Halo 3 - now coming to Xbox One. MC Collection.

[mexos]

I don't know what i was expecting from this but its certainly not for me. It feels like a old game, lets jump up & down & shoot at each other till someone dies. I know that if i was to go back to the original halo and compare graphics, there would be a difference. Even so, the visuals are a bit... underwhelming, and old fashioned. It doesn't feel like it's moved on at all.

Think ill pass on this one.

[DC]

Loving this last night. Matchmaking seems to be a lot more accurate now as I had no-one who was 2 skills points above or below me in the Rumble Pit.

[SeanR]

Well how could they not? Such incisive wit, doubtless they cheered and applauded too.

And who could blame them?

shame you can't find a way to defend the game against my comments and choose to attack me personally instead...

I wins at the internet!

Seriously though, Halo 2+ is not what I want from a threequel on new hardware. Sure, it's only a beta, but it's not exactly grabbing me right now.

[Straps]

I'm genuinely baffled by all the people who think that now we're onto a new console they need to massively change the mechanics.

[Talvalin]

Seriously though, Halo 2+ is not what I want from a threequel on new hardware. Sure, it's only a beta, but it's not exactly grabbing me right now.

As someone else pointed out earlier in the thread, the Halo 2 multi-player was essentially unbroken so it was only going to be tweaks and little changes. What did you want to see?

[Guest alisdair]

shame you can't find a way to defend the game against my comments and choose to attack me personally instead...

If you'd read any of the pages of this thread, you'd know how it's better than Halo 2. New weapons, weapon balancing, less dual-wielding, bubble shields, gravlifts, man cannons, new game types, easier retard muting, awesome new maps, shinier graphics, match video recording/replaying/editing. And probably more stuff I've forgotten about.

[Massive Invisible Dog]

shame you can't find a way to defend the game against my comments and choose to attack me personally instead...

Well it's a pretty iron cast criticism you've levelled at it, Sean. I mean, pretty much the same as the the last game? Rather than totally reinventing it against the fans wishes? Ignoring some of the more subtle differences they've made which even people who played little of the other games will notice? Fuck!

[Phelan]

That little sniping spot I posted on the other page is great if you are fighting from the other side.

I hit in the little crevice and the opposition kept running by me.

I waited till the got near the turret and sniped them - then crouched down behind the rock.

Not one of them saw me.

I'm happy with that ... shame I'm a shit shot with the sniper rifle

[SeanR]

whistles and bells.

new textures and better geometry.

even some better bump-mapping on rocks and things.

not OVERLY PDzero shiny, but a graphical overhaul none the less.

I agree on the mechanics (controller vs kboard/mouse: FIGHT!) it's not changed, and that's good.

but it's also a paradox, or a contradiction on my part.

See, I was never "into" Halo2 MP, I just wanted to play through single-player. I was hoping that the beta would show us glimpses of what to expect with the game running on the 360.

Otherwise it's just Halo2 running in BC mode on the 360...

[Beertiger]

Otherwise it's just Halo2 running in BC mode on the 360...

Are you being silly just for the point of being silly or are you playing the game whilst simultaneously rubbing shit in your eyes?

[Uzi]

Are you being silly just for the point of being silly or are you playing the game whilst simultaneously rubbing shit in your eyes?

In all fairness, the changes are there, impressive but nevertheless subtle. It even took me a little while to appreciate just where it looked nicer.

Its not Gears of War immediately bang in your face nice, its more a "oh, this looks nicer than Halo 2 actually, look at that lighting, effects from the gun and the water and enviroment" rather than "holyshitthislooksfuckingamazing"

[Rushy]

Otherwise it's just Halo2 running in BC mode on the 360...

*sigh* Halo 3 online although not radically different on the surface, plays very different. These changes will be subtle to many, but those who have played Halo 2 online for any significant period of time will instantly be able to spot just how much the game has changed.

Lazy comment.

[Pilotwings]

Are you being silly just for the point of being silly or are you playing the game whilst simultaneously rubbing shit in your eyes?

You better watch out you dont go blind seanR or choddo will take over you.

[Beertiger]

In all fairness, the changes are there, impressive but nevertheless subtle. It even took me a little while to appreciate just where it looked nicer.

Its not Gears of War immediately bang in your face nice, its more a "oh, this looks nicer than Halo 2 actually, look at that lighting, effects from the gun and the water and enviroment" rather than "holyshitthislooksfuckingamazing"

The effect on the bubble shield is "holyshitthislooksfuckingamazing" I got killed the first time I used it because I kept walking in and out to see the fancy prettiness. I didn't get killed when I was playing with the water though, I saw the laser coming and popped that bastard in the head for interrupting me.

Also like Rushy says anyone who has played it a lot can spot the gameplay changes straight off. My brother has never played an RTS, when he sees me playing Tiberium Wars he says it's exactly the same game as when I used to play the original on the Saturn.

[SeanR]

Hey, EVERYONE!!!

Look:

but those who have played Halo 2 online for any significant period of time will instantly be able to spot just how much the game has changed.

See, I was never "into" Halo2 MP, I just wanted to play through single-player.

What price "subtlety" in the "now-gen" era?

DYS?

[Sprite Machine]

I'm not sure there is any way to make an online game more 'noob friendly' other than provide the matchmaking measures that is being provided.

Of course there is. Obviously, better players should still win, but the idea of n00b-friendliness is to make it fun for everyone, whether they're winning or losing. The problem with Halo (and most online FPSs) is that losing isn't usually much fun and you don't learn anything from it, thus the incentive to become better is not very strong. If someone snipes you from the other side of the map, you don't learn how to snipe. If someone finds a better weapon than yours, you don't learn where to find it. Getting better at Halo certainly is a learning process, but it's done in spite of the competition, rather than through it.

It would, however, take drastic changes to fix the issue. Making all walls transparent, removing weapon pick-ups entirely and forcing everyone to use the same set, or the total removal of any one-hit-kill attacks, are three such ideas, although these are pretty extreme.

[Uzi]

The effect on the bubble shield is "holyshitthislooksfuckingamazing" I got killed the first time I used it because I kept walking in and out to see the fancy prettiness. I didn't get killed when I was playing with the water though, I saw the laser coming and popped that bastard in the head for interrupting me.

Also like Rushy says anyone who has played it a lot can spot the gameplay changes straight off. My brother has never played an RTS, when he sees me playing Tiberium Wars he says it's exactly the same game as when I used to play the original on the Saturn.

Thats what I mean though, you might not get the bubble shield for a while and see that- look at the new carbine, the effect when it shoots is really stunning.

But when you first boot up the game, the immediate jaw drop isnt there which is whats putting off a lot of people (foolishly).

I appreciate the bubble shield and go wow, but something has yet to match the first time running into the third act of GOW which was literally jaw dropping. People have been spoiled a little bit on graphics.

Halo 3, gameplay and sound changes wise (being able to work out whats going on ALL over the map- its the most impressive game audio ever to me) and the new balance of stuff means its impossible to go back to Halo 2 now.

[Beertiger]

Thats what I mean though, you might not get the bubble shield for a while and see that- look at the new carbine, the effect when it shoots is really stunning.

I haven't used the new Carbine yet. I guess I'll check it out next time I'm playing.

As for the sound design is it really that amazing? I mean didn't Rainbow Six Vegas do all this before Christmas?

[Petrousgyre]

shame you can't find a way to defend the game against my comments and choose to attack me personally instead...

I wins at the internet!

Seriously though, Halo 2+ is not what I want from a threequel on new hardware. Sure, it's only a beta, but it's not exactly grabbing me right now.

I think, perhaps, Halo3 will withstand the brunt of your withering invective, formulated as it is on a good 5 minutes play of the Beta. It doesn't need me to defend it.

It was hardly a personal attack either, just a gentle poke at your strangely egocentric comments. Most of the contributors to this thread have been playing the beta for a while - I'm not sure if you were expecting a standing ovation for turning up a fortnight late and offering a fairly predictable and bland assessment of the game.

[Uzi]

I haven't used the new Carbine yet. I guess I'll check it out next time I'm playing.

As for the sound design is it really that amazing? I mean didn't Rainbow Six Vegas do all this before Christmas?

RS6 might have, I just didn't notice is to the same extent, but then RS6 has guns and shouting. Halo has rockets, lasers, warthogs, turrets, banshees, quadbikes, man cannons, so it was always going to have more impact sound wise due to all the different ones.

[Straps]

The problem with Halo (and most online FPSs) is that losing isn't usually much fun and you don't learn anything from it, thus the incentive to become better is not very strong. If someone snipes you from the other side of the map, you don't learn how to snipe. If someone finds a better weapon than yours, you don't learn where to find it. Getting better at Halo certainly is a learning process, but it's done in spite of the competition, rather than through it.

With all due respect, you're either doing it wrong or you get too frustrated when you lose, but for 95% of the times I get killed, I'm able to pinpoint one particular choice I made as to why I ended up dead/not getting a territory/whatever. Certain things like the shotgun+melee / plasma+melee / noob-combo wouldn't have occurred to me during Halo 2, but after you get killed by it you realise you could have avoided death by doing the same. After a short while it's engrained in your personal tactics - hence, you've learned from your deaths.

[Uzi]

Of course there is. Obviously, better players should still win, but the idea of n00b-friendliness is to make it fun for everyone, whether they're winning or losing. The problem with Halo (and most online FPSs) is that losing isn't usually much fun and you don't learn anything from it, thus the incentive to become better is not very strong. If someone snipes you from the other side of the map, you don't learn how to snipe. If someone finds a better weapon than yours, you don't learn where to find it. Getting better at Halo certainly is a learning process, but it's done in spite of the competition, rather than through it.

It would, however, take drastic changes to fix the issue. Making all walls transparent, removing weapon pick-ups entirely and forcing everyone to use the same set, or the total removal of any one-hit-kill attacks, are three such ideas, although these are pretty extreme.

To be really bad at Halo 2/3, you can be two things, one- rubbish reflexes and two- stupid. Seriously, my reflexes suck compared to some players, they're so quick and accurate, but I still at times manage to take them down- you just need to use your head. If youre running out and just getting sniped (constantly I mean rather than once or so) then you're being an idiot, esp in a snipers game. It doesnt take much skill to use the crouch, to find smart spots, to move across the map without being in the sight of someone holding such a weapon. People treat all FPS like doom these days at times, just run in and shoot and then moan when they get taken out over and over.

In Halo 3 most of my kills have been with the AR and beatdowns as well as grenades- weapons that are default with you or everwhere. Battle rifles are everywhere too to give you some distance and have been powered down so you dont get taken out in three shots.

You dont need to be great at FPS games- just not a headless chicken. Halo is as much a strategy game as it is a shooter.

And now with recordable videos out to see what you're doing wrong and what other players are doing right, its even easier not to totally suck.

[Sprite Machine]

Certain things like the shotgun+melee / plasma+melee / noob-combo wouldn't have occurred to me during Halo 2, but after you get killed by it you realise you could have avoided death by doing the same.

Well, most of that would have occured to me anyway, but I'd still have to find where the shotgun is for instance - I don't learn that from being shot with one. You also don't learn precise techniques (such as how to throw grenades well) by being blown up by one. In fact, I'd say if you're very outclassed, most of what kills you won't be of any help at all..

[Sprite Machine]

It doesnt take much skill to use the crouch, to find smart spots, to move across the map without being in the sight of someone holding such a weapon.

Indeed, it mostly takes learning. But until you learn, you tend to die a lot. Sure, if you do the same thing over and over and die in the same way repeatedly, you'd be a bit stupid. No argument there.

[Uzi]

Indeed, it mostly takes learning. But until you learn, you tend to die a lot. Sure, if you do the same thing over and over and die in the same way repeatedly, you'd be a bit stupid. No argument there.

In Halo 2 I would play the maps offline with a mate to see where all the shit was and all the sweet spots. Takes about 10 mins a map and is a lot of fun too.

In the beta that isnt possible so in Halo 3 it should be easy.

[Phelan]

Well, most of that would have occured to me anyway, but I'd still have to find where the shotgun is for instance - I don't learn that from being shot with one. You also don't learn precise techniques (such as how to throw grenades well) by being blown up by one. In fact, I'd say if you're very outclassed, most of what kills you won't be of any help at all..

Best I can do for you right now:

High Ground

Valhalla

Snowbound

[Sprite Machine]

^ I hope Halo Wars looks something like that.

[Phelan]

^ I hope Halo Wars looks something like that.

Damn! I spend all that time editing the mini-maps and all you can say is that

[Sprite Machine]

Sorry, Phelan! It's much appreciated.

[SeanR]

oh, and I can't turn around quickly enough