I’ve been playing Halo 5 since launch, and while I thoroughly enjoy Warzone, there are many things that I believe could be improved for the next game in the series.
- Map Layout - First off, I think that Warzone could greatly benefit from having larger maps with more bases scattered around. As it stands right now, 95% of the action consists of players running back and forth between three bases in more or less of a straight line. Take Raid on Apex 7 for example. All of the action exists in a line between the three bases at the center of the map, with limited encounters against NPC’s occurring every one in a while. The three base system currently implemented in Warzone, as mentioned above, keeps the action in very controlled areas. There’s no reason to be in any other section of the map because nothing is happening. Half of the map is ignored because there is a lack of anything going on. This could be remedied by having more bases scattered around the map. For example, on Escape from ARC there could be another base added to the area where the Knight Strategos spawns so that there’s a reason for people to actually go over there when there isn’t a boss in play. The same could be said about the beaches on Apex 7. Why aren’t there more bases around the map to keep the action spread out everywhere? There’s really no point in having these huge maps when there’s no action happening in half the areas.
- Bases - Speaking of bases, why do all of the bases have to be these cookie cutter, forge-esque buildings that looked like they were just plopped down? Why can’t the bases be larger and more complex? As it stands now, you basically run into a room and get mowed down. Sure, you can stealth your way in but that really only works if nobody is currently at the base or you’re using a shotgun/active camo combo. The armories, garages, and fortresses/monuments are pretty much all the same: Multi-floored open areas. I think there could be great gameplay improvements if the bases consisted of multiple buildings mixed with tight corridors and open spaces so that players could tactically sneak around and eliminate marines/enemy spartans instead of trying not to get instantly killed by walking into a big, open base as in the current Warzone.
- Map Maneuverability - In the current model of Warzone, the maps seem pretty large upon first glance but are actually fairly restrictive for land vehicles, air vehicles, and even for infantry. The map design consists of random architecture that make it extremely difficult for vehicles (especially large ones like the Wraith and Scorpion) to maneuver. Take March on Stormbreak for example. There are really only a few paths to take with a vehicle: The road from your home base, through the fortress, or through the tunnel. Most other directions have been blocked off by architecture or environmental pieces like rocks and it kills the open feeling that Warzone should have for vehicle combat. The same principle applies to air vehicles. Maps like Stormbreak, Apex 7, and ARC are surrounded by rock/mountains that kills the maneuverability of banshees and phaetons, as well as make it impossible to implement larger vehicles like pelicans, phantoms, or falcons. The maps are too enclosed for those types of vehicles to exist in the game. By removing these unnecessary architectural hindrances, I believe vehicle combat would be much more enjoyable and could even allow for new vehicles (even scarabs) to be implemented in future games.Those are my thoughts surrounding Warzone and how it could be improved in future Halo titles. Please let me know what you think of my ideas or add on to what I’ve said. Thanks for reading!