When you take a modern FPS, the ability to sprint is almost always present. There is nothing special about it. It is a basic function and makes perfect sense for those twitch based military fps games. Until very recently sprint has been absent from Halo. Now that its here, should it be here to stay?
I have seen a few threads talk about why it should stay and then arguments break out about why it should go. But here you will find my personal opinions on the matter as well has some pros and cons.
First of all this discussion is about sprint and sprint only. i would appreciate the other armor abilities remain out of this discussion as there are many threads based on that topic.
In my opinion, Sprint should not be in Halo 4. People need to take in to consideration that Halo 4 will probably have faster movement speeds, and it would make sprint as an included function obsolete. More than once I have seen people say that sprint should be included in the game as a permanent function and can be used in conjunction with the other AA. This should not happen.
In most FPS games sprinting is used almost exclusively on getting places faster, as it has no use in actual combat do to the fact that in most games killing someone else is very easy and does not require a lot of shots. When you add sprinting to Halo’s gameplay, it adds a very frustrating problem. In Halo, because there is a degree of skill involved in taking someone down, sprinting gives the other player a very easy way of just getting out and running. In past Halo’s, if you were to get suprised you would have to react. You would have to bounce a nade off the wall to keep them back and maybe jump down to a nearby ledge, or heaven forbid turn around and try to out shoot them. With sprint, as soon as people start getting shot at, they make a b-line with sprint the opposite direction. It isn’t game breaking by any means, but its just something i don’t feel like Halo needs. Especially if it is to be included by default and will always be with the player.
Not to mention the fact that sprinting just isn’t Halo. It doesn’t need sprint to get around the map faster because you already move pretty fast, and the maps are all fairly small and movement is very easy. And in the large maps there are vehicles and again not really a reason to sprint.
But I realize that I am just one opinion, and clearly some of you feel like sprint should be in the game one way or another. Because I am willing to compromize, I think i have developed a solution to the sprint problem.
I believe that in the normal playlists, AA/E should spawn on the map and be pick ups. There can be other playlists with armor abilities you spawn with, and then a classic playlist with none at all. But as for the tradition Team Slayer gametype, they should be pick ups. I’m not going to go in to which ones from reach stay, or go, or new ones to be added. This is a discussion on Sprint after all.
In reach sprint was more like the lack of an armor ability. If you didn’t have anything cool, you could use sprint. In halo 4, i say we make it a full fledge ability called, The Agility Module. Remember, this is a pick up you get off the map. The agility module works similar to sprint in that it makes you run faster. When activated you can not use your gun, and because you are going at a very fast speed, your peripheral vision is blurred slightly. Instead of just running and panting. This armor ability changes the physical appearance of your boots. Obviously it has to look cool, but Isaac Clarke’s boots from DS come to mind. When activated what looks to be like tiny jets go off on your boots and you take off like a bad -Yoink-. Also the sound que for when it starts seems more like an engine igniting ( sounds more like a jetpack to be honest). As an added bonus, the agility module allows you to do a double jump while in mid air. So you can jump once at normal height, then get another 50% boost from the thrusters on your legs.
This is just an example of how sprint can be in the game, while still giving it a Halo vibe. I realize most hardcore players wouldn’t like this, and i completely understand. But just know that there is always going to be a playlist for you. There will be playlists where maybe you spawn with the AM, others you might have to pick it up, and in playlists for the most resilient of Halo fans, No armor abilities at all.
I could go on, but honesty, its up to the community. Do you think it needs to stay? Or should it go? Or maybe…you like my idea, where it is a pick up.
DISCUSS and play nice…