Titanfall is a first-person multiplayer shooter for up to twelve players simultaneously. Set on a war-torn planet with two factions (Interstellar Manufacturing Corporation (IMC) and the Militia), it features battles between pilots on foot or boarding large mech-style Titans.
The game takes place in a story-driven campaign mode, where each faction has its own storyline. The gameplay is fast-paced, and while on foot, players can wall jump and link jumps in a parkour style using a jet-boosted belt.
Gameplay involves choosing a pilot type and selecting from various weapons such as assault rifles, SMGs, shotguns, sniper rifles, and smart pistols. A timer counts down until a Titan can be deployed, which can be shortened by killing other players. When a Titan drops down, a player can board it, offering a completely different movement experience.
Playing as a Titan has distinct abilities, such as the vortex blocker to stop incoming projectiles, gather them, and return them in midair. A Titan also has very different weapons and is much stronger than other players. It's possible to issue commands to have it follow or guard a player, and other players can attempt to board and throw out an opponent.
The game features burn cards for temporary power-ups, AI-controlled minions with three types: grunts, marvins, and spectres, and a persistent experience system that allows pilots to level up. This influences the loadouts for both pilots and Titans prior to each match.