Hey everyone, I was thinking it would be a good idea for us to outline exactly what we want for the Classic gametypes in Halo 4, because those gametypes will be a in a large part 343 throwing us a bone. We should make it easy for them.
First I’d like to differentiate two different gametypes, Classic and Barebones.
I think the Classic gametypes should be the trilogy’s traits and mechanics mixed with the Halo 4 sandbox and maps. Though I like Sprint, I think it should out of this gametype. Movement and jump height and jump “floatiness” should be like they were in the Original trilogy. Health, amount of shields, shield recharge rate should be exactly like they were, as well as other factors like bleedthrough. Melee damage should be the same. Scoring should be based solely on kills, and should go to 50. Respawn time and weapon spawns should be like in the trilogy as well.
But there’s a few things that I think will be unnecessary to take out. Assassinations should stay in the playlist. I personally don’t think weapon stats should be altered. Unless we find it really necessary, I think that the playlist should mostly use Halo 4 maps. Maybe there can be two types of Classic slayer where one has the Armor Abilities spread out around the map to replicate the equipment from Halo 3 and where the other completely leaves out abilities. I personally think that the abilities should be used as equipment, maybe they can be used up (3 thrusts, 1 hardlight shield, 1 hologram, etc.).
I’d personally choose to not have so many remakes for this playlist, unless Halo 4’s maps really just don’t fit the playstyle (let’s just wait and see about that aspect). I adore Forge and I’m very optimistic about where it’s going with 343 and Certain Affinity, especially with the 3 different Forge environments, but having the Classic playlist contain too many Forged maps could really dampen the experience unless it was really necessary.
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The Classic playlist, in my opinion, should NOT try to make us think we’re playing Halo: CE, 2, or 3. It should try to make us think we’re playing a different Halo 4 that is pre-Reach and is part of a 4 game original “quadrology”. The maps changed between Halos 1, 2, and 3, so I think it’s fine to add more, as well as new weapons and even Halo 3-style equipment. Even something like Assassinations should be kept in, A.) because they’re awesome, B.) because they are a logical addition to the original trilogy, just like Hijacking was. The Classic gametypes should feel like the original trilogy, or at least as close as Halo 3 was to Halo 2. But I think it’s possible for a Classic gametype to be annoying if it’s TOO hindsighted. It should make us think it fits in the trilogy just like CE, 2, and 3 do.
Regarding Barebones: This is a gametype that I think has value in a different way. Rather than try to replicate a previous game’s playstyle, this should just provide a more focused, less cluttered version of the Halo 4 multiplayer. Does this mean no Ordnance drops? Maybe. Does this mean Sprint is in? Maybe, because I think Classic should be the gametype stripped of Sprint, and we should have one of these types of gametypes that DOES have Sprint in it. Does Barebones mean scrap the AAs entirely, rather than distributing them around the map like equipment? I think so. And if anyone can come up with a better name for it than fricking Barebones, I’ll give them a sugary pastry.
I’d like to hear everyone else’s opinion on the matter; Many people have voiced their approval for a Classic gametype, but few have said exactly what they wanted. The original classic gametype in Reach was not what I think a Classic gametype should be.