If you have been following the TF2 blog, you'll know by now that the unanticipated "Classless update" has been released. Deviating from their usual formula, Valve have chosen not to update a class in the standard "new weapons and a map or two" format. Instead they have gone for an array of new unlockable hats, a new game mode along with a bunch of new maps.

The main talking point has been the newly added "King of the Hill" mode - KOTH. In KOTH, players find themselves on almost symmetrical maps fighting to hold a single control point. It's basically Arena mode with respawns. All the fragging takes place around the single control point, with the occasional push forward for some old fashioned spawn camping when one team has the advantage. It does however get a little too hectic, as in larger servers where up to 32 players fight simultaneously it can be hard to employ any sort of tactics or gameplan. There also seems to be a large issue with frame rate problems present in this mode, as 6 or 7 heavies accompanied by 8 spraying pyros in a 10m square will take its toll on even the most high end of systems. It seems to me that this mode would be better suited to arena sized servers, usually 20 plays max. The accompanying new map for this mode, Viaduct, is the first official map (as clearly pointed out by the Valve blog) to include snow. Its a welcomed visual change but again it's hard on the machine. The other KOTH maps are mere rehashes of previous Arena maps.

The update also threw in three new non KOTH maps. The first of which is CP_Yukon. In an attempt to cater for the competitive TF2 scene valve have responded by including Yukon, previously only available as a downloadable custom community map. It's well made and visually sound, with plenty of alternate paths to flank. Like most 5cp maps it favours smaller teams rather than larger which tend to get caught up in a stalemate. The next is CTF_Sawmill - again, Valve have copied and pasted Sawmill into a new game mode. However, different from KOTH_Sawmill, the ctf version features some slight changes, such as an additional underground area for the intel. It is however another map that makes your PC work its ass off. The last new map is Arena Offblast, a nice little map that features a dangerous cliff and an indoor area. Standard arena style, but it is a little easy to get caught up in trying to knock opponents off the edge rather than kill them the old fashioned way, a rocket to the face.

New content aside, Valve have made lots of subtle changes too. The Force-A-Nature has been made less powerful, the sandman has a few changes and best of all the losing team now have new 3rd person fleeing and cowering animations which you just need to see for yourself.

I have yet to unlock any of the old hats from the random drop system, and unsuprisingly I have yet to unlock any of the new additions, but I'll just have to keep my eye out for players sporting them on the battlefield. To be honest I was expecting more from the update, but let's just hope this update was an attempt to hold us over that little bit longer until the rumoured Soldier Update is released. Knowing Valve, the next update should hit before Christmas 2010.

Conor

Labels: Conor, Team Fortress 2, Update, Valve

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