Halo 4 your thoughts

[remnant_phoenix]

I don't have strong feelings about the Halo franchise one way or another, seeing the Halo 4 teaser sent up my cynicism flag. I can't help but hear "cash in!" ringing in my ears.

Bungie isn't making it. The original creative force behind the original trilogy and Reach is long gone. I can't help but recall what happened to the Final Fantasy series after Hironobu Sakaguchi (the original creator of the series) left Sqauare. See: FFXI, FFXII, and FFXIII, considered by many Final Fantasy fans to be among the weakest in series.

Not to say that I KNOW it will be bad game. Sometimes an IP can find a new identity under new development lead, but usually when the original creator of something leaves, the "magic" goes with it.

And I know that the following is really cynical of me to say, but it's true...

Despite being rushed by their Microsoft overlords to meet release dates, I truly believe that Bungie made Halo as a labor of love.

I don't know if the 343 studios people are committed to doing something good with the IP, but I do know that Microsoft is making Halo 4 to make tons of money, period. Microsoft would execute Master Chief in a public square if they knew it would make billions.

 

[TestSubject4]

Loved the Halo series, I just don't feel I need another trilogy of it. Probably will hire but I'm definitely not going to buy.

 

[Rancid0ffspring]

I'm undecided. While it looks like fun, most familiar characters and enemies besides Chief and Cortana will most likely not be appearing. Even if they put another Halo ring in it would end up being a re-telling of an old story. Most of the familiar story material from the previous titles would be gone. So I'm skeptical about the story, but I can't really decide with only the trailer so far.

I think it has been anounced that this is a continuation of the Chiefs story... therfore Cortana's as well.

Just no idea what else they are going to do with the series :/

My point is Chief was just one part, in actuality a very little part, of the entire Halo story. With most of the rest gone, it will be very different from the story we've come to know

Of course.

The remaining Spartan 2s & 3s, Halsey & Mendez trapped in Onyx to name only one example.

I'd be dissapointed if the Flood returned, even though it is a possibility. How many ships could the Grave Mind have launched from High Charity. We only saw one arrive at earth... there could be hundreds more.

I can't imagine Chief fighting Covenant as they have been pretty much decimated & their religion would be in tatters. Then again it could be like the expanded universe of star wars with the Imperial Remanants. However, I would be massively dissapointed if they were the antagonists.

All I can imagine at this point is a completely new threat taking a crack at the Halos for some new & unknown reason. Maybe a threat to both UNSC & Covenant.

While I'm insanely excited about a 4th (possibly 5th & 6th) Halo.... I just can't fathom who the antagonists will be.

 

[AgDr_ODST]

Halo is Halo and I very much like the idea of more Halo...whether its Halo: Reach, Halo CE: Anniversary, or Halo 4 or even Halo 3 ODST. As long as its made to the same standard as past titles and devoid of Halo 2-esque cliffhangers. I'll be satisfied

 

[Gunslinger 1994]

Personally I enjoyed all the Halo games and thought Reach was a great way for Bungie to go out. However i'm not really sure more Halo games are what we need. I mean besides the whole mystery around the fate of Master Chief and Cortana, they pretty much tied up all loose ends and concluded everything, so I think that they're trying to bring back a dead franchise, which isn't really a good thing. But I guess that's just me being sceptical maybe it will be an amazing game, I really hope it is just to prove me wrong haha.

 

[ScoopMeister]

For such a big Halo fan, you obviously don't know that much about it, unless that was a very unfortunate mistake. Bungie was the creator of Halo, and they were owned by Microsoft. They announced that Reach was the last Halo game to be created by them, but 343 Industries, which is partly made up of old Bungie employees, was created for the sole purpose of continuing the Halo franchise, and 343i is owned by Microsoft too (while Bungie isn't anymore). So, basically everything you said was wrong.

However, I'm stoked for this game. Halo 3's ending was pretty much set up for a sequel anyway, so it's not like I wasn't expecting it. I can't wait to see how they continue the Chief's story (new enemies, etc.).

It's gonna suck.

The Halo franchise was intended to end with Halo 3 and SHOULD have ended with Halo 3.
Who cares if it ends with a cliffhanger? Sometimes,games just end with a cliffhanger,I myself thought it was a good ending.

The idea of Halo 4 has probably been only made to get money,just like how Call Of Duty does after Modern Warfare 1.

The only way Halo 4 could be good is if it was a prequel. Now that would be cool.

This is totally untrue:
a. The franchise wasn't intended to end after Halo 3. The cliffhanger and 343i were put there intentionally so that the franchise could be continued.
b. It couldn't be a prequel, since if it was, then that trailer would have been completely different.
c. Don't judge a game until it's out. It might suck, it might be amazing. I mean Jesus, it's not gunna be released for more than a year yet. Your complaints won't be legitimate ones until the game's out, so just save it.

 

[Elijah Ball]

Bioware?

Really? Are you a troll or is that just a slip?

Personally I'm very excited about another Halo with the Masterchief. I just have no idea what may or may not happen.

Surely he can't be fighting the Covenant... Or the Flood :/

Speculation is that the big ol' thing at the end of the trailer is Onyx but that's just speculation.

Hopefully the forerunners will make an appearance. =]

 

[Lightning Delight]

Bioware? Just..... really?

Bioware?

I kinda think this new Halo will be sort of like Reach was. Set in the same universe, but not really having to do much with the Halos. Otherwise, it would just be the same story over and over and over again. Although I am excited to see who or what the new enemies will be, I really, really hope it isn't just the Flood or the Covenant again. It will also be interesting to see how the Chief is as the sole protagonist (except for Cortana, but still). Before, you had all the UNSC guys. Now, its just him.

Bioware?

 

[Rancid0ffspring]

SNIPIDEEDOODA

Hopefully the forerunners will make an appearance. =]

That is literally what just sprang to my mind. They could turn up all pissed that the UNSC & Covies have been mistreating their anti-son-of-a-***** machines / giant hula hoops

 

[icyneesan]

I think Mass Effect is a pretty cool guy. eh kills reapers and doesn?t afraid of anything

Successful troll was successful me thinks.

 

[Dr. Feelgood]

I'm excited, I just hope they give you more choices to make, and don't take away any RPG elements this time.

 

[CHIMP MAGNET]

I took the liberty of editing your post to help the confusion of others...


Yes, I know what you're thinking,Bungie said that Halo:Reach was the last Halo. It is true, Halo:Reach is the last halo that Bungie created, but good ol' Microsoft now owns the rights and has decided to jump the money train and make a halo 4... As many of you know, It was announced at E3 and will be the first part of a trilogy. So i ask what do you think: Do you hail Microsoft for not letting the series die out? or do you hate them for possibly screwing up one of the best game series(In my opinion)of the last decade?

 

[bluewolf]

What? Did you just say bioware owned halo? WTF are you uninformed or just stupid.

 

[Rancid0ffspring]

I took the liberty of editing your post to help the confusion of others...


Yes, I know what you're thinking,Bungie said that Halo:Reach was the last Halo. It is true, Halo:Reach is the last halo that Bungie created, but good ol' Microsoft now owns the rights and has decided to jump the money train and make a halo 4... As many of you know, It was announced at E3 and will be the first part of a trilogy. So i ask what do you think: Do you hail Microsoft for not letting the series die out? or do you hate them for possibly screwing up one of the best game series(In my opinion)of the last decade?

Ooooh.... that's what he was on about. I kid.

As previously stated.... Excited about this

 

[ZeroMachine]

Bioware?

Really? Are you a troll or is that just a slip?

Personally I'm very excited about another Halo with the Masterchief. I just have no idea what may or may not happen.

Surely he can't be fighting the Covenant... Or the Flood :/

Speculation is that the big ol' thing at the end of the trailer is Onyx but that's just speculation.

There's almost no way that's Onyx. But if it is... interesting. 'Cause that means John will not only be working with Spartan III's, but Halsey and his trainer, Mendez. Seeing Mendez in a game? Fuck. Yes.

Personally I don't believe it is Onyx. I've just seen a lot of people stating "It's obviously Onyx Duh blah blah Fred Linda & Kelly" Think there were some discussions & bits on the Wikia (I know it isn't the most reliable source of info) saying that the planet at the end of Halo 3 (on legendary) was Onyx.

I can't wait for this.... Apparently My house mate told me on monday when I was pissed on tequila & I tried to kiss him. Next day I saw the trailer on XBL & sent him a text exclaiming my excitement & he asked if I remembered my attempt at face rape :/

But seriously.... what else is there for the Chief to blow up?

I will be dissapointd if the covenant are the antagonists.

I have a few theories. It's something new, it's the return of the Forerunners, or...

Spoiler

It's the Precursors. Which, if you've read Cryptum, you'll know is probably very, very, very bad.

 

[Rancid0ffspring]

SNIP

I have a few theories. It's something new, it's the return of the Forerunners, or...

Spoiler

It's the Precursors. Which, if you've read Cryptum, you'll know is probably very, very, very bad.

Not yet.... but guess what I ordered from amazon about an hour ago. I was waiting for it to come down in price & hadn't checked in aaaaaages!

I've seen a bit about the (Still don't know how to do spoilers) in the Wikia but didn't want to delve too much before reading Cryptum.

I doubt it would be the Forerunners, as according to the terminals in 3 they were kind of proud of humans. Or at least that's the impression I got. Unless they took a bit of a twist themselves.

So yeah, something completely new... or that thing you said in the spoiler.

 

[ZeroMachine]

SNIP

I have a few theories. It's something new, it's the return of the Forerunners, or...

Spoiler

It's the Precursors. Which, if you've read Cryptum, you'll know is probably very, very, very bad.

Not yet.... but guess what I ordered from amazon about an hour ago. I was waiting for it to come down in price & hadn't checked in aaaaaages!

I've seen a bit about the (Still don't know how to do spoilers) in the Wikia but didn't want to delve too much before reading Cryptum.

I doubt it would be the Forerunners, as according to the terminals in 3 they were kind of proud of humans. Or at least that's the impression I got. Unless they took a bit of a twist themselves.

So yeah, something completely new... or that thing you said in the spoiler.

All I'll tell you is this: STICK WITH CRYPTUM. It isn't written that well and it starts out obnoxiously boring, but once you realize what's going on and everything you know starts appearing, you realize that the strange, abstract style in which it's written is 100% purposeful. It isn't the best book in the series (I'm reading through them all again right now and so far I have to say I think Contact Harvest is) but it is SO FREAKIN' WORTH IT.

Just... cliffhanger. Don't mind the cliffhanger. It's a trilogy, after all.

 

[OpiateChicken]

It's a bad idea. And I totally HATE the conversation wheel. Master chief never says anything like what I choose for him to say.

Now I believe you owe me a halo.

Nicely played, sir.

All I'll tell you is this: STICK WITH CRYPTUM. It isn't written that well and it starts out obnoxiously boring, but once you realize what's going on and everything you know starts appearing, you realize that the strange, abstract style in which it's written is 100% purposeful. It isn't the best book in the series (I'm reading through them all again right now and so far I have to say I think Contact Harvest is) but it is SO FREAKIN' WORTH IT.

I can't believe you said it wasn't the best in the series! Cryptum and Fall of Reach/First Strike are godly. Cryptum is the first non-military Halo book, and the history that it created was absolutely fascinating, as well as the geas and concepts like that, and the sheer amount of time that passes between events makes everything feel epic. Couple that with the fact that instead of just creating a new history for the Forerunners/Flood etc., Bear actually creates a new history for humanity. Hard science fiction. It's my first experience with it, but I couldn't have imagined a better plot. I can't wait for the second one (I have a review of the first if you guys wanted to read that).

Nylund's books are all about military, but he creates some new fiction and an entire new storyline that still has relevance to the main plot of the games. In contrast to other game sci-fi like, say, Drew Karpyshyn's Mass Effect novels, in which the plot feels oddly disjointed and only marginally relevant to the main plot, and the dialogue feels like you're staring at the conversation wheel the entire time, and the characters are all one-dimensional, Nylund does a wonderful job of actually giving Halo some fictional backbone to lean on.

Contact Harvest was the worst of all the Halo novels IMO, save the short story Mona Lisa in Halo: Evolutions (except the ending, that was pretty good). Harvest just felt WAY too 'military, hurr durr, epic guns r epic, spaec lazers' for me. The passages where they're fighting the Insurrectionists are okay, but I was hoping for a huge, epic reaction to the discovery of alien life for humanity; but instead, it's just Johnson being all, "I kicked dat mofo right in da FACE, boy! Have a lil' taste of some lead!", and talking about how great agriculture will be in the future. That just inherently can't come close to what Greg Bear produced.

Plus, the dialogue and thought process descriptions of the two AI's doesn't really come close to the descriptions of Cortana in Nylund's books and in Evolutions' short story Human Weakness.

Glad you enjoyed it, but I don't think Tobias Buckell should write any more Halo stuff. I felt the same way about his story Dirt in Evolutions; just felt really strange and the plot didn't really seem to hold up very well, and everyone is just too vulgar. (Better than Karpyshyn making everyone super-angelic though.)

 

[Rancid0ffspring]

SNIP

Sweet dude. Cheers.

Funnily enough Contact Harvest is the only one I have yet to read... I've kinda read them in reverse order. Recently finished First Strike, before that Onyx. Currently half way through Flood. Read Fall of Reach aaaages ago though.

I wasn't aware that cryptum was part of a trilogy. Has a date been set for the next part to be released do you know?