Titanfall: Fun with Friends

I have played Titanfall every day since its launch and I have enjoyed every minute of it.  Certainly, what others have said about its balanced gameplay and general fun factor, I do not disagree with.  The tease and addiction of challenges and burn cards also give incentive beyond just playing to continue playing.  Whether those will eventually wear thin or unsatisfying or get to the point where they are not earned with the frequency they are currently doled out remains to be seen.  The game is a joy to play and I look forward to playing it whenever I can.

It's been great to play with friends.  Probably for me, it hasn't been since Halo 4 when there was a game all of my friends were able to play and not only play but play together.  I smile deep inside seeing a friends list full of people all playing the same game, the game I am about to play.  But you know what's more fun than playing with friends?  Playing against them.

So there's of course talk that a future update will include the option of private matches.  And really, what better way to extend the life of a game that give us a reason to be better, to improve our weapons.  Sure, there's a leaderboard now that I can see for all of ten seconds before moving to the next stat screen.  But there's something about Halo and Gears of War and Call of Duty that Titanfall has not quite tapped into... the desire to best your friend.

I mean, what's the point of upgrading my chaingun if I can't unleash it and its extended clip on Tengaport's titan?  Why activate that rematch burn card if it's not to turn around, respawn where Reecer just took a hardpoint away, and surprise him with a comeback kill and accrue more defense time points?  While it's fun to teabag a random, it's that much more enjoyable when it's someone you know, you know?  I don't know whether the female Titan has that same capability, but don't we need to know?!

I like working together, but let's stop being nice and start "attritioning" each other.