Positives and Negatives of Halo 4

Games Other Halo
1

Hey guys. So I figured we should have a thread where people discuss both the good and bad points of Halo 4. We often see threads blindly supporting or mindlessly bashing the game, but I’m sure that most people are somewhere in between; they like some stuff about the game, and dislike some other things.

Here’s how it should work. Post one positive and one negative point about the game. That’s one thing you like, and one thing you dislike or think should be improved/fixed/changed. You can post as many as you like, but each postitive must have a negative and vice-versa. I’m sure even those that ‘hate’ the game can come up with a few nice things to say, and those who think 343 are the second coming of Jesus can probably still find a few things that dissapointed them.

I’ll start:

Positive: I think this game has the best selection of weapons of any Halo. It has most of the classic favourites, and plenty of new guns as well, yet each one manages to feel unique. Very few of the weapons feel obsolete or redundant despite the large variety.

Negative: I think sprint, while a cool idea, doesn’t work that well in Halo. It makes for clunky, awkward map design which as to take into account the fact that people can choose to move faster whenever they want. It wasn’t necessary in the past Halos, and while I see why they wanted to include it, I think we could have done without it.

2

Positive: Automatic weapons are actually viable equipment now.

Negative: The lack of descope makes ranged battles too easy and gives too much power to those with scoped weapons, especially Snipers.

Positive: The Megalo options added to Halo 4 with the most recent patch were great. The ability to tune weapons on an individual basis is top notch.

Negative: All of these scripting options are disabled for the regular player. Including, but not limited to, Sprint.

Positive: Landfall is one of the best developer maps we have had in years.

Negative: All of the other maps are pretty awful except for Abandon.

Positive: Extraction is the best new gametype we have received since Territories.

Negative: Personal Ordinance, Loadouts, and randomness have taken priority over a good game. Only now is 343 realizing that it pissed a lot of fans off.

3

Overall Positives:

  1. AAs:

While I have been a big supporter of limited AAs in Halo, and by that I mean to have them treated more like H3 equipment, I however do believe that H4 has done some amazing things in regards to implementing AAs in a fairly balanced manner for game start loadouts. In fact, H4 has changed my position on AAs; I’m no longer a firm believer that they’re terrible loadout inclusions for the gameplay.

The key to arena shooters is even starts. Even starts does not necessarily mean the same exact loadout - it means weapons/AAs/perks that are reasonably equivalent to each other such that none significantly stand out or dominate. - credit Maximus IL

IMO, the H4 AAs are for the most part reasonably equivalent. The only one that I believe an argument can actually be made about is the Active Camouflage, but even if it borderlines that reasonable equivalency I personally think it still manages (even if barely) to fall within it.

  1. Loadouts:

My opinion has changed quite a bit on loadouts. I hated them in Reach, but I’ve come to appreciate them in H4 especially after the balance patch. As I see it the only minor problem with them surrounds the Plasma Pistol and Boltshot, which IMO belong as lower level power weapons (w/ slight buffs). Also, the design of the automatic rifles along with the magnum make for excellent secondary weapons, but the automatics might need a slight lethality reduction from their current buffed state if they’re to be considered secondaries (better balanced in regards to the magnum).

  1. Ordinance Drops:

There are separate ordinance drops to consider.

First, let me just say that I’m a big proponent/advocate of having static initial ordinance drops that reoccur based on appropriate timers, which gives added value to map control and time tracking. Thankfully, H4 has improved drastically in this regard since its release; nevertheless, I also think there is a place in Halo for some random pattern drops and semi-random weapons. Heck, I can even envision the personal ordinance drop system having a very appropriate role in Halo given different scenarios.

Again, I really like the tweaks 343i have incorporated with most, if not all, of the gametypes which have seen more static initial weapon drops; however, on top of this I believe a semi-randomization drop system could be incorporated for the bigger maps/team based games & FFAs. I say this because most maps can be sectioned off into 3 distinct areas: team base 1 (red), team base 2 (blue), and the neutral middle ground. While I believe the static weapon drops work really well when they occur within the team base sections, I think the neutral middle ground section of maps is a good area for some slight randomization. Whether that randomization comes by specific location or specific weapon. To clarify, the smaller map/team arena-based games work better with a completely static weapon drop system.

Lastly, the Personal Ordinance Drop system is a very interesting concept. As it’s been implemented thus far I can honestly say it’s more of a negative, but I can see the potential and promise with it. IMO, the current POD system should not be awarding players a Sniper, Rocket, Beam Rifle, Fuel Rod, Laser, iCannon, or Binary Rifle which are potentially major game changing weapons. Also, the probability factor for obtaining the remaining power weapons should alter based on the map.

  1. Sprint:

I love how the sprint feature in H4 is well balanced and adds to the authenticity, plausibility, and realism within the gameplay w/o dramatically altering the combat feel. I like that it’s a player trait that gets bogged down when a player is fired on, it prevents players from returning fire, makes them audibly louder, and incapable of strafing. As I see it, it only adds to the experience by simply giving players an extra risk/reward aspect to their gameplay decisions. Risk trying to reach an area/person quicker in order to flank them or engage them first you could also get caught unable to return fire immediately which then puts you at the disadvantage. Try running away from an engagement and you might not make it since you are slowed by the incoming damage, but you’re also unable to cover your retreat with return fire, plus given the longer shield recharge rates aggressive followers are usually rewarded with the kill anyways if they pursue. Not to mention, sprinting players audibly alert people in their vicinity and can’t strafe.

  1. Flinch:

I liked the addition of flinch within Halo. Just like sprint I like how it adds to the authenticity, plausibility and realism, but unlike the sprint feature I think improvement could be made to it. The major change I’d make is that I’d have flinch be the effect incurred during a zoomed-in aim while shielded, yet once a player lost his/her shielding then any incoming damage would simply descope them if they were zoomed-in. Plus, a minor amount of flinch should still play a slight role when shields are lost and a player isn’t zoomed or scoped-in; just like in the scoped state the amount of flinch should be based on the incoming projectile types or damage amount received, but given that there isn’t any zoom multiplier to the non-scoped state the amount of flinch would overall appear to be quite minor in comparison, likely negligible.

  1. JiP

Quite possibly the best addition to Halo. There is no cure to quitting, because its root cause is behavioral, therefore it must be compensated for with the best possible system. A non-optional JiP system is the ideal method to compensate for the quitting; it’s the best system for the majority’s enjoyment, but it requires an acceptance of the consequences that go along with it.

  1. War Games Playlist

While per my opinion it’s not a perfect offering, but 343i have come a long ways from the game’s initial released offering. Overall, I think the playlist offering and new game modes are a pretty big positive; plus, it’s not incredibly far off from what I envisioned would be ideal - PLAYLIST OFFERING

Overall Negatives:

  1. Better prepared for release (Balance, Playlist, Map quantity & quality, CSR, File Sharing, etc)

  2. Match-starts should be delayed until an even number of players are ensured.

  3. Because of the shield system, I suggest taking out Instant Respawn from most, if not all, the playlists. Switch them to an appropriately timed respawns.

  4. Give players an option to prioritize their search parameters based on their preference for closer skill pairing, a better connection, or quick searches (default).

  5. In general, require all Flags to be picked-up through an action, like press “X”. The exception would be games that specifically involve the auto pick-up where you’re not physically holding the flag in your hand.

  6. Implement Final Killcams only, for all playlists.

  7. Add overall experience ranks (a la Reach) to provide time investment purpose, tweak CSR to be more of a fluid diagnostic tool and put more emphasis on using -Yoink!-'s TrueSkill for MMing.

  8. Improve Custom Game options/offerings & Forge capabilities. Need race & precision forge; refine part snapping.

  9. Unlocking should only coincide w/ decorative customization, not combat items.

4

I’ll just list bullet points for now.

Positives

  1. The story was moving the first time I played through it.

  2. Lots of fun little easter eggs such as the double rainbow, hidden weapons, NPC conversations on the Mantis, Limited Edition boxes etc.

  3. Lots of hidden bits of information Halsey logs, Mantle terminals, and regular terminals.

  4. New Forge lighting, and being able to lock parts together.

  5. Promotional “Forward Unto Dawn” movie was really well done for what it was.

  6. New enemies in the form of Prometheans

  7. Spartan Ops cinematics.

Negatives

  1. Removal of options in Custom Games, particularly Infection(Flood), such as Infected holding weapons.

  2. Ordinance in general makes the game too random and unfair, and means you no longer have to know any map.

  3. Loadouts- spawning with plasma pistols and grenades has ruined vehicle game play, to the point where now vehicles go unused.

  4. Lack of any large Forge map- the three we have are nice, but lack the scale of Forge World, even if world did get boring at times.

  5. Spartan Ops’ portrayal of characters- Elites and Covenant are cowardly and incompetent, Marines are basically cannon fodder and lack personality they had in other games, and Spartans are swaggering teenage jocks who think they are above all. Also, I hate Palmer most of the time.

  6. Spartan ops missions were just about pushing buttons and got old, fast.

7.Removal of Race gametype- I had so much fun racing on downloaded racetracks on Reach, in fact, a lot of my 500+ downloads were of racetracks.

Thanks for reading and have a nice day!

5

I’ll bite! My topic, broadly, is weapon selection.

Positive: the ability to play with the loadout weapons that best fit your style of play.

Negative: the obscene amount of 1SK weapons, few of which require much skill to use.

6

Positives: Only Multiplayer I’ve liked since CE, Best storytelling thus far, I can spawn with a Carbine, Spartan Ops

Negatives: Ordnance needs to be reworked, No Spartan Ops Season 2, Needs more Custom Game options

7

Pros:
-Some interesting new weapons, even if it does suck to be on the receiving end of them

-The campaign and SpartanOps stories were interesting, and I liked some of the characters like Thorne and Laskey

-Beautifully detailed maps

-I loved the music playing during Midnight, specifically the second half of it

Cons:
-Mongoose Destroyer commendation

-Some game modes like Binary Slayer, and Lightning CTF on Simplex (There’s a roof that, one in every five games, a person will just squat on and snipe for half the game. Difficult to shoot them out of it, and there’s no Soft Kill barrier there)

-The “Press button to do X” features in the Campaign weren’t an issue for me, and would have been Neutral had it not been for the very very last confrontation involving them. I sucked at that. ^^

-Mongoose Destroyer commendation

-Join In Progress would also have been Neutral on my list, as it can be a pro or a con, but I’m putting it under Cons because I’ve had immensely bad luck with it.

-The disturbing lack of DLC maps in Matchmaking. Bad luck on my part most likely.

-Have I already mentioned the Mongoose Destroyer commendation?

-The removal of the “Grunt/Spartan Birthday Party” effect. I miss the ‘Hoooraaay!’ that would play upon death. Made even a woefully losing match enjoyable or at least bearable to play. ^^

8

> Positive: Automatic weapons are actually viable equipment now.
>
> Negative: The lack of descope makes ranged battles too easy and gives too much power to those with scoped weapons, especially Snipers.
>
> Positive: The Megalo options added to Halo 4 with the most recent patch were great. The ability to tune weapons on an individual basis is top notch.
>
> Negative: All of these scripting options are disabled for the regular player. Including, but not limited to, Sprint.
>
> Positive: Landfall is one of the best developer maps we have had in years.
>
> Negative: All of the other maps are pretty awful except for Abandon.
>
> Positive: Extraction is the best new gametype we have received since Territories.
>
> Negative: Personal Ordinance, Loadouts, and randomness have taken priority over a good game. Only now is 343 realizing that it pissed a lot of fans off.

Good list, agreed.

9

Positive: The addition of automatic weapons that you can actually use (storm rifle, specifically. I loved the plasma weapons in the previous games, but my god they were worthless for anything but a beatdown)

Negative: No ranked/social playlists (one of my biggest problems overall…)

Positive: A campaign story that relates more to the books than any previous game.

Negative: No Invasion.

10

> Positive: The addition of automatic weapons that you can actually use (storm rifle, specifically. I loved the plasma weapons in the previous games, but my god they were worthless for anything but a beatdown)
>
> Negative: No ranked/social playlists (one of my biggest problems overall…)
>
> Positive: A campaign story that relates more to the books than any previous game.
>
> Negative: No Invasion.

Ah, yes thanks for reminding me - Automatic weapons that were decently strong was a big plus, and one of the major negatives for me was the removal of Invasion and Assault. Playable Elites - while not relevant to the story - was a big letdown too.

They could have been added anyway, I mean if the War Games are supposed to be a simulation, the could have been added to better hone the newcomer Spartans for their time clearing out the Covenant Remnants on Requiem and the possibile return to Sanghelios. Infinity went there once before, chances are it might return again. They’ve still got Jul to worry about, so practicing against “AI” representations of known Covenant tactics might help yes? But that’s going off topic.

11

positive: I actually really like sprint. I’m glad everyone can use it now and that it’s not just an armor ability. it makes sense that a Spartan should be able to sprint whenever.

negative: the actual armor abilities. hardlight shield, thruster pack, jet pack and especially freaking camouflage. camo to halo 4 is what armor lock is to halo reach.

positive: I love the way the master chief’s armor looks in this game. they really got the ‘walking tank’ feel down. he looks way more powerful and menacing than his previous incantations.

negative: all the other armor in the game. in the multiplayer the Spartan 4 armor is just plain goofy. the helmets are all extremely derpy, and the armor itself is boring and interchangeable. and the marines in the game look awful.

positive: the master chief’s character development was awesome. I like that he had just enough more dialogue to show his more human side, but that he’s still a stone cold hardass at the core. I think this was shown perfectly after all the scientists on Composer get… composed… and all he says is that they need to move. or something along those lines.

negative: the other characters… commander palmer makes me sick. cortana was annoying as she was in halo 3. captain del rio, the didact, all the Spartan 4’s, especially in Spartan ops, were just handled poorly. in my opinion.

positive: the campaign was pretty awesome overall. not as good as halo 3 or even 2, but still a solid entry.

negative: the multiplayer. loadouts suck, perks suck, vehicles are made of wet paper, camo camping, constant bombardment of power weapons, the plasma pistol + plasma grenade combo, spawn killing, kill stealing, constant assists, everyone runs and hides instead of shooting it out because you just die instantly if you try to stick around, the maps are awful, and for some reason a lot more people who just betray you for the lulz than in previous titles.

positive: some of the enemies look pretty sweet this time around. the didact especially, but the jackals, hunters, promethean knights and the ranger variants of the covenant look awesome.

negative: on the other hand, the rest of the enemies look pretty dumb compared to reach’s versions of them. the elites look reeaaallllyyyy dumb, as do the grunts. the watchers and crawlers are pretty lame. and… that’s all the enemies. the lack of drones, brutes, engineers and skirmishers are pretty disappointing. and the fact that there’s only 3 kinds of prometheans is a big let down.

12

Weapons
Positive:
-Addition of cool new weapons like Railgun and SAW
-Promethean Weapon Faction adds fresh guns separate from the usual UNSC and Covenant weapon sandbox
-Most weapons feel fairly balanced, particularly how automatic weapons can actually compete with other weapons compared to past Halos
-Killtimes are perfect, fast enough for intense gameplay, and slow enough for teamwork/skilled play instead of based on fast reactions

Negative:
-Removal of unique power weapons like the Reach Grenade Launcher and Plasma Launcher
-Most Promethean Weapons (barring the Binary Rifle, I love that gun) could use some more creativity in terms of weapon mechanics
-Many Power Weapons feel a bit too strong and thus are arguably easier to use compared to past Halos
-Too much aim assist/magnetism for majority of weapons along with no descope reduces the weapon skill gap

Vehicles
Positive:
-Addition of the Mantis

Negative:
-Removal of great vehicles of past Halos like Falcon, Hornet, and Revenant

Customization
Positive:
-Unlockable stances for the player
-More visor color unlocks
-Customization of loadouts to tailor to your playstyle

Negative:
-Armors lack the distinct aesthetics (“tactical feel”) that Reach’s armor had
-Colors are too bright, and secondary color should affect the armor more
-Inclusion of loadouts adds unnecessary unlocks (like Tactical Package/Support Upgrade as Halo’s version of perks) and can even break gameplay (i.e. Plasma Pistol and Stickies against vehicles, spawning with a mini-shotgun); a simple pick Primary Weapon and Armor ability would be good enough

13

Positive: The new weapons are very creative, Spartan Ops, campaig, graphics and stances.

Negative: Sprint, The DLC maps are forgotten, the armors.

14

heres one negative thought never call the covenant hing-heads!

15

I’l start from NEGATIVE, i’m hate new CSR system. Then i play thith a friends in war games, we always get 130 lvl MLG tryhard’s, some of my friends just start to play in Halo universe and they thith me get raped by THI MLG TRYHARD’S. Please 343 i. make for MLG tryhard’s playlist like that was in Reach and make search alot faster without CSR.
P.S. This is my favorite game, but nerd’s are piss me off.

16

Positive:

– BR is Back and its 4 shot <3
– Cool stances and armors collectable
– A lot of armors and emblems to make your spartan look more individuel.
– A lot more competitive than Halo Reach (How I play it)
– Has much more cool maps than Halo Reach (Adrift, Abandon, Haven, Simplex <3)
– I like sprinting, it makes the game way faster. It was sick to walk on Hemorage without sprint -_-
– Pretty nice graphics

Negatives:

– Lag and Blackscreen
– Back out is possible
– JIP still doesnt work 0%
– Sticky nades and Plasma Pistol in the loadouts
– I miss some vehicles
– Spartan Ops is a nice idea but boring right now

Thats just my opinion
peace

17

> Positive:
>
> – Back out is possible

Explain it little more…

18

> > Positive:
> >
> > – Back out is possible
>
> Explain it little more…

the possibility to look who youre enemies are in the game (while voting for maps) and than back out to the lobby if they are to good for you and leave your teammates alone without getting punished for that. :confused: It is disabled in the GC playlist and should be disabled in every playlist.

19

> > > Positive:
> > >
> > > – Back out is possible
> >
> > Explain it little more…
>
> the possibility to look who youre enemies are in the game (while voting for maps) and than back out to the lobby if they are to good for you and leave your teammates alone without getting punished for that. :confused: It is disabled in the GC playlist and should be disabled in every playlist.

Swat 4 vs 4 on Complex, NO WAY, HELL NOOOOOOOOOOO… So that back out is extra…