After browsing the forums for a few weeks and watching some videos on Youtube, I’ve come to the conclusion that 343 clearly devoted more time to Forge than anything else (aside from maybe REQ ideas), and it was a gamble that we haven’t seen pay off yet, but will hopefully see soon. The Forge system in this game is simply incredible, and seeing some of the bright, vivid, detailed, exact remakes and new maps out there, I can say with certainty that Forge maps are the future of Halo 5 matchmaking.
I’ll start by saying I find it odd that the Forge maps we’ve seen in Matchmaking so far have not shown any sort of creativity. If these were supposed to be trials for what Forge could do, they succeeded, but only slightly. The Headlong remake is pretty amazing, but ultimately lacks detail and is filled with monotone, flat walls. Then you go and view the Pit remake, which has vibrant yellows, vivid blues, glorious greens, and tens of objects merged together per wall, and you are amazed.
With all of this detail, color, and sophistication, along with split-screen being removed, I am begging 343 to begin planning for a Maptacular Playlist ASAP. This was one of my favorite Double EXP. Weekend playlists in Halo 3. From Thursday-Sunday, a playlist consisted of over 60 Forge maps, most on Sandbox but a few on Foundry, along with Slayer, CTF, Oddball, KOTH, and Assault. It was a breath of fresh air to play so many unique maps, most of which were new to everyone.
With the number of remade maps out already in less than a month, 343 needs to consider compiling some of the top maps and playtesting them. We need a playlist to show off these maps, since file sharing is very primitive. We need a breath of fresh air. I can’t see myself really enjoying Halo 5 if I’m still playing on The Rig every other game in May. Truth is only fun so many times in a row.
Please, get this project started so that by late Spring we can institute a playlist that not only shows off what Forge can do, but allows players to experience new maps.