Getting into Halo

P44

Member
I played CE on PC back in the day, but I am looking into getting into Halo now - perhaps erring towards the more competetive elements of the game, so is Halo 5 a good point to dive in (as in, is it looking like its popular with the scene) - if not, what is a good jumping in point?
 
I recommend getting a 360 and trying 3, Reach, and 4. I think the community is more on MCC these days however Reach is a fantastic game and you can't play on MCC.
 
Get a 360 play some MP there.
Or get MCC and try to play some MP there.

Halo Reach probably still has some ppl. (I like it)
 
Master Chief Collection is the perfect jumping in point, you're getting every mainline game and for one whole subway footlong you can get ODST as well.
 

GhaleonEB

Member
The original trilogy is where I suggest starting. ODST is a different take on the series, but it's a side story worth experiencing, with its moody nighttime hub and non linear story, which is told quite well. It's arguably the best story in the series, perhaps helped by the narrow focus and self contained nature. Reach is somewhat more optional, though the campaign was quite good overall, perhaps the most consistent in the series.

The Halo 3 campaign in particular is simply brilliant. The story has issues, but from a combat sandbox and encounter design standpoint, it's really incredible. If you only play one in the series, it should be that one.
 

P44

Member
Halo hasn't been good since Halo 3, sadly. Reach and 4 were progressively worse installments.

Seriously? What happened?

Get a 360 play some MP there.
Or get MCC and try to play some MP there.

Master Chief Collection is the perfect jumping in point, you're getting every mainline game and for one whole subway footlong you can get ODST as well.

MCC makes it about as easy as possible.

I heard MCC was broke as all hell.
 
I played CE on PC back in the day, but I am looking into getting into Halo now - perhaps erring towards the more competetive elements of the game, so is Halo 5 a good point to dive in (as in, is it looking like its popular with the scene) - if not, what is a good jumping in point?
As a person who believes competitive Halo worsened with each release after CE, I think Halo 5 is honestly the first time I've been generally pleased with the gameplay's direction.

Many who started with Halo 2 or Halo 3 will tell you otherwise because they began loving Halo when it was an inconsistent and sluggish game, but Halo 5 has a lot of potential. I think it's a great place to start, and if you need people to play with shoot me a friend request: FUNKNOWN iXi
 
I played CE on PC back in the day, but I am looking into getting into Halo now - perhaps erring towards the more competetive elements of the game, so is Halo 5 a good point to dive in (as in, is it looking like its popular with the scene) - if not, what is a good jumping in point?

if you dont have an xbone already get the MCC bundle & you're good to go
 

Fracas

#fuckonami
All the campaigns are worth playing, especially the original trilogy + Reach.

As for competitive MP, Halo 5 looks alright. Beta was fun. MCC MP is hit and miss.
 

TheXbox

Member
Reach is a great point to jump on. Story is only loosely related to the rest of the series except for the obvious lead-in to CE, and the campaign itself is superb. The MP also remains well-populated on 360.

If you want to play Halo competitively, I'm afraid your only option would be to get an X1. MCC is shambolic, but that's where the scene is at. I'd wait for Halo 5.

EDIT: Do not listen to these people telling you that MCC is good now. It is not. It may be functional, but it is still garbage. You will end up playing AR starts on Isolation in a ranked playlist and you will hate yourself.
 
The multiplayer was horrific, but it is excellent now! I would highly recommend the MCC as well. So fun to playthrough all 4 games again. Like all single player campaigns, you have to listen well to get the story. Regardless, the games are so fun and with Halo 1 and 2 remastered they hold up to the other two in fidelity. If anything, Halo 3 struggles to keep up with the earlier titles in looks.
 

Granadier

Is currently on Stage 1: Denial regarding the service game future
I played CE on PC back in the day, but I am looking into getting into Halo now - perhaps erring towards the more competetive elements of the game, so is Halo 5 a good point to dive in (as in, is it looking like its popular with the scene) - if not, what is a good jumping in point?

Yeah totes, just pick up 5 and you'll be a pro in no time.

I heard MCC was broke as all hell.

You heard right.
 

Matty77

Member
The original trilogy is where I suggest starting. ODST is a different take on the series, but it's a side story worth experiencing, with its moody nighttime hub and non linear story, which is told quite sell. Reach is somewhat more optional, though the campaign was quite good overall.

The Halo 3 campaign in particular is simply brilliant. The story has issues, but from a combat sandbox and encounter design standpoint, it's really incredible. If you only play one in the series, it should be that one.
This sums up most of my feelings 4 and the switch from bungie has kind of put me off, but most of the older stuff is brilliant and CE still holds up extremely well even in comparison to current FPS games in my opinon. Especially if you play it with the new coat of paint.
 
Halo hasn't been good since Halo 3, sadly. Reach and 4 were progressively worse installments.

I suppose the OP is asking about multiplayer, but Reach and Halo 4 are still good games if you're playing for campaign. Plus, I actually enjoyed a lot of Reach and Halo 4 multiplayer, even if they had problems.

Master Chief Collection is in a working state now. It still has issues that need addressing, but it's in good enough shape to where it's easy to recommend to people curious about Halo. Start at the beginning and work your way through the games.
 

Kssio_Aug

Member
You will have almost no issues (if you have any) by playing MCC campaings! They're fine!

MCC SP experience is not broken at all. The multiplayer still has some issues but even that is very playable nowadays.

Anyway, I started the series with MCC. And I definitely recommend it! Finished all the camapaings in the collection (except for ODST, yet) and its my favorite shooter already!
 

EBE

Member
i think halo 2 and 3 multiplayer play much too slowly. weapons dont feel good to use, either.
on the MCC i mostly stick to Halo 4 and Halo 2 Anniversary. ill occasionally jump into a multi game playlist but yeah.

game works pretty well now, i think.
 

REDSLATE

Member
Don't listen to this guy just play Pro in Halo 4.
No, don't listen to this guy.

Halo hasn't been good since Halo 3, sadly. Reach and 4 were progressively worse installments.
FrontalMonk is absolutely correct. Reach marked the downfall of the series, and 4 wasn't much better.

Seriously? What happened?

I heard MCC was broke as all hell.

They broke canon and made shit games.

And, yeah, the MCPO Collection is a jumbled mess.
 
Might as well go with the MCC at this point. Campaigns are still worth playing (yes, even 4's), and all the multi is right there. It's not what I'd call polished, but it's functional at any rate.

First post is right about the backslide, but 5 is shaping up to be a return to form, going off the beta at least.
 
Play MCC and read the novel's while you wait the decade it takes for matchmaking to finally work.

Seriously though it's a good time, just sit back and try not to think about the plot too hard.
 
Halo hasn't been good since Halo 3, sadly. Reach and 4 were progressively worse installments.

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I played the Halo 5 beta and it was very competitive. With the HCS league officially supported by 343 I think this would be a great time to jump into the competitive side.

People on GAF are just angry and bitter about..well everything.

Enjoy the game.
 
You couldn't have picked a worse time to jump in. 343 Industries has done so much to taint the franchise.

It's been more than 3 years since they shit up Reach with half-baked gameplay changes and redundant playlists. I'm still bitter, but at least we have a new online Bungie game with more frequent updates. Those were dark times, indeed.
 
Don't listen to anything the Halo fanbase has to say and react to the games on your own.

This right here, games are best when you just enjoy them on your own without preconceptions or misconceptions filling your head. Mechanics wise each game is quite different, especially online multiplayer, where story is fairly united across all Halo games.

Play both campaign and multiplayer and see what you like.
 

Loxley

Member
I would just suggest grabbing the MCC if you can, it really is (imo) the best way to enter the franchise now.

Your optimism is gross OP. Get bitter quickly or you won't last in any Halo threads

That's good advice for GAF in general. Especially around E3 time.
 

Madness

Member
I played CE on PC back in the day, but I am looking into getting into Halo now - perhaps erring towards the more competetive elements of the game, so is Halo 5 a good point to dive in (as in, is it looking like its popular with the scene) - if not, what is a good jumping in point?

Pick up MCC. Because it's free in bundles, you can find codes online or Craigslist for dirt cheap. You'll be able to play solid representations of the campaign, get used to the Xbox One controller. Then jump into the multi-player. It works enough where you can get matches. Get accustomed to the style of Halo. What it means to have weapons on map, etc. Play SWAT to get used to reticle and headshots. Play big team battle where it's a more casual environment than team slayer. Once you feel like competing play team slayer 4v4 etc.

Halo 5 will be a good game to get into but it's good if you play the previous games to see how they were.
 

Madness

Member
You couldn't have picked a worse time to jump in. 343 Industries has done so much to taint the franchise.

It's been more than 3 years since they shit up Reach with half-baked gameplay changes and redundant playlists. I'm still bitter, but at least we have a new online Bungie game with more frequent updates. Those were dark times, indeed.

Joke post? Give me H2A, Halo 4 and Halo 5 gameplay over Destiny PvP anyday. Not saying Bungie games aren't polished, but Halo multi-player gameplay is so much more satisfying than the PvP in Destiny.
 
Halo hasn't been good since Halo 3, sadly. Reach and 4 were progressively worse installments.

OP reach and 4 were great, don't listen to the naysayers. The online components of these two games were divisive at worst, but the campaigns were excellent.

Reach isn't really necessary to play, but I would highly recommend playing 1-4 in MCC before halo 5.

As far as competitive scene, you don't need to play anything before 5, though you may be a better player if you start playing halo now rather than waiting. MCC online issues are mostly fixed so that would be a good place to start. 4 would probably be the closest experience to what you'll get with 5.
 

Kssio_Aug

Member
I've heard quite lots of opinions that Reach has the best or one of the best campaings!

I'm really looking forward to grab it when it comes to MCC. And I hope they release it for the collection!
 

KDC720

Member
Luckily they're all pretty good. Some better than others, but pretty much solid across the board.

I'd go with MCC, which lets you play everything except Reach and Wars.

Reach will hopefully be added to MCC at some point and Wars is a decent console RTS, but the story doesnt have a huge bearing on the rest if the series.
 
K

kittens

Unconfirmed Member
Your best bet is to get the MCC, but it's been a total cluster fuck. It seems to be running decently now, but who knows if it'll stay stable. Anyways, if you're interested in competitive, balanced PvP check out the Halo Championship Series, Team Hardcore, Halo 2, and Halo 2 Anniversary playlists. And post in the HaloGAF OT over on the community side! I'd say at least half of us are into Halo for the competitive MP.

Reach will most likely be added to MCC at some point
Uhh, there's no reason to expect that. That's total speculation.
 

sTiTcH AU

Member
I went through Halo 1-4 in a long weekend with a mate on heroic difficulty and I gotta say, Halo 1 and 2 sucked. Halo 1 was great up until the level where it's just circle room then a bridge 20 times. I though finally that level is over....Only to have to backtrack through that exact level again but with the flood instead. Halo 2 story made no fucking sense at all.

Halo 3 on the other hand, was bloody fantastic and I will finish it on legendary before H5 is out. Halo 4 I thought was almost as good as 3. IMO H3> H4>> H2>>>>>>> H1. Yet to finish reach and ODST.
 
You couldn't have picked a worse time to jump in. 343 Industries has done so much to taint the franchise.

It's been more than 3 years since they shit up Reach with half-baked gameplay changes and redundant playlists. I'm still bitter, but at least we have a new online Bungie game with more frequent updates. Those were dark times, indeed.

Ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahhahahahahahahhahahaha
 
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