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Halo 5 Review Thread

PooBone

Member
Yup.. Covenant AI was disappointing, but I liked the Prometheans.

I thought all three variants of the prometheans were SOOOOOO boring to fight. The environments you usually faced off in were bland as hell. This might have had something to do with it, since the framing of the encounters wasn't very interesting to me. 343's vision for ancient alien structures seems more or less the same as Mass Effect, which is baffling since the art in the Bungie games, particularly 3, was fucking RAD as hell.
 

PooBone

Member
Destiny was a bit of a bait and switch. No review copies sent out until launch, so plenty of people bought into it before there were any scores.

I was one of them. I jumped on a PS4 Destiny bundle but most likely would have waited if reviews were already out. I was expecting a 90 range game. Would I have made the purchase if t was an 85? Probably, but even that would have made me pause.

I agree with you, but I also think Halo/Xbox sold a shit ton of copies of Destiny as well. That pedigree carries a weight with it. A weight which has since evaporated, in my mind lol.
 

BokehKing

Banned
85 can still be amazing...

How many 85 games are amazing? A lot.

I still have hope.
Don't take this the wrong way, but the game could be ranked at 60 with reviews written by a bunch of people who only like sports games, that's how silly and little review scores actually matter

End of the day, it's halo, you have been waiting since how long for this? You don't need to hold out hope, you're going to enjoy it
 
I have noticed with IGN especially that if one review editor does not like the game, mysteriously everyone within IGN starts to trash it like its a hive mind. I know it is possible everyone genuinely did not like the story and what not but it feels like some of these guys dont have any individuality. I have never seen another IGN editor publicly disagree with a review or a score from another editor. It is always a hive mind.

I think this can happen because the reviewer is meant to represent the company as a whole. That being said, I have heard plenty of disagreements between hosts of IGN Unlocked and Beyond... just not always super close to release.
 

PooBone

Member
It's best you ignore the halo4 comparisons, this game has some of the best level design in the series.

People think of Silent Cartogropher, and recall halo CE being full of open areas. There are a few in the beginning of the game, but the second half is all back tracking and/or reused play spaces. There's really none of that nonsense in H5. It's really more like H3, but even the more linear H5 missions offer tons of tactical options.

Those reused spaces were awfully big and awesome though. ;-)
 

SegaShack

Member
Went in here to see reviews. Holy crap at all this arguing. Not sure whether people think it needs to be higher or lower, but it seems like a high score to me. I am going to wait for actual player opinions though.

Honest question, is an 85 considered bad? 10 years ago any game that would get 4/5 or 8/10 would usually mean it was a very good game.
 

GDJustin

stuck my tongue deep inside Atlus' cookies
I have noticed with IGN especially that if one review editor does not like the game, mysteriously everyone within IGN starts to trash it like its a hive mind. I know it is possible everyone genuinely did not like the story and what not but it feels like some of these guys dont have any individuality. I have never seen another IGN editor publicly disagree with a review or a score from another editor. It is always a hive mind.

I'm in this very topic many pages back praising Halo 5.

In fact, I think everyone in the office really likes Halo 5, minus maybe Ryan, and I'm not sure if he genuinely dislikes it, or just dislikes it in a "doesn't live up to Halo hype" kind of way.

Now, the story on the other hand... I think we're pretty unanimous there. But then again so are most other critics, it sounds like?
 
what would happen if the meta score dropped to 80?

have all the big name outlets reviews been put up on that site?

overall it's not really good for the premiere franchise on xbox to only have a "B" grade
 
Went in here to see reviews. Holy crap at all this arguing. Not sure whether people think it needs to be higher or lower, but it seems like a high score to me. I am going to wait for actual player opinions though.

Honest question, is an 85 considered bad? 10 years ago any game that would get 4/5 or 8/10 would usually mean it was a very good game.
No but it's a score low enough to help fuel the console wars.
 

enigmatic_alex44

Whenever a game uses "middleware," I expect mediocrity. Just see how poor TLOU looks.
what would happen if the meta score dropped to 80?

have all the big name outlets reviews been put up on that site?

overall it's not really good for the premiere franchise on xbox to only have a "B" grade

This is exactly what some people aren't getting. A score in the 80s is a "B" which would be fine if this wasn't Microsoft's biggest premiere franchise. 90 and up on Metacritic is an "A", and considering several games reached "A" this year yet Microsoft's ace in the hole didn't has left people disappointed.
 
As with most things, the extremes on both sides are off base. Those who say the '85' is a disaster are crazy. Those who say the '85' isn't disappointing (at least one some levels) are also crazy.

This is all about expectations. Halo is one of those mega, system-selling series. Uncharted and Mario are no different for Sony and Nintendo respectively. I GUARANTEE that if Uncharted 4 scores below 90, many will consider that disappointing too.

These are the iconic series that define their system. Getting 90 (+) on Metacritic cements the game as one of the generation's best. It is the type of game that people consider truly special. How can someone not be disappointed at least on some level that Halo 5 doesn't fall into that category? Its score is indicative of excellent, but not legendary. It's not in that top tier of games. That certainly disappoints me.

I love playing excellent games. I just wish it was a generation-defining game.
 

Trup1aya

Member
I don't know, I found the Prometheans new abilities to be interesting and worthy of changing tactics.

Something was up with the Elite AI in Halo 4, and it made the Covenant levels way too easy.

I chalk that up to being familiar with covie tactics... I never found the promethean Knights Fun to fight, just bullet spongy and cheap... I'm glad 343i redesigned them to make them more enjoyable.
 

Dub117

Member
what would happen if the meta score dropped to 80?

have all the big name outlets reviews been put up on that site?

overall it's not really good for the premiere franchise on xbox to only have a "B" grade
It will only drop to an 80 if the servers don't hold up. I'm hoping they will and it will go up to an 87ish. Honestly that doesn't matter to me, everyone is saying MP is back (fucking yissss) and the story is not bad, if you know Halo lore and it is a bit love it or hate it. Sounds like H2. Sounds like awesome to me.
 
Should be unlocking in a few hours from now. Must say that the positive comments from people here really made me looking even more forward to playing it.
 
This is exactly what some people aren't getting. A score in the 80s is a "B" which would be fine if this wasn't Microsoft's biggest premiere franchise. 90 and up on Metacritic is an "A", and considering several games reached "A" this year yet Microsoft's ace in the hole didn't has left people disappointed.

what i think also happens is that this latest incarnation of halo won't be in any GOTY discussions, so that also plays into fanbase disappointment.
 

Random17

Member
I chalk that up to being familiar with covie tactics... I never found the promethean Knights Fun to fight, just bullet spongy and cheap... I'm glad 343i redesigned them to make them more enjoyable.
As weird as this may sound, I actually don't mind bullet spongy enemies in Halo (would prefer not having them though).

Every bullet spongy enemy is a miniboss that has a certain weakness. The Zealots in CE are vulnerable to ambush via nades. Halo 2 brutes go down quickly at close range with Carbines or Brute shots. Chieftains in H3 and H4 Prometheans are very vulnerable to backsmacks. Etc etc
 

Trup1aya

Member
This is exactly what some people aren't getting. A score in the 80s is a "B" which would be fine if this wasn't Microsoft's biggest premiere franchise. 90 and up on Metacritic is an "A", and considering several games reached "A" this year yet Microsoft's ace in the hole didn't has left people disappointed.

Games that have gotten A's have also left people disappointed. And a game that got a C is one of the best selling and still most played game of the generation.

So this 'B' probably is fine, especially if people are having a lot of fun with it. I think it will Turn out that narrative isn't quite l as important to a lot of halo fans as it is to reviewers, especially fans of the MP. Also, man fans will actually enjoy the narrative. And if the MP is as good as just about every outlet seem to suggests, people will be enjoying it for quite some time.
 
what i think also happens is that this latest incarnation of halo won't be in any GOTY discussions, so that also plays into fanbase disappointment.

This is true. Game of the Year awards are an honor and something to brag about. There is no way Halo 5 will truly be in the running for overall Game of the Year on many sites. That is disappointing. It will most likely fall behind MGSV, Witcher 3, Bloodborne, and Fallout 4.

That said, I see it winning quite a few Multiplayer of the Year awards. Probably more than any other game. So that is impressive!
 
This is true. Game of the Year awards are an honor and something to brag about. There is no way Halo 5 will truly be in the running for overall Game of the Year on many sites. That is disappointing. It will most likely fall behind MGSV, Witcher 3, Bloodborne, and Fallout 4.

That said, I see it winning quite a few Multiplayer of the Year awards. Probably more than any other game. So that is impressive!

yep, those will be "the final four"
 
Went in here to see reviews. Holy crap at all this arguing. Not sure whether people think it needs to be higher or lower, but it seems like a high score to me. I am going to wait for actual player opinions though.

Honest question, is an 85 considered bad? 10 years ago any game that would get 4/5 or 8/10 would usually mean it was a very good game.

If Halo 3 got this score in 2007 or if Bungie released Halo 4 in 2009 and got this score then then yes, planet Earth would've been scorched. Considering this is 2015, what has gone on since 2007, 343, this score feels like it did incredibly well.
 
If Halo 3 got this score in 2007 or if Bungie released Halo 4 in 2009 and got this score then then yes, planet Earth would've been scorched. Considering this is 2015, what has gone on since 2007, 343, this score feels like it did incredibly well.

Incredibly well? Come on... There's nothing incredible about these scores. It's totally credible.
 
yep, those will be "the final four"

And don't get me wrong...Halo 5 is a great exclusive, while Tomb Raider looks to be a great timed exclusive. But despite PS4's lineup generally being criticized for 2015, it's the only system with an exclusive in the running for Game of the Year and with a Meta over 90.
 
The more a game does the easier it is for scores to drop. A game like Journey can have the player walk across a gorgeous environment for 3 hours and get scores in the 90s. A game like Halo 5 with single player, cinematics, voice acting, scripting, regular multiplayer, war zone, etc can give so much but has more opportunities for things to not be perfect that scores can easily erode. The scales are never comparable.
 
And don't get me wrong...Halo 5 is a great exclusive, while Tomb Raider looks to be a great timed exclusive. But despite PS4's lineup generally being criticized for 2015, it's the only system with an exclusive in the running for Game of the Year and with a Meta over 90.

people posting shit like this completely seriously give me life
 
And don't get me wrong...Halo 5 is a great exclusive, while Tomb Raider looks to be a great timed exclusive. But despite PS4's lineup generally being criticized for 2015, it's the only system with an exclusive in the running for Game of the Year and with a Meta over 90.
what game would that be lol
 

Deviousx

Member
Are we really comparing metacritic scores on completely different games, and on completely different platforms in this thread? I mean... really?

lol
 
And don't get me wrong...Halo 5 is a great exclusive, while Tomb Raider looks to be a great timed exclusive. But despite PS4's lineup generally being criticized for 2015, it's the only system with an exclusive in the running for Game of the Year and with a Meta over 90.

giphy.gif
 

RedRum

Banned
Wow. Just got back to this thread from this morning. Did not expect to see all the shenanigans. I didn't get H5 but congrats to 343. 85 is a damn good score in my book. Think I'll show myself out now.
 

Karish

Member
Do people really not realize that AVERAGE METACRITIC SCORES HAVE STEADILY DECLINED OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS?

Jesus. A mid 80s in 2015 is a low 90s in 2010. I thought this was known.
 

aravuus

Member
Do people really not realize that AVERAGE METACRITIC SCORES HAVE STEADILY DECLINED OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS?

Jesus. A mid 80s in 2015 is a low 90s in 2010. I thought this was known.

I can't say I give a fuck about scores, but it'd be fun to see some proof of this
 
people posting shit like this completely seriously give me life

what game would that be lol

Are we really comparing metacritic scores on completely different games, and on completely different platforms in this thread? I mean... really?

lol


He's. Not. Wrong.

that sony exclusive is one of the frontrunners to win GOTY here on gaf when the GAF GOTY thread pops up at the end of the year.

either it wins the award or it comes in a close second. halo 5 may get some minority votes, but it doesnt stand a chance. sorry

So, ... Does the game now suck? What's wrong?

no, it's a good game. just doesnt live up to reviewer and fans expectations
 
I'm expecting more changes from sequels in general, see Portal to Portal 2, Arkham Asylum to Arkham City, Super Mario Sunshine to Super Mario Galaxy, Resident Evil 4, all mainline Zelda, it's possible to shake a franchise, more than what I'm seeing here.

you continue to use examples that blatantly defeat your argument.

/insert you're drunk go home gif here.
 

Cleve

Member
Do casual gamers even look at review scores? I never do, I buy games I know I want from description



For example, I bought halo 5 for warzone

Nope, they see a commercial and maybe know that it got a bunch of 10/10s that popped up on screen, they just never question the integrity or tastes of biogamergirl.
 

Ivory Samoan

Gold Member
It will only drop to an 80 if the servers don't hold up. I'm hoping they will and it will go up to an 87ish. Honestly that doesn't matter to me, everyone is saying MP is back (fucking yissss) and the story is not bad, if you know Halo lore and it is a bit love it or hate it. Sounds like H2. Sounds like awesome to me.

My thoughts exactly - MP focus and a lore-heavy campaign that relies on knowing the Halo Universe inside and out.

Heaven to this Spartan :D
 

Gascoigne

Banned
He's. Not. Wrong.

that sony exclusive is one of the frontrunners to win GOTY here on gaf when the GAF GOTY thread pops up at the end of the year.

either it wins the award or it comes in a close second. halo 5 may get some minority votes, but it doesnt stand a chance. sorry



no, it's a good game. just doesnt live up to reviewer and fans expectations

How would you know if it lives up to fans expectations? As for the first part, lol. What does that have to do with Halo?
 
He's. Not. Wrong.

that sony exclusive is one of the frontrunners to win GOTY here on gaf when the GAF GOTY thread pops up at the end of the year.

either it wins the award or it comes in a close second. halo 5 may get some minority votes, but it doesnt stand a chance. sorry


no, it's a good game. just doesnt live up to reviewer and fans expectations

Hey, at least if you are an Xbox only guy you can still get a Souls fix. It's not the same but not too far removed. If you're a Halo fan without an Xbox? There's no substitute.

you mean gothic lovecraftian horror dark souls

Yes, Bloodborne shares a lot of DNA with the Souls games. Is that meant to discredit it?


Wut wut wut?

If you think Life Is Strange is going to be a GAF GOTY contender but not Bloodborne... well... see you in a few months!

There was no need to bring up Bloodborne in this thread (along with other games that were invoked by name) but trying to downplay its quality doesn't look good.
 

Halabane

Member
Iif I am reading some of the critics correct IF you have read the backstories and extended universe books, graphics novels and videos than the story and characters are stronger. It appears 343 ASSUMED that Halo folks read that stuff. Without doing that the story and characters seem disconnected, like you walked into a movie half way through.
 
Iif I am reading some of the critics correct IF you have read the backstories and extended universe books, graphics novels and videos than the story and characters are stronger. It appears 343 ASSUMED that Halo folks read that stuff. Without doing that the story and characters seem disconnected, like you walked into a movie half way through.

1. you know that's one thing i've never liked when game devs/pubs do that kind of stuff.

not every "insert game here" fan will have knowledge of stuff like this existing

2. and that is precisely correct.
 
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