I will admit, I am a super halo nerd. As a halo nerd, I pay alot of attention… to EVERYTHING about the games. So here I go with my viewpoint on the beta as a whole: Long read warning
Spartans: Spartans are genetically modified super soldiers… as we all know. If you were to read the books without playing the games first, you would think that spartans are agile and swift. For the first time in 14 years of Halo games, I feel like a Spartan!! The implementation of the spartan abilities was a fantastic idea in my opinion. Although it does not keep true to the halo game mechanics, it works…really well. People complain about how they “die too often” or “this is a twitch shooter”. Once you get the hang of the fluidity of movement controls, you can avoid a near death with ease and fight back. ( and I’m sure that was the intent) This brings a new strategy to solo multiplayer. Ground pound is my personal favorite SA and I’m quite proficient in its use. There’s a sickening pleasure from getting a successful GP.
-The hud. looks fantastic
-Weapon rendering and detail looks great
-Spartan callous (although very call of duty esque) are very useful at all times in the game
-The sound team did a phenomenal job!
Music- I am currently enrolled as a full time music undergrad. Following this I’m going to get my masters in film and video game scoring (Composing movie and video game music) I must say the title screen music is great. It strays from original halo music, which is ok… but even episode 7 of star wars will still have music reminiscent of the first film. I’ll go more into this in another post titled “Music of Halo 5” However I will say this: Title screen art + French Horns + open 5ths and 4th + chromatic dominance + choir = Sucess. Thank you!
Map Design: I often find myself laughing with joy when I start a match on Empire because of 2 main things; Grenade bouncing and Sniper fights.
I feel like this map was created with those things I mind. I can’t wait to play the Empire remix Eden next week!
Truth is a grear remake of midship/heretic. The eenergy shields at top mid twist up the gameplay, as well as the calmer hole below the Prophets bane. This map does get a little old after 6 hours of playing though.
Weapons: I’ll just go over a few
AR- Feesls and sounds like an assault rifle. Halo 3’s was effective, but didn’t sound like it. Again, great job sound team.
BR- GREAT. PERIOD.
DMR- I find the reflective scope to be bothersome while firing from the hip, especially when flinching.
SMG- Contrary to popular belief, in this game SMG actually stands for So Much Gun lol. It’s great. Now, I see people complain about it being too powerful. Yes, it is very powerful. But hard to fire while flinching, and not common on the maps. Most people go for the precision weapons and leave the SMG on the ground. ( minus “that one guy” we all know who loves to spray and pray.
Prophets Bane- mechanics are great… but it’s way too bright… I think my right eye may be slightly blind… I’m eager to see how ththe name fits into the story, if at all.
Now for a short story: Slayer on empire, pick up a sniper, I’m in tower 2 aiming in at blue team at turbine. Two players are no shields, I take the shot…and hear the greatest deal audio of all time… “snipeltanious!” Two kills with one sniper shot gets you this medal. I feel as if I am the first to get this medal, I may not be. But the way the announcer says it… I’ll spell it out
“ssssnipuullllltaaaaniusssss”
It’s was fulfilling to say the least.
Major and Minor issues-
-When a game is not found, it sometimes returns the player(s) to the title screen and cancels the fire team.
-My spartan has been pink since the beta released, regardless of what Mt primary and secondary color is actually set to.
-Spartan armor rendering has issues in the customization screen.
-Don’t allow the GP target to pop up when your a foot off the ground.
-GIVE US OUR FULL ARMOR CUSTOMIZATION BACK!
BIGGEST ISSUE:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:
I am currently an SR16 with 66736 xp, 1348 kills, 977 deaths, 446 assists, 2381 medals, and a KDA SPREAD of 4.2… I am a Silver III in slayer.
I have encountered Multiple players with much less xp, much less kills, and lower KDA spreads…who are 7+ ranks higher than I am.
Here’s the issue: If I have earned more xp, why am I not a higher rank than the other player? It’s not a pride thing, I don’t care if someone is Beyer than me, I just care that the ranking system should not be set up like this and should be looked at. Or maybe I’m just not understanding it the way I should. Also, I hate goin 24 and 4 in a match, and lose the match and then derank. That is a bad part of the ranking system as well.
Now that is my spill for this post. If you stuck around to read, thanks, and feel free to comment.