The point of this topic is to give feedback to 343i on all the previous (FPS) Halo games. This is to allow them to more properly understand the strengths and weaknesses of all past FPS Halo titles, so that they can more effectively provide what we, the players, desire for Halo 6. Constructive criticism will provide both the strong and weak points in a concise manner.
So, in a format roughly as I've given below, lay out each FPS Halo game, with divisions of Campaign and Multiplayer, and then provide 3 (no more, no less) of both pros and cons. This will help you stay objective, as even if it's a game you love, you'll be forced to narrow down your favorites to 3, and honestly consider the drawbacks of the game. Likewise, you'll be forced to narrow down your 3 least favorite aspects of a game you don't like, as well as honestly consider the positive aspects of the game.
The only FPS game where exceptions are fine is Multiplayer for Halo 3: ODST, as its MP was a single gametype (Firefight). You can add 3 pros and cons for Firefight if you'd like, but don't so isn't necessary.
Please avoid listing the same points in multiple games; instead, list the game with the first appearance of the pro/con.
Please avoid listing main pros/cons in a generic manner, such as saying "It's horrible" or "it isn't [other game]". You can list your opinions, but give specificity.
Please refrain from discussing a game's music. We all understand the direct emotional connection the music can have to the gameplay, but we need to stay focused on the task of the gameplay itself.
Lastly, please keep in mind that all of these are opinions. The point of this topic isn't to debate opinions. This is just a stage by which to present your own opinion in a constructive manner. Keep things positive.
Without further ado, my Pros and Cons list:
HALO: COMBAT EVOLVED
Campaign
Pros
Pros
Campaign
Pros
Pros
Campaign
Pros
Pros
Campaign
Pros
Campaign
Pros
Pros
Campaign
Pros
Pros
Campaign
Pros
Pros
So, in a format roughly as I've given below, lay out each FPS Halo game, with divisions of Campaign and Multiplayer, and then provide 3 (no more, no less) of both pros and cons. This will help you stay objective, as even if it's a game you love, you'll be forced to narrow down your favorites to 3, and honestly consider the drawbacks of the game. Likewise, you'll be forced to narrow down your 3 least favorite aspects of a game you don't like, as well as honestly consider the positive aspects of the game.
The only FPS game where exceptions are fine is Multiplayer for Halo 3: ODST, as its MP was a single gametype (Firefight). You can add 3 pros and cons for Firefight if you'd like, but don't so isn't necessary.
Please avoid listing the same points in multiple games; instead, list the game with the first appearance of the pro/con.
Please avoid listing main pros/cons in a generic manner, such as saying "It's horrible" or "it isn't [other game]". You can list your opinions, but give specificity.
Please refrain from discussing a game's music. We all understand the direct emotional connection the music can have to the gameplay, but we need to stay focused on the task of the gameplay itself.
Lastly, please keep in mind that all of these are opinions. The point of this topic isn't to debate opinions. This is just a stage by which to present your own opinion in a constructive manner. Keep things positive.
Without further ado, my Pros and Cons list:
HALO: COMBAT EVOLVED
Campaign
Pros
- Ominous & mysterious map design
- Simplistic mystery of the Forerunners
- Hidden, cryptic, but full vision for universe
- Replayability feels tedious
- The Library feels overly difficult
- Lackluster boss battle
Pros
- Simple but creative map design
- Willing to let players search maps for enemies
- The map is the theater that every other play can watch (not so busy things can’t be seen from across map)
- No online play
- No AI
- Weapons & vehicles available in campaign not available in MP
Campaign
Pros
- View into human life (Earth missions, UNSC compatriots, etc.)
- Awesomeness of Master Chief (even if gameplay was split between him and Arbiter)
- Deeper understanding of enemies and their motives/organization
- Playing as the Arbiter
- Covenant prominence (levels, weapons used in levels, etc.)
- Premature cliffhanger ending
Pros
- Clans/social gaming
- Skill Ranks (1-50)
- Unique map designs (Earth locales, etc.)
- Glitchy
- Unbalanced
- Exploitations
Campaign
Pros
- Emotional impact
- Call back to original (Alpha Halo on Ark, Control Room, etc.)
- Glimpse into even larger scale of Forerunners
- The Ark’s scale wasn’t fully realized
- Throwaway deaths (Johnson)
- Uninspiring locales
Pros
- Forge
- Equipment
- Global Rank (Service Record)
- Removal of clans
- Busy maps
- Veto system
Campaign
Pros
- More “human” view into the war, Covenant, Earth, etc.
- Tried to really encourage stealth (VISR, nighttime missions, silencers, etc.)
- First real glimpse into the human government organization
- Maps felt closed off
- Not enough of a connection to squad members to feel lost without them
- Stealth doesn't feel very impactful
Campaign
Pros
- Customized canonical character
- Greater in-depth understanding of government organizations
- Emotional/personal story utilized for greater narrative
- Seeming contradictions with novels
- Though officially a prequel, many unnecessary additions create confusion (Spartan IIIs, weapon models, etc.)
- Not enough variety of locales
Pros
- High level of character customization permutations
- Commendations
- cR (Credits, used to unlock desired content)
- Lack of Skill rank
- Armor Abilities in all game modes (not optional for main competitive play)
- Focus shifts from typical Halo-style play into COD-style play
Campaign
Pros
- More “realistic” visual tone
- Dive into Forerunner characters
- Consideration of Master Chief as more than a stale non-character
- Change for the sake of change (designs)
- New designs not following previous standards (Forerunner, species, weapons, armor, etc.)
- Very linear objective-based missions
Pros
- Visual polish
- Making facets of MP canonical/accurate (Infinity training, etc.)
- Spartan Ops (in concept, not realization)
- Specializations in all game modes (not optional for main competitive play)
- Spartan Ops gameplay was a rehash, and didn’t continue nearly as long as desired
- Armor customization permutations greatly decreased
Campaign
Pros
- Utilizing important characters of lore
- Glimpse into human (and Sangheili) politics (outer colonies, civil wars, etc)
- Scale of damage and destruction (and threat)
- Playing as Locke (character fine, but control should only/mostly be for Chief)
- Story, large in scope, felt flat/uninspired
- Worlds were uninteresting to be on
Pros
- Spartan Abilities
- Warzone (in concept, not realization)
- Scale of the sandbox
- Warzone introduces pay-to-win through REQ system
- Disorganization of all unlocked REQs and customizations
- Adding staples of Halo games months after launch
