PRO BRO KNOW
While our cozy little content corner certainly continues to center around the narrative and story-based aspects of the Halo experience, we’re not immune from the excitement surrounding the Season 1 Finals of the Halo Championship Series taking place this weekend at PAX East. With that in mind, I thought it would be cool to hit up 343 Industries’ resident Pro Team for a quick little Q&A. For those of you who might think four-shots are something you’d order at a bar however, have no fear. We’re not talking BR-spread or KDA. In fact, I thought it would be cool to ask the Pro Team what they thought about more story-centric experiences, and show off the fact that just because these lords of Lockout are wizards in the War Games doesn’t mean they don’t love heeding the campaign call. So let’s hear what GH057ayame, Neighbor, Dersky, and Strongside have to say about some of their favorite parts of the Halo universe.
GrimBrother One: What is your favorite character in the Halo universe?
GH057ayame: My favorite character has to be Master Chief. I’ve spent so much time living out his journey time and time again that it just feels like I’ve had a profound impact on his story as well. Whether it be destroying the original Halo ring or engaging some Final Bosses, I’ve always felt that I’ve ensured that Master Chief lived up to his name.
Neighbor: The Flood as a whole.
Dersky: Master Chief, he destroys absolutely everything the Covenant throws at him, and saves the entire galaxy!
Strongside: The Arbiter
Grim: What is your favorite campaign moment from any Halo game?
GH057ayame: My favorite campaign moment has to be when Master Chief and his marines enter “into the belly of the beast” when floating up into the Truth and Reconciliation on the 3rd level of Halo: Combat Evolved. Playing through this moment with my twin brother Brent gave us endless memories – specifically some of the toughest encounters that I’ve ever had in a Halo campaign. And who can forget… the INVISIBLE SWORD GUYZ. So many heroic moments were stopped abruptly by those jerks! Between that, and launching ourselves 1,000 feet up in a Warthog on Silent Cartographer, it’s a hard decision, but I’ll side with the sword-wielding Elites.
Neighbor: Master Chief and Thel ‘Vadam racing to escape the replacement Halo’s blast in Halo 3
Dersky: Mission 2 – “Halo” – from Halo: CE. I loved this moment so much because it was my first time ever interacting with a Warthog and I thought it was so badass at the time.
Strongside: At the ending of Halo: Combat Evolved, driving the Warthog through all the explosions on the Pillar of Autumn was unforgettable.
Grim: What is the saddest moment in any Halo story?
GH057ayame: The saddest moment to me has to be when you see Captain Keyes assimilated by the Proto-Gravemind on the level Keyes in the Halo: Combat Evolved campaign. I mean… Captain Keyes gave me my first Pistol, so I’m forever in his debt.
Neighbor: Overall as a game, definitely Halo: Reach. So many tough losses in that campaign.
Strongside: Sgt. Johnson’s death in Halo 3.
Grim: Which character in Halo would be the most fun to hang out with?
GH057ayame: I think I’d love hanging out with Sgt. Johnson the most. I’ve always wanted to kick back, grab some beers, and listen to his war stories.
Neighbor: Cortana, because reasons. [I won’t break the news to him if you guys don’t – Grim]
Dersky: Sergeant Johnson. I picture our day would consist of smoking cigars and blowing [REDACTED] up!
Strongside: Hands down the Master Chief.
Grim: Which Halo vehicle do you wish you owned in real life?
GH057ayame: I wish I could own the original Warthog from Halo:CE. That thing was so damn fun to drive around Alpha Halo, whipping turns and sliding into trenches. I can’t even begin to imagine how much fun that would be to do in real life – the handling was just pure bliss.
Neighbor: UNSC Elephant
Dersky: The Banshee. It would be my "private jet" to get me to any destination. In addition, all I can think about is how fun a backflip would be to perform in real life. [Man after my own heart, right there. – Grim]
Strongside: The AV-14 Hornet
Grim: What do you find most interesting about the Halo story?
GH057ayame: To me, the most interesting thing about the Halo story is its overall mysteriousness. It’s a vast universe that’s yet to be completely explored – a feat that seems near impossible to be accomplished. But at the same time, it’s what keeps me going. I’m always yearning for the next story of the saga!
Neighbor: I find it interesting that the hero of humanity can love an A.I.
Dersky: It's truly amazing how the Master Chief never stops coming back to fight. He is clearly outnumbered in almost every scenario and still manages to come out on top.
Strongside: The mystery behind the Master Chief, and who he is as a person.
Thanks so much to the Pro Team for joining us! Something tells me it could be fun to have them involved again sometime. And may ONI help you if you ever come across them in the War Games… (shudder)