[Cross-Posted]
I’ve been thinking recently about the concept of a potential spinoff Halo game/series. More specifically, a role-playing-styled Halo. Now, I know this has been talked about numerous times before, and even more recently, since Halo: Infinite, with it’s supposedly vast landscape and large focus on the wildlife of Zeta Halo, is well on its way with a release date as soon as Holiday 2020.Now, I’ve been playing Fallout 4 recently, with some mods to make my character more spartan-like. Halo armour mods, cheat terminals to make my character taller, jump higher, etc. Mainly, I’m just mentioning this because this is how I developed the idea, not so much that I would like a Fallout copy with a Halo skin, or something. I started thinking about the future of Halo and how a new spinoff might be very much welcomed by fans that recently have felt that Master Chief’s story, as amazing and ICONIC of a character he is, needs to come to an end eventually.Now, I’m not saying that we should REPLACE the long-running John-117 story arc with a similar, yet technically different genre, but have it more as a side story, much like the Halo Wars series or Reach. While they slowly lay to rest the story of our favourite badass super soldier, they could potentially have a side game taking place in a gap in which we have yet to see, at least in the games.Imagine this. Between 2558 (Halo 5) and, presumably, 2561 (Halo Infinite), Cortana has used the power of the Guardians to EMP the vast majority of technology within the bounds of Earth’s numerous colonies (including the home planets of the covenant’s species, I’d imagine, such as Sanghelios), leaving humans and most other species without power or tech. This creates a sense of hopelessness and strife for those affected. So what if we saw an open world, Halo-styled FPS with RPG elements. I think it would work quite well personally. A lot of people, including lore enthusiasts and Halo youtubers like the idea of an open world Halo game, but what if it were more so open world than we’ve ever seen. More similar to a Bethesda title, with a Halo twist.As for the story, really, it could go in any direction. My idea is, from the perspective of a Spartan-III Head Hunter duo squad, you are on a mission on one of the outer colonies, hunting an insurrectionist faction leader, along with another squad mate (could work similar to Halo 3 with Arbiter being optional between companion or 2nd player, depending on if you are playing alone). As you are getting into position to undergo the assassination, A pulse of energy surges throughout the area, shutting down all local technology, including your comms and Mjölnir systems (meaning no shielding, your partner loses ranged verbal contact with you, limited HUD, etc.). Your targets scatter, as they believe they’ve been engaged by UNSC/ONI operators (which they had, technically, just not yet). With no other option, you regroup with your partner, and mutually agree that your best course of action is to get to the closest Comms Relay Tower, the only location within walking distance that may still have a working backup generator, and sufficient contact equipment. Your only bet at contacting the UNSC or ONI. In comes the First Mission in which you and your partner find their way in a vast open world with a general direction in which to head, per mission, but with other minor tasks to be done, and exclusive items to find to add to your multiplayer arsenal.The main focus on combat is against small squads of Insurrectionist footsoldiers. Some of which harder due to armour levels (stolen UNSC gear or even turned Spartan-IVs, which are, in fact, canon to exist), and occasionally post-covenant factions that remain on the planet. I thought having the main threat be a pre-human-covenant war enemy of the UNSC was an interesting idea that is very apparent in the novels, but has yet to be seen in the games.Keep in mind that this still is a Halo game, so think less of a Fallout or even Destiny clone. Think more 'Halo with a larger overworld, less linear missions, and more focus on exploration.Let me know what you guys think of this concept and if you have any ideas to add, feel free. Thanks guys, and happy hunting!