If one looks at CE, H2 and the COD series a couple big things come to mind
VERY FAST kill times
simplicity in shooting
Sprint is fine in COD where just one shot and you are dead. In halo though you need 4+ and sprint makes getting away all the easier. This is bound to aggrevate players new to the series and wont let them kill anywhere close to as easy as in COD or CE-H2.
In order for H4 to be what CE-H3 were and be th number one console FPS it needs a simple shooting mechanism and fast kill times.
-sprint makes kill times longer
-recoil makes basic shooting all the more difficult for beginners in a game where you already need to land WAAAAYYYY more shots than other FPS. recoil makes sense on autos due to the number of bullets still hitting, it also makes sense in COD where a short burst is all you need. But its not needed in a game that already takes much longer to kill. this increase in length will frustrate new and casual gamers and restrict the formation of love for H4.
just look at reach, has longest kill times in halo = least popular/dominant halo
CE&H2&COD fast kill times and simple shooting mechanism = juggernauts of thier eras
so yeh im calling it now, H4 wont get halo its throne, halo will just become a niche game. Atleast thats my theory.
I agree for the most part, especially with fast kill times. Gamers want to kill and quickly when it comes to matchmaking. Halo 1 had really quick kill times and although Halo 2 slowed the pace down, it’s still quite fast compared to Halo 3 and Reach. Shooting should be simplistic. I know for the BR, 343i is aiming to compensate for the BR’s strength by slapping recoil on it but it isn’t necessary. Simply make the gun challenging to shoot with low aim assist and small hitboxes. Better still, if the BR seems too strong, simply make the other weapons stronger too.
The great thing about Halo 1 was that every weapon was powerful in its own situation. The pistol was a great jack of all trades gun but other weapons gave you a better advantage in certain situations. For example, the plasma rife (yes, the plasma rifle) destroys in close range because it ripped shields off quickly and it slowed down the target’s movements (plasma freeze mechanic). The AR is actually a useful weapon up close too, unlike in recent Halos where it can’t hold its own against the BR/DMR. The problem with H2, H3, and Reach is that certain weapons like the BR or DMR are just more powerful than many other weapons in the game no matter the circumstance. They should be more similar to the H1 pistol where they’re still strong guns but depending on the situation, other guns are more advantageous to use.
H1’s balanced sandbox of strong weapons also contributed to its really fast kill times, which was fun for players. 343i should look at H1’s balanced sandbox for inspiration if they haven’t already.