Obviously we have differing views so I see no other alternative rather than call it a stalemate. However, I must commend you for formulating intelligent and articulate points rather than jumping on the "**** you halo iz teh uber l33t pwnage" bandwagon. You do bring up a great point which isn't necessarily confined to Halo 3. You stated,
Quote:
|
For me, they didn't need to reinvent the wheel or go overboard trying to radically change things. They added just enough new stuff and tweaked and perfected the old. In doing so, Halo3 gameplay wise is the pinnacle of the series IMO, taking what worked from 1 & 2 anding a dash of newness and served it up hot.
|
As an original Halo CE fanatic (LAN Parties FTMFW!) I felt that with the release of Halo 2, Bungie deviated from the original version (which was nearly flawless) and rather than implementing minor tweaks to add the proverbial polish, they changed the entire dynamic of the game. When comparisons are made of CE and Halo 2 & 3, the contrasting characteristics are discernible. Some may argue they are trivial which is well within their rights but I feel Bungie screwed the pooch when they;
1. Eliminated the M6D Pistol
2. Gimped the M90 Boom Stick
3. Completely Reinvented (gimped) the S2 Sniper Rifle
4. Added Dual Wield Without Much Forethought
5. Destructible Scorpion Tanks
Some argued the Pistol would be unfair for Xbox LIVE play as its power was nearly unrivaled. Personally, I had the heat mastered and could lullaby you with 3 in the neck. In the process I ran into many others who had rugged Pistol skills as well which inevitably offset the imbalance. Rather than hate, they should have just swooped up a Pistol and handled their own. The piece of **** they called a shotty was absurd and the "new and improved" Sniper Rifle was a joke. I believe the Halo franchise reached its apex immediately following the release of CE. Everything thereafter was great fun but each could never fully duplicate the original Halo experience. If the OG black box was released with a fully operational Xbox LIVE which supported CE versus play, Halo: Combat Evolved would have gone down as the greatest FPS of all time and **** what Shane thinks he knows not of what he speaks.
The Halo 3 hype machine began the day the 360 was announced. Although not outright, MS and Bungie alluded the game would be nothing short of a masterpiece. For years this hype movement continued until the game was actually released. At first glance I must say the graphics were superior to the vast majority of all competing console FPS's. The game had been in development for nearly three years but they couldn't even provide us with a native 720p. The difference is negligible but if one is to go out with a bang, drop an ****ing A-bomb. The technology was there, the resources were there. I cannot find a legitimate reason as to why Bungie didn't go all out. I agree the game play was fun and the story entertaining for those who have read the novels but similar to you, I was left wanting more while completely cognizant there may never be another Halo as we currently know it. Spartan 117, John (Master Chief), has written his final memoir. With the split between Bungie and MS who is to know for sure what the brass in Redmond might do (IP holders) but Bungie made it clear Halo 3 would be the end of the "current story arc".
I am hopeful the Halo franchise may redeem itself with the release of Halo Chronicles. The premise of the game is not yet known but I have speculated it will involve another Spartan as the main protagonist, possibly via a novel such as Ghosts of Onyx. I for one wouldn't mind mobbin' around as Kurt but conversely, another Halo title with complete exclusion of all Spartans, a la Contact Harvest, would be a great change of pace as well. Johnson deserves his time to shine! In the end, all of what I have stated is a matter of personal opinion. I enjoyed Halo 3 and continue to believe it is a fun game but it never came through on any fronts, tangible (graphics) and non (promises) alike.