Halo: Reach Forum
This topic has moved here: Subject: Backtracking To Explore Something New
  • Subject: Backtracking To Explore Something New
Subject: Backtracking To Explore Something New
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  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

The story of Halo 3 ODST sheds light on a few previously unexplored aspects of the battle for New Mombasa and the Halo universe in several unique and interesting ways. Though it is a chronological step backwards from Halo 3, it enriches one's understanding on the events in Halo 3 with tidbits of info and plot relevant to the Halo canon. In addition to enhancing one's perspective on the events of Halo 3, ODST also affords fans the opportunity to have a completely unique gameplay experience,having players assume the role of orbital drop shock troopers instead of spartans. The combined power of ODST's compelling plot and fresh perspective shift make for a Halo 3 prequel that is an immensely entertaining experience.

This successful design rationale of chronologically backtracking to explore new ideas will no doubt be utilized to the fullest in Halo Reach. What I am most curious about, is how.

The fall of the planet Reach, unlike the ODSTs' campaign in New Mombasa, does not have the benefit of being unexplored territory for Halo fans. There is an entire novelization concerning the fiction behind Halo Reach. The Reach trailer even states, "From The Beginning, You Know The End". While it will certainly will be fun and exciting to finally play through one of the most well known, oft referenced conflicts in all of the Halo fiction, I can't help but wonder how Bungie plans to make Reach feel fresh.

In terms of gameplay, though it has yet to be confirmed, it appears as if players will once again be assuming the role of a spartan(possibly MC). It will be interesting to see how Reach expands upon or enhances the familiar gameplay style and tactics players have come to expect from playing as a spartan in 3 previous Halo games.

Then there is the bigger question. How does Bungie intend to make this story fresh? Since "from the beginning we know the end", how will Halo Reach go about introducing significant and new twists into the canon as all the previous Halo games have done?

I am confident that Bungie will succeed at making both the gameplay and the story for Halo Reach feel new and interesting, I just have no real idea as to how they'll do it! Time for rampant speculation I suppose...

  • 09.29.2009 12:29 AM PDT

In the days of old, there were legends of a land long lost to time. This land was known as Ranna'Mor. Ranna'Mor was said to contain in its borders 7 warriors. These warriors had once unleashed a veritable hell upon the ancient world, until they were locked away. My name is Toriad, and I am one of those warriors. Our return is approaching. Do not run away, do not cower in fear; take solace in your final days, for that is all we can do. -Legend of Ranna'Mor

A big thumbs up to this. As far as fiction goes, I see Reach as a great way for Bungie to show the how big and epic the battle of Reach really was. In the two books that discuss the matter, we actually see very little of the battles going on on the planet's surface. We saw the involvement of Spartans, nothing more. The fact remains that there were dozen, perhaps hundreds of separate battles going on at the same time, and there is a lot of story to tell.

Sadly, I doubt we will be playing as the chief again, mainly because he never went planet-side during the battle, and left right as the covenant began glassing the planet. Still, we see the return of Spartans, and possibly some new ones (referencing of course Sierras 259 and 320, and the inconsistencies about the number of Spartans alive during the battle of Reach).

  • 09.29.2009 12:54 AM PDT
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You bring up a good point concerning the untold stories surrounding the battle for Reach. The more I consider it, the less likely it seems that we'll once again strap on the boots of John 117, at least for the entirety of the game. However, the the silhouettes on the Reach logo seeming to suggest "Blue Team" make me wary of ruling out the possibility of playing as MC altogether.

Nevertheless, I think you're on to something with the idea of several untold conflicts that make up the fall of Reach. All these previously unexplored battles may allow for Halo Reach to take a page out of ODST's book; setting its characters in a locale whose general fiction fans are familiar with, but experiencing that locale from a new perspective(s).

That being said, I love of the idea of playing at least one mission in the game as Master Chief. Perhaps we will get to assume control of 117 for his mission to initiate the Cole protocol on the Circumference?

  • 09.29.2009 7:50 AM PDT