Halo: Reach

Apparently there are going to be large set-piece battles in this game, which would be a welcome change from the corridor shooting Halo fans know and sometimes don't love.

What really sucks is working for Bungie right now: your most famous IP has become a major success and you've signed it over to Microsoft, who will farm it out to six different development sweatshops over the course of the next ten years. Meanwhile, it's almost impossible for you to equal or exceed the expectations everyone has for your "next big hit."

I'd almost prefer to see Bungie make a game like Oni again, just to piss everyone off.

I gotta say, im getting a little confused(which isnt hard for me) about the Halo franchise. Xbox 360 was my first intro to M$ gaming. My first Halo was Halo 3, and damn there was some HUGE buzz behind that game. It was on TV and media, a monster debut.

But then Halo wars and Halo ODST come out, and there is NO buzz. I havent heard much, and it doesnt seem to have quite the same heart put into them, or the same enormous following.

IS the franchise losing steam? Why do these games not matter? Is it all about the Master Chief character? Or am I missing out on awesome games and should get them?

Whats going on here? I think its similar to what Des said, are they just butchering, and whoring this game out too much?

"Sethdaddy8 wrote:

I gotta say, im getting a little confused(which isnt hard for me) about the Halo franchise. Xbox 360 was my first intro to M$ gaming. My first Halo was Halo 3, and damn there was some HUGE buzz behind that game. It was on TV and media, a monster debut.

But then Halo wars and Halo ODST come out, and there is NO buzz. I havent heard much, and it doesnt seem to have quite the same heart put into them, or the same enormous following.

IS the franchise losing steam? Why do these games not matter? Is it all about the Master Chief character? Or am I missing out on awesome games and should get them?

Whats going on here? I think its similar to what Des said, are they just butchering, and whoring this game out too much?

For a console RTS, Halo Wars is supposed to be very good, and even made a number of people's Top 10 games of 2009.

Halo 3: ODST is a lot like Halo 3 with a few tweaks. The game isn't nearly as long, and the main character is different. If you like Halo 3 you should like ODST, but I would suggest not paying more than $40 for it. A good thing about ODST was it had all the map packs for Halo 3.

Halo: Reach is the first "full feature" Halo game since Halo 3. It seems to be creating buzz IMO, though the franchise is probably losing steam.

This is my most anticipated online game. I think Halo 3 is the most balanced shooter available and has the least amount of problems (if any). Cannot wait for it!

"Sethdaddy8 wrote:

IS the franchise losing steam? Why do these games not matter? Is it all about the Master Chief character? Or am I missing out on awesome games and should get them?

Four reasons: one, no Master Chief; two, lack of the same kind of marketing and hype blitz that Halo 3 received over the course of many years; three, Wars and ODST and Reach have a different size and scope than 3; and four, more competition from other franchises like Uncharted.

"Desides wrote:

What really sucks is working for Bungie right now: your most famous IP has become a major success and you've signed it over to Microsoft, who will farm it out to six different development sweatshops over the course of the next ten years. Meanwhile, it's almost impossible for you to equal or exceed the expectations everyone has for your "next big hit."

I heard Bungie still has the final say on all Halo games. They get to approve stories and art and things like that so everything stays consistent...

"Ultra wrote:

I heard Bungie still has the final say on all Halo games. They get to approve stories and art and things like that so everything stays consistent...

No, they've forfeited the series to Microsoft. Microsoft owns it now. Microsoft, not Bungie, has final say.

They could make Master Chief's Space Volleyball and Bungie can't do a thing about it.

I think the dying buzz is probably due to Call of Duty taking over as the premiere shooter. Plus CoD is available on all platforms.

there's a new multiplayer vid up on bungie's site. I recommend checking it out, it looks awesome. Some new medals are in there and it displays some of the new equipment and weapons. Can't wait for the Beta!

Reach MP Footage

Cant wait, jetpacks ftw.

I liked Halo3's campaign (especially on legendary with 3 more friends). I HATED ODST. Couldn't stomach past the 2nd level.

I think it boils down to Bungie thinking they're better than they are. Master Chief is like Mario (not to that extent of course), he is an icon and a brand of a console. Bungie's Halo games have sold an obsurd amount because of this. Not saying they're bad developers... But they're not anywhere near a top 10. They tried to be different with ODST and failed imo.

But I do know folks that liked it, so maybe i'm the tard.

halo wars was a shockingly good game. I liked it a lot.

As for reach, woo. It looks so much better than odst and 3 did. (graphics wise)

"mor911 wrote:

I liked Halo3's campaign (especially on legendary with 3 more friends). I HATED ODST. Couldn't stomach past the 2nd level.

I think it boils down to Bungie thinking they're better than they are. Master Chief is like Mario (not to that extent of course), he is an icon and a brand of a console. Bungie's Halo games have sold an obsurd amount because of this. Not saying they're bad developers... But they're not anywhere near a top 10. They tried to be different with ODST and failed imo.

But I do know folks that liked it, so maybe i'm the tard.

I liked it for what it was.... Which was a game built on an old H3 engine that was originally not even supposed to be a full game that kinda grew into one even though they didnt put a full development team on it like they would have with a normal game.

It was decent but nothing terribly special, and has little replay value.

Reach on the other hand is a fully staffed and supported main title game with a brand new pretty engine to run on. Cant wait.

"CitizenSnips wrote:

halo wars was a shockingly good game. I liked it a lot.

As for reach, woo. It looks so much better than odst and 3 did. (graphics wise)

Its worth pointing out that Halo wars was not made by Bungie, it was a Microsoft project that they farmed out to the people that made the age of empires pc games.

And I hated it. :lol:

Just watched Reach's Multiplayer trailer... it looks much better graphically than past halos. They've always been mediocre in the graphics department

Right now, Amazon is giving a $20 video game credit towards a future purchase for anyone who preorders this game. If you haven't reserved it elsewhere, this is a great opportunity, especially if you have prime.

anyone else get in the Beta? Here are my thoughts so far

1) It's a bit more tactical now since everyone is essentially starting with a power up. I like the sprint, the jet pack is okay, the armor lock looks pretty cool and is useful if you stay with your team, I can't get the hang of the invisiblility. Always end up wasting it when I don't need to and forgetting I have it when I need it.

2) The weapons take a bit more to use well. They don't seem to carry much ammo. The new DMR (battle rifle replacement) only has 12 shots. It also takes an entire clip from the assault rifle to kill someone. Head shots are a lot harder to get now, it's only the tippy top of their head that will get you one. The Needle Rifle is pretty cool. The grenades are way stronger than they used to be (which is good IMO). The hammer lunges like the sword now.

3) There are only two maps out right now, neither one is that amazing IMO. One is like a suped up Boarding Action from Halo 1 and the other is like a manipulation of High Ground.

4) My favorite new gametype so far is the new flag variant. Basically sets out 4 neutral flags and you have to bring them back to your base to score. At the end of a minute you get a point for each flag in your base and then they all respawn. The flags are always grabbable so it makes for some intense offense/defense situations.

Overall it's pretty fun, as of now I still enjoy Halo 3 more...we'll see how the next few weeks go when they open up Boneyard and the Invasion gametype.

the beta's a little weak IMO. i liked it but it didn't do anything to make me feel like this isn't 'just another halo game'. The power ups are interesting but i really wish they'd just let me do slayer. That's the majoirty of what halo players play, why not let us just do that?

and yeah, these maps are VERY uninspired. whats that about?

The campaign is ok so far. Tough sell since I just beat Mafia 2.

http://www.viddler.com/explore/Mor911/videos/1/

http://www.viddler.com/explore/mor911/videos/2/

Sorry about the video. I have to record it weird because I'm on my bed and have to use both hands for an FPS

How's AI?
I usually hate playing with AI companions becasue they DIE (only exception being Fawkes, from 3d Fallout) I dont want to baby sit them while trying to kill twnty to thirty elites that are trying to rip my head off.

Halo Reach for everyone else has leaked now too

My brother and I beat the campaign last night. Definitely the best Halo campaign experience. It starts a tad slow. The first two levels are big and new looking... But you have no idea what Noble team is all about. As the story unfolds all the pieces start to fall in place and it becomes a truly epic fight for life. There's way too much things to spoil so I dont want to talk about it. I am not really into the Halo story, but I loved what they did here. Halo fans will love this and play it over and over.

pumped for the campaign, btu after reading about the online play it seems extremely dumbed down. let's see how it plays out.

anyone else going to a midnight launch? I'll be nerding it up at my local gamestop after work today. Not sure I'll get too much work done, I'm so pumped!