Lengthy but heartfelt.
First, what I think 343 did well.
Campaign:
As far as mechanics and level design go, I think you did a great job. This is by far the most fun (not the “best”) halo campaign to date. I love the open arena battle areas, the flow felt great, I was never bored and never felt like I was repeating anything. Spartan abilities were integrated well.
Multiplayer:
Best MP since Halo 2/3 in my opinion. Everything is very balanced, responsive controls, and I really enjoy the new spartan abilities. I didn’t think I would care for them, but they actually really add a lot of depth to arena. No complaints about multiplayer that cant be fixed with patches and updates.
Narrative/Story:
I actually think Halo 5 has a great story, especially if they are going in the direction I think they are. Thats a conversation for another thread.
Primary Complaints/Criticism
Campaign:
Not the “best,” but definitely the most fun. I never had a “holy crap” moment in Halo 5 with possible the exception of running down the side of the Guardian. Halo 4 hit you with some massive moments in requiem that just didn’t exist in Halo 5. Most lacking feature (besides blue team) was better/more vehicular combat.
Narrative/Story:
I think it was told poorly. The narrative for Halo 5 felt out of place - almost like it was an aside from the greater Halo universe. It didn’t feel directly connected to Halo 4. I’m not sure what the cause of this was, but I think for me it was the lack of Blue Team and forced relationship we were made to have with Osiris (but I do love Fireteam Osiris). The campaign should have been 2-3 more levels longer and focus on Blue Team. I know, easier said than done, but thats just my opinion.
Design/Aesthetics: biggest frustration for me personally
Many probably won’t notice these things, but so many aspects of the game have been modified aesthetically. Things as “small” as the Sangheili jaw structure to the SPANKR rocket launcher. Some of these changes I love, but most of them I hate.
Blanket statement - I’m not against change, just change for the sake of change.
- Elites
- They have been “beefed” up. Go watch the Halo 2 cinematics that were re-done by blur and then take a look at the Halo 5 cinematics. They look like lean, dangerous killers in Halo 2, but in Halo 5 they look like massive fat cows. Prime example - The Arbiter.
Halo 2 Anniversary
http://halo5universe.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/ai3kZNv-1024x640.png
http://halo5universe.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Halo5-ArbiterMCC.jpg
Halo 5
- Spartan Armor
- I’m ok with some of the enw stuff, since this is a massive time of growth and change in the universe, and I understand that the multiplayer armor is for fun and customization, but so much of the armor in Halo 5 looks silly.
- UNSC personelle
-What happened to the green armor? Why this?
http://www.halopedia.org/images/d/dd/Hacksaw_Marines.jpg
Why not this?
- Foreunner Everything
-Forerunner constructs used to be very clean and symmetrical but now they seem to have way more organic and curved lines. The Guardian shown in the first Halo 5 teaser looked much more forerunner than what we got in Halo 5 (if they are precursor, that would make sense).
I have many…many more. But I’ll spare you.
If you only hear one thing from me 343, please hear this. Keep Halo in the same vein as the visceral, realistic blur renditions. Don’t “beef up” or “gears of war” our Halo.
That is all.