In the past 343i really struggled with the (admittedly difficult) task to mix old with new while defining the core of a true Halo experience for a new generation of games. After that confused design mish-mash in the form of H4 I’m really impressed with H5’s direction so far.
After some time with the Beta I already had the feeling that all individual parts (gameplay elements / mechanics) just perfectly worked in tandem. Looking at the whole picture of what we currently know about H5 that sense of coherence and clarity in execution becomes more and more apparent to me.
There is a core element that links all of H5’s modes: The Spartan abilities. This basically means that there is a shared fundament you as a player can build on even if you start with a more casual offering and decide to dig into competitive modes later.
This is extremely important for a game like H5 that offers both chaotic fun (Warzone), twitch-based action (Breakout) and tight competition (Arena) in it’s MP portion.
There is no question that some mechanics like Sprint make more sense for certain modes (Warzone, Campaign) than others (Arena) yet at least in my eyes the overall vision warrants some compromises. Without the expanded movement options a mode such as Warzone, with it’s much bigger and open-spaced maps, is simply hard to imagine any other way.
While very competitive minded gamers might (understandably) be frustrated that some unwanted mechanics sneak into their preferred mode(s) they might also profit by that decision. First of all, a common basis in terms of gameplay mechanics and controls increases the chances of players making the jump from casual to competitive. There is a whole generation out there that didn’t grow up with Halo – Halo Esports scene needs this fresh blood more than they might realize. Plus the whole monetization system also works for them. Casual modes such as Warzone might finance not only free maps but tournaments (as 343i promised) as well. In short: If you are a competitive gamer hope the best for Warzone & Co. as those modes will be crucial for the formation of a new, strengthened Halo community and in the end the competitive scene as well.
But let us not solely talk about this subgroup of (very hardcore) players. Let’s talk about the average Halo player (including myself) and what H5 offers us. It’s not only that Warzone sounds awesome as a new mode – what I’m looking forward to most is the mastery of a new set of abilities, which isn’t a need that is exclusive to competitive gamers. We as players love to get better at something. Allowing the player to work towards something even if it is difficult at first is what I consider the most important aspect of game design. What some people however forget is that making something really difficult is not enough. You have to make sure that it’s challenging enough to award the player with a feeling of true achievement and constant progression while not making it too difficult so that the player is frustrated or doesn’t see any progression with a reasonable amount of effort.
And this is why I really enjoyed the H5 Beta. I didn’t have that feeling of learning, progressing and achieving things in a Halo game for a very long time. The reason for that is simple: It’s not that older Halo titles didn’t offer more challenges or depth – the problem was that the time I had to invest to get better was exponentially increasing. I think that graph (diminishing returns) shows what I mean in a better way than I could ever explain.
Not everyone wants to or can afford spending so much time with a game – no matter how good it is.
That is why Halo became stale for me. Reach and H4 weren’t what I wanted either as I actually loved the combination of simplicity (equal starts, same abilities in all modes) and depth (lots of nuances to learn) of the older Halo games.
H5 however reminded me of the good old times of H2/3 again. In the Beta I had that awesome feeling that I had only scratched the surface of the things I could do. I really feel sorry for the people who are still disappointed as from my perspective 343i is doing all the right things to make me really excited for Halo again. I’ve been missing playing H5 since the Beta I can’t wait to get into the action again.
Great post. It especially hit home when you talked about having to learn/master a new set of abilities. To me, that’s what makes Halo 5 awesome.
> 2533274833600810;2:
> Great post. It especially hit home when you talked about having to learn/master a new set of abilities. To me, that’s what makes Halo 5 awesome.
The question is: How can you achieve that design wise without messing with the old system?
I think you can’t. Especially in a shooter there are only so many things you can do.
343i looked at the different mechanics and realized that movement is probably the only area with room for growth. That combined with other plans (especially Warzone) made it an obvious choice.
I’m excited about some things, others not so much.
At any rate, I see this being way way way better than halo 4.
> 2533274866682248;4:
> With the Swords elites wearing the wrong armor and the same character model being used for TWO DISTINCT breeds of elites, I think “spot on” is a bit of a stretch.
Actually reading a thread doesn’t hurt - otherwise you would have realized that I’m talking about gameplay design.
The gameplay looks pretty solid, there’s no real complaints I can make from a game mechanic sense.
It’s too bad other factors simply ruin the experience for me.
> 2533274793332039;5:
> > 2533274866682248;4:
> > With the Swords elites wearing the wrong armor and the same character model being used for TWO DISTINCT breeds of elites, I think “spot on” is a bit of a stretch.
>
>
> Actually reading a thread doesn’t hurt - otherwise you would have realized that I’m talking about gameplay design.
Haha but the butt hurt over anything to do with Elites is too much they need to vent their anger and frustration wherever possible.
> 2533274802801111;6:
> The gameplay looks pretty solid, there’s no real complaints I can make from a game mechanic sense.
>
> It’s too bad other factors simply ruin the experience for me.
What are those things if I might ask?
Splitscreen?
> 2533274793332039;8:
> > 2533274802801111;6:
> > The gameplay looks pretty solid, there’s no real complaints I can make from a game mechanic sense.
> >
> > It’s too bad other factors simply ruin the experience for me.
>
>
> What are those things if I might ask?
> Splitscreen?
I’ve voiced my main complaint on this forum enough times that people have started to recognize me.
It’s something that your average MLG competitive player could care less about, and others brush off as too unimportant a missing feature to even discuss.
> 2533274802801111;9:
> > 2533274793332039;8:
> > > 2533274802801111;6:
> > > The gameplay looks pretty solid, there’s no real complaints I can make from a game mechanic sense.
> > >
> > > It’s too bad other factors simply ruin the experience for me.
> >
> >
> > What are those things if I might ask?
> > Splitscreen?
>
>
> I’ve voiced my main complaint on this forum enough times that people have started to recognize me.
>
> It’s something that your average MLG competitive player could care less about, and others brush off as too unimportant a missing feature to even discuss.
Based on your picture it’s probably something about Elites…?
Good post, completely agree with you. There should always be a tactical part of gameplay in Halo
> 2533274793332039;10:
> > 2533274802801111;9:
> > > 2533274793332039;8:
> > > > 2533274802801111;6:
> > > > The gameplay looks pretty solid, there’s no real complaints I can make from a game mechanic sense.
> > > >
> > > > It’s too bad other factors simply ruin the experience for me.
> > >
> > >
> > > What are those things if I might ask?
> > > Splitscreen?
> >
> >
> > I’ve voiced my main complaint on this forum enough times that people have started to recognize me.
> >
> > It’s something that your average MLG competitive player could care less about, and others brush off as too unimportant a missing feature to even discuss.
>
>
> Based on your picture it’s probably something about Elites…?
Bingo
> 2533274793332039;5:
> > 2533274866682248;4:
> > With the Swords elites wearing the wrong armor and the same character model being used for TWO DISTINCT breeds of elites, I think “spot on” is a bit of a stretch.
>
>
> Actually reading a thread doesn’t hurt - otherwise you would have realized that I’m talking about gameplay design.
I’m not reading all that.
> 2533274793332039;10:
> > 2533274802801111;9:
> > > 2533274793332039;8:
> > > > 2533274802801111;6:
> > > > The gameplay looks pretty solid, there’s no real complaints I can make from a game mechanic sense.
> > > >
> > > > It’s too bad other factors simply ruin the experience for me.
> > >
> > >
> > > What are those things if I might ask?
> > > Splitscreen?
> >
> >
> > I’ve voiced my main complaint on this forum enough times that people have started to recognize me.
> >
> > It’s something that your average MLG competitive player could care less about, and others brush off as too unimportant a missing feature to even discuss.
>
>
> Based on your picture it’s probably something about Elites…?
You would be correct in that assumption.
Back on the threads topic: All in all Halo 5’s gameplay is fairly solid and aside from a few arena shooter purists most competitive gamers will probably enjoy it. I will likely lose interest in it after a month of getting it assuming I do, and my section of the fanbase will continue to go unnoticed.
> 2533274802801111;14:
> > 2533274793332039;10:
> > > 2533274802801111;9:
> > > > 2533274793332039;8:
> > > > > 2533274802801111;6:
> > > > > The gameplay looks pretty solid, there’s no real complaints I can make from a game mechanic sense.
> > > > >
> > > > > It’s too bad other factors simply ruin the experience for me.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > What are those things if I might ask?
> > > > Splitscreen?
> > >
> > >
> > > I’ve voiced my main complaint on this forum enough times that people have started to recognize me.
> > >
> > > It’s something that your average MLG competitive player could care less about, and others brush off as too unimportant a missing feature to even discuss.
> >
> >
> > Based on your picture it’s probably something about Elites…?
>
>
> You would be correct in that assumption.
>
> Back on the threads topic: All in all Halo 5’s gameplay is fairly solid and aside from a few arena shooter purists most competitive gamers will probably enjoy it. I will likely lose interest in it after a month of getting it assuming I do, and my section of the fanbase will continue to go unnoticed.
It’s not like the Elites are completely gone. I mean, we’re going to their home world in the campaign and even seeing the Arbiter and fighting alongside his forces. They just aren’t playable in multiplayer. Helioskrill armor was even created by a Sangheili prodigy. I know it’s not the greatest substitute for playing as an Elite but that’s still something.
> 2533274866682248;13:
> > 2533274793332039;5:
> > > 2533274866682248;4:
> > > With the Swords elites wearing the wrong armor and the same character model being used for TWO DISTINCT breeds of elites, I think “spot on” is a bit of a stretch.
> >
> >
> > Actually reading a thread doesn’t hurt - otherwise you would have realized that I’m talking about gameplay design.
>
>
> I’m not reading all that.
Then don’t comment. If you can’t even take the time to read the whole thing then why should we care about what you have to say about the topic at hand?
Great post. I agree with just about every point you made. Particularly, I agree that the new Warzone mode is important for longevity and the success of that mode only enhances the community overall. 343 has to find a way to appeal to a whole new generation of Halo players that didn’t grow up playing 1, 2, or even 3, while also respecting what makes Halo so unique in the first place and satisfying those old-school traditionalists. 343 has found the perfect balance by implementing a whole set of new abilities and game play mechanics to master, but none of the new mechanics create imbalance (like Halo 4 did, for example). What’s perfect, in my opinion, is that it seems like there is something for everyone, but nothing that really takes away from the true essence of Halo. Moving forward, this will pay huge dividends for the franchise.
> 2533274866682248;4:
> I’m excited about some things, others not so much.
>
> At any rate, I see this being way way way better than halo 4.
You need more ways.
> 2533274833600810;2:
> Great post. It especially hit home when you talked about having to learn/master a new set of abilities. To me, that’s what makes Halo 5 awesome.
That’s what made Halo Reach awesome… Now it’s just being inconsistent.
> 2535460843083983;19:
> > 2533274833600810;2:
> > Great post. It especially hit home when you talked about having to learn/master a new set of abilities. To me, that’s what makes Halo 5 awesome.
>
>
> That’s what made Halo Reach awesome… Now it’s just being inconsistent.
Halo: Reach was awesome for lots of reasons but to compare the Armor Abilities to Spartan Abilities is just not fair.
