Popular Post Spectral Jester Posted March 5, 2012 Popular Post Report Share Posted March 5, 2012 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6UAbizhsRo Anticipation levels surrounding the debut unveiling of Halo 4 in San Francisco at Microsoft’s Spring Showcase were through the roof. Finally, the Chief is back and we thought we’d have a good chance to see whether 343 Industries has the moxie to carry Bungie’s elliptical torch on to new heights. Boy, were we wrong… Not wrong in the sense that the game looks like an utter disaster or as uninformed as when we saw one map for Halo: Reach at the same event 2 years ago. We were wrong because we didn’t really see that much of the game to evenly remotely form an opinion of the holiday 2012 title. Still, we were put on this planet to probe, and probe we did. Halo 4 is the “beginning of an epic new sci-fi saga that will define the next decade for Halo,” said Josh Holmes, the game’s Creative Director, but it’s not just about more of the same and then some, 343 Industries is keen to start its own legacy in terms of creating Halo game and stamping its own mark on the franchise. How can 343 do that and keep fans of the franchise happy, you ask? Simple, it’s about balance according to Holmes, “How do we balance the respect that we have for the legacy of this game that we love so much with this desire to innovate and push things forward?” Keeping and maintaining the game’s canon is an important part of that respect notion and it probably factored into why Master Chief is coming back. “He’s the heart and soul of the IP,” said Kiki Wolfkill (who must have the coolest name in the games industry), the game’s Executive Producer, but for the most part, it’s because, as Wolfkill says: “As gamers and players, we just missed him.” Halo 4 is looking to explore Master Chief more as a character and 343 is not only looking at “what makes Master Chief click,” but the studio is looking to pull back the curtain on John and explore what’s going on behind the mask. That’ll include not just John and the Chief’s persona, but also his relationship with his closest friend and ally, Cortana, who Wolfkill points out, is probably more human than he is. Master Chief’s had a bit of a makeover too in Halo 4, but it’s not just about the aesthetics, it’s about functionality – think Batman in the Dark Knight film. The in-game Chief we took a look at was not only shinier than ever before, but his armour redesign was all about making the 900lb Spartan more agile as well. There was some spiel about Master Chief’s HUD being a focus in Halo 4, but in our brief 2-second glimpse, it wasn’t clear what 343 had done with it, if anything. It is a much prettier and more impressive game from a visual perspective though, with 343 opting for a much more detail-orientated experience. “There’s been dramatic improvements across the board in terms of the visual fidelity that we’re getting out of the game experience,” said Holmes. “All in service of the experience we’re trying to create obviously – that’s where we focused our attention.” It only took a few minutes of multiplayer gameplay footage to notice the more impressive particle effects, a new level of lighting and an element of vibrancy in the game visuals. Storytelling and character development are a key focus for 343 Industries in Halo 4, with Holmes noting that it’ll be a “deeper, more emotionally impactful story.” Master Chief is going to be facing a “very ancient, very dark threat” that “will define him as a hero,” according to 343. Holmes noted that “in telling that story, we’ve really adopted a darker, more sophisticated tone for the game which ties into the themes of our story and the goals that we have there.” Remember though, Halo 4 isn’t just about being Halo 4, it’s about the “evolving saga” and being able to “connect [it to the] existing fiction.” So let’s leave the theory behind for a minute and focus on more of the nitty gritty: the multiplayer after all, was the purpose of Microsoft’s “unveiling” at this year’s Spring Showcase. I use the term “unveiling” in the loosest sense, as it seemed anything remotely interesting or revealing was being saved for a later date. “We really want to redefine what Halo multiplayer is and make it something that is indisputably Halo at its core, but is evolved in important and innovative ways,” said Holmes, again not giving anything away and speaking rather cryptically. “So from a gameplay standpoint, it’s really about creating something that stays true to that magical Halo feel, but is faster, more visceral and intense in all aspects of the combat.” More mystery there then. The one thing that did stand out though was when Frank O’Connor, the Franchise Development Director said, “We’ve created a fairly convincing reason why Red Spartans kill Blue Spartans,” although we’re not sure there needed to be a reason. The term “fairly convincing” doesn’t seem to exude confidence either. Regardless of our cynicism, Halo 4 takes advantage of the new Spartan IV character model, who are the newest breed of Spartan warriors. These bad boys are fully customisable, not only from a cosmetic standpoint like Reach, but from a gameplay standpoint too, allowing players to make “gameplay enhancing choices, customise playstyle and [create] custom loadouts to take into battle.” In terms of concrete information, battle rifles are back, joining a “vast arsenal of weapons and abilities that will be available in the game,” says Holmes. The main focus of the hands-off look at Halo 4 was to take a look at the game’s multiplayer, with 343 bringing a pair of multiplayer maps with them to give us a bit of a first look tour. First up was “Warhouse,” which is a civilian manufacturing facility that exists in near space orbit above a gas giant. It’s a map with symmetrical design and tight spaces that range from corridors and catwalks to a large centre space housing a large Cyclop Mark II mech being assembled in the centre of the map. As you’d expect in any Halo map, it’s littered with catwalks, grav lifts, outside areas and man cannons galore. Warhouse is a map that boasts more moving parts than any other Halo map to date as well, with the giant mech being assembled in the middle whilst the combat flows around it, steam bellowing out of pipes in the game’s metallic corridors and crates suspended from cranes swaying in the map’s gusty exterior. It’s a map that feels more alive than any other Halo map before and like every map in Halo 4, it’s a purpose-built space for competitive combat, which according to 343 allows for “optimal flow and optimal balance.” The second and final map or our brief look at Halo 4 was Wraparound – which is too close to reach around if you’re asking us. Wraparound is a map that’s set on a Forerunner solar facility within a Forerunner shield world that generates artificial sunlight, providing energy for the world below. It’s a smaller, more focused map, serving as a good Team Slayer arena, with drop downs, inner catwalks and a circular core around the outer core in the middle. Unlike Warhouse, Wraparound is a lot less claustrophobic, with the bright artificial sun meaning it’s much more vibrant than Warhouse and with man cannons allowing you to jump back into the thick of it within an instance. In essence, it’s very Lockout in nature, especially in terms of its walkways and inherent openness. Unfortunately for us – and you – it seems as if Microsoft is saving the first in-depth look at the Chief and his Halo 4 antics for this year’s E3, which truth be told is a rather bizarre decision considering the white noise phenomenon of E3 and the fact they have a captive audience in San Fran at their dedicated Microsoft event. At present though, Halo 4 is a lot of buzz words, PR gobbledegook and cryptic messages galore. I mean, if we hear the words “cinematic,” “own voice” and “visceral” any more times, we’re going to forcibly insert the Pillar of Autumn into Master Chief’s anus! That said, the classic battle rifle is back and it’s sure looking purdy, so at least we’ve got something to take away from this debut showing, right? Pewpewpew! Makes you wonder whether MS and 343 have something to hide though… Halo 4 is scheduled for a holiday 2012 release. and now another screenshot for you all This post has been promoted to an article 15 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quantum Posted March 5, 2012 Report Share Posted March 5, 2012 OH MY GOSH. OH MY GOSH. EPIC EPIC EPIC EPIC. I CAN NOW WAIT FOR HALO 4. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZB-85 Posted March 5, 2012 Report Share Posted March 5, 2012 Can't wait for it to come out. Super pumped!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anarchy Posted March 5, 2012 Report Share Posted March 5, 2012 Wholy Sh1t!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Archangel Tyrael Posted March 5, 2012 Report Share Posted March 5, 2012 It looks good to me, but it kinda reminds me of crysis and crysis2, if you ever played the game you will see similiarities, i just don't hope my spartan feels like something from crysis though, or the lag =_=. I like how they are using real gun sounds, and i can't really tell if the reticle moves or not i think it does some, not sure, i need to look closer at that. Graphics look good though, and how are they spartan 4's? I want to know badly lol. Keep up the good work 343i don't dissapoint. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Secrecy Posted March 5, 2012 Report Share Posted March 5, 2012 That was the sexiest video, ever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ForerunnerBR Posted March 5, 2012 Report Share Posted March 5, 2012 Can't wait, but i noticed in the video at 3:10, when he kill the guy the medals appear in the rop right and that's kida weird. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
One Posted March 5, 2012 Report Share Posted March 5, 2012 This looks hella sexy, I'm intrigued now. 343i are showing promise currently. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unease Peanut Posted March 5, 2012 Report Share Posted March 5, 2012 AWWW YEAH! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MCPO Mayh3m Posted March 5, 2012 Report Share Posted March 5, 2012 Pause at 0:32. You will see this picture. What/who do you think it is a drawing of? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skys Posted March 5, 2012 Report Share Posted March 5, 2012 LOOKS GRAPHICALLY AMAZING! I know its an alpha beta..so it isnt at all going in like that. but it seems slower with running and melee..idk MOP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AgentLoFi Posted March 5, 2012 Report Share Posted March 5, 2012 My anticipation has indeed grown. I really liked that they are making multiplayer maps separate and not just recycled campaign levels. The two maps they briefly showed looked very promising and adding a backstory to why reds fight blues could be very interesting. Go 343! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spitfire Posted March 5, 2012 Report Share Posted March 5, 2012 Holy **** I didn't expect this at ALL! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lᴜᴋᴇ Posted March 5, 2012 Report Share Posted March 5, 2012 OMYSWEETJEBUS! Multiplayer looks sweet. 343i Are great. This looks incredible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Choot 'em Posted March 5, 2012 Report Share Posted March 5, 2012 Finally!!! LMAO!! Great video Jester, BR is back and new armor, multiplayer maps look pretty. Kinda diggin' the new armor!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zamio Posted March 5, 2012 Report Share Posted March 5, 2012 Before I was pumped. Now Im jumping out of my seat with excitement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedStarRocket91 Posted March 5, 2012 Report Share Posted March 5, 2012 I'm mildly concerned about the idea of 'custom loadouts', as I'm against anything which unbalances the playing field. Hopefully they'll be able to make it work though. Also, I really like the look of the new Battle Rifle. It looks as though it's a stripped-down version of Reach's Assault Rifle! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Biggles Posted March 5, 2012 Report Share Posted March 5, 2012 Brb gotta go chage my underwear. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tesseract Posted March 5, 2012 Report Share Posted March 5, 2012 I'm loving this so far. The Wraparound level looks great and the Spartan IVs look amazing. Sprinting is back, and I guess I can deal with that... I just hope that's it. The BR is back and I'm stoked. I do hope Wraparound is renamed. It doesn't seem very "Halo-ish". As in, not a cool, sci-fi-sounding name. Too bland and straight foward. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aztec Asshawk Posted March 5, 2012 Report Share Posted March 5, 2012 Kwah Kwah Omg Kwah!!! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vitamin Pwn Posted March 5, 2012 Report Share Posted March 5, 2012 ok now i got tingles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
upton889 Posted March 5, 2012 Report Share Posted March 5, 2012 I'm mildly concerned about the idea of 'custom loadouts', as I'm against anything which unbalances the playing field. Hopefully they'll be able to make it work though. Also, I really like the look of the new Battle Rifle. It looks as though it's a stripped-down version of Reach's Assault Rifle! I agree completely bro. The armor abilities need to go. That isn't what made Halo what it is and quite simply doesn't do anything for the gameplay. Give every player the same gear and let the skills play out to determine the winner! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
upton889 Posted March 5, 2012 Report Share Posted March 5, 2012 Aside from the "customizable loadouts," which we all don't know what this exactly means yet so I'm not ruling any possibility out or being pessimistic. The customizable loadouts are half the reason of the drop in fanbase from Halo 3 to Halo Reach. But after all it is just a first look and plenty of time and room for change. Aside from that I'm TOO READY for Halo 4! Love the new direction from 343! HELLL YEAAA! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunterex12 Posted March 5, 2012 Report Share Posted March 5, 2012 yes that is a awsome video and they finally brought back the battle rifle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerribleTimbo Posted March 5, 2012 Report Share Posted March 5, 2012 Well as everyone has seen, the br is back which closes all discussion as to what the human mid-long range weapon will be. I'm sorta digging the new hud for multiplayer, though the only noticable change is the score bars from what was shown. I hope they don't try to bring any sort of story into the the multiplayer and just kinda have a "rogue" spartan group in the campaign that explains the whole red vs blue thing. Also, the maps made from scratch and for competitive gameplay has me super excited! No more recycled campaign environments or places that have to make sense graphically to some place in the story. And with them being made with competitive gameplay in mind, hopefully there won't be bad spawn maps or maps that are heavily one sided. I'll get used to the multiplayer spartan models, but they look kinda funny to me now. The vagueness of what the loadouts bring has me sceptical, I hope everything is unlocked from the start if people can customize their own for matchmaking so no one has a huge advantage over others that haven't unlocked stuff. I'm trying to remain indifferent at this time though especially considering the total lack of actual gameplay information. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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