Hey guys, how’s everyone going?
I noticed only a few testers would get that survey via e-mail, and I didn’t, but I so wanted to let 343 know of my experience.
So, here it is!
- Movement and Flow
Right when I first started playing, I felt extremely heavy. I know Spartans are not exactly light, but even used to Halo 2, 3 and Reach from Halo MCC, I felt like the weapons weighed tons. And the sprint was the worst. Honestly, it felt like nightmares I had constantly in my life of feeling like I try my best to run but for some reason I’m in slow motion. It was almost as if the speed effect was just a visual effect. Didn’t take me long to find out that happened for a reason, as people noticed walking and sprinting is almost the same.
I know about the Sprint debate, and honestly this division is one of the most annoying discussions in Halo. To sprint or not to sprint? Well, some defend this pseudo-sprint is a good way to end the debate, but I only see anti-sprint fans happy about it. Regardless of sides, it seems to me that this solution solves nothing, as sprinting brings no sort of advantage besides being used to slide, something apparently only hardcore fans with over 10 fingers can somehow pull off. Yeah, I’m no pro, but also not a noob, I just don’t think constantly pressing buttons to use sprint and slide will aid when I need to aim and shoot. It’s not a good option. And honestly I think 343 should just take it out or improve it. In fact, after finding out it did nothing, I just stopped sprinting.
There’s no way this is a common ground for the debate. 343 purely chose to make it not sprintable, and for that might as well take it out. Or, do as it worked well in Reach or 5, and increase sprint with a disadvantage. Cooldown, or vulnerability, like not allowing shields to recharge.
Lastly, I know there’s a big difference between older fans and newer fans, but I’ve played Halo since CE and I’m aware I’m not stuck in 2001. CE still is a fantastic game, and that shouldn’t stop a game from 2021 to have sprint. This isn’t even about the modern days, it’s about a Spartan having the ability to stretch the legs!
I get taking out charge and dash from 5, but no sprint is taking away too much.
- Radar
Not only sometimes does not tell you where walking bots are, as it does not tell you if enemies are below or above you. And the info that they are on the same level needs to be more obvious.
- Outlines
Love the new way to show us where in the body we’re hitting, but the enemy colour outlines is too weak. I still prefer the classic Red VS Blue, cause at times I had to think twice before shooting (or avoid to).
- Weapons
AR seems to FINALLY do some damage, as it used to be useless in multiplayer since… ever. Love the BR, not quite sure I like the sniper, plus I think the first zoom is too close. Needler is OP, which is great. Commando is awesome. The Ravager feels unfinished, as the damage seems to always underdone. THe Bulldog, if to replace a shotgun, should deal more damage in close combat. Two shots in close quarters is a downgrade from the usual Shotgun gameplay.
- Equipment
Lovely. Only thing I didn’t like is the amount of time it takes for the Drop Wall to… drop. While all the others are instant, the drop wall can’t be properly used as a way to save ourselves at last minute, cause it takes over a second to activate. I can compare to the bubble shield from Halo 3, which is instant.
- Graphics
GORGEOUS
- Maps
- Live Fire is ok, but doesn’t seem like a good map to have a sniper or even the Skewer. I’d say to put other weapons instead, more optimized for close combat.
- Recharge is very cool.
- Bazaar is chef kiss. This would be a better one to have a sniper instead of Live Fire, I think.
- Audio
- Soundtrack so far is beautiful!
- I prefer more classical sound weapons, though. Covenant weapons don’t sound that much “Halo” to me, and though BR, AR and other human weapons have sounds from real weapons, I still prefer the BR sound from Halo 2, for example. That speaks Halo to me.
- Oh. The recharging shield sound is PERFECT. Don’t change it.
Conclusion:
The thing that bugged me the most was the movement. I tried the Flight on both an Xbox Series X and Xbox One X, and for some reason, I started hitting the shots better on my One X, where framerate is lower (right?).
It took me a while to get used to the weight of weapons, and no matter how much I changed sensitivity, it felt weird.
Still hate that sprint. I can’t stand it.
Thank you for inviting me to the Flight, and can’t wait to try out more and new builds!
Congrats on all of 343 for the amazing job so far, I love what you are doing. Though for me, I’m more excited about the campaign. 