Halo 4's Campaign Disappointing

[W467]

I don't know if this is the correct place to post this, so please direct me somewhere else if this section is wrong.

 

Really, Halo 4's campaign really is disappointing IN MY OPINION. Bungie has developed the Halo universe to be a large and gorgeous one, and 343 Industries kind of messed it all up in a single game

 

I'm not saying that 343 Industries sucks or anything. I appreciate that they've made Halo 4 look amazing visually, through mocap and rebuilding the environment. Its awesome that they've rebuilt the gun sounds through field audio recording. All these really amazes me, but again, the campaign's story is disappointing.

 

I'll just keep it simple so that those who've played the campaign can understand it. 343 Industries is trying to make Halo 4 more of a personal story rather than more of a "Saving Humanity" type, although the threat against humanity has again, risen due to the Didact's awakening. But this just fails, in my opinion.

 

"SPOILERS"

 

Cortana just 'dying' in the end does not really impact the feelings of one that much, but from the Vidocs, 343 Industries seem to think otherwise. Cortana is just a side character who might be important to John, but not to players. All she does is advise the Chief, and nothing else. In Halo 4, we start to get closer to Cortana, but that doesn't mean making her die will bring much sadness to the story.

What I see is 343 Industries failed to understand that a character's personality should be exploited over a long period of time for us to care, so that the intensity of sadness will be much greater. Again, Cortana is just a side character, so who bothers if she dies? The Master Chief might, but most of us won't. Look at Mass Effect 's Commander Shepard, or Red Dead Redemption's John Marston. I'm pretty sure most of you felt intense sadness when they died respectively, and I actually cried in both of the games' endings. Why? Because I actually care about them. John Marston's personality and story was exploited, and so was Shepard's. But so was Cortana's personality right?

 

Yes, but so what if she dies? She's not the protagonist or any kind of hero - she's not the Master Chief, who's the hero as we all know. She did not save the Pillar of Autumn from utter destruction like Noble 6 did, nor did she save humanity in any visible way. She might have been the reason why the Chief was able to successfully save humanity through her advises but who notices this? If a police officer saved your life, would you agree that he is the hero, or the guy who gave the officer intel about you in danger as the hero? Of course the officer. That's what I'm trying to say, that Cortana's story in Halo 4 doesn't work.

 

Another thing 343 Industries messed up is about the Forerunners. Bungie had made the Forerunners seem very mysterious to us, through all the Halo games. Yet everything about them is revealed in a single go - in a single game, in a 6 hours campaign. Without proper explaining (unless you find all the terminals and read all the books), Halo 4's story just ends up in the middle of Cortana's story and the Didact's not well motivated revenge. And that Didact, supposedly Master Chief's nemesis, who plans to destroy humanity, is killed immediately in the short campaign of 6 hours. So how does the feeling of 'suck that *******' or 'finally the story ended after 3 games and it's awesome to know humanity survived' get to us when he died? Again, like how the story failed to fully exploit Cortana's situation to bring further sadness, the story also failed in slowly revealing the Forerunners and in bringing an end to a rivalrous foe. Furthermore, I haven't really understood the true intentions of the Covenant - all I know, what i've always known, is that they are after Forerunner relics, so there's no need to tell that, but please give additional details about their intentions.

 

One last thing I want to mention is the lack of humanity in the story, despite what 343 Industries' Vidocs' are trying to promote. I don't know whether it is the UNSC personnel's nature to act like that, but I didn't find Master Chief being treated like a respected war veteran in the game, even by Lasky himself.

 

 

So therefore, to summarise it all, the story failed to create the feeling of sadness and have not exploited the full potential of the Forerunners properly. Again, it's my opinion, and I do not intent to offense anyone with this, of course.

 

But, I should thank 343 Industries for making the game sound and look beautiful, although I wish Firefight wasn't removed.

 

And does anyone know how to kind of 'complain' to 343 Industries? Because I don't want another disappointing Halo game, because they are the ones with the most replayable value.

[WonderWombat]

It seems you don't have much of an understanding for the character Cortana, so your confused yourself.

 

And then

I don't believe the Didact is dead. He just fell into a splispace portal, and in the end scenes he keeps talking about how humanity is bad and stuff. I feel that he'll return because there is no way they would kill him off like that.

 

 

You also say that they just revealed everything about the forerunners

but all they showed was the Didact getting mad and the Librarian helping you stop him. There are still many variables left that remain unknown

 

 

Lastly, don't forget this is just the first part of a 3 part series. They can't just throw out the entire storyboard for the next two games in this one, it doesn't work like that. Chances are things will be explained in Halo 5. You could use this reasoning with Halo Combat Evolved, what's the Covenant's motivation for wanting to blow everything up, there is no build up, etc. but thanks to Halo 2 and 3 this was explained, so we can expect Halo 5 and 6 to do the same.

[Tails]

I thought the campaign was fantastic, albeit a tad short but all of the Halo campaigns have been

 

They made John human for the first time, in previous games he has always just been the guided super soldier. They did a great job with John and Cortanas relationship.

[Sjupp]

I finished the campaign not three minutes ago and I was initially bummed about how they handled cortana at the end.

 

As for arguing that Cortana is not an important character seems a bit rash. I thought she was the best character of the duo. Master Chief is 'just' a soldier, not saying very much other than being a bad ass.

 

You also say that they just revealed everything about the forerunners

but all they showed was the Didact getting mad and the Librarian helping you stop him. There are still many variables left that remain unknown

 

Dr. Halsey isn't even addressed at the end, despite making an appearance early on, which could probably help cortana make a comeback. (Something I personally would like to see)

[WonderWombat]

Dr. Halsey isn't even addressed at the end, despite making an appearance early on, which could probably help cortana make a comeback. (Something I personally would like to see)

At the end while the two are conversing John says something about leaving, then Cortana says that most of here is in the blown up ship, so this is very possible.

 

[Pr0larbear]

I posted similar feelings of irritation in the general discussion. i would love to reiterate here but i dont have the time for it at the moment. Seems like there's going to be a lot of hollywood theatrics in the future.

 

anyways it's all there if you care to read. So much was left unanswered and so much skewed between the two.

 

http://www.343industries.org/forum/topic/16324-horrible-ending/

[ScarletHound]

personally I very much enjoyed the campaign. I actually cried a little at the end when cortana died. She may be a "minor" or a "side" character to you but to me she was and is an integral part of the game expirence and the sotry arc. The speculations of the rest are intended to make sure everyone knows that there still will be 2 more games after. and of course the Diadect isnt dead, he has to come back even more pissed off in the next game, and who knows maybe they find a fragment of cortana in the wreakage and try to fix her or something, that could give an intresting addition to the plot later with the attachment that chief has to cortana. "its not her but its a part of her" kind of thing, who knows. I personally plan to enjoy halo 4 alot more with the multiplayer and look forward to what they do with the game overall. To me 343 has made a promising start and when I heard about halo 4 originaly i was overly skeptical but they have met and exceeded my expectations. but then these are just my opinions of the matter

 

let the hate continue

[N@han FloreZ]

I liked the campaign in general, but the thing that kept kinda disturbing me is that yes, 343 was going to delve into Master Chief's inner story, but they also kinda keep on implying that he is only a normal human and this kinda goes against the super, "next mission", invincible figure we've seen in the past games. Not that it is a completely bad thing, I just think they went too far. So basically in this game they focused more on Chief's struggles than his achievements and I think they should balance both out.

[North of Seattle]

Only thing that disappointed me was how early in the campaign the covies and prometheans teamed up. Mainly because it would've been cool to watch them war with each other for maybe 1 or 2 more levels but whatever. I loved everything else though.

[atrophy]

I like the humanity that is shown in Master Chief and the overrall relationship he has with Cortana. I can say it was fun to play, but not up to expectations, at all. The Legendary mode was extremely easy and the lack of difficult battles had me yawning 2 hours in. I was so dissapointed to find out the big boss fight I waited for...was a cut scene. Matchmaking is great starting out, besides the no trueskill ranking system, but I look forward to and expect good things when it releases. Next Halo game, please dont beat our boss for us, we wanna feel like we did it.

[SIZE_EXTRA_LARGE]

Dont want too spoil anything but why 343 industries why would you mess with masterchief and cortana why Whould you kill her why would you try and show everyone masterchiefs face why thats sacred too masterchief and the game no i hate you guys. Sorry but really give bungie back the halo universe give them everything back get the people back and building you guys suck, sorrry but realllly two worst mistakes you made masterchief NEVER!!!! Takes his helment off when people will se him and and dont forget cortana why whould you guys seperate them nooooooooo!!!!! Really thats the only two mistake you guys did and welll i dont like you guys bungie is better even if its gone. :,(

[Dread0124]

Dont want too spoil anything but why 343 industries why would you mess with masterchief and cortana why Whould you kill her why would you try and show everyone masterchiefs face why thats sacred too masterchief and the game no i hate you guys. Sorry but really give bungie back the halo universe give them everything back get the people back and building you guys suck, sorrry but realllly two worst mistakes you made masterchief NEVER!!!! Takes his helment off when people will se him and and dont forget cortana why whould you guys seperate them nooooooooo!!!!! Really thats the only two mistake you guys did and welll i dont like you guys bungie is better even if its gone. :,(

 

...go read lore and come back when ur more versed in the halo universe. Besides the game would feel extremly awkward if MC and Cortana just waltzed through the games haveing nothing big happen to cortana...Shes like chiefs sister...Hes gonna come back pissed next game lol.

 

Also to the OP this game is technicaly a new beginning for Halo first was Halo CE then 2 and 3, wich was the flood and covey...Now there introduceing a whole new aspect into the game, and like someone said earlier more will be explained. Perssonaly i liked the campaign ( was short imo ) but it was somewhat challenging on normal difficulty and the story was good. I think 343 did an excellent job. But you gotta face facts 343 is not bungie so, no halo will not be the same but they can definatly try and make it better, and i think the foundation is definatly set for a new beginning in the Halo series.

[realitykid]

Cortana just 'dying' in the end does not really impact the feelings of one that much, but from the Vidocs, 343 Industries seem to think otherwise. Cortana is just a side character who might be important to John, but not to players. All she does is advise the Chief, and nothing else. In Halo 4, we start to get closer to Cortana, but that doesn't mean making her die will bring much sadness to the story.

 

 

Cortana has always been an important character in the series. The first Halo I played was Halo 2. Even then I realized that Cortana had a very important role. And Chief's attachment to her was very obvious to me. So, yes, I was very saddened throughout the whole game to see Cortana going through such a horrific state of rampancy and then even more saddened to see her meet, what could possibly be, her permanent demise. I'm hoping that she isn't really dead after all.

 

By the way, without Cortana's help, Chief would never have saved the world. She made almost every important decision, in regards to what Chief needed to do next. And, there were several times that Chief would not have been able to progress without her help.

[W467]

It seems you don't have much of an understanding for the character Cortana, so your confused yourself.

 

And then

I don't believe the Didact is dead. He just fell into a splispace portal, and in the end scenes he keeps talking about how humanity is bad and stuff. I feel that he'll return because there is no way they would kill him off like that.

 

 

You also say that they just revealed everything about the forerunners

but all they showed was the Didact getting mad and the Librarian helping you stop him. There are still many variables left that remain unknown

 

 

Lastly, don't forget this is just the first part of a 3 part series. They can't just throw out the entire storyboard for the next two games in this one, it doesn't work like that. Chances are things will be explained in Halo 5. You could use this reasoning with Halo Combat Evolved, what's the Covenant's motivation for wanting to blow everything up, there is no build up, etc. but thanks to Halo 2 and 3 this was explained, so we can expect Halo 5 and 6 to do the same.

 

Well I don't know what you're trying to point out by saying that I don't understand Cortana, but I still don't find her death so 'sad' even after playing through all other campaigns.

And by the way just to clear it up, i'm not saying Halo 4's story totally SUCKS. I'm just saying that compared to Halo 3, Halo:Reach, it's just not that good. Halo 4's story in my opinion is as sucky as Halo 3 ODST's (actually might be better, but it's because there was a lack of humanity in the story - really? such a hero, and savior of humanity and the Chief was barely greeted by any personnel other than Lasky, who still gave inhumane respect)

 

And yea, the Didact might return, but really? The Didact just got defeated like that? And how did Cortana manage to do that stuff in the end? I don't get it - maybe someone can explain. And yea, I do think that the attempt to integrate the Forerunners (story between Didact and Librarian) was bad. There were no proper introduction to the Forerunners, and more work in explaining the background of the Librarian is needed.

 

Cortana has always been an important character in the series. The first Halo I played was Halo 2. Even then I realized that Cortana had a very important role. And Chief's attachment to her was very obvious to me. So, yes, I was very saddened throughout the whole game to see Cortana going through such a horrific state of rampancy and then even more saddened to see her meet, what could possibly be, her permanent demise. I'm hoping that she isn't really dead after all.

 

By the way, without Cortana's help, Chief would never have saved the world. She made almost every important decision, in regards to what Chief needed to do next. And, there were several times that Chief would not have been able to progress without her help.

 

Yea, I do find her to play an important role. But I don't find her to be a hero like Master Chief in any visible way, because she's just the information girl. Might be the reason why Chief could save humanity but she still is not any kind of protagonist like Chief that we actually care so much.

 

I finished the campaign not three minutes ago and I was initially bummed about how they handled cortana at the end.

 

As for arguing that Cortana is not an important character seems a bit rash. I thought she was the best character of the duo. Master Chief is 'just' a soldier, not saying very much other than being a bad ass.

 

 

 

Dr. Halsey isn't even addressed at the end, despite making an appearance early on, which could probably help cortana make a comeback. (Something I personally would like to see)

 

I don't know whether I said Cortana was important or not, but I'm pretty sure all I said was that she is a side character, which are usually important.

And I won't say anything if you believe Cortana is better than John, because this whole thread is just me stating my opinion.

 

Well I don't know what you're trying to point out by saying that I don't understand Cortana, but I still don't find her death so 'sad' even after playing through all other campaigns.

And by the way just to clear it up, i'm not saying Halo 4's story totally SUCKS. I'm just saying that compared to Halo 3, Halo:Reach, it's just not that good. Halo 4's story in my opinion is as sucky as Halo 3 ODST's.

And yea, the Didact might return, but really? The Didact just got defeated like that? And how did Cortana manage to do that stuff in the end? I don't get it - maybe someone can explain. And yea, I do think that the attempt to integrate the Forerunners (story between Didact and Librarian) was bad. There were no proper introduction to the Forerunners, and more work in explaining the background of the Librarian is needed.

And of course I know that there still are 2 games left. But my point still stands - that Halo 4's story was dissapointing.

 

 

Yea, I do find her to play an important role. But I don't find her to be a hero like Master Chief in any visible way, because she's just the information girl. Might be the reason why Chief could save humanity but she still is not any kind of protagonist like Chief that we actually care so much.

 

 

 

I don't know whether I said Cortana was important or not, but I'm pretty sure all I said was that she is a side character, which are usually important.

And I won't say anything if you believe Cortana is better than John, because this whole thread is just me stating my opinion.

 

Oh and one thing I forgot to mention is that, for such an advanced race, the Forerunners should at least be more fearsome and tough.

[Twisted Oracle]

I loved the campaign I thought it was the best halo campaign yet

[Guthred Wita]

I rather enjoyed the campaign, it's definitely got me thinking where Halo 5 is going to go. Spartan Ops & the Spartan IV's on the other and -.-' meh...

[Romeosierra616]

kinda reminds me of legend of zelda with Chief(link) and Didact (Gannondorf), and of course you got a little blue fairy helping you haha, hell even the colors all match lol

[Lewis Tull]

I have no idea why anyone liked the soundtrack, there were a few good ideas but most of it lacked creative talent, extremely generic, especially that final level when you go to all the towers around the orb, that music sucked ! And was incredibly unoriginal !

[Destroyaaa]

Is this a joke? This game was incredible. Okay so what the soundtrack wasn't as good as usual, the actual gameplay of the missions was fantastic. Visually it was incredible. This story divulged me into a brand new halo universe, that I thoroughly enjoyed.

[SykoWolf]

I loved the campaign, especially as someone who has played Halo since 2001, i found it sad that Cortana died, apparenlty, as im sure many of you have also

[Twinreaper]

I'm gonna stop all you trolls right here. I posted this up elsewhere, but as I can see, another fellow gamer needs some help defending himself against you morons. You should all read this...

 

Lets get one thing straight before this gets wildly out of hand, this is a thread from one of the many members who was not satisfied with the game, period. It is his opinion based on his personal taste and playthrough. Who the hell do any of you think you are to stroll into a thread like this, and try to force your own agenda or view on him? Posting as if you have some sort of psuedo otherwordly knowledge about human behavior and him in general, that you can make the kind of posts you did?

 

I hated it as well. I listed my quarrels, and 99% of this community cannot properly defend the game against my issues because it lacks the proper understanding in terms of development to do so. A game is no different than a car. You take it for a test drive, and at the end you either like it, or you don't. No amount of driving time is gonna make you like that ugly little Gremlin, and the same goes for Halo 4. No matter how many times you play it, you will either like or you won't.

 

People need a place to vent about their disappointment, and this IS a forum afterall. This should be a place that people who dislike the game, can come and share that with others without having to be bombarded by fanboy dicks who just want to get their half a cent in. You come into a thread like this knowing the OP does not like the game, yet you come in and post, then get butt hurt about what gets posted back? If you go looking for trouble you will find it.

 

You guys really need to let people go and cut them a little slack. They have every right to not like, or be dissapointed by the game. If any of you really wanted to help, you would either...

 

a.) Not post anything in here.

b.) Post relative tips on how to enjoy the game instead of posting "give it a chance", or "It's only been one day!"

or

c.) Invite them to play with someone who likes it, to see a different perspective.

 

Wow, I guess I just did all the work for you...good job team!

[SykoWolf]

I'm gonna stop all you trolls right here. I posted this up elsewhere, but as I can see, another fellow gamer needs some help defending himself against you morons. You should all read this...

 

Lets get one thing straight before this gets wildly out of hand, this is a thread from one of the many members who was not satisfied with the game, period. It is his opinion based on his personal taste and playthrough. Who the hell do any of you think you are to stroll into a thread like this, and try to force your own agenda or view on him? Posting as if you have some sort of psuedo otherwordly knowledge about human behavior and him in general, that you can make the kind of posts you did?

 

I hated it as well. I listed my quarrels, and 99% of this community cannot properly defend the game against my issues because it lacks the proper understanding in terms of development to do so. A game is no different than a car. You take it for a test drive, and at the end you either like it, or you don't. No amount of driving time is gonna make you like that ugly little Gremlin, and the same goes for Halo 4. No matter how many times you play it, you will either like or you won't.

 

People need a place to vent about their disappointment, and this IS a forum afterall. This should be a place that people who dislike the game, can come and share that with others without having to be bombarded by fanboy dicks who just want to get their half a cent in. You come into a thread like this knowing the OP does not like the game, yet you come in and post, then get butt hurt about what gets posted back? If you go looking for trouble you will find it.

 

You guys really need to let people go and cut them a little slack. They have every right to not like, or be dissapointed by the game. If any of you really wanted to help, you would either...

 

a.) Not post anything in here.

b.) Post relative tips on how to enjoy the game instead of posting "give it a chance", or "It's only been one day!"

or

c.) Invite them to play with someone who likes it, to see a different perspective.

 

Wow, I guess I just did all the work for you...good job team!

First i can understand what your saying, and people should leave people be when they express there opinion..

 

But where the hell do you get off thinking your better then people in the community?

"99% of this community cannot properly defend the game against my issues" ?

No your issues revolve around graphics, yes there were some issues, but your forgetting how much better then Reach it is.

 

So before you go around implying that WE are stupid, THINK THEN ACT

[XEDOUS]

I agree and disagree with some of the points you were saying. First of all, the game is amazing with all of the changes they've made but the campaign probably could've been a little more thought out. It seems like what they did was focus more on the gameplay more than the story line. The forerunners just kind of showed up without any background story other than the fact that they made the halo rings. I've only read one of the halo books and what it seems like is you pulled way to much from them. Next time (hopefully there is one) I would stick to the basic storyline of the game. Plus they really strayed away from the covenant you only faced the covenant for the first few missions and then after the infinity crash it's nearly all promethians. In truth it really didnt feel like a Halo game at all. Everything was changed. It almost seems like they scrapped everything from the old and created a new enemy and new characters. Chief has always been known tobe the strong silent type and yes I understand that they were trying to show his human side. Yet, it seemed like an entirely different character, he's not supposed to show weakness and the fact that he was introduced to other spartans was really disappointing. The reallycool part about playing as chief was the fact that you seemed like humanity's last hope and you were the last spartan left. Showing other spartans kind of took away from the interest of chief. In Reach I could understand why, it was the very beginning of the war so it tied in well. I guess i could agree that the campaigns storyline was a little disappointing but overall it left a great experience in the end. Honestly it left me really wanting a halo 5, but if they make one, they need to stick to the classic halo style

[hatsand]

Only thing that disappointed me was how early in the campaign the covies and prometheans teamed up. Mainly because it would've been cool to watch them war with each other for maybe 1 or 2 more levels but whatever. I loved everything else though.

 

Yes this, the covenant had literally no impact on the story at all. No motive for joing the prometheons other than hurp durr religioun

[Twinreaper]

Sykowolf, you of all people should know very well, that I can now pull tag data and prove, that the shader system and textures are no betetr than reach, and in some aspects far less than Reach. My ability is greater than 99% of the whole Halo community, not just this one. My issues are strictly researched and thought-out before I post a quarrel with it.

 

My point was trying to make you guys back off people who don't like it. Yes it was a harsh and straight forward approach...but that is what I am known for, and loved for. If it pleases everyone I will ask nice. Please do not clog up threads about people venting for their disappointment. It does not help, and only proves further how someone cannot can not come into a nice forum like this, and just vent and have a load taken off their shoulders. We are a community first and foremost....I expect better out of all of you.