Halo beta notes 1 on XSX
1.General
When playing with a group, the fireteam member counter above your nameplate is inconsistent and oftentimes incorrect
The HCS opening was not advertised in game. I only found the stream on YT by chance. I’d like to know when i can tune in when logging into the game. A subtle indicator like a red recording light next to an HCS logo would be enough.
When launching the game via quick resume there is an issue running multiplayer. I’ve rebooted the client to correct the issue.
I believe everyone is on the same page with regards to a career progression system.
I’d like to see consecutive match bonuses, win bonuses and playing with friends bonuses.
2.Store/customization
The storefront is easily found and easily accessible.
When making my first $50 purchase of credits, the game prompted me that the transaction was not successful and should be tried again. After trying again, the game prompted me with the same error message. I took it upon myself to reset my client and found that both transactions were successful. This error message should be updated to not encourage players to retry transactions. (I am content with both purchases and am not seeking reimbursement.)
The battlepass is neither impressive nor disappointing. I am confused as to why certain parts of the Noble team armors are not available outside of the armor kits (like Carter’s shoulder guard). There are currently not enough items in the battlepass, paid or free, for any spartan to feel completely unique. Consolidating shoulders and emblems/stickers would allow for more unique items to be added to the battlepass.
The fracture event is a bit of a let down. I don’t value XP grants very heavily and seeing so many as rewards in the event lowers the value of the event as a whole. I was surprised to not see the helmet that was shown off as part of the event not appear in the event pass at all. I do, however, enjoy the fact that the event launched with a game-type. I’d love to see these make more connections (ie a sports theme with grifball or a haz-op theme with infection)
Challenges are okay. I don’t mind most of them aside from when they dictate what game modes i need to play. I’d like to see more general types of challenges like kills/headshots with UNSC/banished/sentinel weapons or explosive/kinetic/shock/plasma kills.
Armor coatings and armor attachments do not interact and can make some attachments look out of place.
When customizing your spartan you cannot zoom in and out to see your entire spartan when trying on new armor.
Some store bundles are unnecessary. A player who wants a chibi elite emblem has no need for additional emblems beyond the elite. Additionally, I’d like to see some items sold separately for a lower cost (i was dissuaded from purchasing the knife set because i only wanted one knife on my spartan, purchasing 2 of them was the only option.)
I expected more out of weapon models. Please make them more unique than just a different muzzle. Whether it is a drastic redesign of the weapon or a different firing/reloading sound or even tracer rounds/ colored explosions, i would be way more interested in acquiring a weapon model that changed my experience with each weapon.
I would like to see emblems and stickers not be unlocked separately. I would like to assume if I have an emblem, then i can also apply the sticker of it to any weapon/vehicle. The same can also be said for weapon coatings, shoulder pads and (if applicable) visors and armor coatings. It looks too repetitive and uninteresting to see the same item reappear in a battlepass/event/store bundle. For instance, the Judgement Phoenix kill effect is only unlocked once but I expect it to apply to any weapon in the weapon bench.
If armor coatings and weapon coatings cannot be shared across armor cores or weapons respectively, please create symbols or some indication of which armor core/weapon it can be applied to.
3.Gameplay
Game ran smoothly throughout launch. No server issues for me whatsoever. Well done.
4.Sound
No further comment
5.Settings feedback
In training mode, the font is very thin and difficult to read when adjusting settings. When it is black on white. Please consider making this font bold.
6.Weapons
Most of the added weapons function as expected.
The ravager seems to have been nerfed since tech preview. It seems a bit too weak and is not as fun as anticipated.
The stalker rifle is very fun to play with. It may need to fire fewer shots before demanding a cooldown.
I am still on the side of the sensor dart should do more. Like you mentioned in your update, info is a huge advantage in halo. Typically, my team is coordinated enough where callouts are all that I need. The sensor dart does little in addition to callouts. I believe that the dart should be able to tell me info that i cannot get from a teammate with eyes on a target. A larger range or a smaller cooldown would be welcome. For example, I feel a well placed dart on the palm tree on bazaar should flush out the entire room.
The thruster is great and i enjoy seeing its return. Only suggestion is to allow for momentum to be carried after the thrust. This would enable thrust slides and more creative plays. I do think this would be fair as you can currently grapple slide. Also, it has a longer cooldown and shorter range than the grappleshot.
I think the commando should have a lower skill floor but maintain its peak performance. One less body shot for a kill would make it better.
You cannot currently grappleshot successfully while charging the plasma pistol.
7.Maps
Was very happy to see original maps for multiplayer. Excited to see more!
On btb, the pelicans dropping off a gungoose or rockethog is a bit disappointing. Getting into a tank or aircraft seems nearly impossible. Please increase the power ratings of pelican drops to add to the chaos of btb.
8.Bots
Quick play bots are not helpful at all and oftentimes feed the enemy team. Please consider increasing their difficulty to ODST or removing them.
9.Hopes and Dreams
The game plays great. I hope that the game evolves over time through customization, game types, maps, weapons and community interactions. Glhf!