OccamRazor

I played maybe 20 matches during the beta.  Great fun.  Only one complaint: How the hell do I kill titans?  I seem to always be on the losing end of a titan v. titan battle....  Anyhow, I preordered the game and am looking forward to March 11.  Do I think its a COD killer?  No, but it is nice to have a second FPS to play when I get tired of or frustrated playing Ghosts.
 
As to XBox exclusivity, my understanding is that the deal was only for the first game and any subsequent games will likely be on XB, PS and PC.

Well I managed to get in a few matches of Titanfall just now so I thought I'd deliver my initial impressions of the extremely hyped game. 
 
Firstly; you complete a training mode which allows you to experience the controls, general feel and the overall combat mechanics. It comprises of 14 or so mini-missions and lasts around 15 minutes. It is extremely well implemented and very helpful before going into battle. The first thing you notice whilst getting to grips with the features is how good the engine is. It is silky smooth and the combat is very satisfying. I have never experienced such an impressive feel to a FPS ever. This absolutely top of the range production in how to produce a quality build.
 
I opted to use my 360 pad to start with and the controls are pretty straightforward with an input binding similar to that of Call of Duty. The only difference really is a cloaking feature on L1 which is the same as what we saw in Crysis 2. The Titan is easy to use also and has rockets and a shield on the shoulder buttons. You can also dash from side to side and forwards in place of the jump function. 
 
My first match was Attrition (TDM) on Angel City which is a urban city based location. You begin by getting air dropped into the map with your team. The map felt pretty good and even the highest buildings could be reached by almost a parkour manner by easily navigating off walls using the jump button. The guns look and feel brilliant also. Unfortunately the AI on the bots has to be called into question; they seem clueless and useless and don't really offer any input into the match. Reminded me of combat training in COD using recruit bots! Fortunately the battle with the opposition is much more trickier and intense. It's a real shame that it's only 6v6 as the NPC units discredit the gameplay but when you have numerous Titans on the map; you can understand why the 12 player count has been sensibly reduced. You seem to get your own mech every few minutes and when you do; the action becomes pretty chaotic and you mow down the bots and battle with players on top of buildings and on the ground along going toe to toe with other Titans. It's pure old-school carnage. If your Titan is on its last legs; you must eject which sees you shot up into the sky and come down to get right back into the action. The pace is fast and furious and very enjoyable although the mode seemed to lack meat which perhaps is expected as it's only team deathmatch.  In terms of gameplay balancing; perhaps it would have been better if they had limited the amount of Titans available; lets say one on a team at a time and allowed for more human players in place of the bots. It feels like this game is ideal for 9v9 or 12v12. 
 
At the end of a match; the team that scores 250 wins and to add a twist; the losing team must reach the evacuation point on the map and the winners must prevent them getting there. Why? I don't know but if you're on a streak; you can grab some last ditch kills. I assume this game ending event is connected to the story or something. 
 
I next played on a very good map called Fracture. It was a much more open setting than Angel City and there were less high buildings so I saw quite a bit of action on the ground. I was initially concerned that there wouldn't be much diversity between the maps but Fracture certainly adds a different dimension to the gameplay in terms of how you approach battles. In Angel City; you were playing off the buildings and trying to work into clear lines of sight but on this map you desperately seek cover from buildings against Titans whilst getting into open areas hunting bots and other human players. It will be interesting to see what other maps will be on offer and how they vary.
 
Visually Titanfall isn't overly-spectacular and the colour pallet is quite drab but the gameplay is fun, frantic, fun and at times spectacular. The general feel is magnificent but the balance between human and AI players along with the Titans could drag the gameplay down. The AI needs drastic improvements also to make the game a viable challenge throughout matches and to keep players engaged. If you like old-school titles like Quake and Unreal Tournament; this game is a pretty astonishing reconstruction of the classic frenzied arcade shooter compiled with the impressive Titan battles. I will delve into the other modes later to see how the gameplay copes with objective play thrown in but overall this game is a pleasant surprise from what initially looked quite a generic shooter. The menu presentation and statistics is extremely polished and the ranking system and unlocks mirror that of the typical COD games. Familiar but nevertheless fresh and interesting going forward.  I will also give it a try using the M+K but so far, so bloody good yeah! 

Techno, thanks for the info on the DOM scoring, I was not aware that only the first player on a flag got credit on his score streak for it.  I guess I don't notice because I'm often the first one on.  I have no problem with that as it rewards aggression and unselfish play.
 
Spending a squad point for new operations doesn't bother me.  I bought new operations 8 times before the one I wanted came up.  I like that when you buy new operations, the ones you are close to don't go away.
 
I agree, the overall numbers playing Ghosts are way down.  I'm on Xbox One and in the evening (8-10pm Central time--I think we are GMT -6) there are between 30,000 and 40,000 on XBL.  When I was playing BO2 on XBox 360 there were often 300,000+ on and sometimes 400,000.  I think this will continue in the coming years until the 360 and PS3 are retired.  Four consoles and PC make a pretty fractured game base.  None of that matters though if they can keep reducing lag.  I played last evening and heard some Spanish, so I know with the lower numbers we are getting put into games with players from much further away.
 
Anyhow, none of these issues are big deals to me.  I bought my first Xbox (a 360) to play BO1 a few years ago, and other than Skyrim (awesome) and Far Cry 3 (pretty good) I really only use the game system for COD titles.
 
I try to take the strengths and weaknesses of each title and adapt my game to them.  For example, in Ghosts, I know the first to get on target and fire will often win the gun fight, so every class has stalker and my go to ARs, R5 and AK12 have dead eye.  Also, maybe because I'm old and don't care, as long as my KDR stays above 1.00 I don't get too bent out of shape.  I figure I get as many bullshit kills as I receive bullshit deaths.  It all evens out.
 
Plus I tried BF 3 when it came out and I just find that I prefer the arcade shooter to the more tactical one.  God bless those of you who have the mind and feel for the BF series, I am just not one who does.

Thanks, I will try!
 
Looking forward to Titanfall!

Techno, thanks for the info on the DOM scoring, I was not aware that only the first player on a flag got credit on his score streak for it.  I guess I don't notice because I'm often the first one on.  I have no problem with that as it rewards aggression and unselfish play.
 
Spending a squad point for new operations doesn't bother me.  I bought new operations 8 times before the one I wanted came up.  I like that when you buy new operations, the ones you are close to don't go away.
 
I agree, the overall numbers playing Ghosts are way down.  I'm on Xbox One and in the evening (8-10pm Central time--I think we are GMT -6) there are between 30,000 and 40,000 on XBL.  When I was playing BO2 on XBox 360 there were often 300,000+ on and sometimes 400,000.  I think this will continue in the coming years until the 360 and PS3 are retired.  Four consoles and PC make a pretty fractured game base.  None of that matters though if they can keep reducing lag.  I played last evening and heard some Spanish, so I know with the lower numbers we are getting put into games with players from much further away.
 
Anyhow, none of these issues are big deals to me.  I bought my first Xbox (a 360) to play BO1 a few years ago, and other than Skyrim (awesome) and Far Cry 3 (pretty good) I really only use the game system for COD titles.
 
I try to take the strengths and weaknesses of each title and adapt my game to them.  For example, in Ghosts, I know the first to get on target and fire will often win the gun fight, so every class has stalker and my go to ARs, R5 and AK12 have dead eye.  Also, maybe because I'm old and don't care, as long as my KDR stays above 1.00 I don't get too bent out of shape.  I figure I get as many bullshit kills as I receive bullshit deaths.  It all evens out.
 
Plus I tried BF 3 when it came out and I just find that I prefer the arcade shooter to the more tactical one.  God bless those of you who have the mind and feel for the BF series, I am just not one who does.

I have over nine days into Ghosts.  I enjoy it a lot.  First, three truths about online gaming, whether COD, BF4, and even TItanfall: One, every lobby will have some douches in it, but that's what the mute button is for.  Two, online gaming is always better when you roll with your friends, no matter how good or bad the game is, the experience is better with friends. Three, people will camp.  If you accept it as a given, it becomes less frustrating.
 
Anyhow, My two cents after all those hours into Ghosts:
 
PROS:
Connection is better than the last game, but not perfect.
 
Good weapon balance.  I can use a wider variety of weapons and still fell competitive.  
 
DOM scoring took a big step up for me in this iteration.  I am a decent player, but in spite of my KDR I enjoy DOM the most.  In this game you are rewarded with caps counting toward streak bonus.  Pair this with hardline and run the squad mate support streak (he gets YOU an additional CAP credit when he's on a flag with you).  Not unusual for me to get double digit caps in a game and near 9/10k XP each game.  (A special treat is playing DOM on Whiteout where the B flag is in the little cave in the middle--a C4 tossed in off the spawn can generate a triple kill--"XBox record that").
 
The ability to deal with campers.  When I play, I often use a kastet grenade launcher as my secondary and C4 as my lethal.  With a little practice, the kastet and C4 can be effective and humiliating tools to deal with campers.  I am to the point that I can be VERY accurate, even at distance and elevation, against campers and snipers.  I used to get frustrated with both snipers and campers, but with a little practice, you will turn your frustration into grins.  No one in Ghosts has ever accused me of being a "noob toober" in a lobby after a game and I must have hundreds of kills with the kastet.  I guess they don't want to bait me into exposing them as campers.
 
C4 deserves its own entry as a "pro." What a fun piece of gear.  Toss it into windows!  Toss it on flags!  Toss it around corners where a wounded enemy is waiting for you!
 
Weapon variety.  I covered weapon balance above, but the variety of weapons is a definite pro.  I used all of the weapons until I found at least one (and in the case of ARs, FIVE, that I like.  I now have classes that include each weapon type, including shotguns, SMGs, ARs, LMGs and even a sniper for occasional change of pace.
 
Perk variety.  Every bullshit tactic now has a counter.  You don't like dying from random IEDs?  Run blast shield, run sit rep.  There are so many options that any tactic has a counter.
 
Streak variety.  I prefer the support streaks, but in each of the streak packages there are many options.
 
Operations.  In order to level up as fast as possible, I always pay attention to operations.  I don't ever run canister bombs, but I saw recently that if I get 30 kills with it I will unlock a new uniform that looks pretty bad ass.  So now I'm running canister bomb for a few nights.
 
Player and weapon customization.  Literally thousands of combinations.  I love running difficult to earn uniforms and headgear. 
 
Map Packs.  I have the ability to buy all the extras and I usually do.  I understand the frustration of the "nickle and dime" argument, but I paid $60.00 for a game I've already played for 13,380 minutes.  With the cost of the map pack, the Sgt Price character (yes, I did), the extra slots for each character (1.99), I'm up to 9/10 of a cent for each minute played (or 56 cents per hour).
 
CONS:
 
Several of the maps suck.  I will not play on Siege.  I will not play TDM on Overlord.
 
Scoring in KC took a step backward in this iteration.
 
My KDR is the lowest its been in any COD.  I attribute this to the quick deaths.  But to be fair, this is really not a con in the sense that I'm still above 1.00 and I really judge a game on fun rather than KDR.
 
 
Anyhow, I really enjoy Ghosts.  I will keep playing.  If you don't care for it, I hope you find something you do enjoy.  I have ordered Titanfall and will give it a go.  Looks promising.  I enjoyed the beta.

Techno, thanks for the info on the DOM scoring, I was not aware that only the first player on a flag got credit on his score streak for it.  I guess I don't notice because I'm often the first one on.  I have no problem with that as it rewards aggression and unselfish play.
 
Spending a squad point for new operations doesn't bother me.  I bought new operations 8 times before the one I wanted came up.  I like that when you buy new operations, the ones you are close to don't go away.
 
I agree, the overall numbers playing Ghosts are way down.  I'm on Xbox One and in the evening (8-10pm Central time--I think we are GMT -6) there are between 30,000 and 40,000 on XBL.  When I was playing BO2 on XBox 360 there were often 300,000+ on and sometimes 400,000.  I think this will continue in the coming years until the 360 and PS3 are retired.  Four consoles and PC make a pretty fractured game base.  None of that matters though if they can keep reducing lag.  I played last evening and heard some Spanish, so I know with the lower numbers we are getting put into games with players from much further away.
 
Anyhow, none of these issues are big deals to me.  I bought my first Xbox (a 360) to play BO1 a few years ago, and other than Skyrim (awesome) and Far Cry 3 (pretty good) I really only use the game system for COD titles.
 
I try to take the strengths and weaknesses of each title and adapt my game to them.  For example, in Ghosts, I know the first to get on target and fire will often win the gun fight, so every class has stalker and my go to ARs, R5 and AK12 have dead eye.  Also, maybe because I'm old and don't care, as long as my KDR stays above 1.00 I don't get too bent out of shape.  I figure I get as many bullshit kills as I receive bullshit deaths.  It all evens out.
 
Plus I tried BF 3 when it came out and I just find that I prefer the arcade shooter to the more tactical one.  God bless those of you who have the mind and feel for the BF series, I am just not one who does.

I have over nine days into Ghosts.  I enjoy it a lot.  First, three truths about online gaming, whether COD, BF4, and even TItanfall: One, every lobby will have some douches in it, but that's what the mute button is for.  Two, online gaming is always better when you roll with your friends, no matter how good or bad the game is, the experience is better with friends. Three, people will camp.  If you accept it as a given, it becomes less frustrating.
 
Anyhow, My two cents after all those hours into Ghosts:
 
PROS:
Connection is better than the last game, but not perfect.
 
Good weapon balance.  I can use a wider variety of weapons and still fell competitive.  
 
DOM scoring took a big step up for me in this iteration.  I am a decent player, but in spite of my KDR I enjoy DOM the most.  In this game you are rewarded with caps counting toward streak bonus.  Pair this with hardline and run the squad mate support streak (he gets YOU an additional CAP credit when he's on a flag with you).  Not unusual for me to get double digit caps in a game and near 9/10k XP each game.  (A special treat is playing DOM on Whiteout where the B flag is in the little cave in the middle--a C4 tossed in off the spawn can generate a triple kill--"XBox record that").
 
The ability to deal with campers.  When I play, I often use a kastet grenade launcher as my secondary and C4 as my lethal.  With a little practice, the kastet and C4 can be effective and humiliating tools to deal with campers.  I am to the point that I can be VERY accurate, even at distance and elevation, against campers and snipers.  I used to get frustrated with both snipers and campers, but with a little practice, you will turn your frustration into grins.  No one in Ghosts has ever accused me of being a "noob toober" in a lobby after a game and I must have hundreds of kills with the kastet.  I guess they don't want to bait me into exposing them as campers.
 
C4 deserves its own entry as a "pro." What a fun piece of gear.  Toss it into windows!  Toss it on flags!  Toss it around corners where a wounded enemy is waiting for you!
 
Weapon variety.  I covered weapon balance above, but the variety of weapons is a definite pro.  I used all of the weapons until I found at least one (and in the case of ARs, FIVE, that I like.  I now have classes that include each weapon type, including shotguns, SMGs, ARs, LMGs and even a sniper for occasional change of pace.
 
Perk variety.  Every bullshit tactic now has a counter.  You don't like dying from random IEDs?  Run blast shield, run sit rep.  There are so many options that any tactic has a counter.
 
Streak variety.  I prefer the support streaks, but in each of the streak packages there are many options.
 
Operations.  In order to level up as fast as possible, I always pay attention to operations.  I don't ever run canister bombs, but I saw recently that if I get 30 kills with it I will unlock a new uniform that looks pretty bad ass.  So now I'm running canister bomb for a few nights.
 
Player and weapon customization.  Literally thousands of combinations.  I love running difficult to earn uniforms and headgear. 
 
Map Packs.  I have the ability to buy all the extras and I usually do.  I understand the frustration of the "nickle and dime" argument, but I paid $60.00 for a game I've already played for 13,380 minutes.  With the cost of the map pack, the Sgt Price character (yes, I did), the extra slots for each character (1.99), I'm up to 9/10 of a cent for each minute played (or 56 cents per hour).
 
CONS:
 
Several of the maps suck.  I will not play on Siege.  I will not play TDM on Overlord.
 
Scoring in KC took a step backward in this iteration.
 
My KDR is the lowest its been in any COD.  I attribute this to the quick deaths.  But to be fair, this is really not a con in the sense that I'm still above 1.00 and I really judge a game on fun rather than KDR.
 
 
Anyhow, I really enjoy Ghosts.  I will keep playing.  If you don't care for it, I hope you find something you do enjoy.  I have ordered Titanfall and will give it a go.  Looks promising.  I enjoyed the beta.