'Titanfall 2' beta test leads to sweeping gameplay changes ahead of its release

Developer Respawn Entertainment is overhauling its competitive first-person shooter sequel Titanfall 2 after a recent beta test met with a mixed reception from experienced players.

Respawn outlined its plans to tweak Titanfall 2‘s core gameplay mechanics in response to player feedback, noting that future builds will feature faster character movement, improved Titan survivability, and more varied map designs, among other requested changes.

The upcoming Titanfall 2 follows up on 2014’s Titanfall, a competitive first-person shooter designed by veterans of Call of Duty series developer Infinity Ward. The original Titanfall lacked a single-player component, placing its emphasis entirely on multiplayer matches in which players fight for control of towering mech-like Titans.

Respawn Entertainment previously announced that it would add a single-player story mode to the upcoming Titanfall 2 in response to player requests. The sequel will also mark the end of Titanfall‘s Xbox console exclusivity, and the finished product will be available for the PlayStation 4 in addition to the Xbox One and Windows PCs.

Many series fans were disappointed after participating in a recent weekend-long beta test for Titanfall 2, with many reporting a noticeable drop in character movement speed compared to the original Titanfall. Respawn notes that character sluggishness is an unintended side effect of the team’s efforts to make close-quarters combat less chaotic.

“Changes to pilot mobility stemmed from a desire to improve our gunplay, and not a desire to slow down movement,” Respawn explains. “We’ll be tuning air speed and wall-running speed to be faster, [and] players should once again accumulate and retain more speed when chaining wall runs.”

Players will also be given more frequent access to Titans in future builds, and Titans will take less damage from enemy firepower. Other planned changes include a faster recharge period for Titan dashing, a tweaked head-up display, and increased variety in map designs, including “more traditional Titanfall maps.”

Future updates to Titanfall 2‘s gameplay will be detailed on the game’s official forums. Titanfall 2 launches for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Windows PCs on October 28.