This is just a thread to really show my appreciation to 343 for Halo 4.
(Thread contains campaign spoilers)
I picked up my copy of Halo 4 during the midnight launch this morning. I got home, didn’t download any codes, didn’t even take the time to appreciate the contents of my LE; I just put the disc in and commenced on my journey through the campaign.
I finished the campaign later that morning, at 7am (on Heroic)… And then proceeded to my 9am lecture: overwhelmed, emotional and, above all, satisfied.
343, I just want you to know you created an exceptional Campaign. Forget War Games, forget Forge and forget Spartan Ops: this, to me, is what Halo is about.
The first level suited me perfectly. I stopped playing Reach well over a year ago and played Halo Wars religiously… Until last night. Stepping into the Campaign, I was rusty, to say the least. I felt just like Chief. Like I had been in Cryo sleep for 4 years. But by the end of the mission, myself and the Chief were back to our old selves.
I applaud you for the second mission. The first time you step out onto the cliff and you see the Sky Pillars was a magical experience. It was just like the feeling I got when I first stepped out onto Halo, in CE, over 10 years ago. I must have spent about 15 minutes just looking around at the scenery, in awe.
The end cut scene for the 5th (or 7th?) mission, where Cortana was panicking, sad and jealous at the thought of Chief being paired with a new AI cut me so deep! I am admire how you have made Cortana and the Chief into much more human characters, who I can develop a deeper connection and understanding with (don’t get me started on the final cut scene! ;_; )
Of course, I have criticisms. I don’t want people to see this as complaints and get defensive. I feel comfortable giving criticisms because 343 are professionals. They’re both very similar and are:
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I didn’t really get that feeling that Lasky and Chief had history. FuD builds up the whole idea that Chief is Lasky’s role model who inspires him to great ends. Until the final cut scene, we don’t really get much of that feeling that they’ve had history and Lasky is in total awe of the guy. Of course, Lasky is an officer so probably won’t act unprofessional. Also, I understand that 343 had so many other character relations to focus on that they couldn’t fit it all in. So im not unhappy with it.
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Secondly, apart from Cortana’s out burst (“They replaced you!”), there isn’t much acknowledgement of the Spartan IV program. Chief just seems to notice them and go on without saying a thing. More over, aside from the opening bit of Mission 6, I didn’t really feel the reaction from the Spartan IV’s at seeing the Chief return. They only give the odd salute and cheeky remark. I was expecting a bit more… But again, I know 343 had so many other things to focus on they couldn’t fit it all in. These are just constructing criticisms from me
This isn’t a criticism, but I am unsure how to feel about the Didact. I thoroughly enjoyed the Greg Bear novels, and I really enjoyed Bornstellar’s character in it. He just did not come across as who I thought he was. Im also unsure about how it ends… I could go on about this but I digress.
If you’ve actually read this, I applaud you. I hope someone from 343 has come on the forums tonight and read this by chance. I want them to know, albeit all the complaints going on about multiplayer and what-not, that they made a fantastic campaign. And that’s what matters, for me.
Thank you 343, for my Halo 4 experience.