You got to really think about the factors here. Halo 5 had technically the same amount of content at launch as Infinite. Though had more cosmetics at launch, better new modes (Breakout, Warzone), content every month, less bugs, less leavers, don’t recall hackers being a major problem. Compared to Infinite, the UI was better, cleaner, and faster. 343i even spoke to the community more consistently than now. Warzone even is a better 12v12 mode than Infinite’s BTB with more replayability. It even became a better overall game within a year.
There was even a lot more outside of the game to support Halo 5. You could showcase your Spartan on Halo waypoint, even order a figure model of it online. There was even Spartan Companies to encourage clans, but, that vanished abruptly.
They even did a lot of fanservice content as well (CE Magnum, Halo 2 BR, Hunter cannons, etc). Even rewarded F2P players better than just XP boost. If Halo 5 ever came to PC, I definitely would drop Infinite and pick that up as it just felt more loved. Also nothing hidden behind a paywall.
Halo 5 Multiplayer experience was absolutely amazing.
All 343 had to do is continue to come out with updates to Halo 5 and MCC. There wasn’t any need to come out with another mainstream Halo title if its going to be nothing but some equipment added to the game. That equipment should’ve just been added to Halo 3, with some new armor abilities for Reach and Halo 4 then balance the weapons and vehicles so it’s not just BR and DMR Warfare. Easy fixes not create a Simi new Halo game that’s a mix between Halo 3 and Reach.
If 343 wanted to make a new campaign because Halo 5 was such a disappointment of bad story and misleading then they should’ve just made a separate Single Player game similar to ODST but telling the story after Halo 5 and leading up to Halo Infinite. Then releasing Halo Infinite years later when everything is complete like Split Screen, Co-op, Forge, Custom Game Browser, Warzone or Warfare, Battle Royale, Escape and so on.
i think it’s crazy how 5 used the same engine yet looks and feels like a completely different game, but infinite tried to make a new engine just for an almost identical old halo experience, so crazy.
While I personally consider Halo 5 to be bad for the direction it was pushing the series towards, it was clear that it was the game 343 wanted to make since day 1, and it was mechanically sound all things considered.
Honestly, I feel that using the Halo IP is why its considered so awful by so many people, and numbering it on top of that only added insult to that injury.
The new engine was built to accommodate newer technology with Series X|S. It was just maxed out and would never be able to build open world games that run at consistent 60-120fps
As it could be, but gameplay adjustments for the player base were not planned as well. Things like changing the map layout to accommodate balance, weapon spawns, Warzone loadout progression and weapon balance. They weren’t planned and were clear to communicate to change those quickly for a better experience, which, each happened within a month of another.
Halo 5 did get the same “kicked can” treatment as Infinite but there was so much more of a complete thought there.
Like, the rumors were always spiraling around E3 but it kept not showing up, until it did. Whereas infinite was an absolute no show until the very last min for them.
All the “bungie”-fying they’ve been doing since the initial gameplay reveal stream in 2020 just tells me their headspace is in branding and not the actual game dev.
I think you are cutting 343 a bit too much slack. Infinite had a similar schedule length to H5, and then 343 got another year with the delay. I don’t blame Microsoft for holding 343’s feet to the fire.
For all of 343i’s faults perhaps I’m just tired of all the negativity surrounding them. No need for me to add to blasting 343i when the entire fanbase is doing it.
ONE.