Halo 4 - Catch All

JC wrote:

The terminals in the game that have the "bonus" videos should have been an integral part of the game and not stuffed away. The back story is in those suckers and pulls everything together. Critical info, in my opinion, for fleshing out the universe.

Some kind folks have put them up on Youtube for those that don't want to hunt for them.

Oh yeah, forgot about that. I don't think I even have Waypoint on my machine now since I never used it and I needed the space for a demo. It feels like they're trying to force players into using that stupid app now, even though it's pretty much worthless.

Bottle wrote:

Does this game (in single player) feel oddly "dead" to anyone compared to past Halos? I'm not sure if it's that they've toned down the Covenant's trash talking on the battlefield or if the AI just isn't as good or what, but the set pieces feel much more like mechanical dioramas than living, breathing battlefields to me.

But wowza those graphics rule. Holy cow.

ccesarano wrote:

Not far enough to answer if the encounters feel a little dead or not, but the Covenant commentary is something I've missed since the first game. You got a lot less of it in the second game since Bungie tried to make the sound travel more like real life (which was awesome in the case of distant gunfire (not that you got to hear it that way), but sucked in terms of hearing the Covenant and Marines saying stuff), you heard a lot less conversation. As such, the first game still has some of the most memorable lines, including Sgt. Johnson shouting "I'm too pretty to die!"

That could be part of it. I made a comment about not hearing all nades go off earlier but it could be that all the sounds don't travel as much as they did in previous games. Also, it seems like the far off enemies limit their tactical aggressiveness much more then in previous games. Its hard to tell though. I will need to play more battles where there are multiple enemy controlled vehicles and units on the field at the same time. I'm thinking that they would have to cut corners in some places to achieve those graphics while not constraining the open environments.

I'm having a blast with it though. So far it is probably my third favorite Halo with Reach and the Original being tied for first.

@ccesarano
I'm assuming Combat Evolved was your favorite Halo campaign?

Edit: I haven't dug around the options yet but is there a way to turn on the arcade scoring like they had in Reach? That was a fun way to add some friendly competition.

I think CE and Reach may be tied for me as well. I used to label CE as my favorite, but after getting the Anniversary Edition and diving into that I started to realize how many cracks there were in what I once felt was a perfect shell. I do feel it was the best executed in terms of thematic pacing and story-telling, whereas I enjoyed Halo 2 for its world building. Sadly, that's about where it stops for me, as ODST's dialog is terrible, Reach was just a bland and uninteresting story and this game just feels like, well, the back of an electronics cabinet where you peak behind the TV and there are cords knotted everywhere and you can't tell what goes where.

Which is funny because people keep saying "This one finally answers questions!" What questions was everyone else asking? Because thus far my top one is "Why did they think that was a good idea?"

The gameplay, however, is still fun. I'd definitely label this one as what Halo 3 should have felt like, though I'm kind of missing the presence of Drones (and I imagine I'm the only person who will ever say that).

I'm soloing Heroic (let's just take my usual grumble about Heroic being "The way Halo should be played" when there is a freaking mode called "Normal" as read) and struggling. I normally solo Heroic and co-op legendary, but am finding it really tough.

I might have to drop down to Normal and change from the default controls to something a bit more current.

spider_j wrote:

I'm soloing Heroic (let's just take my usual grumble about Heroic being "The way Halo should be played" when there is a freaking mode called "Normal" as read) and struggling. I normally solo Heroic and co-op legendary, but am finding it really tough.

I might have to drop down to Normal and change from the default controls to something a bit more current.

I'd heard on a couple of podcasts that Heroic was definitely harder this time. I finished Reach on Legendary, but if they've upped the difficulty, I doubt I do that ago solo.

I'm soloing Heroic with default controls and am having few problems. What in particular are you having trouble with?

I've found that the only things giving me issue are the Prometheans, and it seems the best solution is to use automatics (preferably the Assault Rifle) on the Knights and precision weaponry to headshot everything else. In fact, automatics seem stronger in general in this game. So if it has shields and can't be one-shotted with a precision weapon the best solution is typically to pull out an automatic and blast them apart.

Though in terms of Mission 5...

Spoiler:

That's a tough one, but partly because my two A.I. partners got stuck in the Mammoth. I had to solo the shield preventing the Mammoth from going further, which means I couldn't really use the Warthog as I intended. This REALLY made the Wraith situation hard.

At the same time, it is precisely those "I'm so outmatched" moments I loved in Halo 1, so as tough as it was I had a lot of fun.

Unfortunately, hijacking a Wraith is still not as easy as Halo 2 and it is usually better to just plant a grenade and run.

Beat it last night on three man coop with friends. Solid game overall and happy now i can listen to all the podcasts and not be worried about spoilers and not have them influence my opinion.

Not looking forward to the eventual solo legendary run. It wasn't terrible in reach but with the Prometheans it seems like it could suck.

ccesarano wrote:

I'm soloing Heroic with default controls and am having few problems. What in particular are you having trouble with?

I'm doing a bit better with it tonight, but I was struggling with everything last night!

I was just flying a Banshee about. I use the inverted control scheme to play FPS games. When I got into the Banshee, it wasn't inverted. Is there a separate setting for vehicles somewhere?

ccesarano wrote:

Which is funny because people keep saying "This one finally answers questions!" What questions was everyone else asking? Because thus far my top one is "Why did they think that was a good idea?"

In the games there was always this confusion about the relationship between Humans and the Forerunner. I remember discussions following Halo 3 repeatedly remarking on this debate, trying to decipher all the Bungie lore out there. Then the extended fiction books came out and set that argument to rest, but I'm pretty sure this is the first time a game in the series has spelled it out clearly.

Ultimately one of the main objectives of this game was to reunite both perspectives of the Halo lore and as far as I'm concerned they've done a great job. It was overall a well polished plot. Of course that's ignoring the MacGuffin chase in the last half and the Covenant being shoehorned in to round out the sandbox. Minor gripes at best.

spider_j wrote:
ccesarano wrote:

I'm soloing Heroic with default controls and am having few problems. What in particular are you having trouble with?

I'm doing a bit better with it tonight, but I was struggling with everything last night!

I was just flying a Banshee about. I use the inverted control scheme to play FPS games. When I got into the Banshee, it wasn't inverted. Is there a separate setting for vehicles somewhere?

Yes I think so.

Rykin wrote:
spider_j wrote:
ccesarano wrote:

I'm soloing Heroic with default controls and am having few problems. What in particular are you having trouble with?

I'm doing a bit better with it tonight, but I was struggling with everything last night!

I was just flying a Banshee about. I use the inverted control scheme to play FPS games. When I got into the Banshee, it wasn't inverted. Is there a separate setting for vehicles somewhere?

Yes I think so.

There definitely is a separate inversion option for vehicles. Its in the same menu where you can invert aim.

mr_n00b wrote:
ccesarano wrote:

Which is funny because people keep saying "This one finally answers questions!" What questions was everyone else asking? Because thus far my top one is "Why did they think that was a good idea?"

In the games there was always this confusion about the relationship between Humans and the Forerunner. I remember discussions following Halo 3 repeatedly remarking on this debate, trying to decipher all the Bungie lore out there. Then the extended fiction books came out and set that argument to rest, but I'm pretty sure this is the first time a game in the series has spelled it out clearly.

Ultimately one of the main objectives of this game was to reunite both perspectives of the Halo lore and as far as I'm concerned they've done a great job. It was overall a well polished plot. Of course that's ignoring the MacGuffin chase in the last half and the Covenant being shoehorned in to round out the sandbox. Minor gripes at best.

Hrm. Going to put this in spoiler tags just in case.

Spoiler:

See, unless I read the Terminals wrong, then Halo 3 already explained the connection. One of the final entries had one of the Forerunner on Earth, discussing humans in an older, more primitive state, and explaining that he was going to live the rest of his days there after the rings were set off the first time or something. Evidently Earth was outside of that influence.

Maybe I read it wrong, because it seems like there's a big contradiction now between Halo 3 and 4, but eh. I'm not nearly as invested in the story this time around.

ccesarano wrote:
mr_n00b wrote:
ccesarano wrote:

Which is funny because people keep saying "This one finally answers questions!" What questions was everyone else asking? Because thus far my top one is "Why did they think that was a good idea?"

In the games there was always this confusion about the relationship between Humans and the Forerunner. I remember discussions following Halo 3 repeatedly remarking on this debate, trying to decipher all the Bungie lore out there. Then the extended fiction books came out and set that argument to rest, but I'm pretty sure this is the first time a game in the series has spelled it out clearly.

Ultimately one of the main objectives of this game was to reunite both perspectives of the Halo lore and as far as I'm concerned they've done a great job. It was overall a well polished plot. Of course that's ignoring the MacGuffin chase in the last half and the Covenant being shoehorned in to round out the sandbox. Minor gripes at best.

Hrm. Going to put this in spoiler tags just in case.

Spoiler:

See, unless I read the Terminals wrong, then Halo 3 already explained the connection. One of the final entries had one of the Forerunner on Earth, discussing humans in an older, more primitive state, and explaining that he was going to live the rest of his days there after the rings were set off the first time or something. Evidently Earth was outside of that influence.

Maybe I read it wrong, because it seems like there's a big contradiction now between Halo 3 and 4, but eh. I'm not nearly as invested in the story this time around.

my take

Spoiler:

I took it as all of the races were destroyed but repopulated after the rings went off. So humans were wiped out, but were suppose to eventually take the mantle.

I just booted it up tonight and played some multiplayer. Has anyone else noticed how terrible the sound stage is? I played with headphones on and got assassinated like 12 times, never hearing any footsteps from sprinting spartans. I also found enemy shotguns to be near silent and was surprised that the lifts don't announce your presence anymore. I do like how balanced the weapons feel though; the AR is no longer useless and the DMR seems like the versatile gun it should have been in Reach, even the pistol is moderately lethal.

Finished the campaign tonight. Overall I was pretty happy. It was a fun campaign, more so than Halo 3's. Which is funny, because on the whole the Prometheans are as uninteresting as the Brutes.

One thing I will say...

Spoiler:

I hope Nintendo pays attention to the beginning of that last mission, because I almost felt like I was playing a new Star Fox game. Only not nearly as well done. But still!

Spoiler:

Couldn't even do a barrel roll. So disappointed.

S0LIDARITY wrote:

I just booted it up tonight and played some multiplayer. Has anyone else noticed how terrible the sound stage is? I played with headphones on and got assassinated like 12 times, never hearing any footsteps from sprinting spartans. I also found enemy shotguns to be near silent and was surprised that the lifts don't announce your presence anymore. I do like how balanced the weapons feel though; the AR is no longer useless and the DMR seems like the versatile gun it should have been in Reach, even the pistol is moderately lethal.

Did a team slayer match last night and was assassinated tons. Giving the game the benefit of the doubt for now as I am a flanker's wet dream in online shooters.

Maclintok wrote:
S0LIDARITY wrote:

I just booted it up tonight and played some multiplayer. Has anyone else noticed how terrible the sound stage is? I played with headphones on and got assassinated like 12 times, never hearing any footsteps from sprinting spartans. I also found enemy shotguns to be near silent and was surprised that the lifts don't announce your presence anymore. I do like how balanced the weapons feel though; the AR is no longer useless and the DMR seems like the versatile gun it should have been in Reach, even the pistol is moderately lethal.

Did a team slayer match last night and was assassinated tons. Giving the game the benefit of the doubt for now as I am a flanker's wet dream in online shooters.

I'd be curious to know if it's different with fiber-optic audio. An Astro mix-amp might make a difference because it takes fiber-optic audio-signal. I don't want to splurge $200 on an audio-receiver for consoles near the end of their life cycle though.

S0LIDARITY wrote:
Maclintok wrote:
S0LIDARITY wrote:

I just booted it up tonight and played some multiplayer. Has anyone else noticed how terrible the sound stage is? I played with headphones on and got assassinated like 12 times, never hearing any footsteps from sprinting spartans. I also found enemy shotguns to be near silent and was surprised that the lifts don't announce your presence anymore. I do like how balanced the weapons feel though; the AR is no longer useless and the DMR seems like the versatile gun it should have been in Reach, even the pistol is moderately lethal.

Did a team slayer match last night and was assassinated tons. Giving the game the benefit of the doubt for now as I am a flanker's wet dream in online shooters.

I'd be curious to know if it's different with fiber-optic audio. An Astro mix-amp might make a difference because it takes fiber-optic audio-signal. I don't want to splurge $200 on an audio-receiver for consoles near the end of their life cycle though.

hmmm some of us were talking the other night at how good the sound was, but have been slightly adjusted. You cant rely on old Halo audio cues, but there are new ones and they're definitely there. I hear footsteps and the lifts activate.

ranalin wrote:
S0LIDARITY wrote:
Maclintok wrote:
S0LIDARITY wrote:

I just booted it up tonight and played some multiplayer. Has anyone else noticed how terrible the sound stage is? I played with headphones on and got assassinated like 12 times, never hearing any footsteps from sprinting spartans. I also found enemy shotguns to be near silent and was surprised that the lifts don't announce your presence anymore. I do like how balanced the weapons feel though; the AR is no longer useless and the DMR seems like the versatile gun it should have been in Reach, even the pistol is moderately lethal.

Did a team slayer match last night and was assassinated tons. Giving the game the benefit of the doubt for now as I am a flanker's wet dream in online shooters.

I'd be curious to know if it's different with fiber-optic audio. An Astro mix-amp might make a difference because it takes fiber-optic audio-signal. I don't want to splurge $200 on an audio-receiver for consoles near the end of their life cycle though.

hmmm some of us were talking the other night at how good the sound was, but have been slightly adjusted. You cant rely on old Halo audio cues, but there are new ones and they're definitely there. I hear footsteps and the lifts activate.

I've only heard my own footsteps and some lifts make noise. I haven't played enough to know map names, but it seems that orange elevator lifts are silent and blue jet lifts make noise. I think the game sounds great, just that there's something way off with the sounds other players make. I played with my Razer Carcharias set last night, I'll experiment with my SteelSeries headset, which isolates footsteps particularly well, this weekend.

That said I think the sound design is great. Game sounds very nice even from the TV speakers. The guns finally sound like they actually pack some punch.

I chatted with an Astro rep. Apparently the mixamp is coming back in stock soon for a semi-reasonable $130. I might get that rather than bundling the mixamp with the meh-A40(makes everything sound so far away) or bleh-A30 headset.

Anyone want to do campaign co-op or Spartan Ops tonight? What time? I'm good any time after 5pm EST.

I don't think it has been mentioned yet, but has anyone else tried Xbox Smartglass with this game? I'm curious to hear what other people think.

I tried it out last night with some MP (on iPad) and thought it was pretty cool. You definitely get far more detailed stats than what's available in the on-screen carnage reports. While I don't consider myself a competitive halo player by any means, it was nice being able to touch and swipe my way through so many different stat screens. Also, the stats are updated instantly after each MP match which had me obsessively checking my overall k/d ratio throughout my play session (something I never did in the previous halo games).

ccesarano wrote:

Anyone want to do campaign co-op or Spartan Ops tonight? What time? I'm good any time after 5pm EST.

I'll be available later in the evening, after 8pm, to do either. Add me: LivingMidnight. Hopefully I will see you online

I would like to try some co-op Spartan Ops tonight. Will likely be on all night.

With the older Halo games, we had a group of friends that played 3-4 times a week in custom 1 flag CTF and assault type games - basically any of the offense/defense type modes. After two nights of custom games, we have not been able to find any settings to allow 1 flag or any assault game types. Also, while I haven't played all the maps yet I don't think I've seen one that is asymmetric. I'm also not a fan of the insta-grab for the flag and how you can't drop it.

If they aren't able to add some game types and settings, this will be a huge disappointment for me.

LivingMidnight, I'll add you when I'm done work. Glanton, you're already on my friends list so I'll set up a party a little before 8pm EST.

Bring an alcoholic beverage of your choice.

TexasRay wrote:

With the older Halo games, we had a group of friends that played 3-4 times a week in custom 1 flag CTF and assault type games - basically any of the offense/defense type modes. After two nights of custom games, we have not been able to find any settings to allow 1 flag or any assault game types. Also, while I haven't played all the maps yet I don't think I've seen one that is asymmetric. I'm also not a fan of the insta-grab for the flag and how you can't drop it.

If they aren't able to add some game types and settings, this will be a huge disappointment for me.

I have been killed multiple times picking up the oddball/flag when I wanted nothing to do with it.

I'm caving and likely picking this up this weekend. I thought I'd get to Dishonored and X-Com first but alas, it's Halo 4.