An interesting and topical read:
The Problem with Sequels (Cliff Bleszinski)
Read that a bit back and agree 100%.
Change too much, the community cries foul.
Change too little, the community still cries foul.
Well put Cliffy B. I can’t think of a game that hasn’t felt this.
Its true. Very true.
I mean, even on a personal level. I think Halo should move forward with every new game. Not completely ignoring what makes the game of course, but still trying to innovate, adding new things, moving in new directions. I feel that way, because Halo has started off as an innovative series with CE and H2. Innovation, setting bars etc to me is essential to the core of what makes Halo appealing.
But I bet a lot of people reading this would just be glad with Halo 3 HD Super Deluxe Edition to put it that way.
There is a fine line to be balanced upon. And even if a dev does it right, there will still be loads of people not getting EXACTLY WHAT THEY WANTED, so there will always be complainers and people feeling duped.
True, but Halo 2 was a successful development of the original franchise. Although it got off badly a TU saved it, turning it from a flaming failure to a shining success. Halo 4’s TU hasn’t really helped and the game is too different from the original to be recognisable as Halo.
QFT.
At least the Halo franchise had things like ODST and Reach. They might not have been the most popular of the iterations but they kept things in-universe while bringing a more ‘realistic’ feel to things. Having an uber chief destroying rings and requiems and armadas every game by the skin of his teeth! gets old. Those games were tonally different while bringing some different combat aspects to the game (firefight, AAs).
While I have issues with the way halo 4 was done story wise (and significantly smaller issues with multiplayer) I’m still a die hard fan and can’t wait to see where go with halo 5. I’m pretty sure nothing short of Master Chief in a tutu would ruin this franchise for me. I guess I have a thicker skin than some based on the rumblings you read on this forum.
Too true.