Quote:
Originally Posted by alvarado52
um...no.
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Yeah, but we're not doing this here and now.
Anyway, Beta analysis:
General:
The interface is slick, but I can't help but believe H3's interface was better. Reach has some nice and convenient slides for the UI but it feels like how Vista feels after you used XP for so long. Seems to have unnecessary functions. Post game stats seem to be a chore to explore now that for some reason Bungie feels I wanna see the player's Spartan model while checking out his individual stats. The medals should return to it's grid view instead of a list.
The Active Roster is pretty cool, tracking your friends automatically and keeping you updated. Like H2's Party System, this has to be standard eventually, though the Party System still isn't standard so...
In Game:
There is a significant change in movement speed (for Spartan), in that they seem slower than I remember. A lot of guys on B.net are complaining about this but it's not really that bad. They spouted BS like how it's harder to dodge grenades (no it isn't) and the game's slower (
Hell no). In fact the action is more deliberate, and the general mood of the game seems to value those who think first and on their feet. I also think it makes the new Sprinting move something worth using.
The button layout will take a game or two to get used. Well... maybe more, because I still press RB trying to pick up weapons. It is, however,
not a mess like some have said. The transition is akin to going from H2 to H3. The Abilities activation being on LB felt natural almost instantly, though.
Not being able to jump as high will affect your game if you're used to the past Halo's low gravity. I still try to jump on ledges I felt like I should. Perhaps Bungie should lighten up there...
just a little. Sprint jumping feels great, though.
Armor Abilities:
The big addition to the series, shockingly, doesn't really change the dynamic very much. The flow is still 'Halo', but there is a strategic element. Like Battlefield BC2, it seems to reward thinking on your feet - and
moxie. Although it's a team oriented game, certain lone wolves who like to pull stunts have interesting tools this time.
Jet-Pack:
Yeah... the infamous Ability is popular amongst fools and sensationalists alike lol. You can tell who'll be cannon fodder by whoever Loads Out with the Jet Pack first. Nobody seems to use it right and all I've seen were guys flying in the air and shooting guns that do not complement the increased range. And even if you took to the skies with the wonderful DMR or Needle Rifle, there's too much motion to trust your own accuracy. The Jet Pack is good for taking vertical shortcuts, setting up tricky flanks, and relocating to a higher position with a well ranged weapon. I highly advise
not actually fighting while hovering in the air, by my observation you'd be giving the team kills.
Shield:
Aside from the cool pose you do when you power this baby up, it's quite useful at attracting the opposing team. It may save you in a pinch, but most players are already hip to just waiting it out and raping you after you power out. Some players even still don't know that the shockwave after the power out zaps their shield, so free kills if they stray too close (the wave can even kill weak players). It's best to use it and let your team know what's going on, while you attract people like moths to a flame, your team can clean up house or toil away at the objective (if you're not playing Slayer). One of my go-to Abilities.
Sprint:
About as useful as all the other games that have it. It gets you out of grenade range and danger real nice. And against those players that seem to throw grenades on reaction, you could dash ahead and whack 'em, finishing them off easily. Another go-to Ability for me, lots of conventional uses.
Cloak:
Cloak has this paradox that you're never really stealthy since the radar jamming will tip off the other team. While you can't as sneaky as before, it does cause a bit of panic when you come around, and that can be useful in itself. Not as useful overall as you might think.
Weapons:
First off, regarding Req's observations, the weapons aren't 'easy to use'. They're about as skill based as H3's package if not more so. No weapon is universally useful (even the DMR), and you will have to use the right tool for the right moments. The reticule is not a problem, everything's balanced, I have very few issues here. The Plasma Launcher isn't as overpowered as I thought it would. It has kick, but you'll rarely find a good time to use it. There's nothing I could say for each weapon that hasn't already been said, though. Other than me assuring everything's well balanced and skill-based.
Game Modes:
Headhunter is tough as Hell, I wonder how people land so many skulls without being hunted down. Oddball is oddball, still with morons shooting you and not the leader. Stockpile is meh, a pretty chaotic mode that I'm not terribly interested in. CTF is made interesting with the Abilities, and the super shield move is great for flag defense, sprinting great for offense.
You cannot use your abilities while holding a flag, and I agree.
Be on later today.