Halo started out as a big hit for console games and was praised for being innovative for console games and some would say set the new standard for a triple AAA FPS. Believe it or not but Halo was a different FPS for its time, some would even go as far to call it unique. The differences between a CS/Quake or even a Goldeneye/Halo may be easily overlooked aside from their platform but from core game mechanics, game pace, to simple things like radar and weapons there were huge differences to the keen eye or anyone who played the popular PC FPS at the time.
Part of the charm of the original Halo was its mystery and the hype that spread like wildfire between friends and gamers. People played the original multiplayer on split screen/system link Xbox’s, that was crazy to some people and seen as “inferior functionality” which it and the Xbox rightfully was at the time. But, it created this “party” environment among friends, LAN’ing Halo was suddenly socially acceptable and really was an amazing gaming experience. Granted LAN’ing any multiplayer is better than online, but it really created a sense of exclusivity and nostalgia that stuck with people more than any online gaming experience would. On top of that was the campaign which really was revolutionary for console games at the time, the AI and depth of story and gameplay certainly hadnt been created on console until then with great controls and immersiveness in a universe which captivated and intrigued legions of fans to come.
So fast forward to today, many FPS franchises today copied key parts of the Halo formula which was regenerating health, two gun limit,features, and to an extent the Golden triangle of combat having a seperate button for each combat action. Halo gameplay even started to resemble other FPS franchises in the most recent installment of Reach with loadouts, Firefight, and a more realistic feel as the military shooter rose to the top most notably on console the CoD franchise. Now to be fair, the loadouts were very unrealistic and different than say weapon loadouts but the concept was the same. So with the new generation of gamers widely interested in realistic and cinematic/gritty experiences from their shooters as well as widely “gimmicky”(Sorry but its true)multiplayer and huge customization from weapons to classes and Halo offering the opposite with simple and straightforward gameplay, sci-fi universe, and a more light-hearted and alien atmosphere it seems unlikely Halo will ever catch on like it did with the older generation of Xbox gamers unless it is compromised which would ultimately in my opinion would result in the death of the franchise.
Some would say it already has been compromised with sprint and loadouts changing the fundamental gameplay, but Bungie for the most part kept Halo well Halo in my opinion, and we all know of their supposed struggle with Microsoft reguarding the franchise and them becoming a independent studio again. So are we really willing to ruin a game for potentially more popularity? Do we really want killstreaks or perks in Halo? Do we really want weapon customization or ADS? Do we really want Halo to go the military shooter route just for a potentially larger audience? I know my answer is “HELL NO” and I dislike most shooters these days for those gameplay features and Halo is one of the only FPS I still these days. Oh no, going that route would not only be pretty much impossible due to its gameplay mechanics and universe but illogical.
So what does Halo need? Halo needs another game in the franchise like Halo CE. Now what I mean by that is a FPS that has a truly captivating campaign, a sense of mystery, maybe even some further exploration of the Halo universe expanding on what we already know. I like the direction 343i is going with the “Ancient Evil” and “Reclaimer Trilogy” which seems like it could really bring that alien and sense of mystery and intrigue back to the Halo universe. Then for the gameplay/multiplayer side I think Halo needs to offer something the other FPS franchise dont have by simply offering the Halo multiplayer experience to its fullest with maybe some new features that fit in with gameplay(aka not armor lock or reticle bloom). I am a huge believer that the core of Halo needs to remain the same and so do the fundamentals of gameplay, and by simply improving things a game mechanic can seem like its something new. For example, if Halo had similar crisp and responsive controls of Halo CE from aiming to movement only with better weapons and maps that still is an improvement and seems new to the player without having to potentially harm critical components of gameplay. You can do the same thing with the Sandbox.
By introducing a new line of weapons, new map interactivity, or a new line of power-ups or pick-up items , you are sticking with the fundamentals of gameplay but offering the player something new and advancing the game at the same time. I guess what im saying is if you create the best Halo sandbox, you have the best Halo movements, you have the best Halo aiming system, and you have the best online features you will have th e best Halo game while at the same time advancing the franchise. Thats all that the fanbase and franchise really needs is a worthy sequel reminding people why they love Halo and it will sell and the fanbase will be happy. Thats what Halo really needs.