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Re: A few deep breaths *SP* | |
Posted By: El Bastard | Date: 12/1/04 11:18 a.m. |
In Response To: Re: A few deep breaths *SP* (Louis Wu) : But on some gut level... the Halo 2 campaign isn't as much fun as the Halo
I think I honestly have an answer to this one. I haven't taken the time to compose a long explanation, so I'll be shooting from the hip. Halo 2 "disappoints" for several reasons. The key one is: it is not a brand new experience. However we wax poetic about the original Halo, think what we got with that. 3 or 4 levels of repeated geometry (we were originally promised an entire ring of battles that would be played out through epic battles), a few of the A to B to A levels (Silent Cartographer, AoTCC), and a few levels where the encounters were so spread out, Bungie considered implementing a sprint feature (Halo, AoTCC) in Halo 2. What do we get in Halo 2? Levels with defined purpose, shorter distance between encounters, the ability to use "off limits" vehicles from the original, the ability to fly Banshees in more levels than in the original, etc. So yes, while things have improved gameplay-wise, MS was hyping the second coming of Christ with required underwear changes. Hell, even JJ's "ninjas on fire" comment (although accurately describing the engine changes) isn't lived up to on the entire experience. So back to my flat statement that it's not a new experience. Close your eyes for a minute and pretend that Halo 2 was the initial release (story holes aside). Ignore the overhype department at MS marketing and play through the game with those eyes. You're left wanting more, aren't you? Well, yes.
After the original Halo, sure, there may have been "closure" but once I saw 343GS humming along, I knew there were TONS of unanswered questions. You're feeling this now too, aren't you. Bungie abhors release dates, but part of working for the man is adherence to what the man wants. Did MS force Bungie to ship? I doubt it very much. However, I can imagine there was a meeting where a date was requested, delivered after consideration, and then the MS marketing folks said "let's go with what they said and hype earth since those last levels really bring it in nicely". However, by the time Bungie decided they couldn't complete those epic levels to complete the story, it was too late - MS Marketing had shot their wad and said that Earth would never be the same. Let's say that Halo 2's marketing is to Halo 2, as Halo's MacWorld presence is to Xbox Halo. Neither game truly lives up to the expectations set. So let's once again get back to Halo 2. Did I as a person love the single player experience? Yes. and no. Like many who have followed bungie games for a long time, I expected we'd be looking at 20ish levels. Not because of anything other than this: Myth, Myth II, Marathon, Marathon 2, Marathon Infinity: all had such numbers for their single player experience. So, that was my presumption, and yes - I'll admit I was quite wrong. Why was this? Bungie committed to a release date and once again got burned. Sure, they shipped "on time" but they didn't ship the game they set out to make, nor the game they WANTED to make with the ending they wanted to make. Ever notice how awkward Keyes looks running for the index? Does that look like the handywork of the same animators who did the rest of the work? Or does it look rushed, half-assed and out-of-place. It should look out-of-place. Just like that boss battle. That isn't our ending. It's not the ending that was envisioned, nor the ending that was planned. It's the ending we got though. Why? Because some guy got a tattoo proclaiming November 9th was the ship date, and nobody at MS understands why Bungie has such a disaffinity for dates. Deadlines restrict the creative process. Sure, you can still perform under them, but it's more difficult and you never ship something that you yourself feel is "done" enough. Bungie had their backs against the wall before... Halo: Combat Evolved was the result. A game with even less levels than Halo 2. A game that got developed in almost less time than Myth III* (Bungie didn't do Myth III), yet still delivered. So where does that leave us? Bungie learned one thing very well with Myth and they obviously haven't forgotten it. After weeks go by, and the months pass, people largely forget about the single player experience. What remains is multi-player. If I'm remembering right, Bungie (when applicable) has always done Multiplayer first, and then done their story. This is so that the focus is on that which endures. The original Halo (if you ignore Oni) was their first exception. However, due to their experience in gaming, Halo mutliplayer was enjoyable because it was "simple" gaming. Banshee's weren't included because there was no time to balance them for multi, no time to create levels for them, no time to make their magic. Halo 2 shows that Bungie stayed true to their process. Halo 2 multiplayer rocks. Sure, the interface could probably have been done in a manner that was a little more cohesive, but the core and complexity of Halo 2 MP is fantastic. So... Halo 2 MP - Solid - very few people would say otherwise.
Only, Halo 2 SP is missing less of the former and more of the latter. I hope the following for Halo 3: Bungie tells MS to step the f*ck off of their creative process. It was successful for any core-bungie-started game, as well as the one that was handled under close supervision. JJ (and once Alex) have their following because of what they brought to Mac (and later PC/Xbox) gaming - delirious fun! MS marketing did little to sell all those Xboxen and/or all those copies of Halo 2. It wasn't little effin MC/Elite/Brute Slurpee cups - it was all about the buzz and it was all about Halo/(2). Bungie is viewed like id or Blizzard: guaranteed sales/hits. Only, Bungie gives us a story.
*apologies in advance for any lack-of-cohesion. I'm typing this instead of eating my lunch, and as I said, I didn't have time to completely outline my thoughts. |
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Replies: |
A few deep breaths *SP* | ragereset | 11/30/04 1:19 a.m. |
True, true *NM* *NM* | 7h3_h0ck3y_w1z | 11/30/04 2:10 a.m. |
Re: more post-game carnage report | R.G. | 11/30/04 5:44 a.m. |
Re: more post-game carnage ^^^ *SP* above! ^^^ *NM* | R.G. | 11/30/04 5:50 a.m. |
Re: more post-game carnage report | ragereset | 12/1/04 6:13 a.m. |
Re: more post-game carnage report | Mr Sniggles | 12/1/04 5:39 p.m. |
Re: more post-game carnage report | Blitzwolf | 12/1/04 8:19 p.m. |
*chink* *NM* | rolando | 12/1/04 12:04 p.m. |
Re: more post-game carnage report | Viscily II | 12/1/04 3:41 p.m. |
Re: A few deep breaths *SP* | Kermit | 11/30/04 6:48 a.m. |
I Only Have a Couple Sentences to Say About This.. | Mintz08 | 11/30/04 7:31 a.m. |
Ditto, both. :) *NM* | Blitzwolf | 12/1/04 8:03 p.m. |
Re: A few deep breaths *SP* | Ross Mills [subnova] | 11/30/04 8:43 a.m. |
Re: A few deep breaths *SP* | Louis Wu | 11/30/04 10:57 a.m. |
Re: A few deep breaths *SP* | ragereset | 11/30/04 12:59 p.m. |
Agreed. | MikeMan445 | 11/30/04 6:19 p.m. |
Re: Agreed. | box | 12/1/04 11:58 a.m. |
BULLSEYE! | Siva Wr'k | 12/1/04 1:41 p.m. |
Re: BULLSEYE! | Siva Wr'k | 12/1/04 1:44 p.m. |
Re: BULLSEYE! | Qonas | 12/1/04 10:41 p.m. |
Couldn't have said it better myself *NM* *NM* | box | 12/2/04 10:21 a.m. |
Re: A few deep breaths *SP* | Wado SG | 11/30/04 4:38 p.m. |
Yes, agreed. Too much story in one game to digest *NM* | Siva Wr'k | 12/1/04 1:47 p.m. |
Re: Yes, agreed. Too much story in one game to dig | Qonas | 12/2/04 4:41 p.m. |
Hmm... *SP* | Saint [lpn] | 11/30/04 8:05 p.m. |
EVERYTHING and BETTER | SuddenDark.com | 12/1/04 11:45 a.m. |
Re: EVERYTHING and BETTER | El Bastard | 12/1/04 11:50 a.m. |
Re: EVERYTHING and BETTER | SuddenDark.com | 12/1/04 1:08 p.m. |
Re: EVERYTHING and BETTER | mercury | 12/1/04 4:34 p.m. |
YES, YES, YES! | Blitzwolf | 12/1/04 10:08 p.m. |
Re: Why I think that happened *pseudo-review* *SP* | ThorsHammer | 11/30/04 10:41 p.m. |
Re: Why I think that happened *pseudo-review* *SP* | Sep7imus [subnova] | 12/1/04 9:47 a.m. |
Only on Xbox | ragereset | 12/1/04 1:03 p.m. |
What I felt was missing: | ChiperSoft | 12/1/04 12:46 p.m. |
Extension on that... | axman | 12/1/04 1:07 p.m. |
Bingo. *NM* | Siva Wr'k | 12/1/04 1:52 p.m. |
Re: Extension on that... | box | 12/1/04 8:04 p.m. |
Re: A few deep breaths *SP* | FriendlyFire | 12/1/04 8:35 a.m. |
Re: A few deep breaths *SP* | Capain Spark | 12/1/04 10:50 a.m. |
Re: A few deep breaths *SP* | Capo Rip | 12/1/04 6:44 p.m. |
Re: A few deep breaths *SP* | TD MasterChief | 12/1/04 11:09 a.m. |
Re: A few deep breaths *SP* | El Bastard | 12/1/04 11:18 a.m. |
the 'seek not to conquer.." factor...? | Zaknafein | 12/1/04 2:05 p.m. |
Re: the 'seek not to conquer.." factor...? | Sep7imus [subnova] | 12/1/04 2:59 p.m. |
My sentiments exactly. Well said. =D *NM* | Zaknafein | 12/1/04 3:42 p.m. |
Re: A few deep breaths *SP* | Stuart | 12/1/04 2:25 p.m. |
Remember where in the game you enjoyed it the most | MthdDirector | 12/1/04 2:26 p.m. |
Re: A few deep breaths *SP* | Viscily II | 12/1/04 4:15 p.m. |
Re: A few deep breaths *SP* | 'Nosolee | 12/1/04 5:33 p.m. |
I think, I've figured out what's missing. *SP* | Blitzwolf | 12/1/04 8:43 p.m. |
Re: I think, I've figured out what's missing. *SP* | igniter | 12/1/04 11:17 p.m. |
Re: A few deep breaths *SP* | Ducain | 12/1/04 10:13 p.m. |
Re: Analog plasma pistol | ragereset | 12/1/04 11:09 p.m. |
Re: A few deep breaths *SP* | ThorsHammer | 12/1/04 11:15 p.m. |
Re: A few deep breaths *SP* True! | Ducain | 12/2/04 3:51 p.m. |
I just can't help but point out.... | Konrad | 12/2/04 8:27 p.m. |
Burn. *NM* | Zero Flaw (E Nomini Patri) | 12/2/04 8:35 p.m. |
bad second quote | gspawn | 12/2/04 8:39 p.m. |
Re: Of Repetition *SP* | Sep7imus [subnova] | 11/30/04 5:06 p.m. |
my two cents. *sp* | B-Sharp | 11/30/04 6:34 p.m. |
Two more cents | ragereset | 11/30/04 11:14 p.m. |
Re: Two more cents to your two more cents | paladin2007 | 12/1/04 11:24 a.m. |
Re: Two more cents | chaosknight514 | 12/1/04 4:36 p.m. |
Something else to think about... | B-Sharp | 12/1/04 4:59 p.m. |
My Opinion | jac170sd | 12/1/04 4:48 p.m. |
Re: My Opinion | B-Sharp | 12/1/04 5:46 p.m. |
I have a few legitimate critiques | Noir | 12/1/04 10:25 a.m. |
Another $0.02 | Smitty | 12/1/04 2:41 p.m. |
keep taking those deep breaths | MasterGrunt_Yayap-117 | 12/1/04 10:50 a.m. |
Re: keep taking those deep breaths | bungiefan | 12/1/04 11:35 a.m. |
Deep breaths - vitriol free. | Dazza | 12/1/04 11:30 a.m. |
Re: Deep breaths - vitriol free. | Sep7imus [subnova] | 12/1/04 11:41 a.m. |
Re: Deep breaths - vitriol free. | Dazza | 12/1/04 11:46 a.m. |
Re: Deep breaths - vitriol free. | Sep7imus [subnova] | 12/1/04 11:49 a.m. |
Re: Deep breaths - vitriol free. | Dazza | 12/1/04 11:51 a.m. |
Re: Deep breaths - vitriol free. | Capain Spark | 12/1/04 11:55 a.m. |
What do/did we want from Halo 2.. and forH3 *long* | 3Suns | 12/2/04 9:15 p.m. |
Noteable "community" figures | WRATHofGOD | 12/1/04 1:10 p.m. |
Hrm... | El Bastard | 12/1/04 1:54 p.m. |
Re: Hrm... | GhaleonEB | 12/1/04 2:44 p.m. |
Re: Hrm... | WRATHofGOD | 12/1/04 3:49 p.m. |
Re: Noteable "community" figs & rampant fanboism | R.G. | 12/1/04 4:30 p.m. |
Sounds like someone has a bone to pick. :) | Louis Wu | 12/1/04 7:27 p.m. |
Re: Sounds like someone has a bone to pick. :) | WRATHofGOD | 12/2/04 7:57 a.m. |
Re: Noteable "community" figures | Capo Rip | 12/2/04 1:39 a.m. |
A great but imperfect game | FoolsRun | 12/1/04 2:53 p.m. |
Said perfectly! Minor gripes from me below! *NM* | Jamirus99 | 12/1/04 3:28 p.m. |
Re: A great but imperfect game | bungiefan | 12/1/04 3:30 p.m. |
The sum of its parts are greater than the whole | FoolsRun | 12/1/04 5:34 p.m. |
Great post! True, this will make Halo 3 better. *NM* | Siva Wr'k | 12/1/04 4:08 p.m. |
Re: A great but imperfect game | Inky | 12/1/04 9:57 p.m. |
Excellent Review. thanks for posting it. *NM* | R.G. | 12/2/04 12:51 a.m. |
A Final Note to Bungie | Vadcol | 12/2/04 12:53 a.m. |
My thoughts on Halo 2 (To boot) *SP* | Jamirus99 | 12/1/04 3:23 p.m. |
Better the second time around | KilgoreTrout XL | 12/1/04 3:25 p.m. |
Absolutely Brilliant. I Totally Agree... *NM* | Bluestone | 12/1/04 3:42 p.m. |
Re: A few deep breaths *SP* | Capo Rip | 12/1/04 4:07 p.m. |
Re: A few deep breaths *SP* | Arc | 12/1/04 5:10 p.m. |
So true... | Capo Rip | 12/1/04 6:18 p.m. |
Re: A few deep breaths *SP* | Seraph | 12/1/04 5:09 p.m. |
Re: A few deep breaths *SP* | MthdDirector | 12/1/04 7:10 p.m. |
Re: A few deep breaths *SP* | Hieros | 12/1/04 5:58 p.m. |
Re: A few deep breaths *SP* | comicbookguy | 12/1/04 6:19 p.m. |
in regard to MP *img* | retsamolah | 12/1/04 6:49 p.m. |
Not All the Way, Spray and Pray: | Jamirus99 | 12/1/04 7:43 p.m. |
Re: A few deep breaths *SP* | Knight Premier | 12/1/04 6:53 p.m. |
it's smarter than me | spaartan117 | 12/1/04 7:43 p.m. |
Randy Glass and Halo 2 haters | Bey Bey Bey | 12/1/04 7:48 p.m. |
Re: Randy Glass and Halo 2 haters | Sep7imus [subnova] | 12/1/04 8:16 p.m. |
Re: Randy Glass and Halo 2 haters | R.G. | 12/1/04 11:13 p.m. |
OK, I'm done, gotta call it a nite | Miguel Chavez | 12/2/04 1:16 a.m. |
Ditto,... | Ross Mills [subnova] | 12/2/04 8:12 a.m. |
Auteur! Auteur! Magnifique! *NM* | Anton P. Nym (aka Steve) | 12/2/04 7:53 a.m. |
Re: Bravo! *NM* | Sep7imus [subnova] | 12/2/04 9:01 a.m. |
Re: Randy Glass and Halo 2 haters | Qonas | 12/2/04 4:43 p.m. |
Re: Randy Glass and Halo 2 haters | Mothergoat | 12/3/04 8:47 a.m. |
what everyone should do is... | fludblud | 12/2/04 7:08 a.m. |
Re: A few deep breaths *SP* | Dundre | 12/1/04 8:44 p.m. |
All I want for christmas | Trevor Austin | 12/1/04 9:47 p.m. |
I think that we're out of focus here. | *THASF* A.K.A. The Halo and Sonic Fan | 12/1/04 10:17 p.m. |
Re: A few deep breaths *SP* | Traize | 12/2/04 7:49 a.m. |
Re: A few deep breaths *SP* | Chaka | 12/2/04 7:03 p.m. |
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