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[Hubble]

My impressions from a competitive Halo team gamer:

The game is better than I thought with the drastic changes but clearly it's to cater to the core CODish casual crowd. You can tell the thought design in Halo 5 is how to make this game more accessible to everyone? With that, a lot of drastic changes really change this game from no longer a Halo game but to a fun game.

Lets examine the decisions and why Halo 5 is meant to make it more accessible.

Clambering - you can jump and it will lift up to the platform. 343 must've thought skill jumping is a critical element in Halo, but how do we make this simpler for casuals? Clambering is the answer. Jump up and you will lift up like COD AW. Clambering in effect makes skill jumping pointless. You get to tougher to reach locations by clambering. Jumps from Pink 2 to Pink 3, while easy in Halo 3, is even easier with clambering and there are some higher points in the beta that are accessible by the easy clambering intentionally. Imagine if you can clamber to Ring 3 on Shrine/Sanctuary in Halo MCC, how easy it would be and how more people would do it? Clambering really changes Halo more than you think including the maps for the negative. Skill jumping would make clambering pointless but instead they chose clambering.

ADS - Pretty self explanatory. During matches, more people are using ADS because it's easier even the AR. I do like how it is implemented in the game that is creative and futuristic except for the SMG, I noticed before the video came out that the SMG ADS needs to nerfed, but I think it should still be removed altogether. I've seen kills for example in ADS with the SMG that would not have happened without it. ADS is to make casuals feel more comfortable. I need more playtime to decide but I may find ADS acceptable in Halo 5, since I think the time you take to use it, leaves more time for the person who doesn't use it to get shots off quicker.

Sprint - It is hugely annoying and changes the mechanics of the game entirely. Where Halo was "floaty", now the game is about sprint. In competitive team matches, if you're good. you will sprint literally almost all the time to your location like to help a team mate or until you meet opposition that stops you, but most of the time you are sprinting. I am literally clicking my sprint button for most if not half of the game. Having your shield not recharge while sprinting does not impact the movement in the game until you are in a battle. Go top mid on Truth, the midship map, and see how big the sword runway is to accommodate sprint and the sides of the map. Also with sprint it is still too easy to run away from your battles at the touch of a button.

Maps - I'm sorry but with clambering and sprint, Truth/the midship remake should really be more creative and have more personality. It lacks the little touches that midship had, and I think a big reason is the largeness to accommodate sprint and clambering e.g., the long wide lanes on the sides. It's really weird but as someone who loves midship and its variants, Truth is not a bad map but it lacks the personality and the stamp as its predecessors. Hard to explain but is not as iconic and is more plain, not as distinctive as the others.

BR Battle - In previous Halos, and in customs, or what not people wanted to see 'your BR'. How is it? Do you strafe? Dance? Jump? Can you win your 1v1's? The art of the BR battle is compromised by thruster. Every BR battle uses the thruster to dash to one side in effect prolonging the battles to cat and mouse or thruster away behind the corner giving you enough time to recharge your shields even when a good player 'had you'. 343 like a lot of these decisions have tried to balance it like you are able to thruster just once until seconds so it is not too much, but it still has an impact.

Controls - The controls are fucked. Say goodbye to bumper jumper. With the importance of the thruster, bumper jump is now not an option. Hitting 'X' to thruster while choosing the direction, like backwards, left, is not intuitive enough compared to the other options. I know many Halo 5 beta users who did not like the controls trying all the different presets.

Assassination animations - Please I thought this would be gone? Why would they keep this in? Makes me sick seeing this design in Halo 4 being carried to 5. Taking the time to be sneaky and being patient strategizing to get behind your opponent is now not feasible. You cant backsmack and dip or, even get that double or triple kill when behind the team even when called out but by dancing and confusing the enemy team by frantically moving around they're searching for you. I guess that is the point, to make it easier for the casuals to get you when you are sneakily assassinating. Performing a backsmack sometimes performs the long assassination leaving you vulnerable and you will likely just get killed leaving all your efforts to flank the enemy team wasteful.

Ranking system - I like the 1-50 system but okay, 343 has thought of a good idea to have the ranking system reflect your skill and you get an individual performance bonus after every match, there are tiers that separately place you. It seems like a good idea but can you just put this under the 1-50 system modifying it? The color schemes is not as clear, and does not have nowhere as much motivation or value to keep playing to get that 5 0. With all the tiers and divisions really waters down the ranking system to the everyday player who just wants to strive to get the 50. It has less of an impact and a Halo player I doubt will be more motivated to get to 'Diamond Tier 1' rather than the simple simplification of a 50, where everyone understood.

Guns - Too many options have left too many uses. SMG is way too powerful close range, needs to be nerfed, will beat a BR or DMR. The AR I'm not sure yet but definitely the SMG including its ADS. The pistol is awesome, they nailed it, something about it just feels really good to use, is addicting to keep going back to even though it is slightly underpowered. It needs a tad boost in damage or more bullets in its clips. The AR will defeat the pistol easily even if you only miss a few of the shots in your pistol, but you need to hit most of them with it to win.

Weapon callouts - really? This is SMH. Who thought of this idea at 343? Did that person play Halo competitively? I can't fathom how this got into the game. I already explained the reasons why this is detrimental and it's common sense so will not bother to explain but this really changes how regular matchmaking game plays out. I've already noticed the whole team scrambling and grouping around the sniper when it is being called out.

My opinion? If I was compromising, remove clambering, bring back skill jumping and sprint, PLEASE remove sprint entirely. It's just annoying to sprint all the time. Also with the thruster, that is already enough to get yourself out of a situation. Even though you won't recharge your shields, by the press of a button, you can still escape easily with sprint negating the good work of your enemy.

All in all the game is a lot of fun, way better than Halo 4 by a mile, but with the changes, you will get what you want. Adding abilities and not standardizing play for clan matches may boost the population but will have a COD effect in competitive play, where it is taken less serious to a game like Counter-Strike, which Halo used to have just as much of a reputation for. Halo 5 with its kettle pot of abilities will lose its reputation as a PC like competitive game but may increase its accessibility from Halo 4.

I do disagree with this theory though. I think Halo 3 was mega popular for its time and would have been moreso if released later and if it was on PC also, it would have reached Counter Strike popularity, and believe it would have been just as popular as COD, and do not think these changes were necessary as 343 thinks in chasing the COD crowd. A positive for my negativity is the sound design is AAA though in everything, love it, from the shields recharging to how the pistol sounds.

 

[VincentMatts]

Grenades really are too strong.. They either have to reduce the damage/area of damage or reduce the spawn count to only 1.. Grenade spamming really sucks.

Grenades were killer in Halo CE werent they, and didnt you have like 8? Maybe 8 is a bit extreme, but i kinda like strong grenades.

 

[RdN]

Grenades were killer in Halo CE werent they, and didnt you have like 8? Maybe 8 is a bit extreme, but i kinda like strong grenades.

Grenades on Halo CE are more like mini nukes. I personally think they break the game.

 

[VincentMatts]

Grenades on Halo CE are more like mini nukes. I personally think they break the game.

And the pistol didn't?

 

[Poodlestrike]

Grenades on Halo CE are more like mini nukes. I personally think they break the game.

I'm actually thinking about how grenade jumping might make a comeback. They've certainly got enough oomph to them.

 

[ShogunX]

Wow, I guess I really struck a nerve. You even went to other threads to recopilate all those posts. Amazing, you really went above and beyond the call. Guess I should feel flattered you took your time to prepare such a beautiful post (agree with everything you quoted)

Seriously though, I haven't critiziced everything. I like thrusters, I like the decreased aim-assist, I like the default pistol being useful again, I like the Combat Evolved medal (well, technically what you have to do to earn it) I like the faster pace of the combat...

I'm just focusing on the things I don't like, because I would like them changed before the game hits. Better to complain now than when it is too late, no? And no, I don't need to play the game first to know that I hate ADS, that I still don't like sprint, that the radar should be removed from Halo once and for all, that the dudebro spartans are dumb... you get the idea.

Again, sorry if it bothers you so much...

Surely it's better to complain once the full Beta hits and you get your own hands on time with the game no? I mean that's the exact point I'm trying to make that keeps getting glossed over with ''struck a nerve'' and ''sorry it bothers you''.

Anyway I'm sure this conversation would just continue in circles, at the moment it appears the old school Halo fans aren't liking the changes. The 29th is going to be interesting, people are either going to come around to the changes or grow more disillusioned. Interesting times ahead for the future of Halo.

 

[Striker]

Halo started to die the moment it attempted to "evolve".

Halo 3 held a very healthy population right up until reach released. It held off 2 cod releases and only properly let go of the #1 spot when MW2 release 2 years after halo 3 launched. Even then, it's population was still very good only failing to support ranked big team playlists.

Reach launched, with them totally required "evolutions" and immediately dropped down the charts, barely holding on to the upper end of the scale. It's population was poor compared to Halo 3 even more than 2 years after it launched.

Not quite. Halo 3 battled a growing, but not yet established MW brand. Even with that, often traded blows at the top spot. By the time Reach released in 2010, Halo was not getting more popular, but COD/MW was. Reach then battled a COD series that grew huge over the years since MW's debut. It never slid down the charts, but instead stood constant in the top three. It was often in the 2nd spot, as a matter of fact. Also, Halo 3 had several playlist popularity issues. One being BTB since it had two (never do that), it also had no Ranked Objectives after a while. So you were basically restricted with Team Slayer, FFA, and stuff like MLG and niche modes like Swat and Snipers.

Don't get Halo 4's quick fall mixed in with Reach's population because they weren't alike at all.

 

[tootsi666]

I really don't know if you're serious or not.

The next day after the Halo 5 beta ended, I started playing the MCC. My Halo 2 spartan was moving like a snail. The movement between the map was hilariously slow compared to Guardians.

The difference is like day and night.

Halo 5 maps are a lot bigger and Halo 5 movement speed is actually pretty slow if you aren't sprinting. Pace of the game is very similar.

 

[RdN]

And the pistol didn't?

Of course.. but 3 shotting an enemy with the pistol at least took some skill. Grenade spamming after every spawn doesn't, and this is somewhat happening in Halo 5.

 

[Super Stardust]

Mario is a gaming icon. He evolved, significantly across generations, most notably from 2D to 3D. And Nintendo pulled it off. Big time. And he hasn't looked back.

Sonic on the other hand...

COD has barely switched it's formula up since MW. It peaked at BLOPS 2... And it has been in steady decline since (in terms of sales and population).

My point is simple. If Halo doesn't change and evolve, it will quickly become forgotten and a niche franchise. It is that simple.

Staying static, in the long term, means you are going backwards.

Any changes have to work though, Halo 4 deviated too far from the "Halo" formula. Halo 5 has reigned it in, and it works.

Each to their own though.

I'd say cod peaked at MW2 but BLOPS2 was good

 

[VincentMatts]

Of course.. but 3 shotting an enemy with the pistol at least took some skill. Grenade spamming after every spawn doesn't, and this is somewhat happening in Halo 5.

Well, i would argue a well placed grenade takes some skill as well. I mean, a mini nuke is the entire point of a grenade is it not?

 

[RdN]

Well, i would argue a well placed grenade takes some skill as well. I mean, a mini nuke is the entire point of a grenade is it not?

Yeah, that's why one of my suggestions was to decrease the number on spawn to one instead of nerfing.. This way players will think before using their only grenade and help alleviate the spamming issue.

 

[ShogunX]

Of course.. but 3 shotting an enemy with the pistol at least took some skill. Grenade spamming after every spawn doesn't, and this is somewhat happening in Halo 5.

The problem with nades on Halo 5 is that due to being able to traverse the map extremely quickly you can stock up on nades too easily. I often found myself with 4 within seconds of spawning.

 

[Sai]

Because of the added maneuverability, grenades kind of have to be powerful, or at least have a larger AoE than what we've been used to since Halo 2.

Impressions we've been getting seem to indicate that they're a little too abundantly available, which can be rectified by reducing the amount that spawns around the map, and/or on your person.

Maps - I'm sorry but with clambering and sprint, Truth/the midship remake should really be more creative and have more personality. It lacks the little touches that midship had..

What were those little touches?

Assassination animations - Please I thought this would be gone? Why would they keep this in? Makes me sick seeing this design in Halo 4 being carried to 5. Taking the time to be sneaky and being patient strategizing to get behind your opponent is now not feasible. You cant backsmack and dip or, even get that double or triple kill when behind the team even when called out but by dancing and confusing the enemy team by frantically moving around they're searching for you. I guess that is the point, to make it easier for the casuals to get you when you are sneakily assassinating. Performing a backsmack sometimes performs the long assassination leaving you vulnerable and you will likely just get killed leaving all your efforts to flank the enemy team wasteful.

...

• Assassination animations were introduced in Reach.
• You don't have to use them. Just tap the melee button instead of holding it. I imagine that should be the same in Halo 5: Guardians; had it been changed, there'd certainly be a larger outcry.

 

[FUNKNOWN iXi]

And the pistol didn't?

Nope.

I'll just leave this here for you and anyone else who shares this belief:

To describe it shortly, the Pistol was never really broken. CE's sandbox was very limited because it was the only weapon that was used midrange aside from the Sniper, so the fact that people call it broken is unfair in that respect.

Now compare it to the other weapons in their respective roles:

• PR/PP vs Pistol -> PR/PP had stun and would dominate the Pistol close range. If the Pistol won, then good job.. Doesn't mean the weapon is broken because there could be many factors that played into that (player skill, out of ammo, low health, etc.)
• AR vs Pistol -> AR had 60 shots and had an incredibly quick melee, and what made it more useful was that you could use it to activate Camo quicker by shooting a bullet.
• Shotgun vs Pistol -> Shotgun was an absolute monster. Nothing else to say about it.
• Sniper vs Pistol -> This is obvious.
• Rocket vs Pistol -> This is obvious.
• Needler was useless.

Also, you can check out this thread I created breaking down a single match in CE showing high level players.

CE Pistol is love. CE Pistol is harmony. CE Pistol is peace for Halo.

 

[Dynasty8]

Halo 5 maps are a lot bigger and Halo 5 movement speed is actually pretty slow if you aren't sprinting. Pace of the game is very similar.

But that's the thing, sprinting is here to stay. And everyone uses it. It's a core mechanic that everyone is able to do. Makes getting from point A to B much faster (better too). Not to mention the clambering, thrust, and ground pound.

Empire and Truth for me are about the same size as maps like Midship and Lockout. There were also a lot of 4vs4 gametypes in Halo 2 as well that took place on bigger maps (Zanzibar).

I highly suggest playing Halo 2 on the MCC after playing a couple hours of the beta come Dec. 29th.

 

[tootsi666]

But that's the thing, sprinting is here to stay. And everyone uses it. It's a core mechanic that everyone is able to do. Makes getting from point A to B much faster (better too). Not to mention the clambering, thrust, and ground pound.

Empire and Truth for me are about the same size as maps like Midship and Lockout. There were also a lot of 4vs4 gametypes in Halo 2 as well that took place on bigger maps (Zanzibar).

I highly suggest playing Halo 2 on the MCC after playing a couple hours of the beta come Dec. 29th.

I played the beta last weekend and then I played Halo 2 couple hours later. Felt so good to not have to choose between moving fast and being combat ready.

And how is sprint a core mechanic? It's there because movement speed is too slow and maps are too big and base movement speed is too slow and maps are too big because of sprint. It's a shoehorned ability that adds nothing.

 

[Freeser]

But that's the thing, sprinting is here to stay. And everyone uses it. It's a core mechanic that everyone is able to do. Makes getting from point A to B much faster (better too). Not to mention the clambering, thrust, and ground pound.

Empire and Truth for me are about the same size as maps like Midship and Lockout. There were also a lot of 4vs4 gametypes in Halo 2 as well that took place on bigger maps (Zanzibar).

I highly suggest playing Halo 2 on the MCC after playing a couple hours of the beta come Dec. 29th.

Because you have to. If they upped movement speed then it wouldn't have to be a core mechanic. Sprint caters to the ADD kids that have to have nonstop action otherwise they get bored with a game which is where the sales base is sadly.

 

[Hubble]

But that's the thing, sprinting is here to stay. And everyone uses it. It's a core mechanic that everyone is able to do. Makes getting from point A to B much faster (better too). Not to mention the clambering, thrust, and ground pound.

Empire and Truth for me are about the same size as maps like Midship and Lockout. There were also a lot of 4vs4 gametypes in Halo 2 as well that took place on bigger maps (Zanzibar).

I highly suggest playing Halo 2 on the MCC after playing a couple hours of the beta come Dec. 29th.

With the controls especially, sprinting is terrible and just in general. It has no place in Halo and doesn't contribute to anything of what it stands for. It also does not standardize movement speed, which is valuable for competitive play and getting to the locations of certain points off at start. And I don't know what you're talking about; Truth is nowhere the same size as midship or heretic. It's at least double the size.

[*]Assassination animations were introduced in Reach.
[*]You don't have to use them. Just tap the melee button instead of holding it. I imagine that should be the same in Halo 5: Guardians; had it been changed, there'd certainly be a larger outcry.[/list]

That's good to know. It was strange because sometimes it did it and other times it didn't and I never hold B, so thought it was random. Truth compared to Midship and Heretic has little personality. When I played Heretic, I immediately fell in and knew what the map was from previous Halo experience. I can't say the same for Truth because it is just bland and didn't recognize it as Midship immediately. Truth is larger and has more curves, but little detail itself. The sides are also wasteful being just lanes with a wall to hide instead of anything like what was called Car in callouts in heretic. Car in Heretic had 2 spots, at the lower level and upper, with other elements at that upper side. And where is the street callout at the opposite end? It's indiscernible and was a very important landmark route to pink. Honestly, it just seems like people at 343 did not play Halo 1-3. They make bizarre decisions e.g., sprint that I often ask myself, did these guys really play competitive Halo? They would never implement sprint in Counter-Strike, never. And how about Team Slayer in H2A switching spawns with no set spawn sides? That is not like Narrows Team Slayer for example in Halo 3.

Example of such detail

Car 1 and Car 2, and 'bubble'

Even the ceilings

343 equivalent with less detail, larger/wide than normal, and focus on curves instead of map design:

Also another point about 343 how the hell are they letting Team Slayer spawns switch in Halo MCC HCS? On Shrine in Team Slayer, you will literally spawn on both sides of red and blue. This is unacceptable. Str8 Rippin was just matching in a very close tie game at the very end, Naded died, spawned literally behind them on their team and got a easy kill.

 

[jem0208]

snip

What?


Also you could argue that taking your knife out is essentially CS's form of sprint.

 

[ebullientprism]

Because of the added maneuverability, grenades kind of have to be powerful, or at least have a larger AoE than what we've been used to since Halo 2.

Impressions we've been getting seem to indicate that they're a little too abundantly available, which can be rectified by reducing the amount that spawns around the map, and/or on your person.


What were those little touches?


...

• Assassination animations were introduced in Reach.
• You don't have to use them. Just tap the melee button instead of holding it. I imagine that should be the same in Halo 5: Guardians; had it been changed, there'd certainly be a larger outcry.

Lag triggers assassinations automatically. You would just want to hit the melee but slightest bit of lag and the game reads that as a held down input.

Same issue was there in Reach as well.

That's why they need to go. Or be an option in the menu.

 

[tootsi666]

What?


Also you could argue that taking your knife out is essentially CS's form of sprint.

Ummm nope. Running with the knife out isn't forward only so it's just a movement speed bonus, not sprint.

 

[jem0208]

Ummm nope. Running with the knife out isn't forward only so it's just a movement speed bonus, not sprint.

The major impact of sprint is the removal of the ability to shoot though, not that it is only in the forward direction.

Running with the knife is far closer to sprint than it is to a movement speed buff.

 

[tootsi666]

The major impact of sprint is the removal of the ability to shoot though, not that it is only in the forward direction.

Running with the knife is far closer to sprint than it is to a movement speed buff.

You can't shoot accurately while moving in CS anyways so removal of the ability to shoot is a much smaller factor than you think. Almost every gun in CS has different movement speed. Melee weapon has the highest for obvious reasons.

 

[hammertomb]

Is there an incentive to assassinate someone?

 

[Septic360]

If we're here bickering with each other about what should and shouldn't be in Halo 5, how on earth are 343 going to decide who to listen to?

Mind you, they've worked closely with pros on the game. Surely they are better informed than us? At least with regard to the more competitive level stuff and not general game design.

Me? I like it. Honestly. I just wonder about the BTBs and the campaign now.

Anyway, let's remember that this beta is a chance for us to voice our opinion properly and have our concerns heard.

So far I think we're doing a stellar job, even if we don't necessarily agree with each other.

 

[Peterpan]

I don't get why people think Halo became super popular, because it was this competitive game, as COD shows this is not the case. I remember when I was younger, very young infact , me and all my friends heard about this game called Halo, we all had playstations. We never seen the game, but I remeber when we all saw the game it was nothing like we seen before. 4 people on one console, people flying around the map, 3 people riding in one vehicle, massive maps and I will never forget the first time I saw a banshee being hijacked, it was amazing and when I played it even better. It was fun playing with the guys in the good old days, it was not because wow everyone starts even or that 4 shot br or that crouch jump (though some jumps were impressive), it was just new amazing, just fun and stuff I never seen in a video game, explosions across the map, the controls felt good, it was chaotic the battlefield felt alive all the time, riding on 4 wheeler while my partner shoots people at the back, it was great. Now my friends all play COD and on occasion Halo, one of them has completely gone to COD. Now it is ok to want the old school Halo, it's totally cool infact and maybe even noble and valiant, but to believe that once Halo returns to old Halo, everyone will come back, is insanity. The Novelty of Halo has worn off. I can not say the direction Halo should go in, but I just dislike how fans believe that Halo introducing certain mechanics killed Halo where I can't see it. If you want old Halo back fine, but it won't bring back the glory days of Halo, those are long gone. If Halo wants to be on top again it has to do something that makes gamers go wow, I want to do that.

 

[cartoon_soldier]

If we're here bickering with each other about what should and shouldn't be in Halo 5, how on earth are 343 going to decide who to listen to?

Mind you, they've worked closely with pros on the game. Surely they are better informed than us? At least with regard to the more competitive level stuff and not general game design.

Me? I like it. Honestly. I just wonder about the BTBs and the campaign now.

Anyway, let's remember that this beta is a chance for us to voice our opinion properly and have our concerns heard.

So far I think we're doing a stellar job, even if we don't necessarily agree with each other.

I guarantee most people will bicker here than providing official feedback

 

[HigherLevel]

With the controls especially, sprinting is terrible and just in general. It has no place in Halo and doesn't contribute to anything of what it stands for. It also does not standardize movement speed, which is valuable for competitive play and getting to the locations of certain points off at start. And I don't know what you're talking about; Truth is nowhere the same size as midship or heretic. It's at least double the size.



That's good to know. It was strange because sometimes it did it and other times it didn't and I never hold B, so thought it was random. Truth compared to Midship and Heretic has little personality. When I played Heretic, I immediately fell in and knew what the map was from previous Halo experience. I can't say the same for Truth because it is just bland and didn't recognize it as Midship immediately. Truth is larger and has more curves, but little detail itself. The sides are also wasteful being just lanes with a wall to hide instead of anything like what was called Car in callouts in heretic. Car in Heretic had 2 spots, at the lower level and upper, with other elements at that upper side. And where is the street callout at the opposite end? It's indiscernible and was a very important landmark route to pink. Honestly, it just seems like people at 343 did not play Halo 1-3. They make bizarre decisions e.g., sprint that I often ask myself, did these guys really play competitive Halo? They would never implement sprint in Counter-Strike, never. And how about Team Slayer in H2A switching spawns with no set spawn sides? That is not like Narrows Team Slayer for example in Halo 3.

Example of such detail

Car 1 and Car 2, and 'bubble'

Even the ceilings

343 equivalent with less detail, larger/wide than normal, and focus on curves instead of map design:

Also another point about 343 how the hell are they letting Team Slayer spawns switch in Halo MCC HCS? On Shrine in Team Slayer, you will literally spawn on both sides of red and blue. This is unacceptable. Str8 Rippin was just matching in a very close tie game at the very end, Naded died, spawned literally behind them on their team and got a easy kill.

I haven't played the beta but from all the streams, videos and pics I've seen if they just removed that haze that clouds up the maps they would all look a lot better. Halo 3 was so clear and crisp and it made it look a lot nicer.

 

[abadguy]

Because you have to. If they upped movement speed then it wouldn't have to be a core mechanic. Sprint caters to the ADD kids that have to have nonstop action otherwise they get bored with a game which is where the sales base is sadly.

Ugh.
Also to the claim that Midship remake isn't as detail or lacks "little touches" to give it more personality, i would suggest watching "The Sprint" where they go into detail of the map and show a lot of details that can be missed while you're in the middle of a hectic match. Even befire that we noticed cool things on the map like a hologram of a Prophet speaking in its alien language.

 

[Hubble]

IThe Novelty of Halo has worn off. I can not say the direction Halo should go in, but I just dislike how fans believe that Halo introducing certain mechanics killed Halo where I can't see it.

Look at the numbers. The last true Halo was Halo 3. All other iterations by Bungie was intentionally a spinoff as they even did not dare to name there following titles Halo 4 or in sequential order. They experimented with new ideas without compromising the name. 343 took those ideas serious. Any other game after Halo 3 online, had a lot less of a population than it, so I disagree with you. Ask Halo fans on Twitch, or the Halo community and they will tell you that (that Halo Reach, and Halo 4 was not a good Halo game online). I don't think it's because the novel wore off. Those titles after 3 honestly just don't have a good reputation.

If we're here bickering with each other about what should and shouldn't be in Halo 5, how on earth are 343 going to decide who to listen to?

The thing is 343 has showed they are not listening to its fans even with feedback. When Sprint and ADS first came out for Halo 5, the GAF thread was on here, it was humorously but not so funny titled "343 shits on fans. ADS and Sprint in Halo". Since Halo 4, fans have been out-crying to 343 for no sprint and no ADS because for some reason, there was some fear this might still happen given how bad they turned Halo, people just assumed they might do it. It was funny seeing discussion how Halo 5 should not have ADS before it was even known. The prophecy came true - ADS is in.

Ugh.
Also to the claim that Midship remake isn't as detail or lacks "little touches" to give it more personality, i would suggest watching "The Sprint" where they go into detail of the map and show a lot of details that can be missed while you're in the middle of a hectic match. Even befire that we noticed cool things on the map like a hologram of a Prophet speaking in its alien language.

I watched The Sprint and my conclusion was again, did these guys play competitive Halo? They wrote on a piece of paper what makes Midship a good map but they seem to miss a lot of fundamentals of what made the map so good. On Heretic and Midship, even the Pink streets and so forth are incredibly detailed and they are not on Truth as well as the map is bland. The opposite end of Pink should be something opposite that corresponds. On Heretic, Pink was high, while the other end was low but had its own aesthetic features to combat like Carb, Bubble, etc. less high where Pink had the height for battles. On Truth, the other side is just a wide lane with a wall to go behind, that is incredibly dull.

 

[VincentMatts]

Im really curious to try this game. I have to say though, i like everything im seeing except that ground pound thing. Seems added just to have something new.

 

[RBK]

I apologize to everyone for having comments that were "non-conductive" to the beta discussion. While I don't agree with them, everyone is entitled to their own opinion and I shouldn't throw it out the window if we don't see eye to eye. Once again...

343:

 

[Septic360]

The thing is 343 has showed they are not listening to its fans even with feedback. When Sprint and ADS first came out for Halo 5, the GAF thread was on here, it was humorously but not so funny titled "343 shits on fans. ADS and Sprint in Halo". Since Halo 4, fans have been out-crying to 343 for no sprint and no ADS because for some reason, there was some fear this might still happen given how bad they turned Halo, people just assumed they might do it. It was funny seeing discussion how Halo 5 should not have ADS before it was even known. The prophecy came true - ADS is in.

If adding ADS and Sprint in Halo is equivalent to shitting on fans then I really really feel sorry for 343. It means that they will never have the freedom to even dare to evolve the series or take any creative risks.

Even now, I sense that they are being suffocated by pressure from some vocal and unrelenting old skool Halo fans and the need to develop and move the Halo franchise forward.

To me, someone who has played Halo since day one, I really don't see sprint and ads as a problem, especially in the way it's been incorporated here.

I don't think it's fair to say they're shitting on fans. I think they are definitely listening and from hiring Halo pros to this VERY early 3 week long beta, if that doesn't make it clear that they are intent on trying to make the best possible Halo game they can then nothing will.

Ah wel. Let's see what the Halo beta in a few days is like. Personally, I can't wait.

 

[Bsigg12]

Im really curious to try this game. I have to say though, i like everything im seeing except that ground pound thing. Seems added just to have something new.

It's satisfying if you can pull it off but you're in the air for so long that you're just an easy target and trying to do it against someone you have already engaged will result in you dying. It'll be interesting to see how people use it in objective gametypes when defending a flag or attacking a hill.

 

[Cynn]

I don't need to play the game first to know that I hate ADS, that I still don't like sprint, that the radar should be removed from Halo once and for all, that the dudebro spartans are dumb... you get the idea.

It's true that you don't have to play something to make an opinion on it but if you want your opinion to hold any weight you probably should.

 

[Magwik]

If adding ADS and Sprint in Halo is equivalent to shitting on fans then I really really feel sorry for 343. It means that they will never have the freedom to even dare to evolve the series or take any creative risks.

Even now, I sense that they are being suffocated by pressure from some vocal and unrelenting old skool Halo fans and the need to develop and move the Halo franchise forward.

To me, someone who has played Halo since day one, I really don't see sprint and ads as a problem, especially in the way it's been incorporated here.

I don't think it's fair to say they're shitting on fans. I think they are definitely listening and from hiring Halo pros to this VERY early 3 week long beta, if that doesn't make it clear that they are intent on trying to make the best possible Halo game they can then nothing will.

Ah wel. Let's see what the Halo beta in a few days is like. Personally, I can't wait.

I'm all for them taking creative risks, but they're not being creative at all. It's just pandering to the CoD crowd while making the flow of maps suffer as well as encounter design.

 

[Bsigg12]

The last episode of The Sprint was cool as hell. Seeing the jump on Truth that was a sprint to thrusters to AR scope to make the final few feet was crazy.

I can't wait to get back in on Monday!

Also, I hope they do something similar to The Sprint next year focusing on the campaign. Josh Holmes near the end of the episode said he hopes they do something similar later on so I really hope they do.

 

[Poodlestrike]

I'm all for them taking creative risks, but they're not being creative at all. It's just pandering to the CoD crowd while making the flow of maps suffer as well as encounter design.

Map flow worked pretty well in the beta, IMO. You can accuse them of pandering if you like, but the results aren't half bad.

 

[link1201]

This is only currently in the U.S. but they said they are trying to open it up more places. I would definitely recommend being involved. They said the first surveys will go out during the beta.

https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/community/halo-community-feedback-program

 

[Bsigg12]

This is only currently in the U.S. but they said they are trying to open it up more places. I would definitely recommend being involved. They said the first surveys will go out during the beta.

https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/community/halo-community-feedback-program

Thanks for linking this. Signed up.

 

[Aeqvitas]

I'm all for them taking creative risks, but they're not being creative at all. It's just pandering to the CoD crowd while making the flow of maps suffer as well as encounter design.

What is an example of a creative risk they could take? New features have been evolving in the FPS genre since Halo revolutionized it on consoles, but people like you just dismiss any attempt as "pandering to the CoD crowd" and you just say you are open to new risks to sound superior. I sincerely doubt there is anything new they could do that would please you.

The gameplay is not similar to CoD at all. It isn't about spawning behind someone and the first person to get a shot off from a generic weapon wins. The rebalancing of the weapons is needed. Having BR/DMR being the only good choice for almost every encounter is stale. I think the new changes are much better than Halo 4's, but are acceptable creative risks. I don't think they should listen to the vocal crowd that decries any change. It is also much better than the horrible changes bungie made to the formula in Destiny. Letting everyone always have a sniper or shotgun, and not making that ammo scarce at all. To me that shows 343 is much better caretaker than Bungie now.

 

[OverHeat]

5 days left until we can play again...the withdrawal is real!!!

 

[link1201]

5 days left until we can play again...the withdrawal is real!!!

Indeed. I keep checking the beta. It has changed from "Sorry-The early Access period is Over" to "Sorry-Something unexpected happened to the server". lol

 

[...Scatter...]

My impressions from a competitive Halo team gamer.

I honestly read most of your criticism as "back in my day...". New skills take new skill sets to master. Personally, I don't want another Halo 2/3 with shinier graphics. I'm glad things are evolving.

Clamber is one of those. Sure you can get to spots easier, but if also leaves you open to enemy fire. So I don't see why its a bad addition.

 

[SlinkyFriend]

Am I the only one that feels like this halo feels like halo? Just faster pace?

I really enjoyed it, and I like the changes, they need to give more options to controls but its great overall.

I've been playing since Halo CE, even the PC version and I like it.

 

[VincentMatts]

Am I the only one that feels like this halo feels like halo? Just faster pace?

I really enjoyed it, and I like the changes, they need to give more options to controls but its great overall.

I've been playing since Halo CE, even the PC version and I like it.

Good to hear, it looks great from the videos.

 

[Magwik]

What is an example of a creative risk they could take? New features have been evolving in the FPS genre since Halo revolutionized it on consoles, but people like you just dismiss any attempt as "pandering to the CoD crowd" and you just say you are open to new risks to sound superior. I sincerely doubt there is anything new they could do that would please you.

The gameplay is not similar to CoD at all. It isn't about spawning behind someone and the first person to get a shot off from a generic weapon wins. The rebalancing of the weapons is needed. Having BR/DMR being the only good choice for almost every encounter is stale. I think the new changes are much better than Halo 4's, but are acceptable creative risks. I don't think they should listen to the vocal crowd that decries any change. It is also much better than the horrible changes bungie made to the formula in Destiny. Letting everyone always have a sniper or shotgun, and not making that ammo scarce at all. To me that shows 343 is much better caretaker than Bungie now.

I have nothing wrong with thrusters, Spartan chatter, and even the weapon callouts/map markers. I'm glad automatics are viable but they should be toned down a tad.
And how is ADS and Sprint not oandering? It doesn't add anything to the game and actually hinders certain weapons (DMR).
As for new things dual weilding being back is a good start, equipment is something I'd love too. Or how about new weapon categories instead of the same ones over and over since Halo 3? Make the maps more interactive, semi destructible environments, more verticality in the maps, there is a lot that they could do that I would enjoy seeing.

 

[RBK]

I can live with it, but take weapon timers out.

It kind of makes the fighting for power weapons worse since everyone is aware of respawn timers instead of memorizing it on your own.

 

[link1201]

Just got prompted to do a 7.7 GB Update.