Support NeoGAF

[Trup1aya]

The gameplay looks unarguably solid... And the level design has the potential to be some of the best in the series...

The Story itself will quite obviously be polarizing (haven't they all been?) But the storytelling and presentation also looks to be like some of the series best.

The multiplayer looks well thought out and engaging. I have no doubt about this games ability to sustain a nice player count. Yes, Blops3 and Battlefront will deliver a hit to the numbers, but Battlefront won't keeps people's attention for nearly as long. They'll be back. The launch maps and playlists will take a critical hit, but fans will take solace in the fact that more content will be coming, and it will all be free.

The servers will work flawlessly. Obviously MS and 343i are doing everyone humanly possible to ensure that the MCC fiasco won't happen again.

I think we'll see reviews all over the spectrum, but it will average in the high 80s. Between digital and physical, the game will easily have 1milliom copies on day 1. The game itself will go on to be this generations best selling exclusive for the foreseeable future.

 

[Detective]

Am really looking forward to this game. As a first day Halo fan.

But if this game does not live up to expectations then its over for me as a Xbox owner.

I will be moving to PC. I've already sold my PS4. I don't like it or like its game franchise.

So Halo will be the game to make me decide either to give up long life console gaming or not.

Reading Forbes got me a little bit worried about Halo 5 campaign :

The squad mechanics make sense for fireteam Osiris: a more military operation working under orders to find Master Chief, complete with a wisecracking Nathan Fillion who promises to buy everyone a round when its all over. But there’s something off about watching the Chief get revived by one of three fairly under-developed squadmates. The Chief always had a lone wolf quality to him: the super-soldier that took on mythic proportions as he moved deeper and deeper into the quasi-religious grandeur of his sci-fi surroundings. That a little bit off now.


On standard difficulty, you’ll basically never die. Standard was never particularly challenging before, but it’s a cakewalk now. I found myself rushing in with a couple of melees, going down, getting revived, and repeating. That sort of brute force won’t work on heroic or legendary, but it changes the pacing regardless. A Halo checkpoint always felt like a 30 second to 1 minute long puzzle, especially on harder difficulties: you had to scope out your enemies, scope out your tools, make a plan and execute perfectly. With revives around, you’re allowed a little more leeway

I really hope Halo5 will be the best Halo yet. And I hope the don't push the Chief too much aside because of the squad thing.

6 days And I will review it myself and decide.

 

[Ominym]

I think 343i's "sustainment" plan is going to backfire and they're going to have to release things faster (Big Team Battle, Forge, etc.) but other than that I think it will fare better than Halo 4.

 

[a.wd]

The story is looking good,

I think the rumoured split will be fine, and it seems like everyone who has completed it loves it.

the multiplayer looks good, everyone who has played any of the modes wants to go back and play a ton more.

The community is engaged and seems really into the gameplay which moment to moment seems better than anything else out on the market.

They have a long tail of content and community engagement tools (I think they should set up some sort of req pack gifting/trading system)

I dunno, all signs point to them really hitting it out the park, but lets see.

 

[LAUGHTREY]

Honestly? No.

The Halo titles not only live in nostalgia but they were made by a different developer, so any shortcoming is immediately attributed to "these aren't the same developers the game would be better if it was still Bungie" by probably a sizable amount of the fanbase. And as we have seen recently Bungie isn't infallible.

That's not to say it won't sell like hot cakes.

Well Bungie isn't even the same guys it was when Halo was being made. When people say "it would be better if it was still Bungie" what they actually mean is "it would be better if it was still Bungie, and Bungie was still Bungie."

 

[[Call-Me-G]]

I don't know...

The hype is real and huge: the campaign gameplays shown were really good and promising, the gameplay seems great, the soundtrack is amazing, the BETA feedback was excellent, its DLCs will be free, the amount of content is HUGE... But I'm torn.

They can mess up the storytelling, we've only seen 4 missions over 15. I'm also quite skeptical about the multiplayer after the MCC fiasco. And of course, a lot of people will criticise the absence of BTB and Forge at launch, and the total absence of local multiplayer.

I'm expecting the game to be between 84 and 92% on Metacritic.

EDIT: Concerning my own expectations... Of course the game will live it up to. It's a 10/10 for me.

 

[GnawtyDog]

I don't know...

The hype is real and huge: the campaign gameplays shown were really good and promising, the gameplay seems great, the soundtrack is amazing, the BETA feedback was excellent, its DLCs will be free, the amount of content is HUGE... But I'm torn.

They can mess up the storytelling, we've only seen 4 missions over 15. I'm also quite skeptical about the multiplayer after the MCC fiasco. And of course, a lot of people will criticise the absence of BTB and Forge at launch, and the total absence of local multiplayer.

I'm expecting the game to be between 84 and 92% on Metacritic.

84 META? That's way below expectations. It can only improve from Halo 4, 87 META.

 

[GlamFM]

I´m not a Halo guy - AT ALL!

But just from reading early coverage I have the feeling expectations will actually be surpassed.

 

[Bits N Pieces]

Everything I've seen, read and heard about the game has been really positive.

I'm thinking its going to be a great game but more importantly it's going to be a great Halo game

 

[[Call-Me-G]]

84 META? That's way below expectations. It can only improve from Halo 4, 87 META.

It can be (it will be) better than Halo 4. But Halo 4 was realeased in 2012. Critics / expectations have changed, we're now in 2015. How many "episode N+1" were better than "episode N" but scored lower?

 

[Kssio_Aug]

No idea about how much it may sell. However, except if 343 fuck the release with a broken multiplayer, I am mostly certain the community will keep strong until Halo 6.

 

[rrc1594]

The real question is can Zombies hold fucking weapons and drive vehicles this time around 343?

 

[nib95]

It can be (it will be) better than Halo 4. But Halo 4 was realeased in 2012. Critics / expectations have changed, we're now in 2015. How many "episode N+1" were better than "episode N" but scored lower?

I thought that too, but then you still get things like the Master Chief Collection sitting on 85 meta despite all the problems. Battlefield 4 as well.

I think the game will live up to my personal expectations, mostly because they're not super high to begin with. I don't need it to be, nor am I expecting it to be a masterpiece. I just want a fun, enjoyable experience. But I think because of the historic Halo legacy, some will have higher expectations, and it's those people who may be left slightly disappointed.

 

[Random17]

The real question is can Zombies hold fucking weapons and drive vehicles this time around 343?

A better question is whether or not Infection makes it into custom games at launch...

 

[rrc1594]

A better question is whether or not Infection makes it into custom games at launch...

TBH there hasn't been any talk of custom game options. I may start a thread on that, because above everything else that was my biggest issue with Halo 4. The lack of custom game options.

 

[[Call-Me-G]]

I thought that too, but then you still get things like the Master Chief Collection sitting on 85 meta despite all the problems. Battlefield 4 as well.

The MCC was reviewed by most of journalists (maybe 95%) before its release. In other word, before the fiasco.

 

[KOHIPEET]

Dunno. Watching some vids of the game, there were moments that gave me the kind of excitement I had back when I first seen Halo 1, but other moments made me like: "What the actual fuck is this?"

I think they'll nail the atmosphere and feeling of a Halo game (something which Halo 4 barely had IMO), but they've made some changes to gameplay that most of the hardcore fans will refuse to accept. (I still can't believe there won't be big team battles at launch)

So yea, it won't live up, but it will. At the same time.

 

[stay gold]

I think it will.

The sp looks great from what I've seen, and the beta is still by far the best mp I've played this gen.

 

[Black Mantis]

Yeah, I think 343 have made some good moves in making the game. More open spaces, free MP maps and adding the squad dynamic to replace the absent Cortana. I'll be happy with it anyway

 

[Random17]

TBH there hasn't been any talk of custom game options. I may start a thread on that, because above everything else that was my biggest issue with Halo 4. The lack of custom game options.

There was the mention of the loss and gain of certain options, such as Shield Vampirism.

It'll be a shame to have a great Forge mode and few gamemodes to play with! Infection game types were easily some of the most fun to play.

 

[rrc1594]

There was the mention of the loss and gain of certain options, such as Shield Vampirism.

It'll be a shame to have a great Forge mode and few gamemodes to play with! Infection game types were easily some of the most fun to play.

The amount of hours I put into H3 custom games is crazy. I almost failed 8th grade because of it.

 

[Triggerhappytel]

Halo is dad.


Im expecting 5-7 million in sales.

I think given the circumstances 5-7 million is a pretty realistic expectation, and that would, I imagine, still make it the biggest selling Xbone exclusive by some distance.

 

[Mr. Enigma]

Halo 4 and MCC exist. So, no.

 

[Genio88]

Halo 4 was pretty good even if most peaple hate it cause is not Bungie's anymore, i think 343 are a great team, and they'll definitely improve what they've done in Halo 4, can't wait for this game

 

[GlamFM]

Halo 4 and MCC exist. So, no.

So, yes?

If anything these games have lowered the expectations - should be easier to live up to them now.

 

[Alcoholikaust]

I'm hearing early indications that the campaign alone is worth the hype.

I'm curious how the MP will fare.

 

[RetroPlayer]

I've been going to get an xb1 for months and have held back so far.
I think this may be the time to get one.

Halo 5 looks like being THE game of winter 2015/16, imo.

 

[draughn101]

Halo 4 was pretty good even if most peaple hate it cause is not Bungie's anymore, i think 343 are a great team, and they'll definitely improve what they've done in Halo 4, can't wait for this game

I agree. The MP didn't suck me in but the game was solid. I'll chalk MCC being a too ambitious anomaly. Halo 5 will rock but it will still be despised for this or that... the armor color palette, like omg.

 

[JaggedSac]

Yep. Having already played it, I can definitively say that the gameplay is sex.

 

[GlamFM]

I've been going to get an xb1 for months and have held back so far.
I think this may be the time to get one.

Halo 5 looks like being THE game of winter 2015/16, imo.

Fallout 4 I think.

 

[[Call-Me-G]]

Halo 4 was pretty good.

No need to say anything else. Halo 4 was pretty good. It has its flaws, but I loved it.

 

[Cleve]

It will live up to my expectations, which probably aren't as high as the rest of the fan base. I'm just really glad to see how much of a focus has been put on framerate.

 

[BeforeU]

From the things they have shown so far? ABSOLUTELY, unless game changes drastically over night lol

But seriously, we have seen like 4 story mission, warzone (even played this), arena beta (also played it personally). Even music is out, and I think this is the best halo game so far.

No way it will disappoint. Except if it won't work on launch day.

 

[Nheco]

I think it will be greater than Halo 4, but not as Halo 3.

Considering the installed base, will be very successful.

 

[FATALITY]

Sales wise certainly - I wouldn't be surprised if it easily tops 10m in sales. Will do well critically too, but no it won't live up to the hype - nothing ever does.

TLOUS?

 

[Septic360]

Metacritic of 87.

Calling it now

 

[Random17]

Metacritic of 87.

Calling it now

I'm guessing 89.

-5 points for no Forge and splitscreen on launch, -2 for fewer custom game/multiplayer options. -3 for Campaign story and poor coop AI, -1 for character grievances. (Overall)

 

[Trup1aya]

I'm guessing 89.

-5 points for no Forge and splitscreen on launch, -2 for fewer custom game/multiplayer options. -3 for Campaign story and poor coop AI, -1 for character grievances. (Overall)

I don't think a good reviewer should rate the game based on how it compares to previous Halo games, but how it stands on its own...

Sure halo fans would like a halo game with split screen and forge at launch, but those two modes aren't requirement for good games

 

[Ont]

All I care about is the arena gametype and that looks really solid to me.

 

[Random17]

I don't think a good reviewer should rate the game based on how it compares to previous Halo games, but how it stands on its own...

Sure halo fans would like a halo game with split screen and forge at launch, but those two modes aren't requirement for good games

Splitscreen not being in the game is a disappointment either way, and the penalty will be harsh I bet, probably -5 from the reviews in aggregate.

 

[Diprosalic]

i think expectations are on an all time low, so that shouldn't be too hard to do.
the game will get great reviews anyway, i mean even halo 4 did and this looks better.

 

[draughn101]

I don't think a good reviewer should rate the game based on how it compares to previous Halo games, but how it stands on its own...

Sure halo fans would like a halo game with split screen and forge at launch, but those two modes aren't requirement for good games

I agree. I think reviews are a comparison of how the game stacks up against the competition. I can see losing a point or two for halo staples not being included, maybe, but a review is a comparison to what's out on the market. Franchises change, that doesn't devalue a game. The Phantom Pain wasn't exactly like its predecessors, didn't ship with multiplayer and it still received 10s.

 

[RdN]

I'm worried about population once COD and Battlefront releases.

It'll do fine sales and critics whise.

 

[Diprosalic]

I agree. I think reviews are a comparison of how the game stacks up against the competition. I can see losing a point or two for halo staples not being included, maybe, but a review is a comparison to what's out on the market. Franchises change, that doesn't devalue a game. The Phantom Pain wasn't exactly like its predecessors, didn't ship with multiplayer and it still received 10s.

there's no way H5 won't get 9s and 10s, i mean freaking Halo 4 did. HALO 4.

 

[Marvel]

I think so!

 

[Pop]

Halo 5 will sell great no doubt about that. But who really has high expectations for H5? After coming off of H4 and MCC, I would say they are at an all time low. Should be quite easy to beat everyone's expectations, that's if the multiplayer is solid. Multiplayer has to last for years, not months.

Population will take massive hits come November. So we will see just how much people actually like H5. From what I've seen of the multiplayer, I like it. Looks really fun. But seeing and actually playing are two different things. I'm a huge Halo guy, was the reason I bought an Xbox. But I'm in no rush to go out and buy a new Xbox One for this game. I'll wait and decide later.

 

[MikeE21286]

I don't have HUGE expectations.

I don't have expectations that it'll revolutionize really much about the Halo series. Seems to be good for more shooty-bang-bang in the Halo style

 

[uncledonnie]

I've seen enough to feel confident it will be a great game. If it is not though it will be hard for 343 to recover from that.

Regardless of how good it is people will find ways to tear it down, either with backhanded compliments or outright shit-posting.

 

[R3TRO]

No, it won't unfortunately.

There are some talented guys over at 343 but they are carrying someone else's torch and that torch is a heavy one with a lot of pressure from fans, from microsoft, and from a slowly evolving shooter genre.

From what I have seen I have already been somewhat disappointed. The game lost a lot of credibility with me when it ditched local multiplayer - a series staple. The rest of the game seems to lack identity - the enemies uninspired, the weapons too familiar to those in other recent space shooters, the mechanics chasing other popular fps franchises.

The game will sell a shit ton no doubt, but sadly, Halo will never be what it once was.

Agreed.

 

[OneUh8]

Sorry if this is not answering the OP's questions, but I can only speak for myself here. If the multiplayer is as fun as I had in the beta, it has lived up to my expectations personally. I really do expect the game to do well and review well based on what I played a year ago.