Continuation, split due to post length limit:
Couple of new points to add to the discussion. First, five grenades limit implemented in the Strike - allowing for the maximum of ten grenades alltogether - is a sensible change compared to the nine grenades per slot available in the Assault, matching better the reasonable two firearms cap. Second, Needler pistol has been significantly weakened in the Strike, as in the Assault to my experience it is the most efficient pistol class weapon, which is just something I thought was different than in the Assault, having forced me to alter choices at times in the Strike. Third, Jackals in the Strike are immune to grenade blasts affecting them from either the front or the sides if they carry an active shield, resulting only in shield down, which is absolutely emmaddening, having greatly spoiled my joy of playing the Strike, in particular the "kill X Jackalas with plasma grenades" achievement becoming a true chore.
About the microtransactions, industry is a bussiness and bussiness will seek ways to make profit. Players can shout as much as they want but they will get milked occasionally, they will also pay for the games if they want to play. I am realistic about it. Microtransactions are fine as long as these are kept separate from competetive systems, also if they are entirely optional. Just let me legitimately play the game without being forced to hidden costs once I already paid for the title. EA does great things and the rage against it is temporal, people will play their titles because these are good games. Although I agree if EA brought something out of reasonable boundaries, they should be adequately evaluated for the misdoing, hopefully giving them a proper perspective for any near future endeavours.
Last but not least, did you notice how in the Halo Waypoint the GASO or "higher than gold" mark can only be earned for special completion of the Assault, but not for the Strike? To myself, this is simply because the Assault is a more difficult and better balanced game, also a more seriously considered project, as well as because it is a more important release from the franchise perspective alltogether. But primarily, probably because the Assault is more difficult and better balanced. Less elements are easier to handle when determining the difficulty and possible ways out.
For the recycled levels in the Strike, just take New Mombasa, an early chapter of the game. Most of the urban scenarios employ running back and forth around the city, without too much hassle about being original with level design on part of developers. What is bleak in particular are the backgrounds in stages involving elevated island grounds, next to lack of detail of these backgrounds, which shines in the urban environments.
About the inconsistent vehicle controls, there is definitely another way for Ghost, Kestrel and Wraith and another for Scorpion, Grizzly and Warthog. Which would mean the wheeled vessels steer differently to hover ones, albeit it still is some nuisance. The difference between the mindsets of these controls is too significant for such a game terms.
Couple of new points to add to the discussion. First, five grenades limit implemented in the Strike - allowing for the maximum of ten grenades alltogether - is a sensible change compared to the nine grenades per slot available in the Assault, matching better the reasonable two firearms cap. Second, Needler pistol has been significantly weakened in the Strike, as in the Assault to my experience it is the most efficient pistol class weapon, which is just something I thought was different than in the Assault, having forced me to alter choices at times in the Strike. Third, Jackals in the Strike are immune to grenade blasts affecting them from either the front or the sides if they carry an active shield, resulting only in shield down, which is absolutely emmaddening, having greatly spoiled my joy of playing the Strike, in particular the "kill X Jackalas with plasma grenades" achievement becoming a true chore.
About the microtransactions, industry is a bussiness and bussiness will seek ways to make profit. Players can shout as much as they want but they will get milked occasionally, they will also pay for the games if they want to play. I am realistic about it. Microtransactions are fine as long as these are kept separate from competetive systems, also if they are entirely optional. Just let me legitimately play the game without being forced to hidden costs once I already paid for the title. EA does great things and the rage against it is temporal, people will play their titles because these are good games. Although I agree if EA brought something out of reasonable boundaries, they should be adequately evaluated for the misdoing, hopefully giving them a proper perspective for any near future endeavours.
Last but not least, did you notice how in the Halo Waypoint the GASO or "higher than gold" mark can only be earned for special completion of the Assault, but not for the Strike? To myself, this is simply because the Assault is a more difficult and better balanced game, also a more seriously considered project, as well as because it is a more important release from the franchise perspective alltogether. But primarily, probably because the Assault is more difficult and better balanced. Less elements are easier to handle when determining the difficulty and possible ways out.
For the recycled levels in the Strike, just take New Mombasa, an early chapter of the game. Most of the urban scenarios employ running back and forth around the city, without too much hassle about being original with level design on part of developers. What is bleak in particular are the backgrounds in stages involving elevated island grounds, next to lack of detail of these backgrounds, which shines in the urban environments.
About the inconsistent vehicle controls, there is definitely another way for Ghost, Kestrel and Wraith and another for Scorpion, Grizzly and Warthog. Which would mean the wheeled vessels steer differently to hover ones, albeit it still is some nuisance. The difference between the mindsets of these controls is too significant for such a game terms.
