Is this a new frontier for Halo or just the same old, same old?
To be honest, I’m not sure I even remember what the FPS genre looked like before the days of Halo . Call of Duty hand yet to become the juggernaut it is today, and Unreal Tournament had people triple-flip jumping and spawn killing day and night. When I say the Halo series broke the mold of what a shooter (sci-fi or otherwise) could look like, I mean it smashed it completely! Since then, each new entry in the series has been measured by the success of its online community.
While the epic playlist of Halo ’s legacy needs no introduction, I don’t think I’m speaking out of turn here when I suggest games like Reach, Halo 4 and others have lost a bit of their luster since the glory days of the mid-2000s. In fact, many look to 343 Industries’ next installment as a “put up or shut up” entry. If Halo 5 doesn’t truly knock one out of the park, it’s likely this iconic franchise has run its course. That is why two videos released in the last 24 hours is getting quite a bit of attention, as it’s the first glimpse into what will be Master Chief’s multiplayer future. The first may be pulled offline soon (if it hasn’t been already), as several leaked clips of the match-making went live on YouTube. Overall, it’s pretty much what you’ve come to expect from the franchise in the past. The frame-rate is solid, the graphics are smooth and the gameplay screams Halo . The frenetic firefights, the multi-kills and grenade-n’-shoot combos are all still present. They’ve also stuck to the tried and true formula in regards to level design, as one map pays tribute to an old stomping ground from Halo 2 (the hugely popular Midship).
The second video was of a more official nature , as it came directly from those at 343 and gives a behind-the-scenes peak. Here we learn how 4:00 is like church, as everyone in the office assembles to frag their asses off. While it was fun watching the development team pull back the curtain a bit, by far the best part of the video-doc was when they invited a group of pro-players to the studio for a little Red vs. Blue action. As you’d expect, the results were embarrassing for the designers. Many of the new abilities were showcased as well, which will play a big role in changing up fan’s play styles. The jet-pack returns, but this time is used primarily for lunging and dodging rather than upward momentum (which is still possible). Another neat feature tied to the aerial side of combat is the ground pound. If you’ve play Halo 4 , then you probably remember the Mantis had a stomp attack tied to the melee button. Ground pound is essentially the same principal, but built into a Spartan himself. Also, they’ve done wonders to balance the sprinting mechanic this go ‘round. Those who hump it will do so at the expense of their shields, making them extremely vulnerable to cross-fire.
I’d say what impressed me most was the tweaks they’ve made to the weapons. Aside from the series swapping out the zoom function for a more Call of Duty -esque method of aiming down sights, one item in particular is beefed up significantly. Both the leaked and official footage showcase how badass the Assault Rifle has become (which is typically the first gun players seek to rid themselves of). Here it looks quite formidable and can cut through enemies with the greatest of ease. Welcome back old friend! Welcome back…
My verdict is that Halo 5 looks to be preachin’ to the choir. If you’re a dyed in the wool fan, you’ll love it. If not, it’s probably not making any large strides to change your mind. For more info, be sure to check out 343’s hands-on video right here . The beta goes live in December.