Constructive Criticism of the Beta.

Games Halo 5: Guardians
1

Before I start I would like to point out that I thoroughly enjoy the beta, and look forward to the final product. As for my criticism.

The AR: AR starts are the best of any previous Halo iteration. I love that I finally don’t feel handicapped when I spawn with one. That being said, I think it’s effective range is a bit to far, and it can be toned down a bit. Maybe increase the spread.

Truth: I am a person who enjoys precision weapon starts more than AR starts, however: the DMR completely wrecks on this map. The lines of sight are huge. The top of big tower, (known as pink 3 in the previous Halo’s ) is now useless. What was once a strategic vantage point that had it’s risks is utterly pointless. I’d say either add some cover up there or remove the DMR from this map.

Empire: Nice symmetrical map, but the majority of the combat when I play is outside. I don’t see the need for two snipers (with huge reserves of ammo I might add). For one, I don’t even think the map suits sniper game-play, though it’s OK. If you added a rocket to the interior sniper location, you’d see a lot more movement in that area. Maybe a shotgun in each of the bases.

Chatter: I don’t mind the usual callouts as to where an enemy is or when power weapons are up, but I feel the whole buddy buddy thing is a bit to far. It’s annoying to constantly here “Thanks for the assist, Nice shot”. Maybe tone them down a bit?

Prophets Bane: The weapon is blinding. Maybe turn down it’s brightness a bit?

Power Weapons in General: I don’t like how they can spawn when the weapon is already in use. I think it would be better suited to when it was depleted completely, or if possible when it is low on ammo. Seeing 3 people run around with the Prophets Bane on Truth is the scariest thing I’ve ever seen in a Halo game.

Dynamic Spawns: This is personal preference, I feel like it punishes the opposing team for taking control of the map. I feel static spawns would be much more suited for the “Arena” feel 343 is trying to convey.

Aiming Down Sights: The magnetism when looking down your scope is insane. It is incredibly easy to get quicks-copes in this game or have unparalleled aim with the precision weapons. Tone it down a bit? That being said I think it’s a nice feature.

Feel free to add anything/discuss the beta. I can only hope 343 is aware of these complaints and considers them.

2

I don’t use the left trigger for zoom. I have mine set to the right stick, where it’s always been. I wonder though if I’m putting myself at a disadvantage because I can’t just mash the trigger.

3

Good feedback, and your reactions are popular i feel. However, at the same time, i think you’ve missed the point. This Beta is a tournament style playlist. Power weapons cannot be instant win weapons suited to the map, that defeats the purpose, rather, they provide an opportunity to turn the tide given you can sharpen your skill set.

I am not saying, “Git Gud!”, I am saying, using the shotgun on Empire is pointless, its obviously an instant kill on anyone you see in those confined spaces. Rocket too, the sniper is perfect for tourney style play here because the threshold for effectiveness is so much higher.

The same logic goes into the sword, profit’s bane. It is an instant kill weapon with a huge lunge distance (larger given thruster and sprint), especially in a map with lots of close quarter action. The aura serves to temper the power. If you want unlimited melee effectiveness, you need to be aware of your surroundings, no more sprinting with impunity.

As for ADS, well, that’s a different debate that could go on forever. I feel like it’s moving the game away from halo style acrobatic shooter, and more towards call of duty style, but when that’s your developer, that’s what it is. It’s clear this is where the franchise is going, and all told, as disappointed as i am that its becoming like other triple A shooters, i genuinely enjoy it.

See you on the field…

4

> 2533274883669557;2:
> I don’t use the left trigger for zoom. I have mine set to the right stick, where it’s always been. I wonder though if I’m putting myself at a disadvantage because I can’t just mash the trigger.

I do to. It doesn’t feel natural to have it at left trigger. That being said it is still very effective to mash it down, albeit a bit awkward sometimes. Bumper Jumper master race.

5

Here we go! Just wanna start of that i got a overkill/extermantion with the BR and it felt great :slight_smile:

First of all bugs i found:

Was on a spree 7 kills, died of a grenade, 3 kills after i respawned i still got a killing frenzy.
Other bug i found was on truth, where i hade the sword, full sheild yet i just respawned… dident say i was killed or anything.

But the things that bothers me is takes forever to find 1 player if u are 7 people waiting.
Last of all is the matchmaking system, people on a 0,2 or even -1,0 K/D are sitting on a 20/30 game lose/win yet others with high kd sitting on 10/30 lose/win and the only playlist out is slayer, so dont come and say they are objetiv players cuz that is a lie. The MM need an improvment dont want to carry 3 rtards every game.

6

I’m going to put my two cents in here to.

Sorry for a list. Also this is fully my opinion and I am trying not to speak like I am the great mind of the people of Halo. Also it is kind of a long read but it’s probably worth reading.

Remove:

Ground Pound: This is a straight gimmick, I have yet to see it truly utilized as it is slow and stops the pace and flow of combat. Nothing is worse than in a mobility type game to suddenly stop MID AIR mind you and float. Also Spartans aren’t superheros! They are soldiers, last I checked soldiers don’t jump up in the air float then smash the ground below them. Simply ground pound is too situational and slows or stops your momentum. Also no I haven’t died to it so I am not angry with it, it’s hard to die to something that is rarely used ever.

Spartan Bros: This should be obvious. The intro and outro of these idiots is piss poor and hurts the reasons why people like Spartans. People like Spartans because they are supposed to be bad -Yoink- soldiers in bad -Yoink- armor with extreme awesomeness. These bro displays are pointless. It also increases the time between actually playing the game. I get it my team lost/won can I please go to the next match? No? I have to watch this pointless outro. Also unless I’ve missed it, everyone has joked about it or said what I’ve said on it. It’s a poor taste.

**Weapon way points/weapon timers:**This is hand holding, let me say one thing that I think nearly everyone can agree on. WE AREN"T IDIOTS, GAMERS LARGELY AREN"T IDIOTS. We know how to play a damn game, being told the location of a weapon and how soon it respawns, you might as well over our controller and directly guide us to the power weapons. 343 you have said multiple times that you want this Halo to be about map knowledge. Well knowledge of weapons especially power weapons is part of map knowledge.

Changes/overhauls:

Smart Scope: HEAR ME OUT please. I’m not saying remove it completely I am saying it needs to changed for very specific cases. Firstly anything automatic should not be helped too much by smart scope. The reason behind the AR being strong is largely the cause of smart scope. SMG is in a similar position. If you are using an automatic gun with smart scope there needs to be recoil (not a lot these are Spartans so their advanced strength and armor should minimize recoil) but for the sake of balance as well as it is an automatic weapon there needs to be an negative affect with the smart scope. The pistol smart scope is fine, the pistol seems to have a strong enough recoil that smart scope is super useful. That is done correctly, the AR and SMG need to do something similar.

Battle Rifle: No I’m not mad I killed by it nor am I particularity bad with it well before this beta any way. The sight is ugly. The weapon is fine but ascetically it hurts my eyes. How do we go from an acog sight in two games, to a square (acog?) sight in the 4th game then into a red dot/reflex sight? Call me stuck in the past if you want to but I feel like the Battle Rifle needs its older sight back badly. Making change for the sake of change is bad. The Battle Rifle has (I think it is safe to say) been iconic with the acog and even the square scope. Simple gun sight designs are far better than over the top techy designs. Practicality is better than ascetics.
Spartan speech: Needless to say the Spartans need deeper voices. I know the idea of Halo 5 is to make it competitive. But Spartans are still Spartans and should like soldiers who have seen some Blam! Deeper more mature sounding ones would be much better. I can’t say anything for the female version. I haven’t heard it yet.

What works:
Thruster pack: I was worried at first that the thruster pack would be dumb and wouldn’t work. Mainly because of the past experiences from Halo 4. But it is nice and feels good to use. I do wish there was indicator to tell me when it was back up so I could use it again however.

There are other things I could talk about but this has gone on long enough, and its a beta so I think I should only truly talk about what needs to be changed. Its a fun beta but it is missing something that the other Halo’s had the soul or something really philosophical is missing.

7

> 2552709967384648;3:
> Good feedback, and your reactions are popular i feel. However, at the same time, i think you’ve missed the point. This Beta is a tournament style playlist. Power weapons cannot be instant win weapons suited to the map, that defeats the purpose, rather, they provide an opportunity to turn the tide given you can sharpen your skill set.
>
> I am not saying, “Git Gud!”, I am saying, using the shotgun on Empire is pointless, its obviously an instant kill on anyone you see in those confined spaces. Rocket too, the sniper is perfect for tourney style play here because the threshold for effectiveness is so much higher.
>
> The same logic goes into the sword, profit’s bane. It is an instant kill weapon with a huge lunge distance (larger given thruster and sprint), especially in a map with lots of close quarter action. The aura serves to temper the power. If you want unlimited melee effectiveness, you need to be aware of your surroundings, no more sprinting with impunity.
>
> As for ADS, well, that’s a different debate that could go on forever. I feel like it’s moving the game away from halo style acrobatic shooter, and more towards call of duty style, but when that’s your developer, that’s what it is. It’s clear this is where the franchise is going, and all told, as disappointed as i am that its becoming like other triple A shooters, i genuinely enjoy it.
>
> See you on the field…

I understand that. I’m a competitive guy, so I definitely understand where you are coming from. However, the sniper and rockets have always been a staple of the competitive scene. Your team is down 45-48, Rockets are coming up. You make the final push, your enemy will too knowing how vital they are. You win the rockets and thus win the game if they are used effectively. Seems appropriate to me.

I wasn’t saying the sniper is a bad weapon. I just don’t feel it suits the close quarter style on Empire.

As for the Prophets Bane, I have no issue with it. I just don’t think the ability to have several of the same weapon on the map a good idea.

8

Pretty good feedback. I’ll add my own when the 3 weeks are up.