Halo 4

We're all playing it... just a matter of time before we all post it. I'm guessing we just classified this game as complete after we've finished the campaign mode, regardless of multiplayer. Yes? Well, here's my take on the new storyline.

So the franchise is now in the hands of Microsoft, and oh how it shows. Monetarily, speaking.  For those that have at least started the campaign, you'll notice its stunning opening movie. It looks like Microsoft has dumped a shit ton of money into this guy sprucing up the graphics - which were never dull to begin with - and are turning it into something more of feature film. I mean, after all the talk of this guy being adapted to the big screen (Peter Jackson once attached to it) I think Microsoft sought to give it's audience something a little more to appreciate along those lines. 

Aside from the improved graphics, there's the storyline. In each Halo the campaign's plot has been beefed up more and more. I cannot really recall each game's story precisely - forgive, but it's been a while since I've even played the first one. The last one had something to do with the Covenant using their religious institutions to gain power over the Halo systems (which turned out to be a big weapon systems - I think?). Regardless, I think this demonstrates that the Halo stories were always a bit convoluted. I'm sure there are many out there who would strongly disagree with me seeing as this source material has generated a shit ton of spin-off novels and fan fiction. To each their own. 

Point is, while the game's storyline still lingers in that convoluted, overwhelming world, they manage to reel it back in a bit here while introducing two new features to the plot. First, a villain - The Didact - and a love story between Cortana and Master Chief. I won't ruin these bits for any of you. Let's just say they're interesting (not neccessarily good or bad... just interesting). The love story also brings up a lot of points on whether MC and Cortana are more human than robot (or visa-versa). The last scene in the game shows MC back at headquarters and being stripped of his armor. The screen cuts black just as his helmet comes off. Man? Robot? Man-robot? Or perhaps a chick with a real deep voice? You don't know... for now.

For the gameplay... everything is still the same. Yeah, you got a new series of magnetic weapons, but it's all the same shit. I guess my real disappointment in the gameplay comes down to the very last scene in the film... er, game. Every Halo game has ended with MC riding out on a Warthog, racing the clock, trying to make it of an exploding planet. This one has none of that. Inside, the game goes all Call of Duty where you respond to a couple of quick-time commands (no very interesting or challenging ones mind you) and the game is done. If you're going pull off a cinematic ending, then just make it into a movie sequence. Fuck trying to make it interactive, especially if the effort to do so involves quick-time commands. As you can tell by now, I'm not a fan of them. "Push the joystick up to crawl. Crawl faster!" No tention mounting. No skill needed. Just a waste. Bah...

Now that I've got that blunder out of my system, I have to say Halo 4 is a great addition to the series and it seems that Microsoft will be able to carry the franchise on with some integrity. But, then again, you're all playing this already, so why even bother to critique? You know it's good. I know it's good. What a waste of a post.


Meh... Happy Black Friday you ungrateful bastards.