I want to start of this topic with that it’s sad to see Halo as a franchise being in this situation because of all the things that have happened since Halo 5.
Halo does not seem to catch a break from not having games launch as they should, or have a story that seems fulfilled. All the backlash, hate and laziness. It seems that since 343I took over, Halo has been placed in some dark toxic place. I think both parties are to blame for where Halo is today. When 343I showed they wanted to care, it was already too late because of all the frustration and hate the fanbase has kept since all the letdowns.
Looking back, it seems that the fanbase was frustrated when the games was different. Heading towards a new chapter with different artstyles. They tried to do something different with Halo. I really can understand why. Because Halo had its golden day, Halo had its peak. So to produce a new Halo game with so much similarities to the old games, would make it boring real fast. Because everyone has already experienced it.
So my personal opinion, looking back at 343I Halo games attempts, I’m glad they made their games stand out from the previous ones. It feels good to have variety in the storytelling playing through the campaigns.
What I do not like is that it seems they wanted to have their own identity on their Halo games so very much, that they excluded and alienated what the previous Halo games did so good. Even when you create your own identity you should learn and respect the past. Use it as a tool to forge the very best game.
It seems like Halo got an identity crisis because of the conflict and confusion that was being built up between the fanbase and 343I.
What I do not like was the laziness. Like the excuse about Master Chief having so different armor in Halo 4 and the new covenant designs. The excuses appeared to show laziness towards the game.
But enough negativity.
I want to say everything I appreciated about their games:
I liked the mantis, wasp, grunt mech, Infinites forge, Halo 5s smartscope, spartan abilities, warzone, prometheans, the didact, Infinites open world, flying the pelican in Halo 4 campaign, spartan ops, using the hunters shooting arm and more.
Everything they made was almost where it should be. It’s sad that their games only stood as a Halo game with potential. It would be great to have witnessed them create the games and nailing it. But sadly for me, that wasn’t the case.
It was a great journey, and I’m thankful for the Halo experience 343I gave even when it felt lazy sometimes.
I really wish that Halo gets what it deserve in near future.