If you look at it from a removed perspective- one Spartan takes on hundreds of enemies, both on foot and in machine, in multiple games. A one-man wrecking crew.
Four Spartans in tandem? Lights out, Covies.
Four Spartans in tandem? Lights out, Covies.
By Wesleyshark Go To PostIf you look at it from a removed perspective- one Spartan takes on hundreds of enemies, both on foot and in machine, in multiple games. A one-man wrecking crew.He takes them on in small groups though.
Four Spartans in tandem? Lights out, Covies.
If you're playing on Heroic or above (ie: the way the game is meant to be played), going head first right into a group of elites is suicide.
Meh. I like a little more super in my super soldier.
It's partly why I have always enjoyed Fall of Reach so much- the Spartans were above and beyond anything else. Combat... Evolved.
It's partly why I have always enjoyed Fall of Reach so much- the Spartans were above and beyond anything else. Combat... Evolved.
How do you suppose they’ll inform the games only crowd that Buck’s now a Spartan? I hope we get a bit more than: “I’m a Spartan now, deal with it” line lol.
Seriously... Jinnouchi is going to set a new bar with his score. The music that plays as they jump out of the ship and make their descent... Spellbinding and epic in scope. And this is just Osiris' theme mixed with overarching main themes. I can't wait to hear what he does with Blue Team's themes.
I don't get the issue with the god references. I mean, Dutch specifically prayed to God in ODST, so it's not unprecedented, and at least in this case I don't really see it as some deep spiritual thing. Even if religion continued to decline following current trends, I imagine that the lexicon would remain even as anachronisms—think of how much of our language no longer has the intended or original meaning, but we still use it.
As for the gameplay, I'm hopeful that the Spartan abilities help better bridge the divide players have always had between cutscenes and gameplay. As much as I love awesome stuff on screen if it's only relegated to cutscenes it sucks some of the air out of the gameplay that follows (who doesn't love "Tip of the Spear"'s opening—"oh, that awesome Warthog run? Yeah they'll head off that direction, have fun on these cliffs instead.")
As for the gameplay, I'm hopeful that the Spartan abilities help better bridge the divide players have always had between cutscenes and gameplay. As much as I love awesome stuff on screen if it's only relegated to cutscenes it sucks some of the air out of the gameplay that follows (who doesn't love "Tip of the Spear"'s opening—"oh, that awesome Warthog run? Yeah they'll head off that direction, have fun on these cliffs instead.")
I think the Spartan abilities are going to help a lot, in finally bridging what Spartans are capable of and what gameplay has been limited to. Of course I'll play this on solo legendary and give myself the true brutal experience but I can't wait to drop this to easy mode at some point and just wreck everything with ground pounds and thrusts and clambers. It's going to be fun.
So are we assuming that Halsey is trying to set up Osiris? Nothing about the way SpOps ended leads me to believe that she'd suddenly cry help to the UNSC...
"In this moment, I am euphoric. Not because of any phony Prophet's blessing, but because, I am enlightened by my Christianity."
-Edward Buck
-Edward Buck
By Wesleyshark Go To PostMeh. I like a little more super in my super soldier.Eh, my biggest problem with it is that there's going to be a massive disconnect between the gameplay and the cutscenes.
It's partly why I have always enjoyed Fall of Reach so much- the Spartans were above and beyond anything else. Combat… Evolved.
We'll go from sprinting down mountains at breakneck speeds to casually jogging around, the elites will suddenly become ferocious badasses who have to be approached with care, enemies will no longer die from a couple of AR shots, the covenant will actually be able to aim their weapons, we won't be doing backflips over elites...
I know there's always been a slight disconnect in previous games, but never at this level...
By fuchsdh Go To PostI don't get the issue with the god references. I mean, Dutch specifically prayed to God in ODST, so it's not unprecedented, and at least in this case I don't really see it as some deep spiritual thing. Even if religion continued to decline following current trends, I imagine that the lexicon would remain even as anachronisms—think of how much of our language no longer has the intended or original meaning, but we still use it.
As for the gameplay, I'm hopeful that the Spartan abilities help better bridge the divide players have always had between cutscenes and gameplay. As much as I love awesome stuff on screen if it's only relegated to cutscenes it sucks some of the air out of the gameplay that follows (who doesn't love "Tip of the Spear"'s opening—"oh, that awesome Warthog run? Yeah they'll head off that direction, have fun on these cliffs instead.")
As I said, not really a complaint. Just a comment I was making.
By RoKKeR Go To PostSo are we assuming that Halsey is trying to set up Osiris? Nothing about the way SpOps ended leads me to believe that she'd suddenly cry help to the UNSC…The sprint season 2 has a scene with her on the infinity's bridge so perhaps not.
Yo Jimmy Jem, this is what Frankles had to say:
"I'm obviously not going to say it's a precise simulation of gameplay but there's far more smooth, fast transition of movement to ability, with four full time squad members whether you're playing coop or not, and liquid transition of vertical parts of the levels, as well as the moves (charge, clamber, assassination, slide, boost and ground pound) so it isn't ludicrously deceptive either. It's supposed to get you amped to go do those things - right now. Hence it cuts immediately to gameplay in that level."
Also consider that a lot of people will be playing the game NOT on Legendary/Heroic and so the enemies will fall much faster.
"I'm obviously not going to say it's a precise simulation of gameplay but there's far more smooth, fast transition of movement to ability, with four full time squad members whether you're playing coop or not, and liquid transition of vertical parts of the levels, as well as the moves (charge, clamber, assassination, slide, boost and ground pound) so it isn't ludicrously deceptive either. It's supposed to get you amped to go do those things - right now. Hence it cuts immediately to gameplay in that level."
Also consider that a lot of people will be playing the game NOT on Legendary/Heroic and so the enemies will fall much faster.
By RoKKeR Go To PostSo are we assuming that Halsey is trying to set up Osiris? Nothing about the way SpOps ended leads me to believe that she'd suddenly cry help to the UNSC…
I don't think she is. There's still a few issues of Escalation left and given what just happened in the previous two issues... Let's just say that her view of Jul being useful is almost at its end.
By derpface123 Go To PostAlso consider that a lot of people will be playing the game NOT on Legendary/Heroic and so the enemies will fall much faster.
Safe to assume most of the people who play Halo games play on easy or normal. I prefer Heroic myself, but just about all of us in this thread, if not all of us, aren't the "average player" demographic.
By derpface123 Go To PostDouble post because I'm a thug:
Frankie this spelling error better be fixed in the final game. Can't have a typo 10 seconds into the campaign you all worked so hard on, now can we?
I'm buying the game regardless but it would be nice to have it fixed
United Snations Narine Corps (i know it's space command, shut up)
By jem Go To PostEh, my biggest problem with it is that there's going to be a massive disconnect between the gameplay and the cutscenes.
We'll go from sprinting down mountains at breakneck speeds to casually jogging around, the elites will suddenly become ferocious badasses who have to be approached with care, enemies will no longer die from a couple of AR shots, the covenant will actually be able to aim their weapons, we won't be doing backflips over elites…
I know there's always been a slight disconnect in previous games, but never at this level…
As I said, not really a complaint. Just a comment I was making.
That’s always going to be an issue though, and at least this time we have far more in the way of abilities to compare to versus "I can only run and jump and shoot". "On Legendary it’s way harder” will never be a great reason not to do anything, because Legendary is stupid from a canon perspective. It’s there as an artificial difficulty modifier (artificial in that most of the difficulty is just cranking knobs, rather than enemies actually being smarter) for gameplay, not for lore.
I always play Halo campaigns on Normal for the first time because I get really frustrated when I feel like I die in cheap ways and I'm forced to replay the same sections over and over, and I don't want that to negatively affect my opinion on the campaign when really it's my garbage Halo skills at fault.
By derpface123 Go To Post"In this moment, I am euphoric. Not because of any phony Prophet's blessing, but because, I am enlightened by my Christianity."
-Edward Buck
I don't know how much you know about Sangheili culture (I'm an expert), but honor and shame are huge parts of it. It's not like humanity where you can become a Captain and then a Senator just by being an asshole.
By derpface123 Go To Post"In this moment, I am euphoric. Not because of any phony Prophet's blessing, but because, I am enlightened by my Christianity."Is this in new blood?
-Edward Buck
It's still going to switch from
"5 wraiths, a few phantoms, a whole battalion of elites, grunts and jackals, and a bunch of Prometheans? No problem"
To
"Oh shit, there's a pair of hunters and some elites around the corner, this is gunna be hard."
"5 wraiths, a few phantoms, a whole battalion of elites, grunts and jackals, and a bunch of Prometheans? No problem"
To
"Oh shit, there's a pair of hunters and some elites around the corner, this is gunna be hard."
By Wahrer Go To PostI don't know how much you know about Sangheili culture (I'm an expert), but honor and shame are huge parts of it. It's not like humanity where you can become a Captain and then a Senator just by being an asshole.
343 just shot themselves in the foot here.
In other news:
By AMBR8978 Go To PostIs this in new blood?
‘In this moment, I am euphoric. Not because of any phony god’s blessing. But because, I am enlightened by my intelligence.’
It was a redditor that got mocked fairly widely for teen angst atheism lol.
By fuchsdh Go To PostThat’s always going to be an issue though, and at least this time we have far more in the way of abilities to compare to versus "I can only run and jump and shoot". "On Legendary it’s way harder” will never be a great reason not to do anything, because Legendary is stupid from a canon perspective. It’s there as an artificial difficulty modifier (artificial in that most of the difficulty is just cranking knobs, rather than enemies actually being smarter) for gameplay, not for lore.It's not just Legendary though, these enemies look like they're on "Babby's first toy mode".
In that gif derp posted, she jumps into a a phantom with 2 or 3 elites and a bunch of jackals and she doesn't get hit once. It's just a bit ridiculous, the Sanghelli are meant to be these elite warriors but they're just totally useless.
By jem Go To PostIt's not just Legendary though, these enemies look like they're on "Babby's first toy mode".
In that gif derp posted, she jumps into a a phantom with 2 or 3 elites and a bunch of jackals and she doesn't get hit once. It's just a bit ridiculous, the Sanghelli are meant to be these elite warriors but they're just totally useless.
This can be (somewhat) hand-waved by the Gen-II Spartan-IVs having way better equipment and training than nearly any other human unit to date, and all of the Covenant under Jul 'Mdama's rule having seriously declined - while 'Mdama is an intelligent and pragmatic character, the GameInformer article clarified that his Covenant sect is starting to get spread too thin to fully keep tabs on, which is why they started speaking English again. The "Covenant" in this case are starting to get sloppy. That, and, well, Vale was apparently one of the highest-scoring combatants in Infinity sims.
Elites have become less of a threat as the UNSC has continued to evolve. Spartans have only become stronger, faster and more intelligent. Given that humanity's destiny is to inherit and manage the Mantle, it fits pretty cleanly into the idea that with the element of surprise, a Spartan can wreck an entire Phantom's worth of goons. Humanity used to be the underdog. Now they have the upper hand.
By jem Go To PostIt's not just Legendary though, these enemies look like they're on "Babby's first toy mode".
In that gif derp posted, she jumps into a a phantom with 2 or 3 elites and a bunch of jackals and she doesn't get hit once. It's just a bit ridiculous, the Sanghelli are meant to be these elite warriors but they're just totally useless.
Frank said on GAF that there is another cinematic preceding this one, kind of like how the Halsey cutscene precedes the actual intro cinematic to the first level of Halo 4 (where you see the ship drifting and then Cortana tells Chief to wake up).
Perhaps the cutscene that is supposed to match "Do not underestimate him" is the cutscene before the one we were shown last night. Who knows.
As for your complaint about Vale going into the Phantom and being awesome, that's just what Vale does.
In all seriousness, Frank's original explanation is the best way to understand why the cinematic goes the way it does. This isn't Halo Reach where you know by the end everyone will die, this is Halo FIVE and there's a BADASS new team of Spartans that we WANT you to like and we WANT you to be excited to start playing the game, so the cutscene shows them being these unstoppable forces barreling through their opposition. It wouldn't be as effective if it made the Covenant look competent, that's not the purpose of the scene.
Ultimately I think you and most of us here are all mega Halo fans who care too much about the lore behind all of this stuff to accept that this cutscene was literally made just to be an unthinking action movie setpiece to get you excited to start playing the game. Yes there's a disconnect, and yes it's bigger than the disconnect from cutscene to gameplay in previous Halo games, but Halo 5's campaign is more ambitious than any that preceded it.
You as a major Halo fan and skilled player capable of beating the games on Legendary may think it looks silly, but the vast majority of people watching just think "that was AWESOME!" and can't wait to play the game on Normal, maybe even Easy if they're just buying Halo 5 because they have an Xbox One and it's an Xbox One exclusive they've heard good things about.
By Wahrer Go To PostThis can be (somewhat) hand-waved by the Gen-II Spartan-IVs having way better equipment and training than nearly any other human unit to date, and all of the Covenant under Jul 'Mdama's rule having seriously declined - while 'Mdama is an intelligent and pragmatic character, the GameInformer article clarified that his Covenant sect is starting to get spread too thin to fully keep tabs on, which is why they started speaking English again. The "Covenant" in this case are starting to get sloppy. That, and, well, Vale was apparently one of the highest-scoring combatants in Infinity sims.
By Wesleyshark Go To PostElites have become less of a threat as the UNSC has continued to evolve. Spartans have only become stronger, faster and more intelligent. Given that humanity's destiny is to inherit and manage the Mantle, it fits pretty cleanly into the idea that with the element of surprise, a Spartan can wreck an entire Phantom's worth of goons. Humanity used to be the underdog. Now they have the upper hand.Sure, this may be technically true in the lore, doesn't change the fact that in game the elites are going pose a serious challenge. Out at least I hope they still are...
By derpface123 Go To PostFrank said on GAF that there is another cinematic preceding this one, kind of like how the Halsey cutscene precedes the actual intro cinematic to the first level of Halo 4 (where you see the ship drifting and then Cortana tells Chief to wake up).I think it would have been far more effective if they showed the covenant as a competent foe with the Spartans coming out on top anyway.
Perhaps the cutscene that is supposed to match "Do not underestimate him" is the cutscene before the one we were shown last night. Who knows.
As for your complaint about Vale going into the Phantom and being awesome, that's just what Vale does.
In all seriousness, Frank's original explanation is the best way to understand why the cinematic goes the way it does. This isn't Halo Reach where you know by the end everyone will die, this is Halo FIVE and there's a BADASS new team of Spartans that we WANT you to like and we WANT you to be excited to start playing the game, so the cutscene shows them being these unstoppable forces barreling through their opposition. It wouldn't be as effective if it made the Covenant look competent, that's not the purpose of the scene.
Ultimately I think you and most of us here are all mega Halo fans who care too much about the lore behind all of this stuff to accept that this cutscene was literally made just to be an unthinking action movie setpiece to get you excited to start playing the game. Yes there's a disconnect, and yes it's bigger than the disconnect from cutscene to gameplay in previous Halo games, but Halo 5's campaign is more ambitious than any that preceded it.
You as a major Halo fan and skilled player capable of beating the games on Legendary may think it looks silly, but the vast majority of people watching just think "that was AWESOME!" and can't wait to play the game on Normal, maybe even Easy if they're just buying Halo 5 because they have an Xbox One and it's an Xbox One exclusive they've heard good things about.
Whilst it's true the covenant are less powerful now, the elites are still many to be scary and extremely capable warriors. This just made them look laughable.
I can see what they're trying to do with the cutscene and I suppose it does kinda make Osiris look pretty badass. I just don't really like the direction they seem to be taking it.
So, I remember it saying somewhere that Halo 5 takes place on three worlds - are those Kamchata, Sanghelios and Meridian? If so, it's kind of disappointing we don't get another Forerunner world, though we did see a hugeass Forerunner installation with the eld / Mantle symbol in vein of the Silent Cartographer / the island's "manhole" being destroyed atop a mountain in this one.
A mission where you actually enter in skydiving would be fun.
A mission where you actually enter in skydiving would be fun.
By Wahrer Go To PostSo, I remember it saying somewhere that Halo 5 takes place on three worlds - are those Kamchata, Sanghelios and Meridian? If so, it's kind of disappointing we don't get another Forerunner world, though we did see a hugeass Forerunner installation with the eld / Mantle symbol in vein of the Silent Cartographer / the island's "manhole" being destroyed atop a mountain in this one.
A mission where you actually enter in skydiving would be fun.
I'm pretty sure I remember someone from 343 saying "you will explore human, Covenant, and Forerunner worlds". It's possible that this Kamchata place is only for this first mission.
By derpface123 Go To PostFrank said on GAF that there is another cinematic preceding this one, kind of like how the Halsey cutscene precedes the actual intro cinematic to the first level of Halo 4 (where you see the ship drifting and then Cortana tells Chief to wake up).It's essentially pandering to an audience that wouldn't play otherwise. Like ADS and sprint.
Perhaps the cutscene that is supposed to match "Do not underestimate him" is the cutscene before the one we were shown last night. Who knows.
As for your complaint about Vale going into the Phantom and being awesome, that's just what Vale does.
In all seriousness, Frank's original explanation is the best way to understand why the cinematic goes the way it does. This isn't Halo Reach where you know by the end everyone will die, this is Halo FIVE and there's a BADASS new team of Spartans that we WANT you to like and we WANT you to be excited to start playing the game, so the cutscene shows them being these unstoppable forces barreling through their opposition. It wouldn't be as effective if it made the Covenant look competent, that's not the purpose of the scene.
Ultimately I think you and most of us here are all mega Halo fans who care too much about the lore behind all of this stuff to accept that this cutscene was literally made just to be an unthinking action movie setpiece to get you excited to start playing the game. Yes there's a disconnect, and yes it's bigger than the disconnect from cutscene to gameplay in previous Halo games, but Halo 5's campaign is more ambitious than any that preceded it.
You as a major Halo fan and skilled player capable of beating the games on Legendary may think it looks silly, but the vast majority of people watching just think "that was AWESOME!" and can't wait to play the game on Normal, maybe even Easy if they're just buying Halo 5 because they have an Xbox One and it's an Xbox One exclusive they've heard good things about.
I wouldn't call it pandering since I think most Halo fans can appreciate some regular Hollywood action, but it's definitely not directed towards those looking for something dripping with references to the expanded universe that was explored in the Halo books they've read multiple times.
By derpface123 Go To Post343 just shot themselves in the foot here.
In other news:
Vale's got to be the most disrespectful Spartan ever.
She uses a Jackal as a trampoline, chokes out an Elite while kicking another in the face, backhands the other Jackal for the kill and then kicks the other Elite in the face to send it and a Jackal sniper out of the dropship. Not to mention she disables the first sword-wielding Elite by pseudo-armbarring him, and considering she's been an interspecies liason for years, she's literally disrespecting them in their culture.
By Wahrer Go To PostSo, I remember it saying somewhere that Halo 5 takes place on three worlds - are those Kamchata, Sanghelios and Meridian? If so, it's kind of disappointing we don't get another Forerunner world, though we did see a hugeass Forerunner installation with the eld / Mantle symbol in vein of the Silent Cartographer / the island's "manhole" being destroyed atop a mountain in this one.
A mission where you actually enter in skydiving would be fun.
They've said there'll be Human, Covenant and Forerunner locales.
Anyone want me to make some more high quality .gifs like the Vale one I posted earlier? Just tell me which scenes to make and I'll do them.
hahaha, I just noticed that Tanaka deliberately adjusts her trajectory to smash into stuff. She does it with the Banshee in-air and with the rock. Buck's trying to fly through cautiously, and she seriously overtakes him just to body-check the Banshee. That's awesome.
You know what else that cinematic reminded me of? Haloid. I wouldn't be shocked if it were a source of inspiration.
By ElzarTheBam Go To PostThe natural evolution is of course Halo 6 becomes one huge ass bollywood dance.I got you covered.
Yo, Frankie, if you need two Indian dudes, me and Bobs will gladly comply.
By J-Twelve Go To PostYou know what else that cinematic reminded me of? Haloid. I wouldn't be shocked if it were a source of inspiration.
Actually, I think you're on to something - more than anything, I got RvB CGI vibes from it, particularly when they first land in the snow. RvB's CGI was originally done by Monty Oum, whom, you guessed it, did Haloid. The complaints about "floatiness" also make total sense if that's what they're basing it on, and that's partially why I could never really click with RvB's animation. It seemed more like action figures being thrown at eachother than an attempt to actually give weight to what amount to bipedal tank-people, but it seems like they've kinda gone with a heavier feel at the cost of things feeling a little slower. I think that Locke GameStop trailer was the perfect mix, though. They really nailed the new suite of movement options in that while still making everything feel like it had weight to it. Locke looked like he could take on the world in that trailer.
Now that I'm thinking about it, it's interesting that he went that mission alone - I wonder if we'll get an occasional classic Halo-style "go it alone" mission or two in vein of CE's second half.
By derpface123 Go To PostAnyone want me to make some more high quality .gifs like the Vale one I posted earlier? Just tell me which scenes to make and I'll do them.Yes please.
In other news everyone is completely missing the point that the entire Covenant military presence isn't even focused on Fireteam Osiris, because they're storming a heavily fortified hostile Forerunner planet.
By Lord of Admirals Go To PostYes please.
In other news everyone is completely missing the point that the entire Covenant military presence isn't even focused on Fireteam Osiris, because they're storming a heavily fortified hostile Forerunner planet.
"Just tell me which scenes to make and I'll do them".
Guys.
GUYS.
You know what's exciting?
We can actually say "Halo 5 comes out next month".
By derpface123 Go To Post"Just tell me which scenes to make and I'll do them".
Guys.
GUYS.
You know what's exciting?
We can actually say "Halo 5 comes out next month".
Do one starting a couple seconds after the title flash and ending with Tanaka smashing the banshee.
Also, just did a count of on screen kills.
My tally is 46.
Hardly hundreds, and completely in the realm of what a players will kill in a particular engagement in campaign.
My tally is 46.
Hardly hundreds, and completely in the realm of what a players will kill in a particular engagement in campaign.
Personally, I'm guessing that Jul's pseudo-Covenant troops aren't the big baddies we'll be ultimately concerned with. Much like the Elites were in Halo 2 (on early Chief missions) compared to the Brutes and Flood, they were underpowered. I think we'll be seeing similar use of them this go round (as was shown in this opener), and I think the Prometheans in this game will be treated similarly to the Brutes in H2 and H3 as the mid-level baddie. In the first three Halo games, the Flood were the biggest mob force (with 343GS, Tartarus, and crazy driving skills being the only arguable trump card to this) but with the Flood not being in H5G, the real big baddies' identity still remains a mystery. We've got the newer Promethean Soldiers (which are actually just a semi-more difficult addition to the place the Knights held), and then the Warden (whose role is still very much in question), and then finally the Guardians themselves (which from what we've thus seen seem to be sided with Chief). Other than those, we're completely in the dark.
By derpface123 Go To PostCredit where credit's due, Frankie's gotten a lot better looking over the years.
Is this image real? I saw it on GAF.
It must be shopped. I can't imagine Frank without his signature lack of hair, it's just not right.
By Ragnarok Flames Go To PostHoney nut cheerios? There are other flavors?Apple cinnamon is da business.
By jem Go To PostAll the religious parallels do nothing for me.I think that was me.
Then again I didn't even know they existed until someone made a post about it on GAF.
I'm about as non-religious as possible (but have studied general theology and Christianity over the years), but I think Halo's religious overtones are one of the most intriguing parts of the lore. In fact, it's not so much religious as it is sacrilegious, as it seems to imply that Abrahamic religions are an inaccurate interpretation of the Halo's lore. It adds a lot of depth and intrigue in my book.
On a side note, I really want to join you guys in getting excited for Halo 5 (I did enjoy the beta), but I just can't bring myself to do it after MCC. The thing is still pretty screwed up, and retail purchasers like myself are still without a refund or recall. It's really a shame they didn't - if I could get my money back for it, I'd go out and buy H5 and give 343 another chance.
By Wahrer Go To PostDo one starting a couple seconds after the title flash and ending with Tanaka smashing the banshee.
By jem Go To PostI massively prefer the way the games have represented the Spartans over Nylund's idea.To be honest Halo's actual gameplay is/was always vastly different from the lore and pretty much does not represent it at all. Difficulty wise normal feels more like what it would be in "real life".
I don't like these ridiculously badass Spartans which are capable of destroying massive groups of covenant with ease.
In the games the Chief is a total badass who can take down multiple Scarabs on his own, yet a group of elites are still going to pose a serious challenge.