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Re: How to respond....
Posted By: Narhl'LarDate: 11/18/04 5:07 p.m.

In Response To: How to respond.... (Saint [lpn])

: I thought the story AND ending were superb (this coming from an
: studying/aspiring scriptwriter).

Most of the story really was excellent from a scriptwriting standpoint -- the action was well-paced, characters (except Commodore Keyes) were introduced in such a way to make us feel some empathy towards them (the opening sequence contrasting the awards ceremony with the ceremonial punishment was particularly excellent), the dialogue was generally solid, and the plot was generally both simple and well-constructed. Except for Audrey. And except for the sequences where significant plot exposition was carried out during gameplay, with voices lost in the music and ambient sounds. (The Brutes did what? Truth is where? Huh?) But, by and large, 210% better than any other attempt at developing a cinematic sense in video games. Most video games create overly-Byzantine plots, so that by the end of the game, you can't remember all the twists and turns you took to get through it. H2 keeps it simple, but not simplistic -- it's easy to keep the beats straight.

The ending is crap.

Or, more to the point, the ending works well as an interstitial point. It's the perfect close to the second act of the three act structure, with the heroes finding out that what seemed like success is actually failure ("You must stop Halo from destroying the Earth! Oops, now you have to stop Earth from activating the Halos!"). But as soon as we're ringing up the curtain on Act Three, the game ends. In other words, we have 2/3 of the plot. That's where you put the commercial break, not a multi-year wait for a new game system. It's not just a cliffhanger, it's a cliffhanger that leaves us with an unfinished plot. *Not* good scriptwriting.

Sigh.

Of course, if another Halo game is due out shortly (though I don't believe one is), this is all moot.


Message Index




Replies:

My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *longDucain 11/18/04 10:12 a.m.
     Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *sp*N1NJ4 11/18/04 10:29 a.m.
     Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonICDedPpl 11/18/04 10:35 a.m.
           Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonjazo 11/18/04 10:43 a.m.
                 Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonIsh 11/18/04 10:46 a.m.
                 Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonGladius 1000 11/18/04 7:20 p.m.
     Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonCaptain Spark 11/18/04 10:50 a.m.
     Re: Me agrees *NM*thunderhawk555 11/18/04 11:17 a.m.
     Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonWalshicus 11/18/04 11:22 a.m.
           Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonCount Zero 11/18/04 11:33 a.m.
                 Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonWalshicus 11/18/04 11:46 a.m.
           Er...bigass spoilers on this sub-thread? *NM*Andrew Nagy 11/18/04 12:56 p.m.
                 More like the whole thread. *NM*Andrew Nagy 11/18/04 12:58 p.m.
     Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *loncyberg4 11/18/04 11:22 a.m.
           I must say, I was not disappointed...stan 11/18/04 9:34 p.m.
                 Re: I must say, I was not disappointed...-more earthe armsman 11/19/04 1:24 a.m.
                 Not really Bungie anymore.Mangler 11/29/04 4:27 p.m.
                       Re: Not really Bungie anymore.grunt killer 11/29/04 4:31 p.m.
                             Oh, pleaseJillybean 11/29/04 4:37 p.m.
                                   Re: WTHeck?Wado SG 11/29/04 5:31 p.m.
                             OMG! My evil twin! ^^ *NM* *NM*GruntKilla 11/29/04 5:18 p.m.
                       Re: Not really Bungie anymore.Count Zero 11/29/04 4:54 p.m.
                       Re: Not really Bungie anymore.Anton P. Nym (aka Steve) 11/29/04 5:07 p.m.
                             I'd have to agree FULLY!SYSTEMS 11/29/04 5:53 p.m.
                       Re: Not really Bungie anymore.Ross Mills [subnova] 11/29/04 5:39 p.m.
                       Re: Not really Bungie anymore.Andrew Nagy 11/29/04 7:14 p.m.
     Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonCount Zero 11/18/04 11:24 a.m.
           Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonWarbinger 11/18/04 11:41 a.m.
           Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonE.T. the Extremely Tired 11/18/04 11:56 a.m.
                 Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonSep7imus [subnova] 11/18/04 2:55 p.m.
                       Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonE.T. the Extremely Tired 11/18/04 3:48 p.m.
                             Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonDruff 11/18/04 5:23 p.m.
           Re: My Thursday afternoom BBQPico 11/18/04 1:39 p.m.
           Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonFriendlyFire 11/18/04 3:30 p.m.
                 My reaction *sp* longMC vince 11/18/04 6:14 p.m.
                       Re: My reaction *sp* longTarrsk 11/18/04 7:08 p.m.
     Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonCabanaguy25 11/18/04 11:36 a.m.
           Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonWalshicus 11/18/04 11:55 a.m.
                 A matter of preference?Beoren 11/18/04 1:49 p.m.
                       Re: A matter of preference?Micrometalus 11/18/04 2:06 p.m.
           Re: Damn, now I'm hungry *SP* *long*C Hunter X 11/18/04 9:47 p.m.
     Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonE1337 11/18/04 11:44 a.m.
           Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonResponsible Jon 11/18/04 11:47 a.m.
                 Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonIsh 11/18/04 11:52 a.m.
                       Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonTy4Lom 11/18/04 12:14 p.m.
                 Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonE1337 11/18/04 11:59 a.m.
     Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonLothar Hex 11/18/04 11:54 a.m.
     Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonClefton Twain 11/18/04 11:55 a.m.
     This is a great summary *opinion, spoilers*gspawn 11/18/04 11:55 a.m.
           Re: This is a great summary *opinion, spoilers*Th3 Guns1inger 11/19/04 1:55 a.m.
     Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonDruff 11/18/04 11:57 a.m.
     I hesitantly, but wholeheartedly, agree *NM*HK HUNTRKILLR 11/18/04 12:01 p.m.
     How to respond....Saint [lpn] 11/18/04 12:07 p.m.
           Oops... *SP* ^^ *NM*Saint [lpn] 11/18/04 12:08 p.m.
           Re: How to respond....ShadowRanger 11/18/04 12:23 p.m.
           Re: How to respond....Narhl'Lar 11/18/04 5:07 p.m.
     couldn't agree more *NM* *NM*Mr_McMurder 11/18/04 12:15 p.m.
     Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonSep7imus [subnova] 11/18/04 12:17 p.m.
           Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonphlux 11/18/04 12:50 p.m.
                 Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonDucain 11/18/04 1:11 p.m.
                       Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonSep7imus [subnova] 11/18/04 1:28 p.m.
                       Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonCaptain Spark 11/18/04 1:30 p.m.
                       Why what you feel is right...and why it will fadeJamirus99 11/18/04 2:54 p.m.
                             Re: Why what you feel is right...and why it will fRed Loser 11/18/04 5:35 p.m.
                                   Re: Why what you feel is right...and why it will fwraith7n 11/18/04 6:58 p.m.
                                   Re: Why what you feel is right...and why it will fvector40 11/29/04 6:17 p.m.
                                         Re: Why what you feel is right...and why it will fDjof 11/29/04 8:49 p.m.
                                               Re: Why what you feel is right...and why it will fSep7imus [subnova] 11/29/04 8:56 p.m.
                       Stfu, nub. :) *NM*Blitzwolf 11/29/04 3:41 p.m.
           Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonsKribbler 11/18/04 1:06 p.m.
           Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonClefton Twain 11/18/04 1:11 p.m.
                 Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonsKribbler 11/18/04 1:24 p.m.
           Bring your own flames... *SP*axman 11/18/04 2:46 p.m.
                 Re: Bring your own flames... *SP*klurejr 11/18/04 4:59 p.m.
           Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonTh3 Guns1inger 11/19/04 2:11 a.m.
     I also can't agree morePhatcorns 11/18/04 12:25 p.m.
     Text is too smallpoena.dare (not.dead.yet) 11/18/04 1:07 p.m.
           Re: Text is too small I AGREEwraith7n 11/18/04 7:02 p.m.
                 Re: Text is too small I AGREEragereset 11/20/04 4:35 p.m.
     A game is only new once.ragereset 11/18/04 1:24 p.m.
           Re: A game is only new once.sKribbler 11/18/04 1:29 p.m.
                 Re: A game is only new once.Druff 11/18/04 1:40 p.m.
                       Re: A game is only new once.sKribbler 11/18/04 1:44 p.m.
                             Re: A game is only new once.Druff 11/18/04 1:46 p.m.
     Totally agreed *NM*fartman 11/18/04 1:29 p.m.
     Re: Foundation: MarathonDr. Blake 11/18/04 1:41 p.m.
           Marathon, Halo, Hardware salesKanen Faud'r 11/18/04 6:40 p.m.
                 Holy crap...Louis Wu 11/18/04 8:13 p.m.
                       Re: Holy crap...Kanen Faud'r 11/18/04 10:15 p.m.
                             Re: Bungie's next project?ThorsHammer 11/19/04 12:40 a.m.
     My feelings exactly...Someone 11/18/04 1:44 p.m.
     Another agreement and some more opinionsMicrometalus 11/18/04 1:59 p.m.
           Re: Another agreement and some more opinionsMicrometalus 11/18/04 2:01 p.m.
                 If you can spoil lack of an ending, then *SP*sKribbler 11/18/04 2:12 p.m.
                       Re: If you can spoil lack of an ending, then *SP*HK HUNTRKILLR 11/18/04 3:25 p.m.
                             I'll agree, with a note about musicDalan Galma 11/18/04 4:24 p.m.
           Re: Another agreement and some more opinionswraith7n 11/18/04 7:06 p.m.
     Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonXLNC 11/18/04 2:00 p.m.
     OMG U n00b H4L0 2 is t3h suXX00rz!!!111oneretsamolah 11/18/04 2:07 p.m.
     Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonZaknafein 11/18/04 2:28 p.m.
     Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonXenos 11/18/04 2:30 p.m.
     More fuel for the flames. And who's fault is it?Infantier 11/18/04 2:31 p.m.
           Re: More fuel for the flames. And who's fault is iFire 11/18/04 2:52 p.m.
           Re: More fuel for the flames. And who's fault is igodfath3r24 11/18/04 3:04 p.m.
     Conspiracy Theoryterm 11/18/04 2:57 p.m.
           Re: Conspiracy Theory? Yes Indeed!Spartan39 11/18/04 3:08 p.m.
                 Conspiracy Theory Evidence?term 11/19/04 1:38 p.m.
     I agree *spoilers*Sith 11/18/04 3:14 p.m.
     Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) (SP)number302079 11/18/04 3:23 p.m.
     Another point of view, for your considerationGil-Galahad 11/18/04 3:24 p.m.
           Re: Another point of view, for your considerationDucain 11/18/04 4:14 p.m.
                 *SP*, huge *SP* - even Star Wars *SP*'sE.T. the Extremely Tired 11/18/04 4:59 p.m.
     I feel the same way, thanks for standing up *NM*marleybadger 11/18/04 3:30 p.m.
     Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonxSIVELx 11/18/04 3:45 p.m.
           Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonMoose 11/18/04 4:10 p.m.
     -_-Sanj 11/18/04 3:53 p.m.
     Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonJohnnie H. 11/18/04 3:58 p.m.
     Agree and Disagree *spoilers*Stanford101 11/18/04 3:59 p.m.
           In conclusion, happySiLvEr 11/18/04 4:05 p.m.
           Re: Agree and Disagree *spoilers*Captain Spark 11/18/04 4:57 p.m.
     Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonDarkshot 11/18/04 4:02 p.m.
     Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonAllAmerican 11/18/04 4:14 p.m.
     Ooooooooooh DISAGREE!!!!! (some spoilers)Jillybean 11/18/04 4:16 p.m.
           Re: Ooooooooooh DISAGREE!!!!! (some spoilers)Pico 11/18/04 4:49 p.m.
                 theereazeDucain 11/18/04 4:54 p.m.
                       Re: theereazeJillybean 11/18/04 5:00 p.m.
                 Okay - I have a theoryJillybean 11/18/04 4:58 p.m.
                       Re: Okay - I have a theory (good theory!)Pico 11/18/04 6:25 p.m.
                       Re: Okay - I have a theoryRampant Cowboy 11/18/04 6:51 p.m.
                       Re: Okay - I have a theoryFuzzyWhisper 11/18/04 7:08 p.m.
                       Re: Okay - I have a theoryBOLL 11/19/04 6:27 a.m.
                             Only maybe?Jillybean 11/19/04 8:03 a.m.
                                   Re: Only maybe?BOLL 11/19/04 1:55 p.m.
     Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonFuzzyWhisper 11/18/04 4:18 p.m.
           More of my Thoughts (Minor *SP*)Moose 11/18/04 4:28 p.m.
     Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonVadcol 11/18/04 4:22 p.m.
     My Thursday evening opinion-soup. *SP*Chester the Destroyer 11/18/04 4:28 p.m.
     Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonklurejr 11/18/04 4:31 p.m.
           Yes, UnfortunatlyBlueWizard 11/18/04 4:54 p.m.
                 Notice How Bungie is Quite???Vadcol 11/18/04 5:18 p.m.
                       check yo facts! yo!FrogBlast 11/18/04 5:28 p.m.
                       peoplegrunt killer 11/29/04 4:29 p.m.
                             Re: peopleMr. Mister 11/29/04 5:02 p.m.
                             Re: peopleGladius Dei 11/29/04 5:15 p.m.
                             Re: people343winks 11/29/04 5:39 p.m.
     AMEN! Couldn't have said it better myself! *NM*Eric Smith 11/18/04 4:56 p.m.
     Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonJHG 11/18/04 5:16 p.m.
     Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonLysergicide 11/18/04 5:26 p.m.
     Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *Dee23 11/18/04 5:39 p.m.
     What I think of halo 2timboh56 11/18/04 5:45 p.m.
     Negative Remark/Opinion About Halo 2Kinotrica M 11/18/04 6:25 p.m.
           Re: Negative Remark/Opinion About Halo 2Narhl'Lar 11/18/04 6:45 p.m.
           Did I miss something?FuzzyWhisper 11/18/04 7:01 p.m.
           Re: Negative Remark/Opinion About Halo 2timboh56 11/18/04 7:59 p.m.
     Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonwraith7n 11/18/04 6:36 p.m.
     Thursday night BBQ*SP*FrogBlast 11/18/04 6:39 p.m.
           Hear, hear. Couldn't agree more. *NM*FuzzyWhisper 11/18/04 7:04 p.m.
           But think about how long halo 3 will be.Hawaiian Pig 11/18/04 8:35 p.m.
     All The More Strategyjewelskull 11/18/04 6:54 p.m.
     Has anyone played Halo 2 and NOT Halo 1?wangboy 11/18/04 7:45 p.m.
     Ash Offerings *SP*Socrates 11/18/04 7:55 p.m.
     I ASOLUTELY AGREE *NM*wood the great 11/18/04 8:00 p.m.
     You're absolutely right *Spoilers*Toby Dillman 11/18/04 8:37 p.m.
     Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonRockhard 11/18/04 8:43 p.m.
     Unfortunately, you're right. *SP?* *semi-long.*Coleus 11/18/04 8:45 p.m.
           Whoops!Coleus 11/18/04 9:08 p.m.
           Re: Unfortunately, you're right. *SP?* *semi-long.Rockhard 11/18/04 9:17 p.m.
                 Re: Unfortunately, you're right. *SP?* *semi-long.Tarrsk 11/18/04 11:20 p.m.
                       Warning, uninformed opinion withinAndrew Nagy 11/19/04 6:42 p.m.
     Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonGladius Dei 11/18/04 9:01 p.m.
     I don't agree...stan 11/18/04 9:16 p.m.
     Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonGunny343 11/18/04 10:08 p.m.
     Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonCody Danna 11/18/04 10:30 p.m.
           Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonFuzzyWhisper 11/19/04 4:28 a.m.
                 Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonTh3 Guns1inger 11/19/04 2:32 p.m.
                       Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonRvB Church 117 11/19/04 9:10 p.m.
     Re: halo is nothing like Halo 2RvB Church 117 11/18/04 10:48 p.m.
     Re: Do you not remember? *spDark_Angel 11/19/04 8:59 a.m.
           heheDucain 11/19/04 9:29 a.m.
                 Halo 3?haloplyr 11/19/04 10:23 a.m.
                       Well, considering Halo 2's ending...FuzzyWhisper 11/19/04 1:39 p.m.
           Dark Angel is, like, a ripoff! *NM*Andrew Nagy 11/19/04 2:03 p.m.
                 Re: Dark Angel is, like, a ripoff!Dark_Angel 11/20/04 1:37 a.m.
                       Re: Dark Angel is, like, a ripoff!Ducain 11/20/04 5:42 a.m.
     You know...Snickles 11/19/04 10:56 a.m.
     Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonKevin Bullock 11/19/04 11:25 a.m.
     Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonTh3 Guns1inger 11/19/04 1:03 p.m.
     Re:(just add flames)Skavenger_s7 11/20/04 9:33 a.m.
     Re: My Thursday morning BBQ-hmmmvshields ash 11/20/04 12:53 p.m.
     I Enjoyed it!!!Reflux-Anarchy 11/22/04 11:31 a.m.
           Bungie.netMcSplatterGuts 11/22/04 11:36 a.m.
     Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonUser 11/23/04 2:03 p.m.
     My long reply Re: My Thursday morning BBQEpyon 11/29/04 4:55 p.m.
     Re: YOU ARE SPOILED SIRAdham Nu'man 11/30/04 9:50 a.m.



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