atmosphere of the game changed, and I stopped enjoying playing TF2.”
  • character development
    287 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in Team Fortress 2 is widely praised for its vibrant and iconic character designs, each class possessing distinct personalities and humorous traits that enhance the gameplay experience. Players appreciate the attention to detail in character lore and voice lines, which contribute to a lighthearted atmosphere and a strong sense of community. While some critiques mention a lack of depth in character backstories compared to modern titles, the overall consensus is that the game's character design remains a timeless and engaging aspect that continues to resonate with players.

    • “The character design and their unique abilities add so much personality to the game, which makes it far more than just a shooter—it’s a funny, lighthearted experience that’s as much about laughs as it is about competitive gameplay.”
    • “The vibrant colors and exaggerated character designs help players easily identify different classes and their roles in the game, enhancing both the visual appeal and gameplay clarity.”
    • “The character designs are a marriage of imagination and humor, with each of the nine distinct classes being instantly recognizable.”
    • “The character designs are iconic to some, but I found them too plain and lacking in detail, almost cartoonishly basic compared to the complex and creative designs we see in other multiplayer games today.”
    • “The character development in general is superb, the designs are always amusing, the community is usually pretty great (except for those anti-girl-gamers, you know who you are!) I love that the player has the option to play offline or online.”
    • “It has almost no character development and the story is lacking.”
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400h Median play time
853h Average play time
72-1000h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 1,709 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Team Fortress 2 is a shooter game with comedy theme.

Team Fortress 2 is available on PC, Mac OS, Windows, PlayStation 3 and others.

On average players spend around 853 hours playing Team Fortress 2.

Team Fortress 2 was released on October 10, 2007.

Team Fortress 2 was developed by Valve.

Team Fortress 2 has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its gameplay but disliked it for its monetization.

Team Fortress 2 is a multiplayer game with local co-op support.

Similar games include Team Fortress Classic, SCP: Secret Laboratory, Left 4 Dead, Half-Life 2: Deathmatch, Unturned and others.