Alright, having played this Tech Preview for a couple days
All I can say is WOW, it is amazing, but it does need a few things, or 343i needs to consider a few things.
Here are a few things that I liked, disliked and would like to see.
(Start of a Long Post… GO!)
*) LIKES
-The VK78 Commando is awesome, sound and feel. I thought I would hate it, cause it looks like Destiny’s starter rifle
-The shotguns sound is good (it feels weak though, I mean 2-3 shots to kill a spartan right behind them, I mean, 2 ft away)
-The sidekick, was not sure id like it, it is no replacement for the Magnum, but ill get to that later. It is still awesome
-Bots Mode and Training, this should always have been a thing, as someone who isn’t a fan of PvP, this is a nice in-between.
-Customization is nice, everything has a very HALO look too it, unlike the last… ekhem no going there
-Map design and atmosphere, all of it is good, what I have seen and played on is so good.
-The Bots again, they are so much better than CoDs bots, I mean, they stand there and shoot. Halo at least has bots that dodge, swap weapons, pick up weapons
now… if only they could operate vehicles like Ravenfield or Battlefield (old Battlefield) bots could.
-Grapple, Equipment, Love it all, love the grenades, except those electric ones, I just dodge them. I do wish the grapple had just a bit more range, it feels a little short.
-Pacing, the game is not too fast, not too slow, I really enjoy what I have played so far.
-Skins and Coatings, Also, like these, not annoying like some of CoDs things, and also based on the Point System in the Store, I wanna say 1$ is 100 points?
That seems fair, especially when you packs are 4-10$, that is fair. Not like CoD trying to make us pay 24$ for a pack, that is over 1/3 the cost of the base game. And their Multi isn’t even FREE. GG 343i (warzone is free, yes, but I dislike that. I don’t do Battle Royales, only Battle Rifles.)
*) DISLIKES
-Having to Play PvP/Online with others to progress battlepass, I mean, CoD has outbreak and co-op, OUtbreak can be played Private with friends or solo and you can still progress there battle pass. There just needs to be more to do. Generally the matches I did play, a lot of friendly, SILENT, players.
Last match had someone who just wouldnt shut it, and it was annoying. Also sometimes I like to play by myself or JUST WITH FRIENDS.
Something for them to consider, people who just want to play with friends or solo, but still want some progression.
-The Skewer, A single shot weapon in 2560 or whatever this is set in… I dont believe it. It feels as dated as something from the 1920’s.
I mean, it doesnt even pin bodies to the walls or ground… if it was like Bioshock, id forgive it, make Halo Brutal again.
the Skewer, is slow, chunky, and 1 shot then reload… I wouldnt even use it in campaign, WHICH IS FINE, I am glad people like it, I do not.
-The old “YOU’VE BEEN HIT, ZOOM OUT” mechanic. I hate it, we are supposed to be high tech super soldiers and we zoom out when we are hit?
No no no, that shouldnt be a thing. Please ditch this, 343i. I hated it in H3 and Reach, I liked that it was GONE in H4, please do similar.
-Recoil on the AR? Seriously? I mean, sure, might make sense if we were Genetically Altered Super Soldiers, what was with h5 adding recoil to the AR? did it suddenly change round? is it a .50 now? no? Alright, then remove some of that recoil, this is Halo not CoD. Just feels weird to suddenly go from MCC to RECOIL-AR!
*) HOPES/WANTS
-DMR, I mean I thought it was supposed to be in the game? Feels weird to not have it. Please return it if it is going away.
-SMG, the Needler is a SMG, give us a UNSC Counterpart. Also I like the SMG, would be nice to have. It feels weird that it comes back and goes away every couple of installments of Halo.
-Bulldog and Classic Shotgun, we need that classic shotgun back, and here is how to do it:
Add ye olde shotgun in, Make the Bulldog a semi-auto, closer ranged, higher mag (like 8) Shotgun
and make the classic a 4 round pump action, with higher damage and a little more range. for balancing
-Sidekick and Magnum, It feels weird to be playing Halo Modern Warfare, and that is how it feels, or like Titanfall
WHICH IS ALRIGHT, BUT as a Halo Vet since 2004, I miss the Magnum. BUT They could put both in.
Add ye olde magnum, make the sidekick a faster shooting, higher capacity, close range pistol
make the magnum a scoped, 8 rnd, slower shooting, medium ranged pistol, for balancing.
-Covenant Weapons, it would be nice to see a Plasma Repeater, Cov. Carbine, Beam Rifle, having a return, they have been in since 2004, bring 'em back.
-Classic Spiker, I loved this weapon, it fits the Brute narrative, and it was always fun to use.
-Bots mode on ALL maps, I know this was just a preview, but I saw some new maps in PvP and as someone who just doesnt PvP anymore, it would be nice to play those maps with bots.
-Customization, please give us a couple of armors (like Halo 3) to start with, not just 1 set.
-Reach Style accolades, remember when Halo Reach awarded you for existing? yea, that was nice!
also remember how Halo Reach had challenges in its Campaign and Firefight (AND PvP)? Yea, that was so cool.
I remember getting XP and stuff from being proficient at killing my enemy, loved it, more progression is better than NONE.
Hint Hint Eh, 343i? Hint Hint
Lastly, I am very happy with this, any doubts I really had for this, gone.
I am excited for the campaign too. But that leads me to another thing…
GIVE US WHO PAID 60$ USD SOME EXTRAS, Seriously, 60$ for a story, never played a 60$ story before and felt it was worth the 60$.
IT might be a first, but I have never seen a preorder with no bonuses. it would be cool to have a Mk VI armor with a legacy coating, legacy visor, etc.
give us something… I mean, you got like 74 days before its release, so… that should be enough time to think of things.
All-in-All, it is a good game, I am looking forward to more!