I'd have to go with Reach. I know, no Master Chief, but it's still the most memorable and compelling Halo story. What do you think?
Halo 5
- Thread starter TrueBlueHero
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First one (Combat Evolved). It had the magic. Everything was unfamiliar and mysterious.
disclaimer: I didn't play anything past #3.
disclaimer: I didn't play anything past #3.
5 then 4 here. I thought the story in 5 was very serviceable - especially for a game. I love sci-fi though. 4 was more personal. Guardians MP is masterful.
The first one, Halo CE. Even today, the campaign holds up best in terms of pure fun factor. I'd be elated if they ever did a remake for the graphics only. (Didn't think the Anniversary Edition was a good visual upgrade).
What's really underrated about CE is that the enemy AI is actually better than Halo 4 and Halo 5s. None of that makes sense to me and it sort of ruins the newer Halo's. In the original Halo's, if you let the bad guys fight each other, you'll get different results on the different play-through. You were also more likely to get more varied reactions from the enemies when replaying a checkpoint.
While the environments became repetitive looking, the design from a sandbox standpoint was the best from a gameplay perspective. You could try completely different strategies and get dynamic results on harder difficulties. This again contrasts the newer campaigns which are a bit more like COD in terms of narrow, linear levels where you take a few shots and jump back into the same cover points in every play-through.
I also thought the weapons mix was perfect. Less is more with weapons in Halo. Each weapon in CE was distinct and gave you different advantages depending on the situation. In contrast, new Halos have multiple weapons that function similarly and provide little advantage or disadvantage over each other in all the given scenarios.
I preferred the story telling as well. This is where I suspect I'll get the most disagreement. There wasn't a lot of cut scenes. They didn't try to explain everything. Voice acting wasn't a big deal either way. They just kept dropping hints for the main story arc and created a sense of mystery.
Finally, the magic of landing on the first Halo ring, the beach fight of Silent Cartographer, the first time you drove the jeep or the large battles you had in the snow have never been recreated or one upped in a Halo campaign since. There was an awe factor the first play-through but the gameplay was so fun, I prefer playing CE over the newer Halos even today.
What's really underrated about CE is that the enemy AI is actually better than Halo 4 and Halo 5s. None of that makes sense to me and it sort of ruins the newer Halo's. In the original Halo's, if you let the bad guys fight each other, you'll get different results on the different play-through. You were also more likely to get more varied reactions from the enemies when replaying a checkpoint.
While the environments became repetitive looking, the design from a sandbox standpoint was the best from a gameplay perspective. You could try completely different strategies and get dynamic results on harder difficulties. This again contrasts the newer campaigns which are a bit more like COD in terms of narrow, linear levels where you take a few shots and jump back into the same cover points in every play-through.
I also thought the weapons mix was perfect. Less is more with weapons in Halo. Each weapon in CE was distinct and gave you different advantages depending on the situation. In contrast, new Halos have multiple weapons that function similarly and provide little advantage or disadvantage over each other in all the given scenarios.
I preferred the story telling as well. This is where I suspect I'll get the most disagreement. There wasn't a lot of cut scenes. They didn't try to explain everything. Voice acting wasn't a big deal either way. They just kept dropping hints for the main story arc and created a sense of mystery.
Finally, the magic of landing on the first Halo ring, the beach fight of Silent Cartographer, the first time you drove the jeep or the large battles you had in the snow have never been recreated or one upped in a Halo campaign since. There was an awe factor the first play-through but the gameplay was so fun, I prefer playing CE over the newer Halos even today.
That's a tough one. I love the first for all the reasons Andy mentioned.
Two was great because of it's telling of the Covenant Schism, and introduced us to their perspective as well as the gravemind, which have some dimension to the Flood. It had a lot of variety in it's scenarios.
Three is probably my personal least favorite. Though the huge levels and vehicle battles were a major highlight. I also don't like the feel of it next to the others. Definitely had some great moments though.
ODST was notable for the change of pace, and the darker tone. It was nice to have some new characters but I was disappointed that there wasn't more differentiation between controlling and fighting with them from the 'Chief.
I loved Reach, though I was pretty unhappy that they distorted Canon unnecessarily. It was cool to see some Spartan 3s outside of the novels. They were also pushing a bit more emotion and humanity. First time for me really seeing Spartans as human. I liked the weapon bloom and the (limited) ability to sprint. The death of each Spartan had resonance, and I liked that.
Halo 4 has the best told Story, imo. They did such a good job selling the 'Chief's connection with Cortana. I actually got emotional for him at the end. Gameplay wise, I was so happy to see Spartans feel more like the super soldiers they are in the books. I also appreciated the more gritty style (minus the regular marine uniforms, blech). I also loved the Spartan Ops story. I feel they missed an opportunity by not expanding it in 5. It did take a hit on the "sandbox" with more narrow levels and pared down audio processing.
Five is a mixed bag. I didn't like treatment of Jul M'dama- he could have made for a great villain, and I think 5 would have benefited from a less 'epic' tale. They undercooked the story, though it to, has its monents of potential. I thought the 'walking' levels were so underdone that they were useless. I don't mind adding the variety, but they have to go deeper than that. NOT a fan of evil Cortana.
On the other hand, they did a marvelous job of perfecting the gameplay. They nailed it, imo. A perfect blend of old and new. Zero complaints on that end. The MP is grwat as well- they just need more, better original maps that DON'T rely on forge.
Two was great because of it's telling of the Covenant Schism, and introduced us to their perspective as well as the gravemind, which have some dimension to the Flood. It had a lot of variety in it's scenarios.
Three is probably my personal least favorite. Though the huge levels and vehicle battles were a major highlight. I also don't like the feel of it next to the others. Definitely had some great moments though.
ODST was notable for the change of pace, and the darker tone. It was nice to have some new characters but I was disappointed that there wasn't more differentiation between controlling and fighting with them from the 'Chief.
I loved Reach, though I was pretty unhappy that they distorted Canon unnecessarily. It was cool to see some Spartan 3s outside of the novels. They were also pushing a bit more emotion and humanity. First time for me really seeing Spartans as human. I liked the weapon bloom and the (limited) ability to sprint. The death of each Spartan had resonance, and I liked that.
Halo 4 has the best told Story, imo. They did such a good job selling the 'Chief's connection with Cortana. I actually got emotional for him at the end. Gameplay wise, I was so happy to see Spartans feel more like the super soldiers they are in the books. I also appreciated the more gritty style (minus the regular marine uniforms, blech). I also loved the Spartan Ops story. I feel they missed an opportunity by not expanding it in 5. It did take a hit on the "sandbox" with more narrow levels and pared down audio processing.
Five is a mixed bag. I didn't like treatment of Jul M'dama- he could have made for a great villain, and I think 5 would have benefited from a less 'epic' tale. They undercooked the story, though it to, has its monents of potential. I thought the 'walking' levels were so underdone that they were useless. I don't mind adding the variety, but they have to go deeper than that. NOT a fan of evil Cortana.
On the other hand, they did a marvelous job of perfecting the gameplay. They nailed it, imo. A perfect blend of old and new. Zero complaints on that end. The MP is grwat as well- they just need more, better original maps that DON'T rely on forge.
Thats a tough question. Gameplay/design or Story?
If we're talking story, I liked Halo 4 the best.
Gameplay/Design, I enjoyed Halo 2 the best. Halo CE is the runner up.
Halo 5 and Reach failed the hardest with it's story, though Halo 5 I did see the potential. Terrible snail-like pacing killed any hope though.
Halo 3 on the otherhand I played through on legendary and then again with co-op, design and story had me like this the whole time:
If we're talking story, I liked Halo 4 the best.
Gameplay/Design, I enjoyed Halo 2 the best. Halo CE is the runner up.
Halo 5 and Reach failed the hardest with it's story, though Halo 5 I did see the potential. Terrible snail-like pacing killed any hope though.
Halo 3 on the otherhand I played through on legendary and then again with co-op, design and story had me like this the whole time:
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Reach's campaign resonated with me more than any campaign.
Halo 4 for Cortana going through rampancy and Reach because of the team. I still need to play 5. I'm getting that for X.
ODST was nice too.
ODST was nice too.
That's the game I liked the most. I don't pay attention to any of the story, I just liked the locations more in that game. I haven't played 5, since 4 was so terrible.
I liked the first halo the best. Like Andy said it was new and mysterious. And then which ever one first introduced the flood and had you fight them. Was my 2nd best.. Unless those two are the same..its been awhile.
I can't believe this is up for debate. The Halo CE Campaign is >>>>>>>>> Halo 2-5 Campaigns combined.
It is all subjective really.
Overall probably HALO CE. I played through that game the most.
Personal favorite ODST
Best Story - HALO 4
If I had to rank them - CE>ODST>4>2>Reach>3>5
Reach was good but with some repetition in the levels.
I like 2 a lot but the balls out difficulty and Jackal Snipers gets old
3 was a big let down for me and the flood levels there drove me crazy
5- The graphics are great but the story is a total mess and the viral podcast was better than the game.
Now that said best PVP I have to go with Halo 5 as it seems to mix the classic Halo 1-3 gameplay with the newer elements from Reach/4 in a better way.
Overall probably HALO CE. I played through that game the most.
Personal favorite ODST
Best Story - HALO 4
If I had to rank them - CE>ODST>4>2>Reach>3>5
Reach was good but with some repetition in the levels.
I like 2 a lot but the balls out difficulty and Jackal Snipers gets old
3 was a big let down for me and the flood levels there drove me crazy
5- The graphics are great but the story is a total mess and the viral podcast was better than the game.
Now that said best PVP I have to go with Halo 5 as it seems to mix the classic Halo 1-3 gameplay with the newer elements from Reach/4 in a better way.
The first one.
Like Andy said, it had magic. A lot of it is nostalgia, but damn! I remember showing that off to my mates.
Goldeneye showed gamers that fps on consoles didn't have to suck.
Halo showed gamers that FPS on consoles could f***ing rock!
Like Andy said, it had magic. A lot of it is nostalgia, but damn! I remember showing that off to my mates.
Goldeneye showed gamers that fps on consoles didn't have to suck.
Halo showed gamers that FPS on consoles could f***ing rock!
I have to go with the original, everything was new and fresh, the graphics were a step above any other console shooter at the time and the story telling and music were great. I didn't care for the flood but that's just part of the series.
All this Halo campaign talk really has me hoping 343 has figured out the Bungie secret to fun factor. In Halo: CE, if the Covenant spotted you across the map, they'd come after you and sometimes flank you. In Halo 5, it was near impossible to draw them out of their post or zones. Prometheans were especially bad at staying in one spot.
Another thing I remember is in Halo 4 where they had the Covenant and Prometheans battling it out like what commonly happens in Halo 3-way battles. I waited for one of the sides to take the other out. It never happened. They shot at each other like storm troopers for multiple minutes without either side killing each other. What made it uglier is that they were close enough that one side should've charged the other at some point. They barely strafed in their small zones and waited for me to join in the battle.
In Halo:CE, everything was more dynamic. 343s AI is far more scripted. I think this is due to adding sprint since you could theoretically bait enemies to leave their zones and sprint around all of them where as you couldn't do this as easily pre-sprint. 343 has to give enemies sprint ability as well to fix the sandbox and give back the enemies back their dynamic AI.
Another thing I remember is in Halo 4 where they had the Covenant and Prometheans battling it out like what commonly happens in Halo 3-way battles. I waited for one of the sides to take the other out. It never happened. They shot at each other like storm troopers for multiple minutes without either side killing each other. What made it uglier is that they were close enough that one side should've charged the other at some point. They barely strafed in their small zones and waited for me to join in the battle.
In Halo:CE, everything was more dynamic. 343s AI is far more scripted. I think this is due to adding sprint since you could theoretically bait enemies to leave their zones and sprint around all of them where as you couldn't do this as easily pre-sprint. 343 has to give enemies sprint ability as well to fix the sandbox and give back the enemies back their dynamic AI.
I've seen Covenant/Promethean battles resolve themselves many times.
I love the original game, but going back after Halo 5, I really have to put myself in nostalgia mode to not be bothered by the Chief's slow pace and lack of movement options.
I've only played CE, 2, 3, and ODST. CE is still my favorite. I played through that campaign so many times solo and with friends. Was an amazing experience and why you bought a XBox. Still have fond memories.
I think Halo 3 probably has the best overall campaign though. I will get around to the rest of the campaigns some day. After Halo 3 I just lost interest in the series for some reason.
I think Halo 3 probably has the best overall campaign though. I will get around to the rest of the campaigns some day. After Halo 3 I just lost interest in the series for some reason.
I think sprint would work in campaign if the battle areas were wider with better lay-outs and Elites could run after you. That and get rid of bullet sponge Prometheans. Also bring back soldiers that have perma death. The squad AI in Halo 5 was attrocious and I hated that they kept respawning.
I didn't mind the Prometheans in 5. They actually have a bit of strategy to take down. As opposed to 4. I would like a new race to fight in 6. More open levels, non linear levels. Play as chief the entire campaign. If do they do bring back Blue Team, I want more personality and backstory to the rest of the team.
