From playing Halo 4 since release I have found it to be a solid game that I have thoroughly enjoyed, however, I think it has the potential at its core to be a true gem. Therefore, here are the problems I find with the game and how I would alter them with a TU.
Problems:
Playlists
Slight Gameplay Issues
Ranking Issues
Custom Game Options
Maps
Playlists
I think the playlists need to move away from the current single gametype playlists to compiled playlists similar to previous Halo titles. This is what I think would allow a stronger matchmaking experience.
FFA: 8 Players (FFA) Slayer, Regicide, Oddball, KotH
Multi-Team: 8 Players (2v2v2v2) Slayer, Regicide, Oddball, KotH
Team Slayer: 8 Players (4v4) Slayer
Team Objective: 10 Players (5v5) CTF, KotH, Oddball, Extraction
Big Team: 16 Players (8v8) Slayer, CTF, KotH, Extraction
Dominion: 12 Players (6v6) Dominion
Flood: 13 Players (FFA) Flood
I think this would be a solid core Halo 4 experience, which gives a wide gameplay experience, whilst concentrating the population. However there are obvious other playlists that are fan favourites that could be permanent or rotational, these being… SWAT, Snipers, Action Sack, Race, MLG, Classic.
Gameplay Issues
The only problems that I encounter in most games is the DMR and the Boltshot which need some balancing. The Boltshot should be altered so it can’t kill in one shot and has similar damage to that of the Mauler from Halo 3. On the DMR side, it is simply to powerful in comparison to the other primary weapons. To sort this there should be some tweaking to the DMR, whether it involves slowing the fire rate, reducing the damage, or increasing the bloom.
The only other issues I have found is some missing core gametypes, these being Race, Assault and Territories.
Ranking
It is obvious that the ranking system is flawed, simply because of how easy it is to reach the maximum rank SR130. This reduces the re-playability of the game for some players as there is a lack of progress. Too sort this there either needs to be be a higher obtainable SR rank, a Trueskill 1-50 system, or even an improved version of The Arena in all core playlists. By adding these extra rank paths it would retain the population for a lot longer.
Custom Games
There are just a few problems in custom games options, but they cause major issues. The main changes that are required would be more Flood editing such as weapons held by the flood and appearance. Also CTF needs flag options like dropping the flag too satisfy competitive gamers. There is also a need for old playlists such as Race.
Maps
Overall I am quite happy with the maps in Halo 4, but there is a lack of small clean maps such as Haven, Guardian, Lockout and The Pit. I think the game needs a few more of these clean small maps just to make small team games more enjoyable, proven by the popularity of Haven.
That would be how I’d alter the game, however this is just my opinion. How would you change the game in a TU and what do you think of my ideas?