this is a really odd review to write. tf2 is one of my favorite games of all time. i adore the gameplay, the characters, the world, ♥♥♥♥, even the hats add a fun extra layer for those who wish to dip their toes into it. i LOVE tf2. and yet, i cannot in good conscience tell anyone new "hey, you should play this game." because they shouldn't.

playing tf2 is almost like entering a toxic relationship. playing tf2 is almost like growing ever closer to a dying family member. and the word "almost" is doing some heavy lifting there, for the record. a toxic relationship is only fixable by cutting it off. a dying family member can only be helped for so long. either way, it's largely out of anyone's control.

this is not the case with our beloved game. we live in an environment where there are people who can fix the problem-- not easily, mind you, because cheaters dedicate their entire lives to ruining the fun of others, and tf2 has been their playground for so long-- theyre not going to let themselves get kicked out so easily. but... that's no excuse for valve, the people with the means to counteract the cheater's offensive, to roll over and let the game die an untimely death.

tf2 has the community to live forever. so long as there's server support for the game, people WILL play it. but it's a sick, rotting game, one that the community has no choice but to cry out in the name of, /begging/ for something to change. it's not in our hands anymore. this is the last thing we can do.

valve, please fix.

this is a really odd review to write. tf2 is one of my favorite games of all time. i adore the gameplay, the characters, the world, fuck, even the hats add a fun extra layer for those who wish to dip their toes into it. i LOVE tf2. and yet, i cannot in good conscience tell anyone new "hey, you should play this game." because they shouldn't. playing tf2 is almost like entering a toxic relationship. playing tf2 is almost like growing ever closer to a dying family member. and the word "almost" is doing some heavy lifting there, for the record. a toxic relationship is only fixable by cutting it off. a dying family member can only be helped for so long. either way, it's largely out of anyone's control. this is not the case with our beloved game. we live in an environment where there are people who can fix the problem-- not easily, mind you, because cheaters dedicate their entire lives to ruining the fun of others, and tf2 has been their playground for so long-- theyre not going to let themselves get kicked out so easily. but... that's no excuse for valve, the people with the means to counteract the cheater's offensive, to roll over and let the game die an untimely death. tf2 has the community to live forever. so long as there's server support for the game, people WILL play it. but it's a sick, rotting game, one that the community has no choice but to cry out in the name of, /begging/ for something to change. it's not in our hands anymore. this is the last thing we can do. valve, please fix.