The Ending Felt.. Out of Place. *Spoilers!*

Games Other Halo
1

Spoilers follows and are hidden behind spoiler tags. You have been warned.

Okay, let’s just get things straight. I loved the Halo 4 Campaign. It was deep, rich, and I felt myself more deeply captivated by it than any other Halo game. But I have to admit that the ending really threw the whole experience off. One of these reasons? Cortana’s “death”.

I can’t say that Cortana has ever been on my good side. Despite her actions to save me multiple times, her Cpt. Obvious personality has me yelling at her 90% of the time. I digress, the way she was handled at the end, considering the games theme, slammed the door shut. Why? Character development.

It was mentioned multiple times before release that this new trilogy — especially this game — was supposed to focus on Master Chiefs development as a character. I am in 100% support of this, because dwelling deeper into the mysterious life of John was something that would intrigue any Halo player. But Cortana’s death really killed the whole idea of character development in my opinion. Sure, death really helps someone see who they are and develop new values, but I find it odd that they kill off a crucial character in the first installment of the new trilogy. Not to mention, Cortana was the only thing that prevented Master Chief from being a full-blown Sociopath. He betrayed orders, and risked his life several times to save Cortana, and that was the only form of affection that we ever seen from Master Chief. So really, the only person that ever enticed emotion from Master Chief was killed off.

I saw a lot of potential with the relationship between Cortana and John, and I really expected 343 to play with this relationship through-out the entirety of the trilogy. Of course, there is still hope that they will in future games, but the death of Cortana was not a good indication of this. I feel that her death was too fast and the whole relationship between the two was not developed enough to have such a abrupt ending.

TL;DR - Cortana’s death hinders further character development emotionally. She was a key factor in his emotions, and her death was too abrupt. The relationship between the two was not given enough time to develop, so it felt out of place.

Discuss.

2

Did you ever consider that that was the point? Cortana’s death, while abrupt in the context of a three game-spanning trilogy, was heavily foreshadowed and almost inevitable throughout the campaign. But more to the point, Cortana’s death DID serve as a characterization for the Chief, as well as her descent to rampancy. As we watch Cortana go rampant, we simultaneously watch Chief reveal more of his feelings for her. I was particularly touched when Didact shatters Cortana’s pedestal just before the final sequence and Chief screams “Cortana!” There was something about that scream that was incredibly emotional, like a part of him had been ripped out of its place. Terrific work by the voice actor.

You nailed it when you sad death is a form of characterization, and that without Cortana Chief is a sociopath. That is the point of her death - now, we see what Chief becomes without her (hint hint, Legendary ending).

3

I thought the ending was very reminiscent of Halo CE, all it really does is set the stage for the rest of the trilogy while still being awesome.

4

I honestly don’t think we’ve seen the last of Cortana.

5

Lol who’s to say she’s really gone? We will probably hear from her in the future, maybe even as an antagonist.

6

Well I don’t believe that Cortana is truly dead… no

7

I’ve redone the last chapter and I still dont get it… Everything’s a bit too wtf for my liking.

8

Here’s what I think will happen:

Chief tells Cortana that everything will be alright if he can get her to Halsey. We’ve already seen her in the game, being questioned about Master Chief and his replacement(s). This means we will probably see her in the other games too. And since we can no longer take Cortana to Halsey, we will probably be taking Halsey to Cortana.