What, to you, makes Halo feel like "Halo"?

Games Other Halo
1

Everybody keeps saying that parts of Halo 4 are beginning to resemble COD. While I think that’s true, some people are saying that it’s a good thing and that it was time for Halo to change and evolve.

I don’t mind change, as long as the change absolutely had to happen. Examples of change I don’t mind: newer graphics, better sound, new soundtrack, new story, etc. I don’t even mind if Halo 4’s weapon sandbox was completely different from every other game in the series. And some people are criticizing 343 for not understanding what makes Halo, “Halo.” And at the same time, 343 is claiming that Halo 4 does, in fact, feel like Halo.

But, seriously…what do you think makes Halo what it is?

For me:
-Awesome campaign that can be played with at least 2 people
-Weapon sandbox wherein no weapons are duplicates and each weapon serves a purpose: standard close-range, point-blank range, long-range, grenades, explosives, weapon that works in all areas and does a slightly above average job in each one (DMR in Reach, pistol in Halo CE, battle rifle, etc.), and each weapon can be used outside of its niche, just not as effectively (but not useless either)

-Ambient soundtrack that fits the environment in campaign
-Multiplayer with ranked and unranked, everybody starting with the same stuff, having to fight for weapons on the map
-Fast movement speed, decent jump height
-You VS aliens in campaign, along with alien weapons that have their own functions
-Being able to use weapons and vehicles
-Either slayer or objective-based gametypes in multiplayer

Rather than asking 343 if they know what makes Halo “Halo,” we should probably just tell them. What do you think the Halo feel is?

2

For me it means a balanced and good competitive game. Everyone spawns equal (with a BR of course), and power weapons and power ups are found on the map.

I’m not THAT crazy about campaign, but I do appreciate a good story.

3

The core gameplay. Which was obviously destroyed in Reach and still lacking in H4.

4

> The core gameplay. Which was obviously destroyed in Reach and still lacking in H4.

This

5

> > The core gameplay. Which was obviously destroyed in Reach and still lacking in H4.
>
> This

Oh you both played it. I’m jealous.

6

The music you hear in games 1-3
Duel wielding SMGs
Superjumps (haha)
Ranking system 1-50. Gives you and your buddies something to strive for in MP
MLG – only because they do a great job of balancing out maps and making competitive play a great experience
Customs – includes Forge modes etc. (I remember creating maps in Halo3 and then playing 4v4 customs on them. Plus we made awesome Maze maps were you attempted to infiltrate a base but it had no functioning entrance, but rather secret ways in. was a lot of fun)
Trolling over mics during games
and yes the MAIN thing that makes Halo Halo for me…the CAMPAIGN!!! I don’t really get into a game’s story, but Halo hit me. hard. Abuse kind of hard. And really started me on the path of FPS (Well, except for good ol’ James Bond 007 Golden Eye. That was a classic)

7

> > > The core gameplay. Which was obviously destroyed in Reach and still lacking in H4.
> >
> > This
>
> Oh you both played it. I’m jealous.

Damnnnnnnnn ive never heard that response before. I didn’t have to play halo reach before the beta to know that the core gameplay was out of whack, same goes for halo 4.

8

What makes Halo Halo for me is the Universe and the rich story. Gameplay arnt as high as Story is for me.

9

> > > > The core gameplay. Which was obviously destroyed in Reach and still lacking in H4.
> > >
> > > This
> >
> > Oh you both played it. I’m jealous.
>
> Damnnnnnnnn ive never heard that response before. I didn’t have to play halo reach before the beta to know that the core gameplay was out of whack, same goes for halo 4.

And what do you consider “Core Gameplay?”

10

Honestly, just a decent and VISIBLE ranking system. Something to brag about. Gameplay isn’t as important to me as a good ranking system. I can deal with adapting to a different playstyle and the different feels of a new game, but if I have no incentive to reach a certain level or rank then the game means nothing to me. That’s what made the game fun to me. To me, that’s what defined Halo as a multiplayer FPS.

11

emphasis on teamwork and a skill gap that allows the better player to beat the less skilled player. not randomness (reach)

12

Everyone starting on an even footing regardless of ranks/playtime.

No perks, unlocks, attachments ect…

13

Humor alongside seriousness. (That works)

14

> > > > > The core gameplay. Which was obviously destroyed in Reach and still lacking in H4.
> > > >
> > > > This
> > >
> > > Oh you both played it. I’m jealous.
> >
> > Damnnnnnnnn ive never heard that response before. I didn’t have to play halo reach before the beta to know that the core gameplay was out of whack, same goes for halo 4.
>
> And what do you consider “Core Gameplay?”

The solid perfect gameplay of Halo 1-3 where everybody started out equal. Where you actually had to fight for your weapons and powerups and perfect movement speed and jump height. Maybe somebody else can probably give you a little better definition then that because Im really tired right now and Im not thinking straight.

15

A balanced game in which everyone spawns exactly the same, with the same opportunities to fight for the power weapons and strategic points on the map. It’s also about skills such as strategic jumps that reward people who learn them, and grenade bounces. It’s also about weapon balance, great maps and - of course - 1-50 levels.

16

> > > > > The core gameplay. Which was obviously destroyed in Reach and still lacking in H4.
> > > >
> > > > This
> > >
> > > Oh you both played it. I’m jealous.
> >
> > Damnnnnnnnn ive never heard that response before. I didn’t have to play halo reach before the beta to know that the core gameplay was out of whack, same goes for halo 4.
>
> And what do you consider “Core Gameplay?”

That is a good question. I consider core gameplay a lot of things.

-movement speed and acceleration
-aiming (bullet magnetism, aim acceleration, aim assist, hitboxes)
-starting equal

Movement speed, acceleration, and everything under aiming were horrible in reach, but we dont have enough gameplay of halo 4 to really discuss that. But the starting equal aspect of what i consider “core gameplay” is obviously not in halo 4 by default, nor was it in reach.

17

> What makes Halo Halo for me is the Universe and the rich story. Gameplay arnt as high as Story is for me.

This. The story, characters, setting, universe, etc… are what truly make Halo “Halo”.

18

-Responsive movement and strafing.
-Having an accurate gun which didn’t depend on how fast you were moving or how fast you were shooting (unlike other games at the time like counter strike, battlefield, day of defeat…)
-Medium kill times. (Quick, but not “first shot first kill BS”)
-Great smooth gameplay on both huge maps and small CQB maps.
-Unique weapons. Grenades, melee.

Awesome campaign, awesome story, awesome elites, cute grunts. Sneaking around and backsmacking sleeping grunts (seriously, why did only H1 have this?).

19

For me there’s definitely a “feel” that’s provided by the visuals, music etc. But there’s also the gameplay which is a huge part of that feel. If we’re talking about multiplayer to me it’s this simple:

It feels like Halo if all players spawn as equals and must use their skill, knowledge, and communication to outplay each other with consistent and useful weapons, vehicles and powerups.

20

> -Responsive movement and strafing.
> -Having an accurate gun which didn’t depend on how fast you were moving or how fast you were shooting (unlike other games at the time like counter strike, battlefield, day of defeat…)
> -Medium kill times. (Quick, but not “first shot first kill BS”)
> -Great smooth gameplay on both huge maps and small CQB maps.
> -Unique weapons. Grenades, melee.
>
> Awesome campaign, awesome story, awesome elites, cute grunts. Sneaking around and backsmacking sleeping grunts (seriously, why did only H1 have this?).

Because rumor got around that some 7 foot tall dude was killing aliens sleeping on duty, and now grunts are afraid to go to sleep.

But ya, gameplay, story, visuals, music, and cool features like forge and theater are what make halo for me. I guess thats kind of broad but whatever im tired.