So I found in my inbox a code for the Castle Map Pack from bs angel for my contributions and such for the community. I downloaded it, took a look around on the maps and thoughts I’d share my limited first impressions based on the looks of the map. Sorry, but it seems a small number of people got the codes so I couldn’t really do any gameplay on them. So here goes:
Daybreak: Overall, I think this will be a good objective map. Plenty of paths and routes to enter the red and blue bases. However, I wonder how fair it will be for the blue team since the red base is larger, gets the man cannon to the center and has some trees that would act as great sniper perches like the trees in Halo 3’s High Ground did. Hopefully it’s nothing major, but I’d keep an eye out on it.
Outcast: This map, I feel, is going to be VERY confusing starting out. It has the set up of a Dominion style map and is very asymmetrical. Vehicle combat is going to be a major component of the map with Wraith, Scorpion (at least in Dominion) and Mantis spawns. To be honest, I don’t like the look of the map since it seems pieces of the environment like machinery and metal are just slapped together and thrown about, it’s sort of like Vortex in a sense.
Perdition: Out of all the maps, I think I like the potential of this one. It is reminiscent of Turf from Halo 2 and has the makings of a decent medium-to-large range Slayer map. I know the Warthogs are meant to be a huge part, but with all the nooks and crannies and passages, I expect ambushed with the Plasma Pistol and Plasma Grenades to be easy to pull off. Either than that, it also is worth noting that it can do Objectives pretty well at first glace based on what I’ve seen of the KOTH spawns and rough ideas on how Flag games can go.
So I apologize if this isn’t the most in-depth look at the maps, there is only so much I can judge and base on with limited knowledge of how the maps will play. April 8th will decide this, but I have a feeling Castle map be promising. Perhaps not as much as Majestic was, but it is still better than Crimson in my opinion at this point.
I got a code, too 
[already had the War Games Map Pass though, so it’s just an “early trial” for me]
I fully agree with you on everything you said, Cobra, especially on Outcast looking very confusing and reminding me of Vortex. I think Perdition is my favourite map out of all three, though. Loving the urban theme.
Certain Affinity did a great job on this map pack, in my opinion. Of course I haven’t actually played a legitimate match, but I predict that they will play well for (mostly) 6v6 Obj. We should try to get some people together and have a match before the pack’s official launch
I didn’t really play any of the maps but I did fly around them in Forge. They do look like they’d play well, but I can’t judge that until I’ve actually done so. Daybreak has a rather stunning skybox, although the map is somewhat uninteresting. Outcast confused me at first as well, but I just love the cave parts, the ship that flies around, and especially the giant mushrooms.
Perdition is my favourite; it reminded me overwhelmingly of Halo 2 as well. It gave me an idea of how a potential Halo 2 Anniversary Campaign graphics overhaul might look and made me unreasonably excited.
> I got a code, too
> [already had the War Games Map Pass though, so it’s just an “early trial” for me]
>
> I fully agree with you on everything you said, Cobra, especially on Outcast looking very confusing and reminding me of Vortex. I think Perdition is my favourite map out of all three, though. Loving the urban theme.
>
> Certain Affinity did a good job on this map pack, in my opinion. Of course I haven’t actually played a legitimate match, but I predict that they will play well for (mostly) 6v6 Obj. We should try to get some people together and have a match before the pack’s official launch
How do you even get noticed in this big community?
> How do you even get noticed in this big community?
Ouch 
Right in the feels.
EDIT: Wait, so are you saying that I suck or is it just a question? I am confused and may have misinterpret you.
looks like the community members of the week got the codes
> looks like the community members of the week got the codes
We’re pretty sure that’s what it is. We were all surprised, though. I’ve gotten a few codes before, but it was just avatar items. I was just expecting something small, not Castle for free!
I actually didn’t get the Map Pass because I’d rather pay $10 every couple months than $25 immediately. In the end, I actually saved even more. I was not expecting it at all!
Anyways, I haven’t gotten a chance to try the maps out yet, but I’ll let you know what I think when I do.
> looks like the community members of the week got the codes
Pretty much this.
i took a flythrough of each map
and i still hold true to my argument
they look like fine BTB maps,
but with the current vehicle system, Warthogs will still be the Double kills on wheels, and perfect StickyMagnets
i don’t see BTB improving at all with this Map pack
A few videos looking at Forge options on the new maps:
Forging on Perdition
Forging on Daybreak
Forging on Outcast
We can play on them later tonight.
I’ve redeemed my code, but haven’t gone through the maps yet. I’m looking forward to seeing what they’re all about though!
> i took a flythrough of each map
> and i still hold true to my argument
>
> they look like fine BTB maps,
> but with the current vehicle system, Warthogs will still be the Double kills on wheels, and perfect StickyMagnets
>
> i don’t see BTB improving at all with this Map pack
I totally agree. The maps do look awesome, but I don’t understand. So many nooks and chokepoints, and that Banshee will get DMR’d to a flaming pile in 8 seconds. I have two Forge BTB maps I found That are so freaking fantastic (one of em is Sandtrap inspired). I would spend money to get them put into matchmaking. We need OPEN maps. When will we be able to drive with some breathing room?
> i took a flythrough of each map
> and i still hold true to my argument
>
> they look like fine BTB maps,
> but with the current vehicle system, Warthogs will still be the Double kills on wheels, and perfect StickyMagnets
>
> i don’t see BTB improving at all with this Map pack
It makes me sad that vehicle combat is no longer a practical part of Halo multiplayer anymore. It was actually what drew me to Halo in the first place.
Hopefully, we’ll get some open maps added in later through from Forgers, where using a Warthog will actually be a viable strategy.
After looking around the maps a bit, this is what I think.
Daybreak seems really good. It kinda reminds me of a smaller Highlands. I’d be really interested to see how well it plays out.
Perdition looks good too. It really does have that Halo 2 feel to it. It’s a little hard to drive around in, though.
Outcast is definitely the weakest of the three. It just seems too narrow for a vehicle map. We’ll see, but I don’t think it’ll be chosen much.
> After looking around the maps a bit, this is what I think.
>
> Daybreak seems really good. It kinda reminds me of a smaller Highlands. I’d be really interested to see how well it plays out.
>
> Perdition looks good too. It really does have that Halo 2 feel to it. It’s a little hard to drive around in, though.
>
> Outcast is definitely the weakest of the three. It just seems too narrow for a vehicle map. We’ll see, but I don’t think it’ll be chosen much.
with the vehicular combat back at its core in these maps, you notice that there is not really alot of power vehicles making these maps a grand battle field for infantry and vehicular combat.
From the feedback that Cobra is giving I dont think I’m getting it. Sounds great but not great enough to spend my last 800 MS on.
> From the feedback that Cobra is giving I dont think I’m getting it. Sounds great but not great enough to spend my last 800 MS on.
You might want to get a better look by watching the live stream Sunday:
I also got a code. I already got the Limited Edition, but oh well. 
I think Perdition will be really fun to play on. It has a Terminal-esque feel to it. Too bad the train clips through everything, though.
Daybreak seems like a good map for vehicular combat, and Outcast seems like a map that’s made for Dominion. Not sure how I feel about the Scorpion in one of the bases, though.
