Its no secret that Halo 5’s story was rather divisive amongst the Halo community. Partly because the marketing hinted at something that was barely touched on in game, and partly because Spartan Locke was pushed to center stage rather than our big green savior.
I regards to that, there are ways that wouldve made that story better, and wouldve allowed players to empathize with Fireteam Osiris, much better than we did. For example, as Locke is characterized as a mission bound, do what it takes, kind of person, he couldve been shown as such, by noting that he doesn’t have a problem with “hunting down” a rogue Spartan, even if it means that puts him at odds with everyone else. He is noted as cunning and mission-focused, so while he may not entirely agree with the task, he knows what is expected of him. That would give him a cold outward personality and motives, but is still bound by his own moral duty.
Vale, as a new Spartan, is trying to prove herself as a great soldier, and in turn, seeks the approval of her superiors. She couldve been what Kat is to Carter- a badass, acrobatic super soldier, who is loyal to her fellow soldiers, even to a fault. They couldve shown/implied that both Locke and Vale completed their Spartan training at the same time and were a badass team together, and that they’ve been a team since thier beginnings in the Spartan Branch.
Buck, and Tanaka couldve taken on the “old hands” role, admiring the Chief, saying the reason why they’re here is because of the Chief; he is their hero. Buck did hint at some aversion to hunting down the Chief, they couldve put more focus on his reluctance to bring John in. He, and Holly couldve been they moral backbone ofthe team, while not blatantly disregarding orders, they couldve questioned the motives of them. Thoughout the first half he couldve said things like he remembered the time the Chief saved his whole team of ODST’s at one point, that he owes Chief a favor or something.
At the pivotal moment where they’re pursing Blue Team on Meridian, maybe Tanaka couldve been injured by a Promethean light rifle, she couldve gone down, forcing Vale, and Buck to stay and help, while Locke still went after them, further example of his mission focus.
Locke gains on Blue Team as they are about to enter the last portal, tackles the Chief before he can step through. Now they have thier fight. Locke, powers up his suit, the glowing conduits on his armor intensify in brightness, disabling his armour’s safety systems. He goes toe-to-toe with the Legendary Spartan. Locke uses his suit’s thrusters to launch his strikes, staggering the Chief, who is more experienced yet surprised at the younger Spartan’s speed and ferocity l.They exchange blows before the Chief sent Locke reeling. He uses his thrusters to stabilized himself before launching himself at John once again. This time, Chief knows what’s coming, he braces, then as Locke comes at him, John uses his own momentum against him, sending Locke flying, where he crashes through a forerunner wall.
Buck manages to catch up to Locke, noticing his armor is at critical limits, tries to pull Locke from engaging the Chief again. Locke strains to get up, alarms in his helmet are blaring, his armor locks down, his vision goes black, as he passes out.
Buck is kneeling next to an unconscious Spartan Locke, he removes the armor restraint from Locke’s chest, nodding to the Chief. He calls to the Chief, saying, “Now we’re even”. Master Chief acknowledges, and steps through the portal.
Throught the rest of the game, Locke could’ve warmed to the idea of the Chief doing the right thing, whereupon he changes their objective to supporting the Chief, as they uncover what’s really going on.
This couldve grounded the characters, fleshed them out and couldve shown some development that wouldve pushed the story along better I think.