Halo: Reach Forum
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  • Subject: Trailer Analysis: Speculations
Subject: Trailer Analysis: Speculations

"The strength of the pack is the wolf, the strength of the wolf is the pack."

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me..."

ODST for life

This is my speculation and analysis of the Halo: Reach trailer. You can watch the trailer here...
Halo: Reach teaser trailer

First thing to take note of is the text that reads "From the beginning, you know the end" hinting at the fact that we know what happens to Reach, and we know how the storyline plays out in the Halo universe. Now why would you make a new game where the storyline is already something we know? Whats the point in a story that you already know the ending of? Could this possibly be a hint that we think we just think we know the end. Maybe the game takes place (or part of the game) after the Covenant glass the planet. We always thought the planet was glassed and that was the end of Reach, but maybe there is much more that happened that we don't know about.

Second thing I took note of is the quote "Multiple pings below the Orbital Defense grid." probably doesn't mean much but I thought the Covenant jumped well outside of the Defense grid not below it.

Third is the quote "Winter contingency has been declared, all units mobilized and ready." Now I could be missing something from the books since I don't remember them perfectly but what exactly is the Winter contingency? I would guess it is a emergency plan enacted during an invasion but what does this plan include? Possibly self destruction of key buildings and personnel? It would explain the unusual explosions that you see on the surface of the planet.

What exactly is that burning object that you see briefly? Is at a Mac platform? An UNSC ship? Possibly the platform John, Linda, and James assault in the book Halo: Fall of Reach?

Next you hear someone named Sierra 320 (I think) say "Prepped for combat insertion". Obviously the title of Sierra 320 meaning she is a Spartan but is she on the planet? Or is she orbiting above in a ship? Which series of Spartan is she? And why is she alone?

This is where things get a bit more interesting. Massive explosions start to appear on the planets surface as you hear someone yell "What the *insert blam here* was that?". Now why would someone be wondering what it was? Obviously they weren't filled in and what was about to go down before the giant explosions started. These explosions don't appear to be Covenant weaponry since they use Plasma to glass planets, but as Halo 2 shows they do have access to "bomb" type weaponry. Possibly explosions of the power/control stations to the Orbital Defense Mac guns? Or maybe the UNSC is starting their purge of vital information on the planets surface.

After the explosions begin chaos obviously takes over. I cant figure out most of the jumble of talking but you can pick a few things out. First you hear "Were coming in hot, Hold on!" followed by "We just lost our bird". Now who exactly is coming in hot and where are they going? Does the follow up quote mean whoever or whatever it was crashed and was killed/destroyed? Again could this be John, Linda, and James assaulting the station in the book when they crash land into the station?

"Theres still people down here!" is one of the other things I could pick out of the jumble of talking. This again makes you wonder if the UNSC are destroying certain things and places so the Covenant couldn't get their hands on important information (such as the location of earth). Or maybe this is just showing that the UNSC was in a massive evacuation and had to leave some soldiers behind due to lack of room on evac ships.

The last little bit you can hear in the panic is "...is over-run, were holding position as long as we can". Now I cant make out exactly what the guy is saying is over run but obviously its important if they are still trying to hold their position. And who exactly is holding the position? Spartans? Marines? ODST's? Possibly evacuation position since its the last thing we hear before things start going silent.

You then hear someone calling for "Nova-1" (debate if its Nova, or Noble, or whatever) who they need them in the fight. Could this be a UNSC ship? Maybe a Spartan? Secret weapon? Whatever or whoever it is the man cannot get a hold of Nova-1. Maybe they bugged out seeing that Reach was lost or maybe they or it was destroyed. Who is the man calling for this Nova-1?

After the call for Nova-1 there is no response which I take it means that this is when Reach has been pretty much destroyed. But then you hear Sierra 259 answer the call claiming there is multiple Spartans on the ground and that they are not going anywhere. Could this be where the game picks up? Are these Spartans the lone survivors left on the planet? Is the planet destroyed at this point in the trailer? Who are these Spartans and why are they still on the planet? Which series of Spartans are they?

This is where my speculation of the game taking place (or at least part of the game) sometime after the seemingly complete destruction of Reach. The UNSC bugged out of Reach so fast its entirely possible that they just assumed the Covenant glassed the entire planet when in reality they left certain areas intact for unknown reasons and one of these areas is where Sierra 259 and his Spartans could be surviving.

If this is true and the Covenant did not glass the entire planet it brings up the question of why didn't they glass the entire surface? Is there Forerunner artifacts on the planet? Did they try and gain information about the UNSC? What information? (excluding the obvious locations of Earth and other colonies)

Discuss your own speculations and theories and feel free to add any information to the trailer analysis if you find something that you feel is important.

  • 06.07.2009 2:12 PM PDT

But since I am human, I am good and bad as well. But I try my hardest to stay good. And some of the things I do and say may be bad. Or just not too good, but I do try.

So with that said I dont fault you. I mean your only human, good or bad. But I also dont respect you, and I dont care if thats good or bad haha.

-blam!- if you understand me.
I love being misunderstood.

First of all this is one of the best assumptions on this game Ive heard. I think alot of it is possible. The part where u hear the " were coming in hot" and "we lost our bird" i think that could be the other group of spartans that went down to defend something (forgot what lol) as i recall their pelican is hit prior to landing and they have to jump out (killing 3 of them). As for the burning object seen briefly i think its one of the destroyed orbital defence gun things. The part where it says " We 're over run will hold as long as we can" That couldve been the second group of spartans (mentioned earlier) when they were defending the thing. Or the injured group of spartans that went to CASTLE base because i recall there was a bunch of covenant around there. As for Nova/Noble 1 i have no clue. U were wondering about forunner things on reach. Yea there is forunner stuff on Reach cuz in one of the books Dr.Halsey, Will,Kelly,Fred,Vinh?, and Li? are under Castle base (mountain) and Dr.Halsey finds some forunner objects (some diamond thing) soon after the covenant start digging down there and try to get the object Halsey obtained.

  • 06.07.2009 2:33 PM PDT

Doing what is easy is the cowards way out, doing what is right is the journey of a campion.

Nothing important in life is ever easy, thats what makes it important...

I think you make some extremely valid points, and i like the speculation that i'm hearing from all of this. It will be interesting to see what else they're going to put out there for us as sneak peeks for the game.

  • 06.07.2009 2:34 PM PDT

"The strength of the pack is the wolf, the strength of the wolf is the pack."

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me..."

ODST for life

Posted by: xBl00dxKn1ghtx
First of all this is one of the best assumptions on this game Ive heard. I think alot of it is possible. The part where u hear the " were coming in hot" and "we lost our bird" i think that could be the other group of spartans that went down to defend something (forgot what lol) as i recall their pelican is hit prior to landing and they have to jump out (killing 3 of them). As for the burning object seen briefly i think its one of the destroyed orbital defence gun things. The part where it says " We 're over run will hold as long as we can" That couldve been the second group of spartans (mentioned earlier) when they were defending the thing. Or the injured group of spartans that went to CASTLE base because i recall there was a bunch of covenant around there. As for Nova/Noble 1 i have no clue. U were wondering about forunner things on reach. Yea there is forunner stuff on Reach cuz in one of the books Dr.Halsey, Will,Kelly,Fred,Vinh?, and Li? are under Castle base (mountain) and Dr.Halsey finds some forunner objects (some diamond thing) soon after the covenant start digging down there and try to get the object Halsey obtained.
I totally forgot that John sent the rest of the Spartans planet side and that they found Forerunner stuff below CASTLE Base. I really need to go back and read the book again.

It would make sense if that was the Spartans John sent planet side, it fits perfectly. I wonder what other Forerunner artifacts or Forerunner structures could be on Reach. The possibilities with the Forerunners is endless.

[Edited on 06.07.2009 2:43 PM PDT]

  • 06.07.2009 2:43 PM PDT

Far as we know, only the Time Dilation Crystal and the Forerunner ruins were below Castle Base.

These were explored in Halo: First Strike.

  • 06.07.2009 2:49 PM PDT

But since I am human, I am good and bad as well. But I try my hardest to stay good. And some of the things I do and say may be bad. Or just not too good, but I do try.

So with that said I dont fault you. I mean your only human, good or bad. But I also dont respect you, and I dont care if thats good or bad haha.

-blam!- if you understand me.
I love being misunderstood.

glad i helped remind u lol and ya that is very possible and the forunners are way beyond me

  • 06.07.2009 2:49 PM PDT

"The strength of the pack is the wolf, the strength of the wolf is the pack."

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me..."

ODST for life

Posted by: chickenlittle
Far as we know, only the Time Dilation Crystal and the Forerunner ruins were below Castle Base.

These were explored in Halo: First Strike.
Key phrase being "Far as we know".

  • 06.07.2009 2:50 PM PDT

In the novel, only one small patch of land was spared the glassing; that particular area happened to be around CASTLE Base and the ruins beneath it. Unless another portal was there, that's it.

  • 06.07.2009 2:53 PM PDT

But since I am human, I am good and bad as well. But I try my hardest to stay good. And some of the things I do and say may be bad. Or just not too good, but I do try.

So with that said I dont fault you. I mean your only human, good or bad. But I also dont respect you, and I dont care if thats good or bad haha.

-blam!- if you understand me.
I love being misunderstood.

thats what it said in the book but its possible (possible) that theres some other spots that we didnt no about

  • 06.07.2009 2:55 PM PDT

???

wonderful. i can't believe you took all that time. i believe alot of your theories could be true because you backed up your answers instead of just saying "Mastar cheef r go back in time and 'peeow peeow' the covenant and found his twin brothar mastar cheef 2 and thay win the covenant

  • 06.07.2009 2:56 PM PDT

"The strength of the pack is the wolf, the strength of the wolf is the pack."

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me..."

ODST for life

Posted by: chickenlittle
In the novel, only one small patch of land was spared the glassing; that particular area happened to be around CASTLE Base and the ruins beneath it. Unless another portal was there, that's it.
Joe has been quoted during an interview saying that they may choose to ignore things that happen in the books in future games or projects. The books are considered Halo canon but they are flexible and disposable as far as Bungie is concerned.

You cant hope to keep true to everything in the books or the comics for that matter if you want people to be interested in buying your game. Whats the fun in playing through something when you already know whats going to happen?

  • 06.07.2009 2:58 PM PDT

But since I am human, I am good and bad as well. But I try my hardest to stay good. And some of the things I do and say may be bad. Or just not too good, but I do try.

So with that said I dont fault you. I mean your only human, good or bad. But I also dont respect you, and I dont care if thats good or bad haha.

-blam!- if you understand me.
I love being misunderstood.

yea thats true i just love the books lol but they still could go by the book well just have 2 wait for some new info on the game

[Edited on 06.07.2009 3:06 PM PDT]

  • 06.07.2009 3:04 PM PDT
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I liked the analysis of the trailer and it's a theory that actually makes sense.

*Saves thread* :)

  • 06.07.2009 3:05 PM PDT

"The strength of the pack is the wolf, the strength of the wolf is the pack."

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me..."

ODST for life

Its pretty clear the community loves the Halo books and Halo: Fall of Reach is considered the fan favorite. I cant see Bungie disappointing their fans by totally changing everything that happens in the book but things can be changed for the good. It would only require small changes and the changes could be explained logically within the books storyline. I just wouldn't be surprised if the game doesn't stay true to the book/s with everything.

  • 06.07.2009 3:12 PM PDT
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I hope they don't rely on the book too much, hopefully we'll get to play through more than what happened in FoR.

  • 06.07.2009 4:32 PM PDT

I think that they are saying "Noble 1", but "Nova 1" could be a reference to the Nova bomb Admiral Whitcomb was trying to detonate. That would also make sense why you hear such widespread voice traffic, it could be from the perspective of Whitcomb calling in.

  • 06.07.2009 5:09 PM PDT

have picture of the panet very clearly, doesnt look very destroyed...

http://i361.photobucket.com/albums/oo60/m1onkeyman1231313/nor mal.jpg

  • 06.07.2009 5:11 PM PDT

"The strength of the pack is the wolf, the strength of the wolf is the pack."

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me..."

ODST for life

Posted by: x1monkeyman1x
have picture of the panet very clearly, doesnt look very destroyed...

http://i361.photobucket.com/albums/oo60/m1onkeyman1231313/nor mal.jpg
Well it depends completely on when that picture is depicting the planet. Could be before the attack...

  • 06.07.2009 5:52 PM PDT
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he says noble 1. referencing a unit or ship
This may help, see this thread for a full transcription of the trailer, the vids been gone over many times, its accurate.
http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=33583281

the way i see the trailer its not in real time, but more like a video montage. it starts off before the beginning then its moving further forward throughout the clip.
As the view rotates the damaged ?station? comes into view, which would make no sense to already be there in real time as they were only just talking about the covenant appearing. next it goes through to the attack beginning, and you see large explosions and lights blink out as power is cut across the surface. if you ask me, these explosions do not look like plasma, as there is a blue shockwave that comes out from it, more seeming like some kind of nuclear explosion.
then as the view rotates further you can see what looks like many glowing red craters/ lines covering the surface without any explosions seen for them, suggesting they were already there, like the video is jumping forwards in time.

"Were coming in hot!"
"we just lost our bird"

halo first strike, chapter one. This could be red team on pelican heading to reaches surface. They were coming in insanely fast as they had seraph fighters tailing them. they had to bail as the cockpit was taken out and they were going to burn up.

quotes 'coming in hot' and ' just lost our bird' fit nicely

[Edited on 06.07.2009 11:18 PM PDT]

  • 06.07.2009 10:49 PM PDT

I is in your thread reading your post.

Well I original thought it was just Reach getting attacked, but after this thread it makes me think about it...

  • 06.07.2009 10:58 PM PDT