These are of course all my opinions and interpretations, I am in no way dictating what every player thinks or wants
Over the past few days I have been very elated with the Halo MCC news and of course the small bit on Halo 5 and it’s beta. And I’m really excited for this beta considering they are having us interact with builds that are a year before the release versions. Meaning there can be critical changes to the game itself if need be.
I am personally wishing for a more roots approach, but of course some new innovation in this next chapter’s MP. Mostly I’m wanting this game to have it’s mainstream multiplayer do away with loadouts(still in game, but not as widespread), stick to static power weapon spawns and make power ups pick up orientated. Halo has always been an arena shooter at heart, but I fear with H:R and H4 it has suffered somewhat of identity crisis. It’s this core of Halo I’m truly concerned about, it’s basic philosophy that keeps Halo identifying as Halo. And to me if we keep these core ideas intact and innovate around them instead of infringing we will be for the most part flying straight.
So I say the best approach for Halo 5 is to embrace it’s arena nature, where our playstyles are not determined by our class, but how we choose to play after spawning in. The arena shooter is fading and I think Halo should hold it’s ground. To lead by an example that it’s still a great genre and inspire other devs that they do deserve more love.
And writing this at 5 AM, this might be a little incoherent at some parts, sorry, will fix
Halo has really no other choice than to reprise its arena roots. Otherwise there’s no reason for anyone to play it or new players to be drawn into it because there’s a multitude of games that better cater to the style of casual FPS that H4 tried to emulate.
SAs are not something that i’m really bargaining for. If they can prove to be MUCH LESS game breaking than their origins (AAs), then i won’t mind it. What i will mind though is if instant respawn, and flinch is back. I think its quite clear that 343i haven’t scrapped the Infinity concept. Whether that means they will draw complete inspiration from Halo 4, is quite likely. They say they are going back to arena style gameplay, but SAs kind of put a dent in that philosophy.
343 obviously knows that they need to go back to Halo’s Arena Shooter ways, and the trailer states that it will bring it back, I am excited for the new Spartan Abilities and can see them easily being less game breaking than the AA’s of the previous two titles.
Only time will tell, and this time, we have a beta to make sure they don’t mess up.
> Only time will tell, and this time, <mark>we have a beta to make sure they don’t mess up.</mark>
I seem to recall a game called Halo: Reach which also contained a beta…
> > Only time will tell, and this time, <mark>we have a beta to make sure they don’t mess up.</mark>
>
> I seem to recall a game called Halo: Reach which also contained a beta…
I just can’t put my finger on why I enjoyed the Reach beta so much but not the full game’s multiplayer.
> > Only time will tell, and this time, <mark>we have a beta to make sure they don’t mess up.</mark>
>
> I seem to recall a game called Halo: Reach which also contained a beta…
But that was made by Bungie who were in the ‘we can do no wrong’ phase of game creation. They’d just come of Halo 3 (and ODST) which was received very well.343 is coming off Halo 4 which, whilst it sold well, had a clearly unhealthy multiplayer drop off rate.
The Spartan Abilities are the only point of contention for me, it’s hard to say how they’ll affect the game. Then again I’d also like to know if they’re bringing equipment back, considering AA’s are gone and having neither would make the game a bit less interesting.
> I just can’t put my finger on why I enjoyed the Reach beta so much but not the full game’s multiplayer.
Probably because the final build of the game took out a -Yoink- load of things that the beta got right…What a shame. To think community feedback matters.
> > I just can’t put my finger on why I enjoyed the Reach beta so much but not the full game’s multiplayer.
>
> Probably because the final build of the game took out a Yoink! load of things that the beta got right…What a shame. To think community feedback matters.
In order for feedback to matter, it has to actually be there, and because of fans adoring and never faltering love for Bungie, there was no actual feedback, just praise. As stated in a post before, Bungie was in a state of absolute praise, they could do whatever they wanted and get away with it, and they did. People still throw the monkey wrenches at 343 for what Reach started, when 343 just continued it because, once again, there wasn’t anybody truly saying no to what Reach did, just a small amount of people, rather than a large amount like those who actually liked Reach.
This beta, which has been confirmed to be earlier so that it can help shape the overall game in the end, is here for feedback, it is given with the MC Collection so that Halo fans, new and old, can give their overall opinion of the game in it’s beta state.
Once again, this requires people to ACTUALLY give their feedback, and not just sit around thinking the developers will just read their minds and do what they want.
> But that was made by Bungie who were in the ‘we can do no wrong’ phase of game creation. They’d just come of Halo 3 (and ODST) which was received very well.
I think it had more to do with giving the middle finger ti MS, but thats another matter altogether.
> 343 is coming off Halo 4 which, whilst it sold well, had a clearly unhealthy multiplayer drop off rate.
Indeed, something that they couldn’t care to admit this time last year (GDC Panel anyone?)
> The Spartan Abilities are the only point of contention for me, it’s hard to say how they’ll affect the game. Then again I’d also like to know if they’re bringing equipment back, considering AA’s are gone and having neither would make the game a bit less interesting.
Agreed. But this is why i am having the thought that SAs are meant to be exactly that…The answer to AAs. Maybe they will be reverting back to equipment and SAs are simply inspiration that 343i drew from Destiny.
> Once again, this requires people to ACTUALLY give their feedback, and not just sit around thinking the developers will just read their minds and do what they want.
Really? Not enough people gave actual feedback for Reach? Wasn’t Reach the most hated game in the franchise before Halo 4? I’m pretty sure feedback was given to some degree. I know that this beta is intended for feedback, but how much of that is going to apply to the mechanics. Frankie didn’t say it was specifically for cycling around with the mechanics, did he? Lets just all agree that we don’t know enough about the game to formulate definitive judgements, but as of yet, i remain on the fence.