Halo: Reach Forum
This topic has moved here: Subject: Is the Halo series good just because Bungie made it look nice?
  • Subject: Is the Halo series good just because Bungie made it look nice?
Subject: Is the Halo series good just because Bungie made it look nice?

Is Halo popular because it has good graphics, or because it has good special effects?
Is the story a plausible future?

Just doing an analysis project on this and several other games, -i'd like your opinion.

  • 03.13.2012 12:51 AM PDT
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H: CE - Amazing.
Halo 2 - Revolutionary.
Halo 3 - Decent.
Halo Reach- An epic fail of monumental proportions.
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I assume you never played halo ce and 2.

it's because of those 2 games that halo is what it is.

Graphics were really good for their time, but the core gameplay was what made it so good.
Simple maps, with not too much crap sticking out everywhere.
Fast gameplay (3sk pistol, 4sk br) etc made it great.

  • 03.13.2012 12:59 AM PDT

Halo's graphics have always been below par compared to CoD or GoW.

It's the cool physics and good gameplay that has made it popular.

  • 03.13.2012 1:02 AM PDT

I have played Halo 2 but not CE this is purely for exam purposes that i'm quesioning it.

  • 03.13.2012 7:32 AM PDT
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Posted by: CJDRUMMER360
Is Halo popular because it has good graphics, or because it has good special effects?
Is the story a plausible future?

Just doing an analysis project on this and several other games, -i'd like your opinion.

I don't think "special effects" applies to an entirely computer generated environment, it's not a live action film. Good graphics is only part of what makes Halo so popular, it's also due to a compelling story, a high skilled fast paced Multiplayer, and all the great variety and customization.

  • 03.13.2012 8:55 AM PDT

Posted by: CJDRUMMER360
Is Halo popular because it has good graphics?
No. If graphics determine quality, why do people still play classic Atari/NES games?
Is the story a plausible future?Somewhat.

  • 03.13.2012 9:11 AM PDT

No, Halo 1 and 2 are still probably the best out of the series imo. Graphics are nice, but they have NOTHING to do with how good a game is, gameplay is what matters. There's still a ton of late 90's - early 2000's games I prefer over recent titles.

I don't understand your second question.

  • 03.13.2012 9:16 AM PDT

Posted by: the pib
I don't think "special effects" applies to an entirely computer generated environment, it's not a live action film. Good graphics is only part of what makes Halo so popular, it's also due to a compelling story, a high skilled fast paced Multiplayer, and all the great variety and customization.

I have to partially agree, however, special effects in the context of video games includes things you would not see in other genres or similar games, i.e. the explosions, armour effects, bullet damage etc.. but i see your point, i may have to quote you as i have already found that "special effects" is simply impossible to quantify in video games.
So i pose to you a new question :P --> Is the series realistic (explosions, weapons etc..)?
Thanks for your help so far people :D

  • 03.13.2012 2:54 PM PDT


Posted by: xSmoothmouse
Halo's graphics have always been below par compared to CoD or GoW.

It's the cool physics and good gameplay that has made it popular.


This is very relavent considering i am also analysing the CoD:MW series, although i would have to ask; do you think a FPS (Halo/CoD) is more realistic than that of a 3rdPS(GoW/Mass Effect)?

  • 03.13.2012 2:58 PM PDT


Posted by: CJDRUMMER360

Posted by: xSmoothmouse
Halo's graphics have always been below par compared to CoD or GoW.

It's the cool physics and good gameplay that has made it popular.


This is very relavent considering i am also analysing the CoD:MW series, although i would have to ask; do you think a FPS (Halo/CoD) is more realistic than that of a 3rdPS(GoW/Mass Effect)?


halo is pretty unrealistic, i mean we are talking super soldiers here something that only exists in fiction.

edit: in general though, i feel that a FPS is more realistic than a 3rdPS

[Edited on 03.13.2012 4:40 PM PDT]

  • 03.13.2012 4:39 PM PDT
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If you accept the science fiction stuff, I find the physics in Reach to be very realistic except for how DMR fire can knock around Warthogs so easily, and how the AI can shrug off getting shot. It's just cartoonish how an unarmored Marine or Grunt can casually ignore a plasma bolt to the face.

Also, grenades aren't anywhere near as deadly as they are in real life because there's no shrapnel aspect at all, just a concussive radius. A real grenade would punch you full of holes from 30 feet away.

[Edited on 03.13.2012 4:48 PM PDT]

  • 03.13.2012 4:45 PM PDT

Posted by: the pib
It's just cartoonish how an unarmored Marine or Grunt can casually ignore a plasma bolt to the face.
Gameplay raisin

  • 03.13.2012 4:48 PM PDT
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Posted by: boomdeyadah
Posted by: the pib
It's just cartoonish how an unarmored Marine or Grunt can casually ignore a plasma bolt to the face.
Gameplay raisin

Yep, clearly the game wouldn't be as fun if a single plasma bolt or AR round could kill an unshielded target, as they would in real life or as they do in the novels. But every video game sacrifices realism for gameplay.

  • 03.13.2012 4:51 PM PDT

Plasma Rifle = god weapon under more realistic settings. It'd be like CoD kill times x2.

[Edited on 03.13.2012 4:59 PM PDT]

  • 03.13.2012 4:53 PM PDT

The Don Was h3re

graphics were not amazingly cutting edge it was always the gameplay that brought people back imo

  • 03.13.2012 8:02 PM PDT

I don't need a specialized burger; I stack BKs on my own.

I loved the story before lolreach. The gameplay was the best part, though.

  • 03.13.2012 8:05 PM PDT
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Posted by: zuboy
the core gameplay was what made it so good.


Posted by: Ramir3z77
No, Halo 1 and 2 are still the best out of the series. Graphics are nice, but they have NOTHING to do with how good a game is, gameplay is what matters.

  • 03.13.2012 8:09 PM PDT