[360] Halo 4

[Roman]

Managed to get an early retail copy this evening and played for about an hour or so.

First impressions are that the game looks what can best be described as more mature in terms of graphics. It just looks so crisp and clear. The weapon sounds have also changed and sound more 'realistic' and less 'cartoony'. All in all I am very impressed. I like the SP aspects of the Halo franchise and am not into the MP stuff. I hate all the jumping all shooting.

Anyhoo. I like what I see thus far.

[leo8877]

Managed to get an early retail copy this evening and played for about an hour or so.

First impressions are that the game looks what can best be described as more mature in terms of graphics. It just looks so crisp and clear. The weapon sounds have also changed and sound more 'realistic' and less 'cartoony'. All in all I am very impressed. I like the SP aspects of the Halo franchise and am not into the MP stuff. I hate all the jumping all shooting.

Anyhoo. I like what I see thus far.

I saw you playing tonight and I -_-

[Roman]

sorry

[Roman]

Impressions - spoilerededededed

Spoiler for Hiden:

I like the game. As I said before I enjoy the Halo universe etc etc

Graphics are the best I've seen for the Halo series and the new sounds from the battle rifle, pistol etc are all very nice.
At its core 343 nailed the overall game-play.
I also think that they borrowed from other studios/games (Gears & Crysis) I can't be positive but I don't think any Halo thus far has done this.
What do I mean? Well I will spoiler what I am about to say

Spoiler for Hiden:

Why I mention the Crysis is because I find that the new Promethians are very much like the Aliens (CEPHS) from Crysis.
I mention Gears because of the insertion of a huge derrick like vehicle about 2hrs in with turrets on either side that you have to man and take out the attacking Covenant forces with while you drive to your objective - sound familiar Gears 2 fans?

Now that being said I am enjoying the game I just wish it was a little more unique - but how can you do that in today's market? 
I also like some of the death animations - remember when Blade(movie) first came out and when he dispatched the vampires they would 'burn' and dissolve with glowing ember/ashes? well there are a few weapons in this game that have those effects.
Speaking of weapons - some of the Promethean weapons are quite cool when you either reload or initially pick up - you'll see what I mean. There is also a new grenade that I can't quite master - you'll know it when you throw it as it creates a red bubble around itself?
There are also a few abilities that you can pick up-  jetpack, promethan vision, sentry etc etc. The sentry sounded cool until you realize that it is stationary..... don't like.
Anyhoo - I am far from a reviewer so I will leave it at that. Enjoy.

[metallicorphan]

I have just seen(or paid attention)to a picture of Halo 4's version of Cortana that was on GameInformer

only in spoilers if like me you had not seen Cortana already and now want to save it for the game

Spoiler for Hiden:

[CeeKay]

elbows are too pointy.

[USMC Kato]

elbows are too pointy.

Imagine what she will look like in Halo 10

[th'FOOL]

Looks like Tom Chick figured out how to drive up the hits this week....

I'm not going to link to it- you all likely know where to go.

I can pinpoint the exact moment he stopped playing the campaign. It's pathetic.

[Dante Rising]

Looks like Tom Chick figured out how to drive up the hits this week....

I'm not going to link to it- you all likely know where to go.

I can pinpoint the exact moment he stopped playing the campaign. It's pathetic.

yeah, I don't understand his score of 1 star. That equates to 20%, which to me would be a game that is inherently broken or completely buggy and unfinished. I haven't played Halo 4, but I'm certain it has amazing graphics, competent controls, a relatively long single player mode, coupled with strong multiplayer aspects, wrapped up in mostly bug-free gaming. How can that possibly equate to 1 star? I can see a 2.5 or 3 stars, but ONE? My first inclination was shaking the tree just because he wanted to generate some buzz.

[Jarrodhk]

Tom's review score aside, I am disappointed with the lack of Firefight and scoring in the campaign. The tone that I got while watching the various behind the scenes videos was that 343 really wants to get every Halo fan to play vs MP. Which is fine, but, the people that prefer co-op aren't suddenly going to love vs because you added more unlocking and such. The fact that you get points towards the win from things besides kills does help.

I do fully expect to personally enjoy the campaign, probably play through it multiple times solo and co-op. I'll most likely get in on some vs MP, depending on who else on my friends list is playing. Spartan Ops sounds interesting, but, not a replacement for Firefight. I read/heard somewhere that 343 was planning to add actual new features/content as opposed to just title updates that fix bugs, so maybe they'll add firefight back in at some point.  I can hope anyway.

[Roguetad]

Looks like Tom Chick figured out how to drive up the hits this week....

I'm not going to link to it- you all likely know where to go.

I can pinpoint the exact moment he stopped playing the campaign. It's pathetic.

That was a silly review.  A game would have to be a steaming pile of crap that's barely playable, with horrible design and gameplay for me to rate it a 1.  Even on a 1 to 5 scale.  My summary of his review: More of the same, no firefight mode, don't care for the gameplay of Halo anymore, didn't get to fire a cool looking gun, not wild about the new enemies because they are all orange, don't care about the lore so I don't know how AIs are handled, and no campaign scoring = 1.

I barely touched firefight mode in Halo 3 and Reach, don't care about campaign scoring, like the run and gun arcade fps style of the halo series, welcome new enemy types, and think the lore is pretty good for a sci fi video game.  When most fps single player experiences are an afterthought, at least the Halo games make an effort.  

    

[metallicorphan]

so he is seriously saying that game is 20% 

While i am fine if the guy didn't like it...but 20%???

[th'FOOL]

so he is seriously saying that game is 20%  

While i am fine if the guy didn't like it...but 20%???

Like I said, I can pinpoint the exact moment he stopped playing the game based on what he wrote. He was roughly an hour, hour and a half into it and obviously didn't finish the level he was describing.

I've long wondered how he's gained the clout he has in game journalism based on his overtly biased and cantankerous views. After that review I'm wondering why anybody even bothers to send him product at all.

[PeteRock]

Why did this have to come out right before an immuno exam?  After watching IGN's review and reading through GT's at least three times, this went from "I'll wait until Christmas" to "IHAVETOPLAYTHISGAMERIGHTNOWOMGWTFBBQGIVEMETHEFUCKINGKEYSYOUFUCKINGCOCKSUCKERALAALALALALALA!"

 
 
 
 
 

Oh my poor pharmacy school GPA, may you rest in peace.   

[metallicorphan]

[metallicorphan]

so those people who have Halo 4 already,i always install my games before playing,i managed to install disc 1,but disc 2 the install option does not appear

is anybody else having this problem?
EDIT: Nevermind,its one of those 'you have to play it,to install it discs' like Forza 4 had


I got the regular edition of Halo 4,but GAME gave me a Halo 4 steel tin to go with it,not sure why,so i have the regular case and the steel tin to decide which to use,maybe i can use a case for each disc

[Ridah]

Tom scores the game low for, in his opinion, not offering anything new to the series or the genre. I haven't played the game yet myself, but even if I had and I felt otherwise, I couldn't say he was wrong because that's how he feels. If you aren't enjoying a game you shouldn't have to feel obligated to score it well because everyone else is.

[th'FOOL]

Tom scores the game low for, in his opinion, not offering anything new to the series or the genre. I haven't played the game yet myself, but even if I had and I felt otherwise, I couldn't say he was wrong because that's how he feels. If you aren't enjoying a game you shouldn't have to feel obligated to score it well because everyone else is.

That's fine. I say he's wrong because it is obvious he didn't play past the first hour or so of the campaign (speaking as someone who finished it before reviewing it). I think that's poor journalism and his extreme take and score smack of trolling more than anything else.

[th'FOOL]

My bad, he DID finish the game- On EASY

https://app.halowaypoint.com/en-us/Halo4/tomchick/home/

Also played a whopping 3 matches in multiplayer for a whopping 11 minutes.

[Jarrodhk]

Got Halo4 at the midnight release before work. Very cold and misty night. My ears hurt. BLOPS2 I'll wait until after work.

But at least I can play when I get home!

[metallicorphan]

It was very foggy for me as well,because of Bonfire Night...it was so very eerie walking through my town(especially over the bridge) at 12am and with a wall of fog a few feet in front of you

I played the first two missions last night,and played about half a dozen matches online

Campaign i am really blown away with the graphics,they have done such a great job..infact at this early point i have very little to complain about


I am playing on Normal

Online,well i am still crap...but i like the maps and the customization,hopefully i can get better


Halo Waypoint was also great to search through once i had a Halo 4 game save,everyone should catch the Spartan Ops episode Departure,its really cool,you can also view the Terminals you find on Halo 4,like you could do with Halo CEA,that show some interesting backstory(i've only found the first two at the moment)

[pr0ner]

If you need more proof that Tom Chick is either a) a troll and/or b) completely unequipped to review a Halo game, I give you this post:

However, Halo's campaign co-op supports four players now. I think this is new. Did Reach support four players?

SERIOUSLY?

[Soulchilde]

Conan O'Brien and Andy Richter's Easter Egg.  Spoiler for those that wish to find it themselves.  I'm linking to another site

Spoiler for Hiden:

Easter Egg

[ATB]

Conan O'Brien and Andy Richter's Easter Egg.  Spoiler for those that wish to find it themselves.  I'm linking to another site

Spoiler for Hiden:

Easter Egg

That's pretty funny!

[Purge]

If you need more proof that Tom Chick is either a) a troll and/or b) completely unequipped to review a Halo game, I give you this post:

However, Halo's campaign co-op supports four players now. I think this is new. Did Reach support four players?

SERIOUSLY?

That was the big thing about Halo 3 - MC, Arbiter and two Elites.

[CeeKay]

Conan O'Brien and Andy Richter's Easter Egg.  Spoiler for those that wish to find it themselves.  I'm linking to another site

Spoiler for Hiden:

Easter Egg

That's pretty funny!

+1 

[leo8877]

Is one disc for MP?  They don't seem to be labeled.

[Roguetad]

I played through the first level last night, and I'm really impressed with the graphics.  I don't know how they're getting that out of the 360, but it's a big step up.  I also like the more realistic art style of the covenant.  They look more alien and less cartoony.  I died a few times on the first level, so normal isn't a cakewalk for me...which is good.

[metallicorphan]

Is one disc for MP?  They don't seem to be labeled.

yeah what i did was install the first disc as usual,and then play the second disc and then on screen prompts will tell you to press A to install(you can't install it like usual)...second disc i think takes about 4 gig,and no you don't need that second disc when you want to jump online

I played through the first level last night, and I'm really impressed with the graphics.  I don't know how they're getting that out of the 360, but it's a big step up.  I also like the more realistic art style of the covenant.  They look more alien and less cartoony.  I died a few times on the first level, so normal isn't a cakewalk for me...which is good.

everything you just said +1

I was unsure whether i liked the 'new' monkeys,because they always made me laugh,but they still have plenty of laughs later on


I saved and uploaded a match ..is it possible to see it online?(as in on the net,not just through Halo 4)

[leo8877]

I played through the first level last night, and I'm really impressed with the graphics.  I don't know how they're getting that out of the 360, but it's a big step up.  I also like the more realistic art style of the covenant.  They look more alien and less cartoony.  I died a few times on the first level, so normal isn't a cakewalk for me...which is good.

+1

Graphics are much better, lighting especially looks awesome.  The guns finally sound good.  I hated Bungie's sounds.  Really looks to be polished!

[kathode]

Is one disc for MP?  They don't seem to be labeled.

Yeah second disc is for MP.  It will prompt you to install when you try and go in the MP menus.  Don't install through the dashboard - just follow the in-game prompts.

[th'FOOL]

Is one disc for MP?  They don't seem to be labeled.

Yeah second disc is for MP.  It will prompt you to install when you try and go in the MP menus.  Don't install through the dashboard - just follow the in-game prompts.

Hey Kathode, what was your role in the game dev? My son wants to know. (His dream is to become a concept artist on a future Halo game and he's asking about this sort of thing more and more)

[leo8877]

Is one disc for MP?  They don't seem to be labeled.

Yeah second disc is for MP.  It will prompt you to install when you try and go in the MP menus.  Don't install through the dashboard - just follow the in-game prompts.

Thanks kathode!

[USMC Kato]

Played only multiplayer so far before I went to work, and I came away impressed. Everything seems smoother, and the maps are diverse. 343 is pushing the 360 to the limit, because this game runs and looks fantastic

[leo8877]

Playing on Heroic and man it's brutal!

[kathode]

Hey Kathode, what was your role in the game dev? My son wants to know. (His dream is to become a concept artist on a future Halo game and he's asking about this sort of thing more and more)

I'm the main producer on the game side for the multiplayer portion.  "The game side" meaning not the server functionality or Waypoint or stuff like that, but I work with those guys a lot.  A game producer is basically equivalent to a project manager in most other industries.

[Bullwinkle]

Hey Kathode, what was your role in the game dev? My son wants to know. (His dream is to become a concept artist on a future Halo game and he's asking about this sort of thing more and more)

I'm the main producer on the game side for the multiplayer portion.  "The game side" meaning not the server functionality or Waypoint or stuff like that, but I work with those guys a lot.  A game producer is basically equivalent to a project manager in most other industries.

Not much call for voiceover artists in that department, then...

So far, I'm very impressed. Hooked on the story, graphics and gameplay right out of the gate (honestly, some of the character models in the cutscenes look like live people until their eyes or mouths move and it's just a little not-human).

MP was the expected blast.  Also as expected, I suck. I started great.  Killed three guys in a row without dying.  Then I got stomped more than half a dozen times in a row.  Came in last on my team, by the end.

Sadly, there was a server issue right after that.  They seem to be down for the time being.

[USMC Kato]

and I'm back...just like riding a bike  

bummer that the servers are having issues

[PeteRock]

I so wish I didn't have an immuno exam tomorrow.   

But I will be online by Thursday evening after my pharmaceutical lab exam.   

[USMC Kato]

I so wish I didn't have an immuno exam tomorrow.   

But I will be online by Thursday evening after my pharmaceutical lab exam.   

During my last match, I used my elite Asian driving skills to accidently run over at least 4 opponents