Halo 4 : The Aftermath

jeffro235 · April 2, 2013, 10:42am

It been a while since I was on waypoint, things seem a bit less shouty and actually a lot calmer so I thought after a long Hiatus and time to revisit Halo 4 that I would sum up my thoughts about were 343i went wrong…again.Timing seemed perfect after 343i post-mortem of Halo 4.

Oh quick unrelated shout-out: If you haven’t played Bioshock infinite yet then I highly recommend you do, its one of the greatest games of this generation and should be experienced by anyone who is into good game stories.

Okay lets start off with:

Spartan Ops
A couple of months ago if you had told me that 343’s new innovative episodic mode Spartan Ops wasnt really going to be successfull , I probably wouldnt have believed you. I would have argued that following Halo ODST’s,reach’s and even Left4dead’s example 343industries would have actually had a firm grasp on what makes smaller campaigns work and how they can combine with 4 player co-op to create a new multilayer experience. Sadly Spartan ops fell short in so many ways and the odd thing is that some of those ways were done deliberatively.

- They relied too much on the cut scenes for story and characterisation
I get why they might have thought this was a good idea. Segregating most of the story elements to the cutscenes allows writers to quickly change in game dialogue without having to worry too much about gameplay and it allows the designers to quickly change enemy encounters/ chapters without worrying about their impact on the story. But this approach creates a disconnect between the cutscenes and the story.Players need characters who they can play as, play beside and interact with inorder to gain a connection to the story. For example even if you argue that 343i are better story writers, I would wager that a lot of Bungie’s charcters are more memorable than most of the Spartan-4’s because they existed in the story as presented by the cutscenes and the game-play as support characters.
_[/li]- They didnt introduce new enemies and mode mechanics to keep the player invested
- The advantage that episodic games or dlcs have in general is that you can actually add to new weapons , characters, levels and enemies to alleviate player fatigue and introduce combat scenarios previously not seen. Mass effect 3’s multiplayer is a suprisingly good exapmle of this (manditory I hate the ending mention) because Bioware consistantly added new playable classes and enemies. Im not saying Spartan Ops needed to be Mass effect, all Im saying is that it needed a more unique set of mechanics which make it stand out from campaign and multiplayer, and it also needed new enemies and limited lives .*
[/li]- The writing was questionable and sometimes just straight up bad.
- Egghead ?..really?! Who came up with that dialogue? Thankfully the writing got better in the second Half of Spartan Ops but the characters were still stereotypical military jarheads with bland and uninteresting backstories when compared to their Spartan II and III counterparts. Feeding into my first point it would have been interesting to play as a squad mainly composed of the remaining SP-2’s survivors .(Would have made a stronger emotional impact during the missions were we would be to rescue doctor Hasley)
[/li]- The Elites and the Doctor Hasley were largely misused***
A lot of people will probably disagree with me but I thought 343i straight up destroyed any semblance of culture and distinction in the Elites by making the equivalent of ‘Space Al-Qa’ida’.Seriously, the only thing that was missing was the subplot that the Elites had stolen a bunch of nukes then we would have been playing Call of duty: Space edition.Jokes aside the elites given their culture and importance to the Halo universe deserved better treatment than this.As for Doctor Hasley sigh…at this point I kinda hope the Arbiter isnt involved in future Halo titles that way he cant be assassinated by Palmer or something.[/list]
Multiplayer
I am what a lot of people might consider a casual player so I dont really play it that often. In fact the only modes that I disciclty remeber playing in the Halo franchise is Halo 1 ctf, Halo 3 ctf,Halo reach Infection, Rumble Pit and Invasion. So even if I wanted to give my opinion on the matter I would be vastly misinformed.
However if I had to criticize the multiplayer then I would say the lack of small maps, loadouts and a lack of in-game rewards such as Halo 3’s recon armour.
Single Player
Okay I made several threads about the single player and my thoughts on it so these will be short points than anything.
- They played it safe with the gameplay
Okay I know this is unfair after all they had that little climbing mechanic at the start of the game but quite frankly I was suprised at how 343i played safe with Halo 4’s combat. At least Dead space 3 actually took advantage of its setting (in many respects its actually a supirior “Space game”). Im not saying change had to happen nor am I saying that 343i had to innovate but atleast bring something new to the table. Halo 4 was 343i’ chance to prove themselves but they didnt step up to the challenge.
- They used the Terminals as explanations and not expansions of the story
Before people jump on my throat on this point I want you to actually consider the terminals in Halo 3, ODST and CEA and their impact on the ingame story and then compare that to Halo 4’s terminals.Halo 4’s terminals were neeeded as part of the narrative why they were in terminals and whats worse why they were only available on waypoint instead of ingame is beyond me.
- The astheitics were merely there to “look” cool but were empty…devoid of life or meaning
This is a long one, if you want more details hit this thread I made a while back but the jist of the argument is that looking cool isnt gonna cut it for 343I’S story. The reclaimer saga is trying to go for a more personal story delving into the forerunners and the mantle, it is only fair that the Forerunner architecture reflects that.It needs to have a direction, 343i need to convince the player that the world they are fighting on was once home to a super advanced race that could build planets. Pretty 2d sky boxes arent going to do that serious thought into Forerunner society and behavior is. Basically something like this
- [/li]- There really was no need for the Covenent in the campaign and the New Promethean Enemies designs were too limited.*
[/li]- Weapon direction and design suffered because of unified sandbox
- The Loadout system pretty much dictated how all primary and secondary weapons behaved in game. At this point I doubt we’l get a weapon like the needler or the energy sword in the new trilogy. [/list]
- Okay thats that, Im sure by now a lot of people have probably mentioned these problems in some way or form but its nice to revisit your past mistakes so that you can improve on your future.
- Please note that anything that is interpreted as a jab at 343i is not really mearnt to offend in most cases I t should be taken as a light hearted joke but I apologize in advance if I do.*_

UTI_feast · April 2, 2013, 10:47am

343i is probably not going to allow you to mention other games.
When you stated that the community has become calmer you knew that the first thing to do would be to cause these negative topics. Don’t make everyone else have to read your critical comments. Because no one cares. People like you are the ones that start these types of arguments.

Manamoosh · April 2, 2013, 10:53am

Really well written. You’ve convinced me on several points. You don’t seem like a hater either. You gave your careful analysis and didn’t drag on into a negative ramble. Great read. I agree.

There are definitely things for 343i to improve on for halo 5.

jeffro235 · April 2, 2013, 10:55am

> 343i is probably not going to allow you to mention other games.
> When you stated that the community has become calmer you knew that the first thing to do would be to cause these negative topics. Don’t make everyone else have to read your critical comments. Because no one cares. People like you are the ones that start these types of arguments.

Firstly no one made anyone read anything , like a thousand other thread my threads
my thread is essesntially like a stone being thrown into the sea.

And even if my comments on Halo 4 are negative is 343i so insecure that me mentioning them would cause them pain? Is mentioning or recomemnding a good game which I thought people might enjoy so damning?
The truth is this thread like many werent made out of spite nor out of a place of disrespect but out of looking backing just as 343i looked back at GDC .

Manamoosh · April 2, 2013, 10:55am

> 343i is probably not going to allow you to mention other games.
> When you stated that the community has become calmer you knew that the first thing to do would be to cause these negative topics. Don’t make everyone else have to read your critical comments. Because no one cares. People like you are the ones that start these types of arguments.

The topic is completely constructive.

Blind_Spider_11 · April 3, 2013, 5:39am

I really agree with the SpOPS enemies aspect. Through all 50 missions we didnt experience anything new and exciting except for new maps, that glitched “black knight”, and the gravity changes for the finale.

Stitch_Jones76 · April 3, 2013, 5:52am

> 343i is probably not going to allow you to mention other games.
> When you stated that the community has become calmer you knew that the first thing to do would be to cause these negative topics. Don’t make everyone else have to read your critical comments. Because no one cares. People like you are the ones that start these types of arguments.

Actually a lot of people care. The reason it’s calmer is because so many people quit playing MM and quit coming to waypoint. But there are still some of us like myself who still come on here hoping to get a better game in the future. Peak population 33k, 7+ million people bought this game. It’s been 5 months and they can’t get .05% of the people who bought it online at one time. I weep for the future.

Sliding_Ghost · April 3, 2013, 6:22am

> Spartan Ops

Could care less about that game mode.

> Single Player
> Okay I made several threads about the single player and my thoughts on it so these will be short points than anything.
> - They played it safe with the gameplay
> Okay I know this is unfair after all they had that little climbing mechanic at the start of the game but quite frankly I was suprised at how 343i played safe with Halo 4’s combat. At least Dead space 3 actually took advantage of its setting (in many respects its actually a supirior “Space game”). Im not saying change had to happen nor am I saying that 343i had to innovate but atleast bring something new to the table. Halo 4 was 343i’ chance to prove themselves but they didnt step up to the challenge.
>
> - They used the Terminals as explanations and not expansions of the story
> Before people jump on my throat on this point I want you to actually consider the terminals in Halo 3, ODST and CEA and their impact on the ingame story and then compare that to Halo 4’s terminals.Halo 4’s terminals were neeeded as part of the narrative why they were in terminals and whats worse why they were only available on waypoint instead of ingame is beyond me.
>
> - The astheitics were merely there to “look” cool but were empty…devoid of life or meaning
> This is a long one, if you want more details hit this thread I made a while back but the jist of the argument is that looking cool isnt gonna cut it for 343I’S story. The reclaimer saga is trying to go for a more personal story delving into the forerunners and the mantle, it is only fair that the Forerunner architecture reflects that.It needs to have a direction, 343i need to convince the player that the world they are fighting on was once home to a super advanced race that could build planets. Pretty 2d sky boxes arent going to do that serious thought into Forerunner society and behavior is. Basically something like this
> - [/li]- There really was no need for the Covenent in the campaign and the New Promethean Enemies designs were too limited.**
> [/li]- Weapon direction and design suffered because of unified sandbox*
> - The Loadout system pretty much dictated how all primary and secondary weapons behaved in game. At this point I doubt we’l get a weapon like the needler or the energy sword in the new trilogy. [/list]
[/quote]
Now this is what I’ve been waiting for!!*
> - 1. I agree, the Covies flank more, seem to land hits faster, and are mildly challenging in cqc, but Zealots are the only ones to use an AA and I haven’t seen retreat/crouch/cover behavior at all. I’ve been playing more Reach lately and I’ve seen Elites crouching behind cover even on Easy! And I used to complain about them not doing that.*
> - 2. Good point, I haven’t watched a terminal for 5 months. I have no reason to revisit one.*
> - 3. Yeah I agree, we need to see them in-game as in-game solid/accessible structures. Reach used solid Scarabs in the background of TotS.*
> - 4. I welcome the return of Covies despite their lack of new behaviors. But the Prometheans could use more distinctions.*
> - 5. Possibly. I feel like the Boltshot is completely redundant, it’s probably my least used gun in the Campaign.*
> - In hindsight, I may actually care about discussing Spartan Ops given the nature of this topic, which isn’t blind prejudice.*

Sliding_Ghost · April 3, 2013, 6:34am

> Spartan Ops

Good points but IIRC, for some reason, not a single Campaign dev worked on the first 5 episodes (and even if there was one contribution, it didn’t affect it much). So we can’t really judge the game mode using the first 5 episodes.

So I’ll start from Episode 6. Here we start to see an alliance coming together, Covies working alongside Prometheans, dispersed evenly and sometimes interestingly. But there’s still a lot of enemy scaling for Co-op. On the bright side, we finally see our Spartan featured in a cinematic.

Episode 7 also suffers from the above issue but it still keeps that alliance growing. But in the first chapter, we see the first glimpse of a Campaign structured mission!

Episode 8 wasn’t very memorable to me, I don’t remember much except for a few chapters. But IIRC, this is where the enemy swarms began to reduce. The alliance was getting better.

Episode 9 is where lore hits it’s critical point. I saw a new Promethean rank (probably glitched but I could care less), Sentinels coming to my aid (rejoices), and what’s all this about an Absolute Record? The other chapters were about the same. This is where we started getting more options (like in E7C1). Arguably the best Episode, I enjoyed every chapter of it. Episode 10 let me down initially but this made up for it.

Episode 10, despite feeling like a return to Episode 6, was much more bearable and replayable due to featuring some new environments and pretty big engagements (but manageable).

RUL_MonkeyxMoo · April 3, 2013, 8:31am

Am I one of the only hardcore Halo players that like most of the changes. I am only not a fan of the DMR being OP and the boltshot’s shotgun feature. I loved Spartan Ops and the fact that you have to read the books and use of media sources to understand the game’s storyline more. The campain was amazing. I am sure the Didact will return. Also the Prometehans are a great new feature. Digitized ancient humans that fight off the Flood and other threats. Sounds like a cool new addiotion to me. The asteitics were AMAZING even if there was no life I was blown away by it all. Overall I think Halo 4 is one of the best Halo games ever made. Also there are SO many unlocks for armor it’s not even funny. You just complete the commendations and get new armor or skins. I still have half of the armory to unlock and I am max rank. I am just waiting for CSR and Castle map pack to come out. Speaking of DLC you said that is is meant to -Yoink- new content. Ever notice that we only get new maps gametypes and forge items? That’s becuase that’s all Halo’s coding allows. We may get the pelican or broadsword ported to War Games but nothing new like a falcon or pelican. Also new or old returning weapons will not happen. Best we can get is new skin.

Sliding_Ghost · April 3, 2013, 9:23am

> Ever notice that we only get new maps gametypes and forge items? That’s becuase that’s all Halo’s coding allows. We may get the pelican or broadsword ported to War Games but nothing new like a falcon or pelican. Also new or old returning weapons will not happen. Best we can get is new skin.

Avalanche had a modified Hornet.

They could probably duplicate a Banshee, tweak it, and give it an UNSC skin, and most people wouldn’t know.

Claymore155 · April 3, 2013, 3:11pm

> 343i is probably not going to allow you to mention other games.
> When you stated that the community has become calmer you knew that the first thing to do would be to cause these negative topics. Don’t make everyone else have to read your critical comments. Because no one cares. People like you are the ones that start these types of arguments.

If you don’t constructively discuss these things and let these problems go away quietly, there will be no basis by which the company (343i) can see what we do/don’t want. OP is not attacking 343i, he’s voicing his opinion as he should and I applaud him/her for doing so in a constructive manor.

And they did have an episode where the elites stole some nuclear warheads and tried to blow up Infinity. I was actually kind of shocked at how much that story concept fell in line with the CoD fans that 343i expected to come over to Halo. I eventually came back to finish the chapter, but it still made me sad to see that. I know that that 343i had hoped to draw in some of the CoD crowd, but they didn’t have to cater the story to them. That fan base will never come over to Halo because it is Halo, the (formerly) arena style space combat/action shooter.

The number one complaints I’ve heard from CoD fans (as in the main fall back attack on any Halo game) was never about Halo’s gameplay or even multiplayer style, but rather it was “aliens” and “power armor.” I hope 343i sees that now and stops catering to these people because they will never want to play anything that carries the name “Halo.”