I love the Sandbox in this game every weapon serves its own unique purpose and most weapons are pretty much balanced perfectly in my opinion and 343 did an amazing job differentiating the hammer from the energy sword. Before I thought they should just bring back the halo 3 hammer but infinites Hammer has grown on me and as long as we can change its values (Ex: swing time) in forge I think custom games will also be alright.
Balancing:
The overall design philosophy is solid when it comes to the hammer, slow swing and massive damage its different which is appreciated. But the Hammer swing feels a little bit wonky sometimes like something doesn’t add up I don’t know what that is it could be the animation not sure. The hammer area of damage should be worked on a little to. Sometimes you feel like you should kill someone and you don’t. Other times your running away and you get hit when you really shouldn’t it feels inconsistent. Also fast melees should also be brought back which is just a normal melee that doesn’t have the hammer effect like in halo 3. There might be a fast melee but it plays the regular animation and just isn’t right.
Physics:
The Hammer has none of its fun physics it neither launches you or the people around you. When you hit someone they should ragdoll and go flying its just more fun that way and when you hit the ground directly below you, you should be launched into the air. Also the vehicle physic’s didn’t feel right when you hit them or got close to hitting it. They should go flying and either die or get kicked out of there vehicle and have to flip it and get back in. I know some of these physics existed in game but they didn’t always activate and where always not enough. The physics of the game should increase I think it only adds to the fun and chaos of it.
Audio:
Nowhere near as satisfying and mystical sounding as halo 3 I know that’s a really small nit pick but its just how I feel.