>>46982040TF2 has 9 unique classes, but the most popular format in competitive was 6v6
The 6v6 meta was using 2 Scouts, 2 Soldiers, a Demoman and a Medic, and the other 5 classes were barely used at all. This is pretty much because Soldier/Demo/Scout are the flashiest DM classes and the rest are percieved as slow and boring. ANYTHING that deviated from this formula was insta-banned, because the kids who spent all their time exclusively practising their sick 360 airshots would sperg out if the 'boring' classes became viable for a second.
TF2 also has a shit tons of weapons that open up new playstyles for each class, but they were pretty much ALL banned from competitive use. Some of them were rightfully banned for being overpowered, but even shitty niche weapons were banned because 'nobody would use them anyway', so nobody even had a chance to experiment.
This meta was forced so hard and turned TF2 from one of the most unique FPSes out there, to a homogonized borefest where every match was identical. Highlander (9v9 with one of each class) was an alternative but much less popular, probably just because of the difficulty of getting 18 people together for a full match.
