Alright, so after about a week of posting fluffy content let’s see if we have enough people to scrape together a proper discussion thread.
My favorite gamemode is 5CP - I dearly love Payload and KOTH as well, but I like 5CP the best because of the back-and-forth it generates; you will be able to participate in both attack and defense at the same time. KOTH also has this, but it’s faster-paced and easier for one team to camp the point, in my opinion. I actually prefer longer matches as I think it allows for more interesting strategies and counterplay to come about as opposed to matches where it’s a blitz, at least in pubs.
My favorite map from this mode is Process. It has adequate flanks, different environments for different classes to shine (outdoor, indoor, and hybrid spaces, as well as lots of changes in elevation), and is relatively “streamlined” despite all that. It fosters a decently competitive environment even in an unorganized public server.
(Runner up goes to Powerhouse (3CP technically, but it’s my post so I can break the rules if I want) for mindless pub play, I’ve had some legendary matches on there.)
I play 2fort almost exclusively, sometimes doublecross. Sometimes, if I’m feeling it, I’ll “play the game” or whatever, but the thing I love TF2 for is that it’s the only game where I truly feel like there’s a space to sit down and enjoy a “playground” mode with other players. Nobody actually playing the objective (except engineers and the occasional rogue scout, of course), and yet everyone remains pointed at each other. You can throw yourself at people to practice or enjoy your skills, you can chill out and play friendly. It’s the only environment in multiplayer gaming where I feel like I can just relax while I play, and play for pure, actual fun without worrying about my team depending on me for anything.
Oh yeah, almost no other game has this kind of allowance as part of its atmosphere. The closest that I have experienced would be Deep Rock Galactic on a lower difficulty level, but even then it’s not exactly the same.
My favorite screwing-around map is Doublecross, with Hightower and 2fort being tied for second. Turbine is kinda bad, even for screwing around, but I have a soft spot for it as it was literally the first map I ever played - I remember it fondly.