Dear 343i, I would like to shed some light on what I think you guys could and should do to revive Halo back to what it once was.
I was hopeful about Halo Reach at first. I preordered and got it the day it came out. I played for about 3 months straight every day, and with NO issues or criticisms toward the game. I wasnt the type of person who complained about how “overpowered” the armor lock was, or how bloom affected the game… it really didnt matter to me. I adapted pretty well for those first 3 months I believe. But then, one day in early January/February something hit me, and I thought to myself…what am I playing for?
This may sound lame, but the numbers beside your gamertag mean a lot guys. The Halo 3 highest skill system is what made a lot of players attached to the game. They gave players a sense of actually working for something. Yes, trying to get the rank you wanted was a pain in the a**, and sometimes boosters and derankers were aggravating and made you hate the game. Myself, I went through the whole deal numerous times, and there were many occasions when I wanted to throw my controller at the TV screen.
But when you think about it, wasnt it SO worth it overrall?
Determination…perseverance…skill…time… all of this was neccesary in order to fulfill the ultimate goal of reaching as high of a skill level as possible for the average player. The highest skill system was beneficial to keeping a lot of players hooked and determined to keep playing. 343i, you have the chance to bring highest skill back for Halo 4.
Also, as if the highest skill rating wasnt enough… there also existed back in the Halo 3 the “EXP system” where players were awarded a point per win. The system was ruined with double EXP weekends of course (please 343i, NEVER make an equivalent in Halo 4), but originally players were only awarded one point at all times. In my opinion EXP was an accurate counter of how much a player won compared to how much they played. Of course this isnt neccesary in determining a players skill neccesarily, but it helps give an overall idea. 343i, you have the opportunity to bring EXP back into Halo 4.
Challenges in Reach was a cool idea and all, but sometimes they are just too damn easy and not challenging at all. A few days ago there was one where you had to kill 10 moa or something. My brother beat it and got practically free CR in about 10 minutes. That is not what a challenge should be. A challenge should be something like “earn a running riot in team slayer” … something challenging like that where not EVERYONE is going to get it and therefore there is more sense of achievement. Credits for a large variety of helmets and armor effects was a cool idea too, but in Halo 4 DO NOT make CR go toward rank! EXP works a lot better going toward rank because it makes sense that players should have to win the same amount of games to get to a certain rank grade wise. Unlike in Reach, where you can rank up faster than another player regardless of how much you win. 343i, you have the opportunity to keep credits and challenges for Halo 4, but only if you follow my other opinions based on them.
Battle rifle battle rifle battle rifle… love or hate it, im sure a lot more players prefer the good ol BR over the DMR. Add a poll for this one asking what the community prefers 343i… if you care about the community you will listen to what we say. Also, remove uneccesary weapons such as the plasma repeater, grenade launcher, etc. They add nothing special to the game.
I will not talk about AA’s as I do not feel anything toward them. I will be perfectly happy regardless of whether 343i adds them to H4 or not.
And this is something I am just going to throw in for good measure… everything said above is essential, below is just a list of my greedy wants for H4. (no comments needed, i just wanna be wishful).
- Valhalla, aka greatest BTB map of all time (DO NOT CHANGE A THING!!!)
- 3rd installment of Last Resort/Zanzibar (another great map)
- Sandtrap remake
- Firefight!!! (adds something else to do if you get bored with MM)
- Actual achievements. (like the “two for one” in H3…provides even more reason to play)
- Custom games finder
- Add Spartan Laser to more maps and make it similar to the H3 laser, not Reach laser.
I will add more later if I think anything up… fates in your hands 343i…
I mean there is deffinately hope!