Halo MCC/Infinite/general discussion thread - PRAISE CRAIG

[King Dead]

Well, HW2 has the Flood and it's rated T, but IIRC their dismemberment shtick was toned down.

I still don't really know why the non-Flood games (ODST, Reach, 4) were rated M cuz there wasn't anything THAT crazy in them. I guess 4 had that scene with the scientist lady getting her face melted off on-screen but that's about it.

The ESRB's site doesn't really go into details with how they come up with their ratings, but here's their content descriptors for each game:

• CE: Blood and Gore, Violence
• 2: Blood and Gore, Language, Violence (H2V almost had Partial Nudity added due to the .ass error message in the HEK)
• 3: Blood and Gore, Mild Language, Violence
• ODST: Blood, Language, Violence
• Reach: Blood, Violence
• 4: Blood, Violence
• 5: Blood, Mild Language, Violence (and Teen rated)

So the non-Flood games just have Blood instead of Blood and Gore, but beyond that it's pretty much the same for each game. Maybe the ESRB updated their guidelines more recently to allow more games under the Teen rating, or they're being less stringent about what crosses the line. Or maybe they just kept copy-pasting their M rating over and over, I dunno.

Thanks to this guide, I'm now five achievements richer.

Classic, Uplift Reserve, Deference of Darkness, Xenophobia and Two Places, Same Time. Only took me four tries. I thought there was one achievement to complete a level on Legendary without dying.

I wouldn't have gotten so many achievements without Silver's guides. LASOs are still all I have left in the MCC, but if I ever get around to them, you better believe I'm gonna be following his videos.

 

[The Last Stand]

I do not like Halo 5's REQ system.

I have unlocked and opened several Gold packs during my tens of hours playing Halo 5 multiplayer. I've literally just unlocked a handful of emblems. I have no animations, no skins, one piece of armor and two visors.

Cosmetics are only earned through packs. It's basically RNG with customization. It's fine and plentiful for the Warzone mode with the different weapons, vehicles and rarities. But not for customization.

 

[Quintex96]

I do not like Halo 5's REQ system.

I have unlocked and opened several Gold packs during my tens of hours playing Halo 5 multiplayer. I've literally just unlocked a handful of emblems. I have no animations, no skins, one piece of armor and two visors.

Cosmetics are only earned through packs. It's basically RNG with customization. It's fine and plentiful for the Warzone mode with the different weapons, vehicles and rarities. But not for customization.

If you are going for customization, you don't go for golds right away.
You buy silvers until you all you get is weapons/Req refunds
Then you buy golds

 

[The Doom Slayer]

I do not like Halo 5's REQ system.

I have unlocked and opened several Gold packs during my tens of hours playing Halo 5 multiplayer. I've literally just unlocked a handful of emblems. I have no animations, no skins, one piece of armor and two visors.

Cosmetics are only earned through packs. It's basically RNG with customization. It's fine and plentiful for the Warzone mode with the different weapons, vehicles and rarities. But not for customization.

It was an awful system. Anyone remember this gem?

Infuriating video and its message was basically "don't ask questions just consume product". Frankly I'm surprised MS hasn't taken it down. There's no way they would've been able to get away with a similar system in Infinite after the whole EAfront 2 disaster happened, so no surprise it seems to have been completely thrown out.

Infinite's marketing as a whole has been far less obnoxious than 5's was. You had this video, the #WeBack thing (which backfired) and also the thing where they tried to leech off Batman vs Superman with the twitter "choose your side" hashtag competition (which also backfired as something like 95% of people chose Chief over Locke )

 

[The Last Stand]

If you are going for customization, you don't go for golds right away.
You buy silvers until you all you get is weapons/Req refunds
Then you buy golds

See what I mean? To get the cosmetics you want in Halo 5, either buy or grind for a pack and hope you get lucky.

It was an awful system. Anyone remember this gem?


Infuriating video and its message was basically "don't ask questions just consume product". Frankly I'm surprised MS hasn't taken it down.

In retrospect, that was many companies' attitudes toward legitimate concern over microtransactions that generation. 343i had the audacity (or balls) to directly address it in the most tone deaf way possible. Initially, I was fine with this system because of the promise of free DLC over map packs. That free DLC has to be paid for somehow.

"BUT, IT'S COSMETICS" argument doesn't work here because in the past, cosmetics were able to be unlocked through natural progression and challenges. Halo 3 had achievements and ranking; Reach adapted a credit system to unlock pieces as well as challenges. The REQ system is a regression, even compared to other games that adapted a similar method of loot.

Halo 5 is proof that poor marketing and monetization can ruin a solid foundation and potential.

 

[raider of the lost wifi]

I do not like Halo 5's REQ system.

I have unlocked and opened several Gold packs during my tens of hours playing Halo 5 multiplayer. I've literally just unlocked a handful of emblems. I have no animations, no skins, one piece of armor and two visors.

Cosmetics are only earned through packs. It's basically RNG with customization. It's fine and plentiful for the Warzone mode with the different weapons, vehicles and rarities. But not for customization.

"Shut your noise hole faggot GIMME MONEH"-343i
2:32

Dont expect any of the Reach/Mark V armors out of golds. those are literally locked behind paywalls.

Should have just made original H5 maps specifically made for WZ Firefight versus the copy paste bullshit they carried over from H4's spartan ops where half the first 5 "episodes" were literally multiplayer maps like valhalla but with anime-tier comically amounts of enemy AI all at once.

Episodes 6-10 were better on mostly original maps and actually showed more of the infinity.

They also should have just pulled a Halo reach, (since they love modding it so much, they copy paste the entire fucking armory in all of their games) where your multiplayer spartan is a part of the story via "fireteam crimson" and continued on the spartan ops storyline for H5 versus the blatant Nigger pandering and attempted blackwashing of halo. That failed so Locke is gone and Fireteam Osiris Ceased to exist.

 

[The Last Stand]

Halo 5 is one of the most mechanically sound first person shooters I've played yet. Mantling and evading has tactical use within the sandbox. Sprint is balanced with its use disallowing you to recharge your shields.

Shooting is refined to allow precision with semi-automatic weapons, provided you can aim properly. Aiming down your sights is an underrated tool which can help with engagements.

The movement system has a slight learning curve that you need experience to "master." Ground pound can be use to "levitate" yourself in the air for a few seconds for a height advantage. Almost every ledge can be "mantled" over, some may need a combination of movement skills to go through.

 

[Vault Boy]

I do not like Halo 5's REQ system.

I have unlocked and opened several Gold packs during my tens of hours playing Halo 5 multiplayer. I've literally just unlocked a handful of emblems. I have no animations, no skins, one piece of armor and two visors.

Cosmetics are only earned through packs. It's basically RNG with customization. It's fine and plentiful for the Warzone mode with the different weapons, vehicles and rarities. But not for customization.

Throughout my time playing 5, I only managed to unlock a few visors (I did manage to get the Commando and Mark IV armors though, so at least I got two of the best looking sets). Believe it or not, it was still a better system than what Gears of War 4 had, the vast majority of what I got in that game were flags and weapon skins (I somehow lucked out at the beginning and got Hoffman as a character, but still).

Grindy as seasons/battle passes could be, at least you're guaranteed to get good shit from them.

 

[Endu]

I wouldn't have gotten so many achievements without Silver's guides. LASOs are still all I have left in the MCC, but if I ever get around to them, you better believe I'm gonna be following his videos.

That's basically how my buddy and I beat all the LASOs. When we got around to ODST, we recruited two more people and beat it all in a day, though the last level was the worst by far. Silver's videos were key to getting that done.
Also, I'm STILL waiting for 343 to confirm if players will get something in Infinite for 100%ing MCC. It doesn't matter how ugly it may be, I'll use it just to show off how much of a masochist I am.

 

[The Last Stand]

Also, I'm STILL waiting for 343 to confirm if players will get something in Infinite for 100%ing MCC. It doesn't matter how ugly it may be, I'll use it just to show off how much of a masochist I am.

I'd hit them up on Twitter or email, you deserve SOMETHING. Stupid question, but would you consider yourself GOOD at Halo?

Believe it or not, it was still a better system than what Gears of War 4 had, the vast majority of what I got in that game were flags and weapon skins (I somehow lucked out at the beginning and got Hoffman as a character, but still).

Gears of War 4 was similarly bad. Everything through loot boxes is horrible. The only game that got it right with loot boxes would be Overwatch.

Nigger pandering and attempted blackwashing of halo. That failed so Locke is gone and Fireteam Osiris Ceased to exist.

It was more the writing and lore execution than pandering.

 

[raider of the lost wifi]

I'd hit them up on Twitter or email, you deserve SOMETHING. Stupid question, but would you consider yourself GOOD at Halo?


Gears of War 4 was similarly bad. Everything through loot boxes is horrible. The only game that got it right with loot boxes would be Overwatch.


It was more the writing and lore execution than pandering.

So are they just going to not mention the guardians that showed up at every populated human settlement in the legendary ending of 5 in infinite?

It was pretty clear Cortana was about to commit genocide and finish what the covenant started. She even EMP'd and shut down everything so ships were falling out of orbit and other shit.

EDIT: Added link.


They also teased what is now Zeta halo in Infinite.

 

[The Doom Slayer]

So are they just going to not mention the guardians that showed up at every populated human settlement in the legendary ending of 5 in infinite?

It was pretty clear Cortana was about to commit genocide and finish what the covenant started. She even EMP'd everything so ships were falling out of orbit and other shit.

Pretty sure Halo 5's aftermath is getting sent to audio logs. They're just skipping over the retarded AI uprising story no one cared about.

 

[raider of the lost wifi]

Pretty sure Halo 5's aftermath is getting sent to audio logs. They're just skipping over the retarded AI uprising story no one cared about.

Just like the actual plot of Halo 5 was in the marketing with the Hunt the truth shit no one cared about.

 

[NumberingYourState]

The first half of Hunt the Truth was fun, the second not so much, which regardless did more damage because the both still had nothing of consequence to do with Halo 5.

 

[DicksOutForChauvin]

I remember playing Halo for the first time. I was in my 20s and demoralized from years of doing bullshit humanitarian aid that ultimately did nothing and didn't help my career. I was finally coming home and I was just mentally and physically exhausted. Then the Xbox came out and I bought one to try out Halo. Had a blast with it and shooting aliens in the face really helped pick me up and motivate me again.

I'm an older guy these days so I don't play video games a whole lot but is the MCC worth getting? And is Infinite sounding decent so far?

 

[The Doom Slayer]

I remember playing Halo for the first time. I was in my 20s and demoralized from years of doing bullshit humanitarian aid that ultimately did nothing and didn't help my career. I was finally coming home and I was just mentally and physically exhausted. Then the Xbox came out and I bought one to try out Halo. Had a blast with it and shooting aliens in the face really helped pick me up and motivate me again.

I'm an older guy these days so I don't play video games a whole lot but is the MCC worth getting? And is Infinite sounding decent so far?

MCC was a disaster at launch, but over the years it's been reworked into what is probably the best value in gaming. You get a stupid amount of content for $40, and it's currently on sale for $20 on Steam. Absolutely worth it IMO.

Infinite is more of a question mark, mainly because they refuse to fucking show anything. Its gameplay reveal last year was laughably bad, but what they showed this year got way better reception. The multiplayer looks cool and is going to be free to play so might as well just try it I guess. As for the rest of it though, your guess is as good as ours right now.

 

[King Dead]

That's basically how my buddy and I beat all the LASOs. When we got around to ODST, we recruited two more people and beat it all in a day, though the last level was the worst by far. Silver's videos were key to getting that done.
Also, I'm STILL waiting for 343 to confirm if players will get something in Infinite for 100%ing MCC. It doesn't matter how ugly it may be, I'll use it just to show off how much of a masochist I am.

If I worked for 343, I'd want to reward those who played any previous Halo game. Give out a reward for anyone who has any history with earlier titles, and an additional reward for those who 100%'d the game. With the legacy 360 Halo services shutting down later this year, it would also incentivize one final hurrah with the older titles. MCC could also break down rewards across games on top of a 100% reward.

I'm reminded of Bungie's nameplates for Reach, which let you show off which games you'd played, including special nameplates for having multiple titles under your belt. Since Halo CE didn't have online progress, it was unlocked through entering a Halo PC CD key. They even had one for the Marathon: Durandal XBLA port that I mentioned a couple pages back. They did something similar for Destiny 1, giving a special emblem for those that had played four out of six of their previous games (Halo PC, 2, 3, ODST, Reach, and Marathon: Durandal). If Infinite is going to be where 343 puts most of their focus in the coming years, and if they're serious about honoring the legacy of the Halo series, then I feel it'd be a no-brainer to reward long-time fans with some exclusive goodies.

I remember playing Halo for the first time. I was in my 20s and demoralized from years of doing bullshit humanitarian aid that ultimately did nothing and didn't help my career. I was finally coming home and I was just mentally and physically exhausted. Then the Xbox came out and I bought one to try out Halo. Had a blast with it and shooting aliens in the face really helped pick me up and motivate me again.

I'm an older guy these days so I don't play video games a whole lot but is the MCC worth getting? And is Infinite sounding decent so far?

Like the enraged fellow above me said, it's in a much better position now than it was when it launched, and it's a great value, even better with the current Steam sale going on. $20 for six complete and fun games, with (nearly) every feature available and new content continuing to be added, it's really hard to beat. The PC port is also quite good, they really put in the legwork to finally bring the rest of the series to PC. It also means being able to play all these games without needing to find an old 360 for sale, or dig out your old console.

As for Infinite, I'm firmly in the cautious optimism camp. It's looking better as time goes by, much better than what we saw last year (RIP Craig), but I want to see more of it in motion, and soon. But things like a return to the more grounded look of the Bungie days give me hope that it'll turn out alright. And again, the multiplayer will be F2P, so there's no reason why you can't give it a whirl and see for yourself once it launches.

 

[Gravemind]

So are they just going to not mention the guardians that showed up at every populated human settlement in the legendary ending of 5 in infinite?

It was pretty clear Cortana was about to commit genocide and finish what the covenant started. She even EMP'd everything so ships were falling out of orbit and other shit.

In addition to what Doom Slayer said, Cortana was never really out to genocide the human race anyway – just keep them controlled and penned in under the thumb of AIs.

Books like Bad Blood IIRC are set during Cortana's dumb insurrection and she's shown offering races the chance to accept her rule or be crushed under her might.

I remember playing Halo for the first time. I was in my 20s and demoralized from years of doing bullshit humanitarian aid that ultimately did nothing and didn't help my career. I was finally coming home and I was just mentally and physically exhausted. Then the Xbox came out and I bought one to try out Halo. Had a blast with it and shooting aliens in the face really helped pick me up and motivate me again.

I'm an older guy these days so I don't play video games a whole lot but is the MCC worth getting? And is Infinite sounding decent so far?

Absolutely, preferably on PC. Just try not to think about the taste of 343's rancid dick in your mouth as you enjoy the older Halo games MOSTLY playing at their best performance.

And I don't mean comment about 343 as a deterrent. I mean that I hate that's the unfortunate reality of buying into the MCC.

 

[ShitCube]

I hope someone eventually mods Halo: CEA's graphics to have better lighting, meshes, textures, and vegetation. CEA looked ok for the time it released, but it overall looks too bright and saturated. The worst example can be seen in 343 Guilty Spark where the increased brightness ruins the atmosphere.

The whole remaster is not really that faithful to the original TBH. Which is why I refuse to ever really play it on Anniversary graphics.

 

[raider of the lost wifi]

In addition to what Doom Slayer said, Cortana was never really out to genocide the human race anyway – just keep them controlled and penned in under the thumb of AIs.

Books like Bad Blood IIRC are set during Cortana's dumb insurrection and she's shown offering races the chance to accept her rule or be crushed under her might.

Ah the same treatment they gave the Didact, the only decent villain they created, where he died in an obscure comic no one read or cares about.