Prelude…
So originally I started writing this post as lamenting facets of the Hammer Storm update, talking about how bummed I was playing it for the first time last night, etc…
Then I realized, c’mon man, quit being a spoiled -Yoink- and just be grateful for this amazing update and all that 343 is providing you for free, post-launch.
For the record, I’ve been very vocal on these forums that I absolutely love the incredible effort 343 has shown to Halo since taking over the franchise, from MCC to now with Halo 5, arguably my favorite Halo game of all time and easily the most invested in one I’ve been since 2.
The Point!
I love all of the new additions to Halo 5 they provided us in this new update, but have a couple of major suggestions for improvement I really, really hope they implement.
1. Separate Playlists, or Fused Playlists: It’s amazing being able to launch into a game of Grifball anytime I want now. Same goes for Assault (temporarily anyway). But there’s zero Fiesta to be played outside of custom games so far. Fiesta to me gives me a great opportunity to hit all of my weapon commendations while having a blast in a crazy, over-the-top gametype. I’d propose making each of these new gametypes a separate, permanent playlist, or (if you’re worried about players leaving a particular gametype, which is likely in the case of Assault over time) start including Fiesta and Assault in Team Arena’s rotation. You could even throw Fiesta into Team Slayer’s playlist.
2. COMMENDATIONS!!: Personally, I love them, and they’re a huge part of the reason I’ve stayed addicted to Halo 5 for this long (keeps you vested to try and unlock all of the REQs, completions, etc.). I was disappointed to see that with the new gametype additions, there were no updated commendations for these gametypes. I want to see Grifball Victory, Level 1, 3/5 wins completed… Grifball Base Defense, Level 4, 30/50… Grifball Scorer… you get the point. Similarly with Assault (Base Defense, Offense, Victories)… not sure you could do this with Fiesta (maybe wins, a kill from five separate weapons, I dunno), but you get the point. I officially completed my Sword commendation levels last night in three rounds of Grifball. Now… I don’t have much reason to go back to it, whatsoever, as I’m not unlocking anything unless I’m just playing for fun with other members of my Spartan Company. So I’m already back to Arena as a result! (also, Hammer weapon mastery…)
In Conclusion…
Anyway, hoping someone from 343 reads this, and that they decide to go these routes with their new gametypes. I LOVE what they’re doing with the franchise, and don’t want to come across as an ungrateful fan (just the opposite, I actually think they’re putting in far more effort than Bungie did at this point). Very appreciative of these amazing updates and can’t wait for Firefight down the line either… but give us easy access to these gametypes for the long haul, and give us some commendations for these new gametypes to keep me addicted to playing them and trying to master them! Great work, again, 343!