How would you rather see Halo evolve?

Games Halo Infinite
1

I’ll get it out of the way quick - I’m personally a fan of fast paced gameplay. I did grow up with 3 and Reach but sprint, clamber and other ‘advanced movement’ is just more fun for me these days. However I appreciate that everyone has different tastes, and especially for older players who grew up with the original trilogy and miss the gameplay from those titles since most modern shooters are very fast paced.

On the other hand, I rarely ever see anyone suggest ways on how 343 actually should move the franchise forward. It’s like people hate any change brought to the franchise but can’t think of any alternatives to freshen up the game. And the gameplay has to change without question, or else it becomes stale. They might as well save money and just update CE’s graphics every 3-4 years.

And as nostalgic as it is to look back and think of “the good old days”, Bungie did introduce radical changes as well. Dual wielding was a major change from CE to 2, and Halo 3 was when abilities were first introduced to the franchise. ODST experimented with a less linear story structure, too. They didn’t stick to CE’s gameplay for all of their games.

So while I can see why 343’s change of direction angered many fans, what would you guys propose instead for changes to the gameplay? Assuming Infinite is coming out after 3/ODST and the other games from Reach onwards were never made.

2

Honestly?
I like the course we are on. I to this day still LOVE the old Halo games, and the feeling of playing them is something i cannot quite describe.
But… that feeling also belongs with those particular games, as i have my eyes set on progress, and not regression. Halo 4 and 5 were both great, not quite like 1-3 and Reach but they had their own charm which i loved as well. However Infinite so far, has me impressed because the reveal itself, gave me the chills which i had not felt since Reach getting shown at E3 back in the day.

Honestly i wanna let 343 continue this path, i wanna see where they can go and how Infinite can evolve in their hands.

3

> 2535470196436571;1:
> However I appreciate that everyone has different tastes, and especially for older players who grew up with the original trilogy and miss the gameplay from those titles since most modern shooters are very fast paced.

You seem to be under a false impression. Classic fans want faster gameplay. Sprint does not do that because you can only use it outside of combat.

> 2535470196436571;1:
> On the other hand, I rarely ever see anyone suggest ways on how 343 actually should move the franchise forward.

Ahem.

> 2533274795123910;1:
> Now of course, these offer new ways of playing in how we’ve been playing before.However, here’s some newer stuff:
> -Recharging health based on stored biofoam.
> -Multigravitation and Zero-gravity
> -Modular promethean weapons, pick up modules and get different weapon effects.
> -Secondary fire mode for Covenant/Banished weapons, think plasma pistol normal and charged fire.
> -Alternative fire mode for Human weapons.
> -wall jumping
> -Portals utilised in different ways, portals as in the Portal game.
> -Equipment as a special grenade instead of its own mechanic.
> -New types of map transportation utilities, such as arms grabbing players and transporting them along a specific route.
> -Interactivity on the maps, especially multiplayer maps.
> -Campaign special difficulty using learning AI which learn from all connected players on the difficulty, and which learn how to do better, reset at intervals in order to not become too difficult.
> -Mulyiplayer bots learning how a player behaves and plays, which can take over if that player drop for some reason.

> 2535470196436571;1:
> And the gameplay has to change without question, or else it becomes stale.

I disagree with this statement as well. There are countless ways to avoid franchise fatigue without mutating the gameplay beyond the point of recognizability.
The obvious ones are to change weapons, vehicles, enemies, creative map design, etc.

One of my favorite video game sequels of all time was Golden Sun - The Lost Age. It literally uses the same code as the first one, they just kept programming more stuff; more enemies, more summons, more locations, more characters, etc.; to the point that you could literally just keep playing with the same savegame. (Yes, save file transfer was a thing before Mass Effect or The Witcher.)
And it was a godsend.

Personally, I am still playing the original Halo trilogy as well, to this day. Not just once a year, but every week at least once. Never got tired of the gameplay so far.

> 2535470196436571;1:
> Bungie did introduce radical changes as well. Dual wielding was a major change from CE to 2, and Halo 3 was when abilities were first introduced to the franchise.

And where is dual wielding now?
Removed, because it didn’t work.
Just like bloom. Just like loadouts.
If something doesn’t work, it’s okay to remove it.
You don’t have to shoehorn in specific mechanics just to force change upon a franchise.

4

I don’t think many people will agree with me here but I’d actually love to see a soft reboot of Halo with a complete gameplay overhaul similar to how God of War did it. It use to be almost a top down hack and slash game but they turned it into an epic explorative puzzle RPG.

I’d love to see an RPG style Halo where you start out with a man who can barely deal with a single grunt or two. Barely escaping with his life. As you go on your journey helping other humans and aliens in a covenant dominated planet, you gain access to better weapons and armour. Would throw in some hand to hand combat options and melee weapons. Build up to more enemies, more powerful enemies and better guns. The game could make quite grandiose encounters with enemies like Hunters and Scarabs. Really make you work your way onto the Scarab in a grand fashion. Could even save a grunt and have him as your side kick.

The final reveal for me would be to have him make it home and have finally have built the strength to be able to put on his grandfather’s armour, Mark VI. Use this to take down the final main big bad.

A large portion of difficult Halo faces is trying to tell a narrative with its current gameplay. Most interesting things have to happen in cutscenes or are part of chaotic gameplay which makes it more difficult to drink in the world. A completely new style Halo game would be awesome.

5

I liked the evolution it took in 5.

I just wish it was as inspired as 4 and it would be the perfect Halo IMO.

6

[deleted]

7

> 2535470196436571;1:
> I’ll get it out of the way quick - I’m personally a fan of fast paced gameplay. I did grow up with 3 and Reach but sprint, clamber and other ‘advanced movement’ is just more fun for me these days. However I appreciate that everyone has different tastes, and especially for older players who grew up with the original trilogy and miss the gameplay from those titles since most modern shooters are very fast paced.
>
> On the other hand, I rarely ever see anyone suggest ways on how 343 actually should move the franchise forward. It’s like people hate any change brought to the franchise but can’t think of any alternatives to freshen up the game. And the gameplay has to change without question, or else it becomes stale. They might as well save money and just update CE’s graphics every 3-4 years.
>
> And as nostalgic as it is to look back and think of “the good old days”, Bungie did introduce radical changes as well. Dual wielding was a major change from CE to 2, and Halo 3 was when abilities were first introduced to the franchise. ODST experimented with a less linear story structure, too. They didn’t stick to CE’s gameplay for all of their games.
>
> So while I can see why 343’s change of direction angered many fans, what would you guys propose instead for changes to the gameplay? Assuming Infinite is coming out after 3/ODST and the other games from Reach onwards were never made.

That’s the thing. Games dont have to evolve if they got it right.

8

Infinite is exactly what I wanted it to be, obviously I want the graphics and lighting to improve before launch but other than that, we are spot on.

9

To people saying Halo doesn’t need to evolve: So basically you’re saying that we should take the CoD route… release the same game every year but with different weapons/maps. It’s ironic that people keep complaining about 343 trying to make Halo more like CoD, when in reality keeping Halo the same would make it even more like CoD.

10

> 2535470196436571;1:
> And the gameplay has to change without question, or else it becomes stale. They might as well save money and just update CE’s graphics every 3-4 years.

CE’s 20th anniversary is coming up next year. Maybe we’ll get a Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary Anniversary! /s

11

I’d go classic gameplay but add clamberable surfaces, ledges and poles for wall hanging and clambering at the expense of combat readyness. These routes would be exposed and have alternatives for those who trick jump to make for a larger skill gap but faster pace of play for all. Up base speed but add water and zero g to new level design. Perhaps having some levels lose atmosphere or flood to reuse assets and change arena flow. Underwater would make plasma weapons inoperable and slow player speed to a more ce 3 level. Allowing the PR to have a good stun and for tracking weapons to have time and place power play. Situational sandbox elements are my focus. Equipment with one off tactical uses and limited use AAs that augment movement as pick ups. An odst mode for campaign and mp.
Gravity Wells, conveyerbeslts, gauss cannons, grav rails, portals and moving or changing geometry such as pre mentioned flooding to create unique map specific engagements and variety. But like smash bros the core system of play is basic and accessible as per halos party game roots. Smaller weapon sandbox more focus.
Weapon utilities for example the promethean weapon sandbox. LR ads has stabalise, SB being a sniper ups jump height and ads provides promethean vision on tagged enemies. The bolt shot is a hybrid of 4 and 5s the multi purpose side arm, the surpressor would have projectiles that split up becoming less deadly at range but providing massive spread so its an actual crowd control anti infection form weapon. But once you unload a large burst of rounds ads let’s you hone in on a single target as long as you aren’t descoped by enemy fire. These big surpressor round flocs can be shot at to reduce impact and coordinated teams can use it as mortar fire or AA.
Promethean given specific roles and knights now are tethered to either a watcher defensive with trophy system and shield. A speaker that creates turrets boost damage of weakened knights, and listener provides active camo and healing to units. All suppost units watcher speaker and listener drop related equipment but can revive their tethered knight if the player pops the soul being revived they are rewarded for the harder option with an old school over shield, damage boost, speed boost ect. Bursting enemy ai shields with a melee returns some shield to the player in return. Crawlers attack in organised packs with a lead alpha suppressor varient flanked by bolt shot betas that charge in close quarters. Dispatching a large group using a power weapon is easy but dispatching the alpha leads to the standard melee only crawlers to go erratic and climb around circling players aggressively uncoordinated. Up the reaction in animation of all enemies and bring back all the species of prior titles. Add a system that allows the use of map elements to reach terminal velocity where spartan charge/superpunch, super slide and higher jump heights can be done but is limited by skill and level design not an inherent trait. Slippy surfaces and bounce pads. Have forerunner geometry light up and come alive/hover when the player or enemies is nearby providing tactical info while creating more atmosphere and wonder in the forerunner architecture. More map interaction with switches to open airlocks move platforms ect. Introduce large interesting reactive bosses that can be used for coop modes. Have an option to play as other factions and units in battles that run parallel to the main missions with these bottles letting players command marines amd grunts in large scale online fights between a small amount of players leading ai forces in campaign inspired skirmishes. Return the ordinance drop and even add limited forge options to add reinforcement domination style defense segments that could be a basis for expanded firefight outsode of the campaign. A revamped Spartan ops because it was just a little underbaked. A hub on infinity. Pick up jackals and grunts as meat shield that gib. Add some puzzle elements to break up the old flick a switch mission. Structure. Optional objectives such civilian. Rescue and asset recovery. More advanced enemies ai tactics like 2 elites charge single file you pop the firsts shield so it drops deplorable cover but the second uses a grav lift to leapfrog over with its energy sword. Brutes using headlight shields in a roman army/legionary formation. Duel wielding to return with a emphasis on weapon combos eg reloading an over heated PR in your off hand and a melee in your main with a spiker timed correctly super heats the bayonets and results in a plasma stab. Add more level specific coop characters and some emotes to create a more immersive Canon coop alongside classic coop mode.

12

> 2533274793248262;7:
> > 2535470196436571;1:
> > I’ll get it out of the way quick - I’m personally a fan of fast paced gameplay. I did grow up with 3 and Reach but sprint, clamber and other ‘advanced movement’ is just more fun for me these days. However I appreciate that everyone has different tastes, and especially for older players who grew up with the original trilogy and miss the gameplay from those titles since most modern shooters are very fast paced.
> >
> > On the other hand, I rarely ever see anyone suggest ways on how 343 actually should move the franchise forward. It’s like people hate any change brought to the franchise but can’t think of any alternatives to freshen up the game. And the gameplay has to change without question, or else it becomes stale. They might as well save money and just update CE’s graphics every 3-4 years.
> >
> > And as nostalgic as it is to look back and think of “the good old days”, Bungie did introduce radical changes as well. Dual wielding was a major change from CE to 2, and Halo 3 was when abilities were first introduced to the franchise. ODST experimented with a less linear story structure, too. They didn’t stick to CE’s gameplay for all of their games.
> >
> > So while I can see why 343’s change of direction angered many fans, what would you guys propose instead for changes to the gameplay? Assuming Infinite is coming out after 3/ODST and the other games from Reach onwards were never made.
>
> That’s the thing. Games dont have to evolve if they got it right.

That’s not true at all, unless you’re one of those people that enjoys the exact same things until the end of time. I like things to be freshened up.

13

Campaign:

  1. Large open areas ripe for exploration

  2. Intelligent AI - Opponents who learn how the player behaves and adjusts accordingly. To make this more interesting, we could limit certain behaviors to specific species or factions.

Examples: Snipers not only try to shoot the player, but actually alert other units to the players presence.

Enemy search parties roaming the map.

Brutes that can smell you if you are upwind of them.

  1. Dynamic Weather

  2. Interactive / Destructible Environments

14

> 2533274793248262;7:
> > 2535470196436571;1:
> > I’ll get it out of the way quick - I’m personally a fan of fast paced gameplay. I did grow up with 3 and Reach but sprint, clamber and other ‘advanced movement’ is just more fun for me these days. However I appreciate that everyone has different tastes, and especially for older players who grew up with the original trilogy and miss the gameplay from those titles since most modern shooters are very fast paced.
> >
> > On the other hand, I rarely ever see anyone suggest ways on how 343 actually should move the franchise forward. It’s like people hate any change brought to the franchise but can’t think of any alternatives to freshen up the game. And the gameplay has to change without question, or else it becomes stale. They might as well save money and just update CE’s graphics every 3-4 years.
> >
> > And as nostalgic as it is to look back and think of “the good old days”, Bungie did introduce radical changes as well. Dual wielding was a major change from CE to 2, and Halo 3 was when abilities were first introduced to the franchise. ODST experimented with a less linear story structure, too. They didn’t stick to CE’s gameplay for all of their games.
> >
> > So while I can see why 343’s change of direction angered many fans, what would you guys propose instead for changes to the gameplay? Assuming Infinite is coming out after 3/ODST and the other games from Reach onwards were never made.
>
> That’s the thing. Games dont have to evolve if they got it right.

What was right 20 years ago may not be right presently.

15

> 2533274824095836;2:
> Honestly?
> I like the course we are on. I to this day still LOVE the old Halo games, and the feeling of playing them is something i cannot quite describe.
> But… that feeling also belongs with those particular games, as i have my eyes set on progress, and not regression. Halo 4 and 5 were both great, not quite like 1-3 and Reach but they had their own charm which i loved as well. However Infinite so far, has me impressed because the reveal itself, gave me the chills which i had not felt since Reach getting shown at E3 back in the day.
>
> Honestly i wanna let 343 continue this path, i wanna see where they can go and how Infinite can evolve in their hands.

Could not have said it better.

16

> 2533274801472802;5:
> I liked the evolution it took in 5.
>
> I just wish it was as inspired as 4 and it would be the perfect Halo IMO.

Yeah I really wish Halo Infinite was going to be Halo 5 with a more considered story and an open world, minus Req customization, launching with BTB and Mythic Arena. I think they were inches from gold with 4 and 5 tbh.

17

This looks evolved to me, it looks like a healthy combination of old and new, the fact that it’s been rumored by someone who’s a credible source that thruster packs are going to be a map pickup now seems like a really healthy balance, I think they have a place in the game however they do seem more well suited as a power up I think.

18

Munition Types and Effects
(Bring back plasma stun, introduce damage over time etc.)

Tactical Grenades instead of Equipment
(Essentially the same as equipment but is thrown instead of dropped resulting in greater sandbox potential)

Interactive / Destructible Environments and Materials
(Light Bridges that players can turn on/off in multiplayer matches. Walls, Doors and Bridges etc, that can be destroyed

Redesigned Flood Mode
(Two teams, Flood vs UNSC. The first flood player is the alpha and can mutate between different forms as seen in Halo 3. All infected players become combat forms. Add in Objectives such as: survive x amount of time and get to the Pelican for evac, drop into flood infested zone recover asset, etc.)