Halo: Combat Evolved Forum
This topic has moved here: Subject: The Campaign Sucks
  • Subject: The Campaign Sucks
Subject: The Campaign Sucks
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Too many times I find myself wandering around an endless construct of tunnels and hallways with no indication as to where I'm supposed to go. Everything looks the same and far too many areas are just copied and pasted from previous sections in the campaign.

And the motion tracker sucks too. I'm a veteran Halo player and I look at my motion tracker constantly but in this game too many times I find that even when I watch my motion tracker enemies still find a way behind me.

And the melee distance of the flood is TOO FAR. I see flood well over ten feet away still able to melee me. I got good at dodging flood attacks in 3 but this game is just broken in this department.

The only way I can get through this game is to BABY. STEP. THE. WHOLE. WAY. That is not fun. I hate games that force you to baby. step. the. entire. campaign. or. else. you. will. die. as. soon. as. you. step. out. of. the. designed. path.

But I know all of you will say DUDE YOU SUCK! YOU'RE NOT A TRUE HALO FAN UNLESS YOU FIND NO FAULT AT ALL IN THE ORIGINAL GAME! THE ORIGINAL IS PERRRRRRRFECT! THE SEQUELS SUCK EVEN THOUGH WE KEEP PLAYING THEM DURRRRRRRRRR!

  • 12.15.2010 3:13 PM PDT

I am a firm believer that when bungie makes you spawn with a pistol, kill someone with a rocket launcher.

I somewhat agree (flameshield on) with some of the points you made. Yeah Assault on the Control Room did have alot of copy/paste parts, and 2 Betrayals was just teh same map. Similar thing with maw/poa and truth and recon/keyes. But I am one of those diehard halo nuts that sees past the 2001 graphics and the other flaws because of the story. I suggest that you read a few of the novels and then replay halo 1. The game will take you on a great trip into the halo universe if you just give it a fighting chance.

I hope i dont sound like im preaching to you or calling you a heretic.

[Edited on 12.15.2010 3:59 PM PST]

  • 12.15.2010 3:58 PM PDT


Posted by: MN89
Too many times I find myself wandering around an endless construct of tunnels and hallways with no indication as to where I'm supposed to go. Everything looks the same and far too many areas are just copied and pasted from previous sections in the campaign.

I'm only going to take you seriously here if you're talking about 343GS (at which point I suspect Bungie WANTS you to get lost).

If you got lost on AotCR or TB, I have zero sympathy.

And the motion tracker sucks too. I'm a veteran Halo player and I look at my motion tracker constantly but in this game too many times I find that even when I watch my motion tracker enemies still find a way behind me.
I can't take you seriously here at all. The motion tracker in HCE has far greater range and as much if not more sensitivity than the ones in the other titles. AND it doesn't dissapear when you zoom in.

If you get flanked, it's usually because an enemy AI executed a fast flanking maneuvre when you weren't paying attention, and that's something I LOVE about the game; the AI are actually aggressive and proactive in killing you.


I also might note that HCE is a lot more liberal with sound notification of events and stereo splitting than the other games. Even without a motion tracker, you could, with some effort, manage to pseudo-motion track the entities in a small vicinity.

And the melee distance of the flood is TOO FAR. I see flood well over ten feet away still able to melee me. I got good at dodging flood attacks in 3 but this game is just broken in this department.
The hit range is a little oversized, but it's not THAT bad. Also, it makes sense from a gameplay standpoint. The flood would be boring to fight if they had short melees in this game.

The only way I can get through this game is to BABY. STEP. THE. WHOLE. WAY. That is not fun. I hate games that force you to baby. step. the. entire. campaign. or. else. you. will. die. as. soon. as. you. step. out. of. the. designed. path.
Really? The other Halo games are the ones where I get bogged down in lethargic duck-shoot-repeat hell. One of my favorite things about Halo 1 is that it allows (and encourages, very strongly in some areas such as T&R's belly of the beast or SC's opening) aggression and dynamic gameplay without being too easy.

Actually, in a nutshell, that's probably half of what keeps me playing.

But I know all of you will say DUDE YOU SUCK! YOU'RE NOT A TRUE HALO FAN UNLESS YOU FIND NO FAULT AT ALL IN THE ORIGINAL GAME! THE ORIGINAL IS PERRRRRRRFECT! THE SEQUELS SUCK EVEN THOUGH WE KEEP PLAYING THEM DURRRRRRRRRR!
No. But I do think that you're either unnacclimated or tone deaf to the game, and are, at least in some cases, substituting in ridiculous arguments to try and explain your very real and probably reasonable discontent because you're having trouble realizing and articulating the actual problems you have with the game.

  • 12.15.2010 4:54 PM PDT

ShawtyHullstineFilms CEO-Team MLG EXTREME

Halo 1 was a beauty for its time. It should get the respect it deserves.

  • 12.15.2010 7:25 PM PDT


Posted by: farmerscott21
Halo 1 was a beauty for its time. It should get the respect it deserves.

Eh. The way I see it, if a work of art loses it's luster within just a decade, it's probably not all that deserving of respect. If I thought it was only "good for its time" but has since been rendered obsolete and unfun by newer games, I certainly wouldn't bother defending it all that vigourously.


I suppose there's some argument to be had for innovation helping the industry, though I'm usually not the biggest fan of those, because it's always hard to tell what they really mean and how accurate they are.

[Edited on 12.15.2010 7:52 PM PST]

  • 12.15.2010 7:49 PM PDT
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I remember the first time or two that I played, I felt similar things, but overall I think you may be missing a few things:

1-For AotCR and TB there are big white flashing markers on floors to direct a person who may not know where they are going. Be on the lookout for those. Most of the outside levels have fairly clearly blocked and open areas to help you find your way. For all of the Banshee work, there is even a orange marker or arrow to point you along if the game thinks you have gotten lost. Feel free to use them.

2-For GS, yes, the idea is to get hopelessly lost, frustrated and screaming for an exit. There is a damn good reason for it, that way when you get to the middle of the level and Bungie pulls a big "drop your pants to your ankles and bend over" moment, it has a major impact (I speak in particular of the "elevator that does not go up" part, sorry if I ruined it for you). That single event is one of the best in the game for me, it still has great appeal even after all of these years. If you did not have to go through the hell of getting lost before hand, you do not get the same result.

3-The motion tracker, in H2 completely disapeers when you zoom any weapon or your HUD. I find that alot more dysfunctional than it occassionally allowing something sneaky behind you. Also, I do believe that you can have enemies just plain spawn behind you, that were not there or moving when you went past the area the first time. The enemy does not always cooperate, especially if you are a fast mover blowing past alot of stuff.

4-As for the flood melee, I find that I die in two manners with the flood when they do plant my butt. 1 is rocket launcher flood, the other is when I get too aggressive and let them get too close, hence they whip my ass into the stone age. If you do not want to die by flood, do not allow them close to you. Your weapon selection should include something plasma oriented or a Magnum, in addition to the shotty for in close work. It is not like you cannot see that big long whip hanging off of them, pay attention!

If you think that Halo makes you work hard to get through, you never played Doom III, helloooooooo talk about baby steps! There were times the first play through that I did not make it more than 1-2 minutes at a time without dying. Factor in the lack of checkpoints in the game (you had to SAVE your progress, if you died, you reverted to your last save, not some handy checkpoint) it made for a very frustrating gameplay, even if the game was scary as -blam!- at times.

  • 12.16.2010 8:59 AM PDT

Something smells fishy...


Posted by: Tupolev

Posted by: farmerscott21
Halo 1 was a beauty for its time. It should get the respect it deserves.

Eh. The way I see it, if a work of art loses it's luster within just a decade, it's probably not all that deserving of respect. If I thought it was only "good for its time" but has since been rendered obsolete and unfun by newer games, I certainly wouldn't bother defending it all that vigourously.

Well, to be fair, the resources and technologies that are available for new games were probably not available during the development of Halo: Combat Evolved. Therefore it's hard to compare earlier games like Halo: Combat Evolved to newer games.

I honestly believe art never loses value and or respect. There will always be people who appreciate a piece of artwork hanging on the wall. Just like there will always be people who appreciate the artwork that went into developing Halo: Combat Evolved.



  • 12.16.2010 11:45 AM PDT

Posted by: Barnacle_Blast
Well, to be fair, the resources and technologies that are available for new games were probably not available during the development of Halo: Combat Evolved. Therefore it's hard to compare earlier games like Halo: Combat Evolved to newer games.

See, that's something I don't agree with. It's true that newer games have far more powerful engines and platforms, but unless the limitations on the older game actually kept it from being able to accomplish something, I don't really see the issue. And older examples that worked within their limitations often do hold up to their modern counterparts just fine, IMO.
It's when games try to exceed their technological limitations that they degrade a little over time; take GoldenEye 007 and it's unfortunate limitation by the issue of nobody having figured out how to make a good FPS controller yet (sure, it handles okay, but not as well as the post-Halo console FPS's).

Heck, in some cases, limitations can even offer legitimized access to techniques that otherwise go unused; in some cases, the development of technology actually restricts the artist. You ever see intertitles in a modern film? No, because they're deemed unnecessary and obsolete in a world with precisely synced sound. Yet, if you observe some good 1920's films, particularly Eisenstein's, you'll notice that intertitles can be used in action editing just as effectively as films takes can, and using them in that way can provide a flavour that doesn't exist in modern film.


I'll not even entirely agree that modern games always look better than their older counterparts; developers take so much advantage of the greater power at their disposal that almost every modern AAA game has more visual clutter than a reciprocated ninja, and I'm tired of it (and as a result, in quite a few cases, I actually prefer older games visually).

  • 12.16.2010 12:43 PM PDT
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Yep. Original game sucks so hard, can't imagine anything worse. Bloodrayne, Brute Force and GTA just kill this thing.

  • 12.16.2010 6:19 PM PDT
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I just know that you're trolling (or a fanatical Halo 3 player) but I'll respond anyways.

Too many times I find myself wandering around an endless construct of tunnels and hallways with no indication as to where I'm supposed to go.If you're referring to Assault on the Control Room, there were glowing arrows on the ground in those rooms, weren't there? And if you're referring to Two Betrayals, just follow the arrows in reverse. There's also a waypoint indicator on your screen that tells you where to go...

If you're referring to the second level, it was supposed to be disorientating. You're on a alien planet. In Halo 3, everything is familiar.

Everything looks the same and far too many areas are just copied and pasted from previous sections in the campaign.That's just a minor thing. The last 3 levels still had adequate combat experience.

And the motion tracker sucks too. I'm a veteran Halo player and I look at my motion tracker constantly but in this game too many times I find that even when I watch my motion tracker enemies still find a way behind me.That's what you have speakers for. You're supposed to be listening. Sound has a very important role in Halo CE compared to Halo 3. Besides, the motion tracker was a prototype. It was not perfect.

And the melee distance of the flood is TOO FAR. I see flood well over ten feet away still able to melee me. I got good at dodging flood attacks in 3 but this game is just broken in this department.

They're whips!! They're supposed to extend far (but you're exaggerating... they don't extend that far). But it could also be for gameplay reasons. Look at the Elites. Their melee range is big but removing that would make it too easy to assassinate them (try modding Halo PC and reducing it... Elites become the hunted). Look at Halo 3. You can assassinate Brutes. In Halo CE, assassinations were very difficult to pull off.

[Edited on 12.16.2010 7:31 PM PST]

  • 12.16.2010 7:27 PM PDT
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So do all who live to see such times, but that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.

-Gandalf

I disagree. The campaign is the main reason why I bought Halo 1.

  • 12.17.2010 12:12 AM PDT

Save Lives. Go Vegan.

Dylan_Mulenburg@hotmail.com

It's true that the flood melee distance is WAY too far. There are a few other minor flaws, but over all, the CE campaign pwns. It's the best part of Halo.

  • 12.17.2010 3:14 AM PDT

"its not the years, its the mileage"

I can certainly see why anybody picking up the game for the first time (or even in recent years) may have some of the beefs you listed.

However, at the time it was released it was incredible in every aspect. And frankly, while some aspects of it may seem dated now; the campaign certainly is not one of them....it remains easily the best structured campaign in any fps ever released.

Of course, that is just my opinion. However, it also happens to be correct :D

  • 12.17.2010 2:54 PM PDT
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  • Honorable Heroic Member
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Your 'beliefs' mean less than dick to me.

Sooooo the OP is mad because he doesn't know where to go on his first run through the game?

  • 12.17.2010 2:59 PM PDT

*reminisces when the Bungie/Halo community wasn't made up of CoD kids*
*sighs*
*activates time-machine and sets the clock back to Nov. 9, 2004*
glory days here I come..
*vanishes*

Veteran Halo player my ass!
It was the very first Halo. Of course it had multiple flaws but it was still very good at the time!

  • 12.19.2010 1:05 AM PDT

Replying to the first post,
Halo Reach's monitor is awful. I play online and it says theres like 20 enemies around when theres none.

If they had online for the xbox version of HALO CE and took out some of the flaws, it would be the best halo ever.

the first game was so revolutionary and different from anything anyone had ever seen, nothing could ever top that.

If you didnt enjoy the campaign I would replay it on normal, you can sitll enjoy the campaign and get some intense action at times.
I have almost beaten the game on every level...so this from my experience.,

  • 12.19.2010 5:43 AM PDT

I am a firm believer that when bungie makes you spawn with a pistol, kill someone with a rocket launcher.

Im sensing hostility in all the comments except mine...lets be supportive and welcome this player into the halo community with non-poisoned koolaid and free doughnuts.

  • 12.19.2010 8:20 AM PDT

Wasnt trying to be hostile.. sry

  • 12.19.2010 12:50 PM PDT

Wake me,....When you need me....

halo veteran riiiiiight

  • 12.19.2010 2:01 PM PDT

Disagree completely i think this game was as perfect as it can get

  • 12.20.2010 3:15 AM PDT
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  • Veteran Legendary Member

I am an orange mist amongst a sea of blue, so my flames may stand out and represent all those who trully believe in this great sacriment of Bungie history, let my story be told as the only legendary still standing even after I fall Just as my comrades did so graciously to fight for the true loyal.
If you have legendary, would you stand by my side and go forth into a sea blue and demise as my brothers fighting for those who are trully loyal to Bungie?

1. this is from 2001 the graphics werent the best and they didnt have the knowledge that they do know.
2. im drawing a blank other than your a whinning BI***!

  • 12.20.2010 8:41 PM PDT

Posted by: MN89
And the motion tracker sucks too. I'm a veteran Halo player and I look at my motion tracker constantly but in this game too many times I find that even when I watch my motion tracker enemies still find a way behind me.
Actually, they probably just spawned behind you. The hangar on T&R loves to do that. Very annoying.

  • 12.21.2010 2:14 AM PDT
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This was Dootuz117 but i changed accounts
M!
97% OF TEENS WON'T STAND UP FOR GOD. IF YOU'RE ONE OF THE 3% WHO WILL, PUT THIS IN YOUR SIG.
Posted by: just another fan
Yeah, because we all know that weird guys on youtube always speak the truth.

Posted by: Hot Sauce 147
Posting on bungie.net should require that the user has had to have read a chapter book all the way through.

Posted by: MN89
DUDE YOU SUCK! YOU'RE NOT A TRUE HALO FAN UNLESS YOU FIND NO FAULT AT ALL IN THE ORIGINAL GAME! THE ORIGINAL IS PERRRRRRRFECT! THE SEQUELS SUCK EVEN THOUGH WE KEEP PLAYING THEM DURRRRRRRRRR!


:D

  • 12.21.2010 10:15 AM PDT

I can't tell if OP is trolling or not. Suppose I'll reply anyways. He's probably starving anyway.

Posted by: MN89
Too many times I find myself wandering around an endless construct of tunnels and hallways with no indication as to where I'm supposed to go. Everything looks the same and far too many areas are just copied and pasted from previous sections in the campaign.
That's because of the time frame they had to build the game. It started as an RTS before the Millenium, for the Macintosh. Then they made a deal *cough*bribe*cough* with Microsoft to build it for the X-Box release. As for getting lost, aside from 343 Guilty Spark, it's hard to do that. Just go where there aren't any bodies. On Assault of the Control Room and Two Betrayals, there are arrows on the floors.

And the motion tracker sucks too. I'm a veteran Halo playerI call bull-blam!-. What games do you own, and have played? What Campaigns have you beaten, Solo, on what difficulty?
and I look at my motion tracker constantly but in this game too many times I find that even when I watch my motion tracker enemies still find a way behind me.That's probably because the AI is tactically smarter than you are. If they don't move, surprise, they don't show up! It's a motion tracker, not a radar. Forgetting about them doesn't make the bad aliens go away.

And the melee distance of the flood is TOO FAR. I see flood well over ten feet away still able to melee me. I got good at dodging flood attacks in 3 but this game is just broken in this department.Is this because you're trying to beat down the Flood? Good luck with that. They're literally built out of spongecake, so melee doesn't do a whole lot if it isn't an Energy Sword. Now, let's take a look, shall we? Do you see those growths where their left hand should be? Those are whiplike tentacles. They are for whipping. Whips generally have a decent range. That explains why they can hit you without you being able to hit them. Solution: don't charge at Flood mobs.

The only way I can get through this game is to BABY. STEP. THE. WHOLE. WAY. That is not fun. I hate games that force you to baby. step. the. entire. campaign. or. else. you. will. die. as. soon. as. you. step. out. of. the. designed. path.What, are you playing on Legendary using only the Assault Rifle or something? The key to this game is that you need to think about a fight before you start it. Unlike the rest of the games in the series, you can't just charge in on Easy or Normal and steamroll everything. You have to be tactical about it.

But I know all of you will say DUDE YOU SUCK!Tactically, yes, you do, if you have to bay step the whole way through.
YOU'RE NOT A TRUE HALO FAN UNLESS YOU FIND NO FAULT AT ALL IN THE ORIGINAL GAME!That's stupid.
THE ORIGINAL IS PERRRRRRRFECT!No. Not at all.
THE SEQUELS SUCK EVEN THOUGH WE KEEP PLAYING THEM DURRRRRRRRRR!I agree, the sequels do suck. Halo 2 was monotonous Campaign and number-based multiplayer. Halo 3 and Reach are inconsistent beyond belief and you are guaranteed to lose a 2 on 1 or against a vehicle. I only play Reach because Halo PC gets boring playing it 10 hours a week, and I want Inclement Weather before I quit Reach altogether.

  • 12.21.2010 11:29 PM PDT
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The main thing about the motion tracker in this game that I don't like is that the enemies don't show up as a solid red dot. They are a faded red and too many enemies clumped together hides their numbers. In Later games enemies are a solid red dot and their dots don't blend together into one mass. It is easier to determine the true number of enemies around the corner.

And about speakers and listening to the flood around the corner... Well excuse me for not having a $3,000 7 point surround sound stereo system turned to maximum volume on a 70inch LED TV in ultra high definition.

I play on a 17 inch flat screen standard definition TV, with no supplementary speakers so I only hear the game coming from two small ports on my TV. And I don't turn the volume too high because I have a small house with paper thin walls and I don't want to disturb anybody.

Those are my major complaints.

  • 12.22.2010 6:24 PM PDT