Halo Confessional a'la Snerts

Fans, friends, and foes alike know how much I love the Halo franchise. The first game blew my mind, and gave me a new perspective on the first person shooter. Halo 2 and 3 were fantastic upgrades that, particularly for the multiplayer segment, raised the bar significantly for all contenders in the genre.

Not many titles provides a map maker; campaign mode with four player co-op options; amazing multiplayer; and a recording system that captures the fun in every match played. They also provided numerous DLC packages, for a cost of course, and unprecedented website support that tracked an insane amount of stats--something previously excluded from console players. The folks at Bungie could do no wrong!

Then, years later the contenders challenged that notion. Today Call of Duty and Battlefield reign supreme for action packed shooters. The latest Call of Duty's also provide a theater mode, but still lack any map builder options. Other games like Left 4 Dead and Mass Effect 3 provide alternatives to the more traditional route that provide unique on-line co-operative experiences.

The Halo franchise responded to these changes with ODST, Reach, and now Halo 4. The first introduced a non-spartan perspective, and a new mode called Firefight. This co-operative game pitted players against unending waves of enemies. ODST was overall a neat game, but couldn't compare to the previous tittles.

The second response was Reach, a prequel to the events in the first game, which really tried hard to deliver a compelling story. I think to a certain extent Bungie succeeded. Unfortunately, by this time, the changes to the gameplay felt like a vain attempt to catch up to the top contenders.

Reach introduced armor abilities, which is arguably the most significant upgrade to the franchise. Players can now activate a variety of power ups like invisibility, or equip a jet pack. Oddly enough sprint was also an armor ability; a standard for most shooters on the current console generation. Another important feature was the pregame load outs that became available for multiplayer games.

Just like Call of Duty, Spartans can now sprint and pick which guns they start with. Just like Tribes there are now jet packs. The Halo franchise has an odd habit of just borrowing ideas from other games. Hoping the extra topping on that old pizza makes it more appetizing.

Now there is Halo 4. The culmination of years of catch up. A new studio gave me the naive impression that something new, bold, and exciting would be produced. Especially with the big bucks from Microsoft funding this project for years. Yet after three levels of the campaign, an hour of multiplayer, and thirty minutes of the new mode Spartan Ops; I was already sick of the game.

Mind you I played many more hours since that moment and writing this post. Trying desperately to find something that I found fun and addictive. I couldn't. After playing other modern FPS games I just couldn't find the fun in Halo anymore.

Halo 4 was advertised, like all the big blockbuster games, as a the next new adventure for the Master Chief. What's so new about this game? 343 Industries took away multiple enemies, weapons, and multiplayer game modes. Guess they thought removing some of those old toppings would make that decade old pizza look tasty again.

Players face off against a Covenant force that excludes Brutes and Drones. The Flood is also absent from the campaign. To make up for their absences the developer added Promethean's (cough Mass Effect cough), which includes three new enemies. There is the flying unit that buffs allies, the fast enemy who runs in packs, and your standard strong solider. Sorry to say these additions aren't enough to make up for the subtractions, and the encounters get boring quickly.

Changes to weapons in Halo 4 echoes the issues with the enemies. The new weapons from the "new enemies" amount to nothing but clones of what was already available. A sniper rifle is a sniper rifle no matter what reload animation the game displays. I cannot think of one new weapon that was significantly different then any of the previous titles. Additionally some really awesome guns were excluded from Halo 4 like the Needler Rifle or the sticky grenade launcher.

Then there is multiplayer. Gone are such MP modes as Free for All, Firefight, and Invasion. The only significant changes to gameplay are the mech vehicle, a sprint button (finally), and strike packages that are awarded for kill streaks in certain game modes. Spartan Ops, the new co-op experience, is like CoD's Spec Ops with more cut scenes. Overall the MP was the most fun, but also reaffirmed my disappointment with Halo 4.

Finally there is the story. The plot to Halo 4 makes Halo 2's annoying cliff hanger look awesome. Why do I have to watch hours of video, outside of the game, to understand the convoluted plot presented to me? Where's my action packed experience? There was nothing gripping, or exciting, about the campaign in Halo 4, and that's with one of the major character being killed (or at least she's dead for now).

All in all, if you haven't figured it out by now, I'm over the Halo franchise. Short of an epic movie, I do not feel compelled to buy anything Halo for a very long time. I love the universe, but I'm sick of being disappointed. Which oddly enough reminds me a lot of the Matrix.

Snerts recommends a rental for Halo fans and avoid at all costs for FPS pros.

Reaching for a New Halo

Game: Halo Reach (MP Beta)

System: Xbox 360

Release: Finished Game is due Nov. 2010.


Halo has stuck to the same formula over four games. Minor adjustments and additions have occurred with each release, but the thirty seconds of fun remains the same. All Halo games consist of the following.

Grenades and melee supplement standard gunfire.
Shields regenerate.
Vehicles a plenty.
Aliens aka Covenant.
Space zombies aka Flood.
Space marines.
Campaign supports co-op, but story is meh.
Multiplayer is fun with a variety of game types.

Recently Bungie and Microsoft launched a beta multiplayer test for Halo: Reach. I have never experienced a Halo like Reach. The controls have been changed for the better. No longer will you have to remove your thumb from the right analog stick to melee. Right bumper is melee. “X” is finally reload/use. Left bumper activates armor abilities—more on that later. “B” changes grenade type, and everything else is unchanged. This minor tweak does wonders for the gameplay, and is a welcomed change to the traditional, and outdated, control scheme. Armor abilities are the most exciting addition to gameplay. Players can select between various load outs before spawning in. This dictates your weapon selection and armor ability. Four different armor abilities exist for Spartans, and two options are given to Elites. The later can utilize invisibility and a handy dodge move. The former is given sprint, armor lock, jet pack, and invisibility. Armor lock temporary makes the Spartan invincible and releases a EMP shock wave. The others are self explanatory. These new moves really spice up the battlefield, and create an extra layer of strategy to an already fantastic franchise. New moves are not the only add on for Halo Reach. Players will get to experience a variety of fresh game modes. Headhunter, for example, puts a new spin on King of the Hill and Deathmatch. Kill an opponent so they drop a skull. Turn the collected skull(s) into the nearest objective point before someone kills you. Stockpile is a capture the flag (CTF) game. Three or more flags spawn across the map. Gather up the flags and return them to your base. Keep the flags in your base until the count down is over. Rinse and repeat.

The most original Halo game type is Invasion. Spartans defend key objectives as Elites attempt to capture said objectives. Three separate zones provides different armor abilities and weapon load outs. Vehicles come into play, and up to twelve players can participate. Fans of Big Team Battles will love this new mode. ODST had me worried that Bungie's day in the sun were over. The Reach Beta has decimated those concerns. New game modes. New abilities. New maps. New weapons and more that I didn't even mention in this post. I am officially excited about Halo Reach, and if your a fan of MP FPS action so should you.

Halo: ODST

Game: Halo 3 ODST

System: Xbox 360

Release: September 2009


Halo: ODST is the latest FPS game from Bungie and Microsoft. This game package includes a new campaign, new co-op multiplayer mode called Firefight, and a separate disc containing all the maps and modes from the traditional Halo 3 multiplayer. The Halo 3 MP disc also contains three new levels with my personal favorite Heretic—a remake of the Halo 2 map Midship.

Unlike other Halo games, and as the title implies, users do not play as the Master Chief. Instead of the juiced up cyborg fans can take on the role of the hardcore Orbital Drop Shock Trooper. The plot takes place during Halo 2, and literally begins during the slip space jump the Prophet Regret and Master Chief take to Delta Halo. During the orbital drop the shockwave from the space cruisers knocks the Rookie off course separating the new protagonist from his squad. After the intense opening cinematic the game falls into a routine of open city and flashbacks.

The main objective for the Rookie is to link up with his squad. Roaming the dark streets of New Mombassa players can engage or sneak past Covenant patrols searching for clues. Each clue triggers a flashback event that illustrates a teammate’s predicament. These events are more akin to the traditional run and gun of pervious Halo titles where as the Rookie segments can incorporate some stealth—if you want. Along the way audio logs can be collected that denote a separate B story that is intriguing, and really helps set the tone of the city. Eventually the flashbacks and open city routine lead to a climax more satisfying then Halo 2.

The gameplay for ODST is different then Halo 3. The Shock Troopers are not Spartans. They do not have overshields, special equipment, or an AI construct in their brain. They also cannot duel wield, and lack the moon bounce jump. This alters the gameplay and encourages less Rambo and more Tom Clancy—well aggressive Tom Clancy tactics. To further support this concept the SMG and Magnum have been equipped with a scope and silencer. Players are also equipped with a special visor that highlights enemies, pick ups, objectives, and teammates. The new toys, open world campaign, and more human less Spartan like gameplay separates ODST from other Halo games. Despite these changes players familiar with the series will still recognize and fell comfortable with ODST.

The new multiplayer comes in the co-op mode Firefight. Here up to four players can face off against wave after wave of Brute led Covenant. There are ten different maps that provide unique terrain, weapons, and challenges. My personal favorite is the Lost Platoon level with the Warthog. There are old and new medals to earn with the traditional post game carnage report detailing every kill. The classic announcer voice also echoes your victory. It is a blast hearing Untouchable as you blow through fifty enemies.

Unfortunately time is your greatest foe with Firefight. After playing for two hours straight I needed a break. I’m not going to play this game on a toilet next to a cooler full of sandwiches and beer. It would have been nice to have a pause mechanic, or a save feature, to pick up where your team left off. There is also a disappointing lack of four player split screen. Finally there is no custom game mechanic or matchmaking. This makes it difficult to find pick up games, and shortens the replay value of the game mode. Don’t be mistaken. Firefight is a fantastically fun experience. There just could have been more features for a full priced game.

Bungie has defiantly done some research and borrowed heavily from other games to ensure ODST is not just a Halo clone. The audio logs are a nice touch, and are reminiscent of games like Bioshock. The gameplay changes without the Master Chief’s special abilities and can easily be dubbed Call of Halo. Even the new co-op multiplayer mode, Firefight, is part of a new trend started by Gears of War 2 and L4D. Another feature employed from Gears and L4D is the achievement trackers that pop up during gameplay. All of these ideas are altered to fit Halo, and add some nice changes to the old formula. Some critics will condemn these new features as blatant rip off’s, but if you take away the entertainment industries ability to copy old ideas where are all the new ones going to come from?

If you have not purchased Halo 3, and enjoy great FPS multiplayer, then Halo: ODST is a great purchase. The separate disc for Halo 3 MP with all 24 maps is an excellent bonus for anyone who hasn’t bought the maps already. The new campaign, co-op mode, and gameplay are a nice change of pace for a series I thought ended two years ago. Snerts Snazzy Score grants Halo: ODST a 4.7 out of 5. With a few more features on Firefight, and a longer campaign this game would have received a perfect score.

Not convinced by my review? Well then take a look at some good old fashion marketing.