Thank you so much for creating this playlist, 343. It may be treason, but I’d argue that the Halo 3 Throwback playlist is actually better than Halo 3’s multiplayer. The BR is actually useful, there’s no lag whatsoever, and it looks/feels modern. If Halo 6 shipped with at least one Throwback playlist, I’d be more than content.
I fall under the category of the Halo fanbase that loves Bungie’s Halo, and 343’s Halo. Story-wise, Halo 4 had the best writing/character development, but it wasn’t the most fun to play; as for Halo 5, I won’t give 343 any grievances because I know they were under an unfair deadline, the same applies to the MCC.
You guys have the potential to write the most emotional Halo story, because even Destiny 2’s most touching moments will never live up to the experience that was Halo 4. 343 surpassed Bungie in terms of storytelling, and it’s a shame that people, for whatever reason, had a problem with Halo 4. It was time to kill Cortana, to give Chief a shot at being human- people who demanded her return were short-sighted. Jon could have developed SO much from Cortana’s death, as we saw with the first Halo 5 trailer.
Why am I bringing this up while talking about the Throwback playlist? It’s because I love 343’s take on Halo, how they actually care about the expanded lore, and want to play around with Halo’s mechanics. I think there’s a time and a place for everything, and Halo 5: Guardians was a mistep in implementing sprint, spartan abilities, and so forth. But that isn’t 343’s fault. Guardians was originally supposed to be a side game, like Halo 3: ODST. Just from playing Guardian’s campaign, you feel like it’s part of a much bigger picture, which was supposed to be Halo 5- the same way ODST tied into Halo 3. Now, I love Halo 5’s multiplayer, and while it doesn’t feel like classic Halo, just having the Throwback playlist is enough for me.
I’ve been playing Halo since Combat Evolved. The franchise literally grew up with me. Halo is the only shooter series I continuously return to. I can say I come back for the story, the characters, the gameplay- it doesn’t matter. There’s a magic in Halo, the same way there’s magic in Final Fantasy. There’s this mythic status that comes with the Halo games, and as far as I’m concerned, Destiny included, there’s not a single shooter that rivals it. To this day, I choose Halo 5 over any other shooter, Throwback playlist or not. I love 343’s take on Halo, and while yeah, I wish they’d make Halo 6 like the Throwback playlist (since it’s better than the original Halo trilogy), if they decide to revamp Halo again, I’m sure I’ll love it. I just want there to be a Throwback playlist, like with this one.
Some fans say it has to be one or the other, but I can’t stress how much fun it is to jump from the Halo 3 Throwback playlist and then straight into Super Fiesta, or Warzone. I LOVE having that much freedom, those many choices, in one game. Neither gametypes are bad. Again, I will still choose Halo 5 over Battlefield One, Destiny 1 and 2, Call of Duty Black Ops, as a stretch, even Horizon Zero Dawn. To be able to have the oldschool feeling of Halo, and whatever take 343 wants to experiment with next, on Halo 6, it would be a dream come true.
If anyone from 343 reads this, please consider what I’ve said. Again, I’ve been a die-hard Halo fan since Combat Evolved. The most well-written story is, hands down, Halo 4. The most fun gameplay is Halo 5’s Throwback Playlist, as opposed to the original Halo 3. 343 has the ability to make the best Halo game EVER. Please, use that ability and make all of us as happy as I am now.
Again, thank you for listening to fans and creating this playlist.
EDIT: I want to include that my most memorable Halo match took place in Halo 4. I still tell people about the crazy, amazing things that happened in that match. And my favorite Halo match I’ve ever played, and I’ve been playing since Combat Evolved, happened recently in the Halo 3 Throwback playlist. I know Halo’s in the right hands, 343. You guys rock.