As Halo 5’s launch is approaching, the hype keeps getting more and more intense. This is mostly due to the story these guys are building up. They’ve released trailers, teasers and commercials which gave us a more in-depth look of where Halo’s story might evolve, yet keeping the entire truth hidden, making us more curious and letting people speculate, and talk about what’s supposed to be going on in the actual game. It unites the community at some degree.
So let’s sum up 343’s excellence in terms of storytelling from the stuff we know so far:
//For those who went dark, possible SPOILER ALERT!!!//
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Prelude: Halo 4 had a lot of flaws, but one of its strongest features was the great story it told. Forward unto Dawn, the mini-series preluding it was also engaging. And the way the game was narrated - with the epic return of the Chief and Cortana (and later Halsey), along with the appearance of characters who we only met in the books (Didact, Librarian), as well as introducing new characters (Lasky, Palmer, Jul 'Mdama, Fireteam Majestic etc…) - was simply brilliant. And the way they ended the game with Cortana’s death made the campaign one of the most memorable and emotional of the franchise. It was sad, but every great story has sacrifices and loss, and its impact on the Chief being in the center of the story makes things more interesting.
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Characters: In terms of character line-up it looks like 343 wants to create an Avengers movie. There are going to be so many likeable characters, not to say fan-favorites. There’s the Chief alongside BLUE TEAM (Kelly, Fred and Linda), the guys who he literally grew up with, all of them being almost as badass as John. It’s their first appearance in an actual Halo game. Then we’ve got Fireteam Osiris (Locke, Buck, Vale and Tanaka). Buck has always been a fan-favorite since ODST. Locke got his own mini-series (Nightfall, which wasn’t as good as expected, but was still interesting enough to introduce this new hero). Vale and Tanaka have also appeared in some media, and I think they’re also gonna be likeable. Then we’ve got the freakin ARBITER!! an entire army backing him up. He is definitely the second most badass character in the Halo universe. We also got the Infinity, with Lasky, Palmer, and the rest of the Spartan-IVs. Halsey and Jul 'Mdama are returning as well. Then we have the Warden Eternal, a new Promethean lifeform calling himself the “Keeper of the Domain”. A lot of interesting characters to work with.
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Teasing: Questions. We are getting more and more questions as we get more and more trailers. First the E3 2013 trailer, having that strange cloak, Cortana’s chip and the Guardian in it, made the community produce theories by the thousands and a lot of discussion was born even about the location of that desert. The E3 2014 showed us that Locke is trying to find Chief, with the Arbiter’s help, which shocked the community again. But it was just the beginning. We got #Huntthetruth which first hinted that Chief really became a threat, but eventually resolved showing us that things aren’t always what they first appear to be. The audio logs have greatly described other “minor” people’s thoughts and views on the Chief in general, as well as proving us again ONI’s dark nature. Then they released the two ads about the Chief and Locke, making a parallel scene between the two. At this point no one knew what the heck was going on, and who’s right. We were always on Chief side, but at the back of our minds I think we all questioned ourselves and had the quick thought: “What if Chief’s wrong this time?” And as of late we got a new TV ad with the title “A Hero Falls” that showed us John DYING!! Most of us calmed ourselves down by saying, it’s just ONI’s propaganda misguiding the civilians (and most likely it is), but it still raises a doubt: “What if it’s not?” And because of this: Halo 5 is going to be the first Halo game, where you seriously care for the green guy you are playing as, squeezing the controller, because at the back of your mind you know that his life might be at risk now. They killed off Cortana after all, so why would they stop there? And with all the teasing we received, we still don’t know the truth, Why is the Blue Team AWOL? What are Locke’s exact motives and intents? What are the Guardians? Who activated them? Why are they destroying colonies?.. “The darkest Halo game yet.”
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Chief’s story: If we wanted to label the original trilogy with a single line, then it would definitely be something like: “Story of humanity defying the Covenant and the Flood.” But now with the Reclaimer Saga it seems like: “Story of the Master Chief”. In the original trilogy most work was done by John, so he was very important, but now it seems that he will be in the middle of it. He’s gonna be a key for survival once more, but it looks like 343 focuses more on his feelings and emotions, and I think (purely speculation) we’re gonna see some of his flaws or missteps, proving that not even he is perfect. Also seeing the things not only from one, but two perspectives spices up things even more.So as a conclusion, I would say that 343’s storytelling is excellent. There’s not a single point I can come up with in terms of storytelling that 343 is doing wrong. All these little and big pieces that lead up to Halo 5’s story (whether it is one of the books, Escalation, Huntthetruth, the trailers etc…) expands on the already vast universe of Halo, the unique franchise we all love. Halo 5 seems to be grand and ambitious at multiple fronts, but I think that the storytelling is the biggest strength 343 has over Bungie. The hype level is insane, similar how it was with Halo 2 and 3, or even bigger! They really are a worthy successor of this franchise, and they’re putting a lot of effort into the lore (unlike most other shooter franchises out there) which I am really thankful for.
Thank you if you took your time and read this all! 
What are your thoughts?
Warzone: While I totally agree with you on story and teasing, that was the first thing that came up when I saw this thread, but Warzone is massive to the casual community both in and out the classic players. If anything is going to get 343 sales that is totally new, it’s going to be Warzone.
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> Warzone: While I totally agree with you on story and teasing, that was the first thing that came up when I saw this thread, but Warzone is massive to the casual community both in and out the classic players. If anything is going to get 343 sales that is totally new, it’s going to be Warzone.
Yeah, Warzone looks absolutely cool and a lot of fun, a great innovation to the franchise, mostly to the casuals, and I have a strong feeling that even the hardcore competitive playerbase’s gonna spend a great amount of time in it. It’s main function I think is bringing in new players from other franchises, that’s why it took some inspiration from a few other games. I really like it so far, especially the Raid on Apex 7 map.
Awesome post OP - I agree 100%.
Finally we’ve got a developer who puts storytelling at the front… which is an excellent thing to do in a franchise that has a hard time surprising people gameplay wise after 15 years.
But if you’re asking me sound design and especially soundtrack is a close second from what I hear from H5. Listening to those damn track samples the whole day 
First of all great post OP.
I agree with the marketing and story telling things you talk about. But they are making mistakes more recently. For instance the date that was wrongly given in the Chief is dead ad, if civilians are being told about this 2 years after the battle than this is one very long war as the person reading the message did say:
> we must end this not be ended by it
I have read the letter to Osman and I think that 343 are just trying to cover up there mistake.
Now don’t get me wrong I really like what they are doing with the campaign, I just wish we get some forge news soon I’m getting impatient.
Great post. They’ve been making some great strides with Halo 5…this is the most excited I’ve been for a Halo game since Halo 3 back in 2007. Playing the beta last year has had me eagerly anticipating this. Can’t wait for later this month!
Great post OP. Agree with you 100%.
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> Awesome post OP - I agree 100%.
> Finally we’ve got a developer who puts storytelling at the front… which is an excellent thing to do in a franchise that has a hard time surprising people gameplay wise after 15 years.
>
> But if you’re asking me sound design and especially soundtrack is a close second from what I hear from H5. Listening to those damn track samples the whole day
Yep, I mostly talked only about the story element of the campaign, but if you add the new movement and squad gameplay mechanics, right next to the stunning graphical quality, as well as the sound design you’ve mentioned (with those remade soundtracks from the originals), we may get the best campaign experience yet. We’ll just have to wait and see.
I’d go further than that and say their biggest strength is excellent marketing.
Indeed. A lot of people only seem to highlight 343’s flaws, when they do have some massive strengths.
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> I’d go further than that and say their biggest strength is excellent marketing.
I agree, and hopefully if Forge and the Custom Game options will also be good, we’ll get a Reach-like File Browser, and the game won’t have similar issues to the MCC (99.99% certain it won’t), then I guess most people owning an Xbox One will give it a try and we might find ourselves in the glory days of Halo again (having 100 of thousands of people online simultaneously, maybe even reaching 1M).
> 2533274882881665;2:
> Warzone: While I totally agree with you on story and teasing, that was the first thing that came up when I saw this thread, but Warzone is massive to the casual community both in and out the classic players. If anything is going to get 343 sales that is totally new, it’s going to be Warzone.
Totally agree. Ive been watching a ton of gameplay on this on Youtube and kept thinking that this could be a game in itself. Which then led me to think of life after Halo. I dont see 343 completely putting down the Halo title after the story is done being told. I could easily see Multiplayer games still being put out with Warzone and Arena being the main focus.
I think 343 has taken the foundation of a universe Bungie created for Halo and completely fleshed out the very interesting aspects of it. While Bungie did a great job of creating a fascinating universe, I think they had a number of flaws in the storytelling department. 343 has come in and killed off the blank slate protagonists (either literally or by introducing some characterization), highlighted the morally ambiguous angles of the universe, and tried to move us to a universe that isn’t black or white. I think the Halo universe is better for it.
I enjoy all of the multiplayer things they’re doing with the game, but the draw for me is the story they’re telling.
Definitely. The job that 343 has done with the story and the universe is commendable. In just one game I cared about the characters more than in any previous entry. I also like the marketing campaign they are building for this game prior to release. I mean, it’s obvious that Chief isn’t really dead, but it does make you speculate just where this story is going to go and what the outcome will be. Specifically, it will be interesting to see how the ending of Halo 5 impacts the greater Halo universe in general.
I’m way excited to see what happens, but I will concur with others by saying that Warzone is gonna end up being the biggest draw. Taking MOBA-esque elements and combining them with Halo’s already superb sandbox structure is a stroke of genius, and everyone who has played it acknowledges how fun it is. it will appeal to the hardcore competitive crowd as well as the casual fanbase. Then, when you factor in how good arena looks, it appears that the package as a whole is shaping up exceptionally well. Bravo, 343.
I think that 343s strength is that there new, I don’t mean they are “brand new” because clearly they aren’t but in terms of Halo they are in their infancy. It must be tremendously difficult to stand on Bungie’s shoulders whilst also being in their shadow and make a game and people not criticise.
They have had Halo 4 and the MCC to learn from their mistakes and by the looks of things they have; Halo 4 and MCC were there practice runs Halo 5 : Guardians will be the showpiece of the XBOX One and it genuinely feels as though it can deliver.
> 2533274874023152;9:
> I’d go further than that and say their biggest strength is excellent marketing.
I think this is a huge point, they currently have the whole community ripping each others face off; “MC is dead”, “I hope that there is a Locke is dead trailer” they literally have us eating out of our palm.
> 2533274882881665;2:
> Warzone: While I totally agree with you on story and teasing, that was the first thing that came up when I saw this thread, but Warzone is massive to the casual community both in and out the classic players. If anything is going to get 343 sales that is totally new, it’s going to be Warzone.
Yep totally agree.
Okay they took split-screen out genuinely gutted about that, but they are doing there own thing here they obviously couldn’t compromise, better to do one/two things amazingly than do multiple things disappointingly I suppose?
I can’t wait for this game 343 are making their mark on the Halo franchise and this is finally it. They have made some really nice gameplay tweaks, Sprint, Smart Scope, Ground Pound, Clamber, Thruster Pack, Spartan Charge and Slide. I mean some of these may not to be everybody’s liking; but for me I feel as I’m going to playing as an actual Spartan a Super Soldier from the future more in line with how they appear in the books, which isn’t a bad thing surely?
> 2533274799693806;15:
> I think that 343s strength is that there new, I don’t mean they are “brand new” because clearly they aren’t but in terms of Halo they are in their infancy. It must be tremendously difficult to stand on Bungie’s shoulders whilst also being in their shadow and make a game and people not criticise.
>
> They have had Halo 4 and the MCC to learn from their mistakes and by the looks of things they have; Halo 4 and MCC were there practice runs Halo 5 : Guardians will be the showpiece of the XBOX One and it genuinely feels as though it can deliver.
>
>
> > 2533274874023152;9:
> > I’d go further than that and say their biggest strength is excellent marketing.
>
>
> I think this is a huge point, they currently have the whole community ripping each others face off; “MC is dead”, “I hope that there is a Locke is dead trailer” they literally have us eating out of our palm.
>
>
> > 2533274882881665;2:
> > Warzone: While I totally agree with you on story and teasing, that was the first thing that came up when I saw this thread, but Warzone is massive to the casual community both in and out the classic players. If anything is going to get 343 sales that is totally new, it’s going to be Warzone.
>
>
> Yep totally agree.
>
> Okay they took split-screen out genuinely gutted about that, but they are doing there own thing here they obviously couldn’t compromise, better to do one/two things amazingly than do multiple things disappointingly I suppose?
>
> I can’t wait for this game 343 are making their mark on the Halo franchise and this is finally it. They have made some really nice gameplay tweaks, Sprint, Smart Scope, Ground Pound, Clamber, Thruster Pack, Spartan Charge and Slide. I mean some of these may not to be everybody’s liking; but for me I feel as I’m going to playing as an actual Spartan a Super Soldier from the future more in line with how they appear in the books, which isn’t a bad thing surely?
Totally agree.
> 2533274882881665;2:
> Warzone: While I totally agree with you on story and teasing, that was the first thing that came up when I saw this thread, but Warzone is massive to the casual community both in and out the classic players. If anything is going to get 343 sales that is totally new, it’s going to be Warzone.
I agree. I wasn’t interested in Warzone when they first showed it, but it looks like it may become my favorite game mode. Warzone could very well be 343i’s biggest legacy to the Halo franchise so far.
I definitely think the story is 343’s greatest strength. Halo 4 was unbelievably good in my opinion and I think Halo 5 will be far better.
> 2533274799693806;15:
> I can’t wait for this game 343 are making their mark on the Halo franchise and this is finally it. They have made some really nice gameplay tweaks, Sprint, Smart Scope, Ground Pound, Clamber, Thruster Pack, Spartan Charge and Slide. I mean some of these may not to be everybody’s liking; but for me I feel as I’m going to playing as an actual Spartan a Super Soldier from the future more in line with how they appear in the books, which isn’t a bad thing surely?
Yes, I didn’t really mention it, but Halo 5 seems to be the Halo game that stays true to the books by the most.
@Barni04
by the same token I hope it doesn’t try to enter the lore but gameplay, for sure why not? 
lore has its place in the Halo universe I just don’t think they should mix too closely. (If that makes any sense at all!)