Why do all of these maps for Halo 4 suck?
They are all pretty bland. None of them have character.
For example, unlike the long tradition of Halo, we have no new, "base assault" maps like Zanzibar, High ground, Last Resort, etc.
There isn't anything like in Containment or Zanzibar/Last Resort/Standoff where you could "open" a base with a switch. Little things like this made the game more strategic and fun as you had more objectives to accomplish on objective maps other than kill enemies, grab flag. Even on Dominion, its just "beat down the doors" thats it.
There are no indoor maps (maybe adrift, but only half) like Ivory Tower, the Pit, etc
There is only ONE vehicle centric map like Containment, Waterworks, Rats Nest, Standoff, Avalanche, etc: Ragnarok. And its really only about the stupid Mantis. In fact, this probably deserves its own thread, but vehicles are but a shadow of their former selves. Its like they took all of power from every other vehicle and put it in the Mantis. There isn't even a flying human vehicle like the Falon or Hornet :-(
There are no vertical maps. Reach's maps were meh, but at least there was more variety and that one map with the giant tower.
Abandon
Okay map, can't complain about anything. But its just a pretty bland asymmetrical map. 2-flag on this map no sense.
Adrift
Perfectly symmetrical EXCEPT FOR ONE MAJOR FLAW, one base has a GIANT FREAKING SUN that makes the game even HARDER to see (this game really hurts my eyes with the way they have the brightness on everything set to max). I like the center part though. It flows really nice. I wish 2-flag required you to have your flag at base to score though, it turns into both teams just powergrabbing and makes the game stale.
Complex
Pretty interesting map. Probably the best of the new maps, except for the stupid hole in the map that everyone loves to camp in on zombies. It would be a good map for 1-flag if that were still a thing... 2 flag on here is just stupid.
Exile
Asymmetrical for no reason. In BTB one team gets a gauss hog in their base, while the other is little closer to a tank.... Oh and the tank spawn is open so its not like that team is guaranteed to get it..... Also, (A) base has a much better view of the center... again for no reason, this makes no sense design why.
Haven
Absolute garbage. A giant circle that is pretty open. With instant respawns, many times you are shot in the back by the same enemy you just killed before your shields even recharge from the last fight.
Longbow
I like, except that for a big map it can feel really claustrophobic for some reason.
Meltdown
From the little I have seen its pretty good, but NOBODY ever votes for it.... Why? They seem to be too busy voting for Exile for whatever reason.
Ragnarok
A+ Valhalla was awesome, so glad they kept it. Though they need to remove the Mantis from it. Too often the game becomes (who has a mantis and who doesnt???)
Solace
Good map, reminds me of that Reach map.... Boardwalk? except shorter. I love the beam in the center, so its difficult to hit the other sniper perch. Without it games would be horrible at the start with the race for the snipers.
Vortex
Bad. Just bad. Nothing about this map is fun or memorable except that its boring.