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

[Pob]

I tend to dismiss criticisms such as "close up some textures look distinctly rough." I don't think things like that are even worth mentioning these days when all the big games are graphically resplendent, especially in such a short article.

At the risk of sounding like a fanboy, I think what the BBC describe as criticisms sound like positives. I love the feeling of chaos in war games. I love having the option of cowering behind a rock or getting stuck in. I hate the feeling that all the action is revolving around me, with baddies spawning relative to my position.

But yes, interesting to read a hyperbole-free preview.

[Space Renegade Ulala]

Have there been any mention of The Flood at all or are all the 3 way battles expected to be between marines, non-sympathetic Elites and Brutes? And are the Grunts and Hunters still on the Elites' side?

[robdood]

Allow us to introduce them:

PLAYER 3 (Sangheili)

Name: N’tho ‘Sraom

PLAYER 4 (Sangheili)

Name: Usze ‘Taham

God, why do fantasy names love using apostrophes (inverted ones too?) so much?

[redman]

I tend to dismiss criticisms such as "close up some textures look distinctly rough." I don't think things like that are even worth mentioning these days when all the big games are graphically resplendent, especially in such a short article.

At the risk of sounding like a fanboy, I think what the BBC describe as criticisms sound like positives. I love the feeling of chaos in war games. I love having the option of cowering behind a rock or getting stuck in. I hate the feeling that all the action is revolving around me, with baddies spawning relative to my position.

But yes, interesting to read a hyperbole-free preview.

yeah I agree with that. That was what was so enjoyable about the Silent Cartographer, that 30 second beach landing, where it felt like a big us vs them, rather than me vs. them.

[Eighthours]

God, why do fantasy names love using apostrophes (inverted ones too?) so much?

Yeah, it is sub-Klingonese, isn't it!

[Rowan Morrison]

Yeah, I have faith in Bungie – even after the mass battles in Halo 2, which were a bit rubbish. I was thinking more of the three-way rucks from later on in the game, which were largely a matter of hiding in a box for the duration for Flashman-types like me, as opposed to the humans vs Covenant paggas from earlier on, which you couldn't pull a sickie for. The latter would be very difficult to balance, especially when you look at how almost-impossible bits of Halo are, but I reckon Bungie can pull it off.

The only battles I didn't really enjoy getting into were the 3-way ones from Halo 2 with the Flood involved, because the Flood in Halo 2 were an almighty nuisance with their rocket launchers and unintelligible rap music. The end of Two Betrayals, I enjoyed skulking around the battlefield and picking off the weak just after they'd killed someone else. On Legendary it was pretty much impossible to just wade into that battle, but that didn't bother me - it's says a lot for a game if it can make you think twice like that, though of course it'd be crap if it just did that all the way through.

I guess the best way to approach such situations is to set things up so you have a better chance of survival by staying in the thick of the battle, which was sometimes the case in the first two games - nothing worse than having to stage an assault after all your friendly bullet magnets have been disposed of.

The AI is going to be central, as already noted. It's fun to play Halo on the lower settings sometimes just to experience fighting alongside the marines, which is always a brief experience on Legendary. If they're able to hold their own in H3 on Legendary we could see some amazing battles.

[Rowan Morrison]

Have there been any mention of The Flood at all or are all the 3 way battles expected to be between marines, non-sympathetic Elites and Brutes? And are the Grunts and Hunters still on the Elites' side?

I expect there'll be a level where you have to lead a wounded Hunter to a field hospital, leading him by the hand and occasionally telling him to wait in the shadows.

[RubberJohnny]

I don't think I've ever fought that big battle on Two Betrayals properly, I just Get the ghost up the ridge, ride right into the centre and bail out into the Banshee. Sure, you take damage but the level ends soon after.

[Snowman]

Have there been any mention of The Flood at all or are all the 3 way battles expected to be between marines, non-sympathetic Elites and Brutes? And are the Grunts and Hunters still on the Elites' side?

No mention of the flood as yet, but I'm sure it'll play a pivotal part in the story so it's bound to turn up at some point. Wouldn't be Halo without it, surely?

In the recent jungle demo, the chief was fighting against some grunts who had sided with the brutes. I think in one of the Bungie podcasts, it was implied that the grunts had had a change of heart since Halo 2, but whether this applies to all of them is anybody's guess. It would make life a lot easier for players if they know that every grunt they come across is an enemy. As for the hunters, who knows? I wonder if Bungie will just ally them all with the humans, instead of trying to come up with a new way to make them tougher opponents in battle while maintaining their notorious weakspot.

[BeeJay]

This is the same concern that I have:

"Most of the action takes place in vehicles and because of the increased scope there is a feeling sometimes of being sidelined in the action somewhat, or of being unsure of what the primary target or focus of any given situation should be."

I'm sure bungie will make it work though.

[Sprite Machine]

Surely the primary focus or target is "kill anything that's still moving"? Or, like, go towards the flashing arrow on the HUD, as per the previous games?

[Snowman]

This is the same concern that I have:

"Most of the action takes place in vehicles and because of the increased scope there is a feeling sometimes of being sidelined in the action somewhat, or of being unsure of what the primary target or focus of any given situation should be."

I'm sure bungie will make it work though.

For sure. I think it's important to point out that the level he was playing takes place on and around a highway, so I imagine it was designed with a large amount of vehicular combat in mind.

[RubberJohnny]

I'm sure there will be at least one new race in the game to balance out the sides.

[Rowan Morrison]

It would make life a lot easier for players if they know that every grunt they come across is an enemy.

True, but at the same time consider how amazing it would be to go into battle with a bunch of grunts. I'd be mortified if any of them died.

[dan_tm]

This is the same concern that I have:

"Most of the action takes place in vehicles and because of the increased scope there is a feeling sometimes of being sidelined in the action somewhat, or of being unsure of what the primary target or focus of any given situation should be."

I'm sure bungie will make it work though.

"It was a little disorientating being thrown into a level with no context and so I could not gauge how the story of Halo 3 is emerging."

I'm sure it'll make more sense when playing through the levels in their logical order, I wouldn't read too much into that statement when he probably didn't even watch the opening cutscene to the level.

[Stroker Ace]

Because it has HDMI, probably 65nm, and looks awesome?

It doesn't have a 65nm processor. It has a regular 95nm chip, doused in glue, and a slightly modified motherboard that still isn't tacked down in the centre properly.

[scottcr]

extremely selective quoting from BBC

It is Halo 2 ....

OH NOES

although this really concerns me

Most of the action takes place in vehicles

I want most of the action to take place INSIDE MASTER CHIEF

From the small amount I saw, it is clear that Bungie has decided to play safe and re-work the rougher edges of previous title Halo 2,

I predict an Edge 7/10.

I'm not holding my breath...

... but I'll say no more about it until release.

[RubberJohnny]

Don't listen to scottcr, he likes Red Steel.

[Venice Cull]

I predict an Edge 7/10.

You're praying for an Edge 7/10.

[Uzi]

If it gets ported to the wii, then for scott the controls will make it like the godfather. Unmissable!

[scottcr]

You're praying for an Edge 7/10.

no chance.

Folks probably won't believe me but Halo is one of my favourite games ever of all time ever ever. I rate it higher than Metroid Prime and Zelda Wind Waker and Twilight Princess and Super Mario Sunshine... in fact... I rate it higher than *any* game I played on the cube and PS2.

So there.

That's why, to me, Halo 2 was such a crushing dissappointment. My dislike of it is probably dissproportionate because of my hype levels at the time.

[Venice Cull]

Steady on Scott!

[Harlen Quinn]

Halo 2 was like Halo but without the atmospheric treacle.

[Eighthours]

I think this is a nailed-on Edge 9, personally.

[Lerschumbo]

I think this is a nailed-on Edge 9, personally.

That's funny, as if Halo 2 would be AS good as Halo 3... Yeah yeah yeah Edge scores don't matter and this all hype until we've played the damn thing blah blah... But yeah I agree.

[scottcr]

the bungie interview in edge a few months back made me feel a bit better about this, they seemed quite open about what was wrong with Halo 2 - but what I've seen and read in the last few days doesn't convince me... even more elites playing alongside the MC - we'll probably see bosses and even more vehicles.

... and brutes.

[Smitty]

... and brutes.

Which, as enemies, have apparently good deal done to them to make them better.

[Dunx]

Big battles are all good and well, but the best battle you could have in Halo (IMO) was near the beginning of the Halo Level in the first game.

After crashing and getting out of the valley, fight your way to the first forerunner structure surrounded by rolling green hills, and find a few desperate marines hiding out. Soon covenant start to land in dropships all around as you dart from one side of the structure to the other, trying to keep them off the ramps leading up to your position and the marines. Occasionally a daring run to a downed human dropship would be required to stock up, and grenade a few grunts as they drop out of their ship.

On Legendary I would often be forced into the position of having to abandon the structure and run for the hills to do a bit of long range shooting, but knowing full well that my cowardice would result in the death of the marines and having to eventually retake the forerunner building now occupied by elites.

That kind of battle was fun. I had an interest in holding the position, saving the marines. It made you feel like a bit of a hero. So i'm hoping as much for that kind of well crafted battle, as well as some cool mega battles were I can tear round and round with a warthog shooting up all and sundry.

[Pob]

Vehicles are wicked in Halo, having them knocking around can't be a bad thing. Trouble was with Halo 2, there were clear 'vehicle sections', rather than the open, do-what-you-want battlefields of Halo 1.

[scottcr]

that was an amazing battle.

amazing.

every time I played it, it was different... ever time was excellent.

that's it - I'm going back to play Halo on the 360.

Vehicles are wicked in Halo, having them knocking around can't be a bad thing. Trouble was with Halo 2, there were clear 'vehicle sections', rather than the open, do-what-you-want battlefields of Halo 1.

I agree - there's a balance. Having stuff hanging around as an option is great - my concern is that there's just now so *many* vehicles about.