So, I want to get the story from Spartan Ops, but I have no urge to play all of the lack luster missions. Although, I would be willing to do so if the story was worth it because I am interested in the story.
Now, there are videos on YouTube with all the cutscenes of Spartan Ops. Would I be able to just watch all those and get the story?
Thanks,
Trevor
Short answer- No; yes.
The levels are repeatetive and not that interesting (other than the one chapter that takes place on the ship) and the story is horrid beyond comprehension. You miss out on some little key-points by not going through every level but the cutscenes give you all the big stuff that “matters”. Also if you spent money on any DLCs that give you armor, weapon skins, or “perks” then you cant use those either so… if you have some friends who just wanna mow down covies and promethians it is worth wasting time in Spartan Ops since we have no Firefight
My friend and I went through the first 25 missions. I don’t think I have it in me to do the other half. Seeing as how I can just watch the cutscenes and get the main points, that’s what I’ll probably do.
Thanks
I don’t think Spartan ops is as bad as people claim it to be personally… I have beaten it on heroic solo no deaths. There is repetition of levels but still… I understand the story fine…
I play it quite often for my PvE fix. I select a mission and play it while trying not to die usually. If I did I often end the game.
I’ve played a lot of Spartan Ops (14 days, almost 15 now). I really enjoy it.
But I will say, no, you don’t need to play the missions. Basically, the cutscenes are the story. The missions, sadly, have overall no impact towards the story (excluding Episodes 1, 5, and 10). The missions are, in short, just Spartans doing several small operations on Requiem (maybe that’s where the title came from?).
Something Season 2 would’ve definitely improved upon, but alas…
Anyways, I only really recommend playing Episodes 1, 5, and 10.
Episodes 1 and 5 explain why the things are happening in cutscenes.
And Episode 10 explains how Crimson did their part.
Well, and I’d recommend Episode 9 to find out some extra interesting Reclaimer info, but you’ll only notice the info if you pay close attention.
You don’t have to if you don’t want to. You can probably read the story from somewhere.
But I liked spartan ops, the first half was pretty repetitive, but it got better in the second half. What I remember, correct me if I’m wrong, is that the main map designers were not so focused on the first half because they were doing something else at the time. But then they focused on the second half more.
It’s like a small campaign that was cut down to small pieces. Maybe it could have been more enjoyable for people if the episodes were one mission and not five small ones.
Play it with a friend. You will have fun.
The missions for Episodes 1-5 contain important story info. If you just watched the videos for those episodes, it would be somewhat jarring; you’d see something and just be like, “wtf is that?” Starting from Episode 6, the missions just become time fillers and almost completely detached from the story.
In short, for the best strictly story experience, complete the first 25 missions on Easy/Normal, watching the associated video between episodes. After that, just watch the episodes; no need to bother with missions if you don’t want to.
Honestly though, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to barrel through all 50 missions just so that you know what they’re like.
Technically you don’t even need to play Halo 4 
> The missions for Episodes 1-5 contain important story info. If you just watched the videos for those episodes, it would be somewhat jarring; you’d see something and just be like, “wtf is that?” Starting from Episode 6, the missions just become time fillers and almost completely detached from the story.
>
> In short, for the best strictly story experience, complete the first 25 missions on Easy/Normal, watching the associated video between episodes. After that, just watch the episodes; no need to bother with missions if you don’t want to.
>
> Honestly though, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to barrel through all 50 missions just so that you know what they’re like.
There are two stories. Not just one.
if you just want the core Spartan ops story, just watching the cutscenes should be enough, gameplay would be an extra bonus, they are very repetitive, fun to play though a few times, but I doubt I would play them again for a while alone
> > Starting from Episode 6, the missions just become time fillers and almost completely detached from the story.
>
> There are two stories. Not just one.
Hence the word “detached.”
You don’t need to play it, though it can be fun. But i suggest you find out the story before the next Halo game.
I’d highly suggest playing it with a friend and on Legendary. It’s a lot more fun that way, IMO.
Also, if you’re looking to complete commendations, you can get all of the Enemy ones from Spartan Ops. Though You’ll have to do some grinding for a couple of them.
Also, Covenant vehicle commendations can be achieved EASILY through Spartan Ops. So no need to try for them in Matchmaking.
Personally, I absolutely LOVED playing through each mission. Yes, some maps were used, but not in the same way or following along the same path in most cases.
In the latter half of the season, all of the maps changed to new ones. Oh, on that note, people keep arguing about SpOps having the same maps. Let me make an analogy here.
Reach Firefight = 10 maps. Same defensible positions each time.
Halo 4’s Spartan Ops = 15 maps reused and repurposed for differnt missions.
Also, as a matter of fact, in real warfare, there are many times where the same area is fought over time and again. I saw this while as a field medic during the Gulf War. It was MUCH more prevalent in World War II.
So the reuse of maps was very logical and of course it made it easier for 343 to get missions out each week.
So once again, I HIGHLY suggest playing it and more so with a friend and on legendary. It’s a whole campaign unto itself!
If you want something a little different, I created a Spartan Ops graphic novel from all of the Episodes. You can download it from here: Spartan Ops Season One Graphic Novel completed! (all 10 episode comic books in one document) | HaloFanForLife
I actually created a comic book a week using the cut scenes. It was somewhat popular then and was showcased on Waypoint. The graphic novel is the same as each comic, however includes MORE stuff in it.
Hope this post helps in your decision to play it.
-Sal (aka HaloFanForLife)
In big detail, yes.
But to get what is going on? Not really.
Feel free to play if you want to go out and kill a few bad guys with friends though.
Long time Halo player & I loved it, currently half completed. As others stated it’s better when played with a friend on Legendary without dying once. Good luck.
Please don’t revive very old topics thanks, especially ones over 3 years old.