I have just completed my run through of all the games in the build up to halo 4. Playing through the old campaigns allows you to see through the nostalgia and really make an accurate judgement of the experience. Let us know how you would rank them. Here are my thoughts
Halo CE
Great story, great feel. Really stands up today if you play the anniversary addition. The guns are great and feel powerful, although some could tend to dominate. Like the PP in campaign or the Human Pistol in Multiplayer. The multiplayer tended to be all about the pistol which while fun could make the experience very monotonous at times. The maps while still fun, were very basic, with very few vehicle based maps (console version) and some were very dull to look at.
Campaign Story: 9/10
Campaign Gameplay: 9/10
Multiplayer Gameplay: 7.5/10
Multiplayer Maps: 7/10
Average: 8/10
Halo 2
A much more ambitious story that does tend to do too much too quickly but really fleshes out the covenant philosophy and halo universe. The gameplay in the campaign is terrible, playing it after all these years really highlights all its weak points. The dual wielding makes firefights boring, so I tended to stay away from it but instead there is a very limited two handed weapon sandbox and all the weapons feel really weak. The flood missions are a real chore and the amount of wait here and try and survive the flood onslaught sections are frustrating and boring.
However the multiplayer was great! The weapons felt good and the games were really fun. Even if there was a little too much sticky aim and auto aim on the weapons, it was still a big step up from Halo CE. The map selection was brilliant with very fun well crafted maps and some great DLC ones too.
Campaign Story: 8.5/10
Campaign Gameplay: 4/10
Multiplayer Gameplay: 9/10
Multiplayer Maps: 9.5/10
Average: 7.5/10
Halo 3
Playing through Halo 3 straight after Halo 2 recently really made me realise how much more well constructed the campaign gameplay is. The firefights feel engaging due to the improved AI and great weapon sandbox. Equipment really added some cool new tactics to use. The story was similar to Halo 2 in is grand scale, but focusing more on the chief this time. The new lighting and sharper textures were beautiful at launch and still stand up somewhat today.
The multiplayer was similar to Halo 2 but with the addition of equipment and a less forgiving auto aim, BR spread and having to lead your shots. A lot of the maps were very good but not up to Halo 2 standard, however there were some great DLC maps as well as some duds.
Campaign Story: 8.5/10
Campaign Gameplay: 9/10
Multiplayer Gameplay: 9/10
Multiplayer Maps: 9/10
Average: 9/10
Halo ODST
Halo ODST was a strange one in that it wasn’t a whole game and didn’t feature any characters we knew. The story was pretty forgettable if you ask me but I did quite like the noir feel and the new stealth options. Firefight was a good addition but the firefight maps seemed pretty boring, with little in the way of vehicles.
Campaign Story: 6.5/10
Campaign Gameplay: 7.5/10
Firefight Gameplay: 7/10
Average: 7/10
Halo Reach
Halo Reach had a great story that was very human and very tragic, although it tended to jump around too much, and there wasn’t much in the way of characterisation for us to sympathise with the characters. The gameplay was ok, the DMR felt good for head shotting grunts and the space mission where you boarded a covenant vessel was brilliant. The art style was quite dull though and everything felt too depressing.
The multiplayer was a massive disappointment for a number of reasons im sure you all know, bloom, armour lock, grey forge maps, jetpack, slow paced, and frustrating. The maps didn’t help either. The maps shipping with the game were so dull. However the DLC maps were actually pretty decent, its just a shame they removed the ability for us to play them easily in matchmaking.
Campaign Story: 8/10
Campaign Gameplay: 7/10
Multiplayer Gameplay: 5/10
Multiplayer Maps: 3/10
Average: 6/10
Halo 4?
I have no idea what the story will be like. I’ve stayed away from leaks and only seen what is in the trailers. I can’t even fathom a prediction. The gameplay looks to be very fresh and fun but I will reserve judgement till I play through it.
I have played the multiplayer however, and that is a blast! The new load out system should bring a new frsh and exciting experience to the table. All the new guns and redone weapon audio is amazing. The maps shown so far look very promising but we will have to wait and see.
Campaign Story: ?
Campaign Gameplay: ?
Multiplayer Gameplay: 8.5/10?
Multiplayer Maps: 8.5/10?
Average: 8.5/10?
Campaign
Halo CE > Halo 3 > Halo Reach > Halo ODST > Halo 2
Multiplayer
Halo 2 > Halo 3 (= Halo4?) > Halo CE > Halo Reach
Overall
Halo 3 > Halo CE > Halo 2 > Halo ODST > Halo Reach
So where do you think Halo 4 will fall in the grand scheme of things? So far im going to say on a par with Halo 3 for multiplayer at least.