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[GavinGT]

How can it be as good as the other halo's if the AI is bad? the reason why halo is so poular is due to the smart AI and open ended nature of the battles.

there is nothing even comparable to tsavo highway battle in halo 3...not even close to it. man I counted atleast 3 warthogs, 5 brute choppers, 3 wraiths and some ghosts in that battle alone, and the awesome scarab battle that follows after it. crazy epic.

so if you take away the AI in halo, and a game that is far more on rails, without the epic battles of previous halo's what do you get? something undwerwhelming.

everyone has opinions, you enjoyed and that is great. I thought it was slightly better experience than resistance 3.

I said the AI is comparable to that of other Halos 95% of the time. 5% of the time it fucks up and is worse.

There are multiple levels with wide-open vehicle battles. They aren't as large in scope as those of Halo 3, but that doesn't make them worse. Halo: CE never had 30-vehicle engagements but that campaign was still awesome.

There are no Scarabs but there are comparable experiences in the "very large things you ride and/or board" department.

You haven't backed up your assertion that the levels are more linear in any way. As I said, every Halo game has been about large arenas separated by entrances/exits. If your idea of non-linearity is multiple paths, then Halo has never been non-linear. The non-linearity has always been in how the player chooses to approach each battle.

Similar level design. you know how halo 2 is on rails?

yeah halo 4 is like that. the story with cortana and chief is far more interesting though.

You're just a fucking joke, dude. Do you even know the meaning of the term "on rails"?

 

[Sojgat]

Similar level design. you know how halo 2 is on rails?

yeah halo 4 is like that. the story with cortana and chief is far more interesting though.

This is what has always worried me.

CVG review Halo 4

I usually decide for myself and don't put much stock in reviews, but all the criticisms in that CVG vid are exactly what I didn't want to hear. I hope I still enjoy it, the MP sounds pretty great from everything I've heard.

Equally story heavy, but otherwise not at all comparable.

I just don't know what to believe

 

[Blue Ninja]

This is what has always worried me.

CVG review Halo 4

I usually decide for myself and don't put much stock in reviews, but all the criticisms in that CVG vid are exactly what I didn't want to hear. I hope I still enjoy it, the MP sounds pretty great from everything I've heard.



I just don't know what to believe

Make up your own mind in just a couple more days.

 

[Chuck Norris]

fake? probably lol.

Amazing that they managed to mail that without a single crease in the paper it's almost like they just printed it

 

[danwarb]

I won't touch multiplayer aside from co-op so I'm hoping the campaign is as good as previous Halos.

 

[Majanew]

Amazing that they managed to mail that without a single crease in the paper it's almost like they just printed it

Well, it's fake, but plenty of important documents are sent through mail in envelopes that allows them to not be folded.

 

[ThoughtsOfSpeaking]

The slow decent into console warrior fanboyism and COD circle jerking is sad to see.


I've never played more than the first level of halo. I hate modern shooters. But I'm considering buying this.

whether that be a measure of quality, casualisation, or simplE marketing hype is up to you to decide.

All I know is halo 4 looks to my eyes to be an amazing game.

 

[Sojgat]

The slow decent into console warrior fanboyism and COD circle jerking is sad to see.


I've never played more than the first level of halo. I hate modern shooters. But I'm considering buying this.

whether that be a measure of quality, casualisation, or simplE marketing hype is up to you to decide.

All I know is halo 4 looks to my eyes to be an amazing game.

It looks like an extremely high quality product. The series has been fighting it's way back from the low benchmark set by Halo 2's campaign with every release, I just hope Halo 4 isn't a step back in the wrong direction.

The test for me will be if I stop playing it after three chapters and go straight into the MP as I did with Halo 2, or finish the campaign in one sitting like I've done with every other Halo game. Tuesday can't come fast enough for me.

 

[GavinGT]

The main problem with Halo 2's campaign is that it was vigorously unfun. Halo 4's campaign does not have this problem. People can complain about a lack of strategic options in the Halo 4 campaign, but I honestly haven't felt this in my multiple playthroughs.

 

[Blueblur1]

The main problem with Halo 2's campaign is that it was vigorously unfun. Halo 4's campaign does not have this problem. People can complain about a lack of strategic options in the Halo 4 campaign, but I honestly haven't felt this in my multiple playthroughs.

Different strokes for different folks. Halo 2's campaign was fun as hell, IMO. It's still my favorite.

 

[REMEMBER CITADEL]

Similar level design. you know how halo 2 is on rails?

What the hell does that mean? Besides, Halo 2's campaign was great, gameplay-wise. It didn't have that sense of discovery that the first game did, and it was more disjointed since you played as two separate characters, but it was still pretty damn good.

 

[Dennis]

Is TEH-CJ trolling the fuck out of this thread or is he serious?

Its hard to believe that its serious.

On rails?

Jesus Christ

 

[Darklord]

Halo 2's campaign was great

Halo 2 was one of the worst campaigns I've played in a FPS. Utter garbage.

Halo > Reach > 3 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 2.

 

[Petrichor]

Halo 2 was one of the worst campaigns I've played in a FPS. Utter garbage.

Halo > Reach > 3 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 2.

Reach above 3? no way - not in terms of story nor campaign design.

 

[REMEMBER CITADEL]

Halo 2 was one of the worst campaigns I've played in a FPS. Utter garbage.

I wish I only played good FPS games like you did.

 

[Sojgat]

Halo 2's campaign was a series of long corridors, some of which you could fly a Banshee outside of and marvel at the unfinished stage borders. It's misguided narrative ideas are subjective, so really it's two main problems were that it was rushed, and what was trying to be achieved struggled to run on the hardware (worst pop in ever). I'm not discounting that some people may have really enjoyed it, but I did not.

Halo 2 is filled to the brim with bad ideas that have since been abandoned or greatly refined. IMO the level design in the Halo games has never achieved the same sense of being in a real alien environment that Halo CE did. My theory has long been that it was a result of it's origins as a RTS. Large open environments connected to each other, accessed through tighter bridging areas (both horizontal and vertical), that loop back around on each other. In Halo CE you can see where you've just been, it gives it a sense of place, other Halo games are much too flat and linear in comparison.

I might have to wait until next gen to get the Halo sequel I really want, but I'm hoping Halo 4 is leagues beyond the raggedy mess that was Halo 2's campaign, it certainly seems like it is.

Halo 2 was one of the worst campaigns I've played in a FPS. Utter garbage.

Halo > Reach > 3 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 2.

Halo CE > Halo ODST > Halo 3 > Halo Reach >>>>>> Halo 2.

This is only my opinion.

 

[Feindflug]

Reach above 3? no way - not in terms of story nor campaign design.

That surprises me every time, I don't get how anyone who loves the Halo series couldn't like the campaign of Halo 3. The last two missions were clearly rushed and sure were mediocre but until this point every level is amazing IMO with The Covenant being the best level in the series.

I have seriously lost count on how many times I've played Halo 3 co-op with a friend at Legendary...the way the level design, enemy placements and the combat scenarios are constantly changing to keep things fresh while the core gameplay stays the same is an amazing achievement IMO.

BTW so happy that 343 will support the game with big patches/TU, can't wait to play Halo 4: Prepare To Die Edition

Spoiler

aka Solo Legendary

in a few days. ^_^

 

[GavinGT]

To anyone who has played the campaign, is the linearity approaching COD levels, or is it similar to the level design of Halo 2?

There's nothing like AotCR or Silent Cartographer from Halo. You won't be wandering around searching for the right way to go in a semi-open world. It's very much connecting hallways that link between wide open combat spaces. Doors often close behind you, so that might make it feel more restrictive than recent games, but it's really quite similar.

In Call of Duty, the linearity is so painfully obvious because they're funneling you into certain spots to make sure you witness these scripted events as they're going down. Halo 4 rarely relies on scripted events, so you don't get the same feeling of being led along.

I'd compare the level design to the sniper portion of Truth and Reconciliation (from Halo), before you beam up to the Covenant ship. You're going from one wide-open room to the next, and it's typically pretty clear where to go next.

 

[shinobi602]

Similar level design. you know how halo 2 is on rails?

 

[TEH-CJ]

To anyone who has played the campaign, is the linearity approaching COD levels, or is it similar to the level design of Halo 2?

Halo 2.

not as bad as cod...was exaggerating there. but compared to halo CE and halo 3 its very linear.

 

[Lakitu]

I was afraid of it being as linear as Halo 2... shame. I still love Halo 2's campaign though.

 

[szaromir]

There's nothing like AotCR or Silent Cartographer from Halo. You won't be wandering around searching for the right way to go in a semi-open world. It's very much connecting hallways that link between wide open combat spaces. Doors often close behind you, so that might make it feel more restrictive than recent games, but it's really quite similar.

In Call of Duty, the linearity is so painfully obvious because they're funneling you into certain spots to make sure you witness these scripted events as they're going down. Halo 4 rarely relies on scripted events, so you don't get the same feeling of being led along.

I'd compare the level design to the sniper portion of Truth and Reconciliation (from Halo), before you beam up to the Covenant ship. You're going from one wide-open room to the next, and it's typically pretty clear where to go next.

Every level in the series is like that except Halo (in Halo 1), Silent Cartographer and the New Mombasa hub. I don't know what's semi-open world about Assault on the Control Room.

 

[GavinGT]

Every level in the series is like that except Halo (in Halo 1), Silent Cartographer and the New Mombasa hub. I don't know what's semi-open world about Assault on the Control Room.

Yeah, I guess you're right. I'm not sure why people expected that Halo 1 style of level design to come back now (not that they shouldn't hope for it to happen).

 

[GavinGT]

dp

 

[EagleEyes]

It goes like this ODST>Halo:CE>Halo Reach>Halo 3>Halo 2 in terms of single player for me least. Can't wait till tuesday to fit Halo 4 in there somewhere. Hype is finally getting to me.

 

[grimshawish]

Every game is on rails.

 

[Brolic Gaoler]

This is what has always worried me.

CVG review Halo 4

I usually decide for myself and don't put much stock in reviews, but all the criticisms in that CVG vid are exactly what I didn't want to hear. I hope I still enjoy it, the MP sounds pretty great from everything I've heard.



I just don't know what to believe

These reviewers need to realize the modes are still "kill to win" those points are for EXP on the individual spartan. Assists don't add into the victory total.

 

[ViewtifulJC]

Since when was Halo non-linear

WTF am I reading here

 

[tonitoni]

Since when was Halo non-linear

WTF am I reading here

Since Halo CE, in 2002

 

[abadguy]

Halo 2 was one of the worst campaigns I've played in a FPS. Utter garbage.

Halo > Reach > 3 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 2.

While i agree that it was the worse Halo campaign but it was far from being utter garbage, even in H2 campaign there were parts i enjoyed playing. The tank section in New Mombasa, all of the Arbiter missions, Delta Halo, and High Charity. For me as far as single player goes,

Halo:CE>Reach>ODST>Halo 3>>>>Halo 2

 

[tinfoilhatman]

Funny so many people seem to be butt hurt about a good Halo review and greatly improved sound and graphics.

The vast majority of Halo fans are going to buy and play this game regardless of what the reviews say.....the fact is even the worst of the Halo games is for the most part FAR FAR FAR FAR FAR FAR better then 99% of console FPS.

 

[Miles X]

TEH-CJ isn't banned from Halo threads yet? Lord ...

Any word on Gametrailers review yet??

 

[Deadly Cyclone]

Since Halo CE, in 2002

Halo has always been a linear shooter that features open combat spaces. Yeah, on levels like Silent Cartographer you could choose 1 or 2 ways to get to the objective, but in the end you are still pushing forward in a linear fashion. I'm playing through Anniversary right now and levels like The Library and others are extremely linear. So it varies. I'd still call Halo a linear game though, it just features some open areas.

 

[sflufan]

Since Halo CE, in 2002

Halo CE is linear, every single Halo game is linear. You go from Point A to Point B in every single Halo game without exception in an order pre-determined by the game's design.

Now, that being said, how you get from Point A to Point B is what differentiates it from games such as CoD or Half-Life which funnel you into a set means of traversal whereas Halo gives you options.

But let's not think for a minute that the Halo series isn't linear.

 

[jbug617]

TEH-CJ isn't banned from Halo threads yet? Lord ...

Any word on Gametrailers review yet??

Monday

 

[Brolic Gaoler]

Halo CE is linear, every single Halo game is linear. You go from Point A to Point B in every single Halo game without exception in an order pre-determined by the game's design.

Now, that being said, how you get from Point A to Point B is what differentiates it from games such as CoD or Half-Life which funnel you into a set means of traversal whereas Halo gives you options.

But let's not think for a minute that the Halo series isn't linear.

You're linear.

 

[FyreWulff]

Since Halo CE, in 2002

In all seriousness, Halo has no more than one arguably non-linear area. In Halo 1, that was the level "Halo". Halo 2 didn't really have one. Halo 3 had The Ark, Reach gets the closest with Tip of the Spear, and ODST has the Hub.

Even Silent Cartographer, while technically somewhat open, is really a linear level that loops in over on itself and retreads ground.

However, what every Halo has is a stop and smell the roses aspect where you can stop and participate in setpieces or check out details, versus other games which kind of push you along and don't encourage you to check out the larger world.

 

[Dennis]

Successful troll is successful.

Jesus

On rails, linear.....gahhhhhhhh

 

[Rad-]

Reach above 3? no way - not in terms of story nor campaign design.

Reach had the only campaign I cared enough to finish in the series. And actually the only FPS campaign I had finished since Half Life 1. So it's my favorite definitely.

 

[BigTnaples]

Lol at not knowing what on rails means.

 

[sflufan]

You're linear.

Yes I am. My thought process is quite linear.

 

[Fabrik]

From the two first levels I've seen, the level design seem nice and way more interesting looking than Reach (Which was Earth 2.0 most of the time). The basic story premise is also more compelling. Still, only 8 missions and over in one afternoon, no way I'm buying this brand new. Even Mirror's Edge and Dishonored have more. I'll play it but I can wait.

 

[Brolic Gaoler]

Yes I am. My thought process is quite linear.

01011001011011110111010100100111011100100110010100100000011000010010000001110010011011110110001001101111011101000000110100001010

 

[enzo_gt]

Halo CE is linear, every single Halo game is linear. You go from Point A to Point B in every single Halo game without exception in an order pre-determined by the game's design.

Now, that being said, how you get from Point A to Point B is what differentiates it from games such as CoD or Half-Life which funnel you into a set means of traversal whereas Halo gives you options.

But let's not think for a minute that the Halo series isn't linear.

Play Halo, the second level of Combat Evolved again.

Reach did something similar in its first level too.

 

[meppi]

Didn't expect anything else from today's EGM actually.
One of the reasons I didn't renew my subscription last year was due to similar shit like this.
They are so far removed from what I want from a publication, it's not funny.

 

[Stinkles]

From the two first levels I've seen, the level design seem nice and way more interesting looking than Reach (Which was Earth 2.0 most of the time). The basic story premise is also more compelling. Still, only 8 missions and over in one afternoon, no way I'm buying this brand new. Even Mirror's Edge and Dishonored have more. I'll play it but I can wait.

Average play time is about 8-12 uninterrupted hours for Campaign on Normal/Heroic (depending on your skill level and approach to exploration) and then Spartan Ops is about the same length, although broken up into weekly episodes.

 

[Deadly Cyclone]

From the two first levels I've seen, the level design seem nice and way more interesting looking than Reach (Which was Earth 2.0 most of the time). The basic story premise is also more compelling. Still, only 8 missions and over in one afternoon, no way I'm buying this brand new. Even Mirror's Edge and Dishonored have more. I'll play it but I can wait.

Uh, number of levels doesn't reflect playtime. I LOVE Mirror's Edge and it's one of my all time favorites but you beat it on average in about 5 hours, less if you're good.

From the reviews and impressions Halo 4 on normal is about 8 hours, Legendary closer to 11-12. Also, don't forget about Spartan Ops, which is essentially all new story. Season 1 is free with the game and features a big CG story piece and 5 big missions.

EDIT: Beaten by Frank himself.

 

[BigTnaples]

Play Halo, the second level of Combat Evolved again.

Reach did something similar in its first level too.

I know what ya mean as I wish Halo would have used Halo CEs 2nd level as a blueprint more often. However that is still linear, just less so than other games. Just like Crysis is very open, yet still linear. And the first level of Reach is not open at all.... Sword bases is sort of, and New Alexandrea is definitely like that...

 

[Stinkles]

Not spoiler-y per se, but don't read if you want to go in blind.

http://penny-arcade.com/report/editorial-article/halo-4-this-isnt-bungies-halo-anymore-its-better

 

[Fabrik]

Spartan Ops is about the same length, although broken up into weekly episodes.

Spartan Ops is a single player story mode as well?