Halo 3 Forum
This topic has moved here: Subject: Halo Story arc - just not that good.
  • Subject: Halo Story arc - just not that good.
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

I think the storys great, the best of any videogame yet. I mean, there are the mysical forerunners who build ringworlds the size of whole planets! The flood that'll never stop till everything is a flood "form." Also we have the religious nuts: the Covenant who are led by the profits who for some reason want to annialate the human race; a split has also taken place in the covenant.... list goes on.

  • 06.01.2006 8:28 AM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

I read this thread and I ask but one question: Have any of you actually read the books? IT EXPLAINS HOW HE GOT OUT. And still I see people saying: "H0w D1d H3 GEt 0Ut!?!"

READ THE BOOKS BEFORE YOU BASH THE STORYLINE.

Sheesh.

  • 06.01.2006 8:32 AM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

To Recon No54 I downloaded Marathon a fortnight ago and also agree because reading from the consoles involes me more that a cutscene. Although the rampant AI is a load of tosh! It talks about the Romans and barbairans...ect. It just sounds stupid not rampant. It would have been better if it had threatend the human race (in the console) or told the player to F*** off! lol. ;)

[Edited on 6/1/2006]

  • 06.01.2006 8:33 AM PDT

It's fun when we win and funny when we lose: Le Mediocrity
OR
Come take your verbal beating like a man in THE CAVE

In regard to Recons comments:

Apples to apples, I would definitely put Halo in the top 5 video game stories/believeable worlds. I was just comparing the whole food group to get some perspective.

  • 06.01.2006 8:39 AM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

Posted by: TheStanman
I read this thread and I ask but one question: Have any of you actually read the books? IT EXPLAINS HOW HE GOT OUT. And still I see people saying: "H0w D1d H3 GEt 0Ut!?!"

READ THE BOOKS BEFORE YOU BASH THE STORYLINE.

Sheesh.


I know the story of how he got out. It only verified my original belief about the books....they are just there to be sold and squeeze more money out of the franchise.

I'm not in particular bashing on Halo by saying this...I mean, Lost recently put out a novel also that is just riding the tide of the series popularity.

Again, in my opinion, it's a crap way to squeeze more money out of something, and most of the time novel's based around TV series, video games, roleplaying games, blah blah blah contradict the original medium, which I find frustrating.

  • 06.01.2006 8:44 AM PDT

Posted by: Seggi31
Posted by: Doctor Jensen
I've challenged my beliefs. What is the book about?


I find that this is usually untrue. If religious people honestly, diligently and intelligently challenged their beliefs, there would be no religious people.

I know the one liners are pretty estoopid, but I mean when you look at Halo's storyline it's kewl because it's something that you don't see everyday (the humans are actually LOSING, OMG) you gotta give them some credit for that. Although I do think it's weird trying to make changes to a game's sequel then trying to explain it while still keeping the storyline acceptable (I mean, look at metroid, all they gotta do is say "lookit Samus got her suit taken away at the end so when the sequel comes out don't complain that you don't start the game with all the power ups OK?") but Bungie's still trying anyways. So you shouldn't bag on Halo's plot too much considering that the developers are doing some of the best work in their field. Remember it isn't often that you run into an FPS with a storyline so compelling as Halo's.

  • 06.01.2006 8:46 AM PDT

Posted by: Wiltron
TThere's been a lot of talk and speculation about his epic Halo story. People are worried it will be ruined or excited that it'll be the best.storyending.evar. Take a step back from the video game world for a second: It's just not that impressive as a work of fiction. It's a good enough story to warrant a play through of the campaign, and I'd even say it's better than most video game stories, but outside of it's tiny niche microcosm, it pulp fiction. A Harlequin Romance novel for video game geeks.

The dialog in the game is the worst. How many corny one-liners have we heard from MC or the Sarge? Some of them were so ridiculous I think Ahnold would have had a hard time pulling them off. The high level story of flood, brutes, prophets, etc... is great, but the low level execution is lacking believability, even in the realm of science fiction.

Anyone with me?


I think you're right for the most part. I loved the first one. It was mysterious and very much like an adventure...

Going to some crazy ass place the likes of which we had never explored. The idea of a living "planet" inside a gigantic ring like that. It really enjoyed it.

The second time I was much more prepared. Checking out this site, being up in the forums. I actually learned more than I wanted to. In between commercials on TV(I hate TV commercials, it would have been better had the Scarab never been shown) and leaked screens, video's, etc. I think the whole experience may have been ruined for me a little bit. Also the story tried to become a lot bigger than before and wasn't the the easiest to follow the first time through.

This next time I'm going to try and keep myself away from any campaign spoilers. Maybe this "last" part of the story will be really good and tie it all up. We'll just have to wait and see.

Added: Also I hated playing as the Arbiter. Really bad idea. Please don't do it again.

[Edited on 6/1/2006]

  • 06.01.2006 8:50 AM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

i can see what your saying when you talk about the halo story arc being unremarkable outside of its own microcosm, but consider just what microcosm you're talking about, game storytelling is interactive, it has to compell you to take action, how many novel writers have to compell you to actually perform a challenging task(the gameplay itself)?. To write a good book is definitely a challenge because you have to keep the reader interested enough to continue reaading, but imagine having to write a book the reader could walk around in, interact and explore with.
You could look at movies the same way, take pulp fiction out of its own microcosm of film, would it stand up to scrutiny in a gaming enviroment? would you care enough about seeing what happens to the mysterious briefcase to run around shooting people for 10 hours?
Halo's storyline was, to the best of my knowledge, designed from the off to be an interactive, gaming experience, in a gaming enviroment, where you have the advantage of imaginative visuals and characteer design, the story is great. The cheesy one liners might be laughed at in a cinema but they're not in a cinema, they're in a game, and in the game they seem to work.
Nuther example! Da Vinci code, huge bestseller, taken out of its intended context, a novel, and placed in a cinematic medium it has received crap reviews!

  • 06.01.2006 8:51 AM PDT

Posted by: Seggi31
Posted by: Doctor Jensen
I've challenged my beliefs. What is the book about?


I find that this is usually untrue. If religious people honestly, diligently and intelligently challenged their beliefs, there would be no religious people.

Posted by: Recon Number 54
Movies and television (IMO) just can't compete with the other two. I hesitantly give television the edge, but the fact is that a well-conceived and executed television series can tell a better story than any 2-3 hour long film. The other edge of that sword is that television series can also get stale and self-serving when the writers lose their focus.
Then there's the whole good-storyline-gone-bad-because-the-shows-person-guy-that-wri tes-it-doesn't-end-the-series-at-a-good-time-because-they 're-making-lots-of-money-off-of-it-so-they-stretch-the-pl ot-as-far-as-possible-until-it-just-gets-dull-or-repeats-itse lf-in-a-different-manner

  • 06.01.2006 8:51 AM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

Posted by: Caer Bannog
Posted by: Zero Or Nothing
Johnson didnt die smart one, he escaped.

DE-DE-DEEE


And I call BS on that. He died, with the Elite, unless somehow Elite hugs make a human being invulnerable to massive assplosions and capable to survive and navigate the vacuum of space back to their homeworld.


1- the elite is apparently the arbiter

2- to the original poster, i think that the halo story is absolutely amazing, and is brilliantly told

  • 06.01.2006 8:53 AM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

If you want a game with a good storyline, don't play Halo2. Halo: CE had a decent storyline, that could have been a stand alone title. But we all know what happens when game developers/movie directors get greedy: make a sequel or two. It almost always sucks. Why, because now they have something that did really well, and they have a major time restriction, so the game or movie turns out like crap. The best game series that looks better everygame, plays better everygame, and has a better storyline everygame is the splinter cell series. Bungie, my word of advice: mimic ubisoft.

  • 06.01.2006 8:54 AM PDT

Posted by: Seggi31
Posted by: Doctor Jensen
I've challenged my beliefs. What is the book about?


I find that this is usually untrue. If religious people honestly, diligently and intelligently challenged their beliefs, there would be no religious people.

Posted by: Caer Bannog
Posted by: Zero Or Nothing
Johnson didnt die smart one, he escaped.

DE-DE-DEEE


And I call BS on that. He died, with the Elite, unless somehow Elite hugs make a human being invulnerable to massive assplosions and capable to survive and navigate the vacuum of space back to their homeworld.

CAN J00 PEOPLE NOTICE ELITES DON'T USE HUMAN WEAPONS!??!?!?! I mean if Elites are as strong as spartans wouldn't the elite just kick Johnson's ass hand to hand?

  • 06.01.2006 8:57 AM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

Posted by: Codfish7
If you want a game with a good storyline, don't play Halo2. Halo: CE had a decent storyline, that could have been a stand alone title. But we all know what happens when game developers/movie directors get greedy: make a sequel or two. It almost always sucks. Why, because now they have something that did really well, and they have a major time restriction, so the game or movie turns out like crap. The best game series that looks better everygame, plays better everygame, and has a better storyline everygame is the splinter cell series. Bungie, my word of advice: mimic ubisoft.


nope. halo 2 is a continuation of halo. it is the same story.

  • 06.01.2006 9:02 AM PDT

Posted by: chrome_whiplash
Posted by: Codfish7
If you want a game with a good storyline, don't play Halo2. Halo: CE had a decent storyline, that could have been a stand alone title. But we all know what happens when game developers/movie directors get greedy: make a sequel or two. It almost always sucks. Why, because now they have something that did really well, and they have a major time restriction, so the game or movie turns out like crap. The best game series that looks better everygame, plays better everygame, and has a better storyline everygame is the splinter cell series. Bungie, my word of advice: mimic ubisoft.


nope. halo 2 is a continuation of halo. it is the same story.

Nope. Everyone would notice if it was the same story. It'd be kind of obvious.

  • 06.01.2006 9:04 AM PDT

Posted by: Codfish7
If you want a game with a good storyline, don't play Halo2. Halo: CE had a decent storyline, that could have been a stand alone title. But we all know what happens when game developers/movie directors get greedy: make a sequel or two. It almost always sucks. Why, because now they have something that did really well, and they have a major time restriction, so the game or movie turns out like crap. The best game series that looks better everygame, plays better everygame, and has a better storyline everygame is the splinter cell series. Bungie, my word of advice: mimic ubisoft.


Yeah because mimicing others is such a good way to be original.

  • 06.01.2006 9:05 AM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

Posted by: dmbfan09
Posted by: Caer Bannog
Still...seldom does anything beat "Uh-oh, the truck have started to move!"
Or "I FEEL ASLEEP!"


Who can forget "All your base are belong to us!"

But anyway, I think the story works well. It is fun and keeps casual gamers interested, and for those who want more they can read the books.

And the thing with Johnson going splody at then end of H1, I think that was just an egg for legendary, meaning that it wasn't a story point, as shown by the fact that only Hardcore gamers ever get to see it.

  • 06.01.2006 9:11 AM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

Ok I'll chip in here:

Prior to H2's release, there was an ARG called "I love Bees", which was a kind of game played out at ilovebees.com leading to the release of the game. As the game (which was mroe of a series of riddles) unfolded, MP3's were unlocked which revealed a 2 plus hour story (more like a play complete with characters, awesome sound effects etc) which explained spartan training to some extent, the initial invation of Earth by the covenant and how AI's like Cortana are created. When it was all over you could actually drive to one of a handfull of locations (one was 50 miles from me, I drove in the rain) and speak a silly codeword to someone (in my case a movie theater manager) and get a free DVD with all teh MP3's on it. I listened to the whole thing. It was friggen AWESOME except for one thing: NONE of the material had SQUAT to do with Halo 2. At all. Jersey, The Walkaway Girl - not a damn thing. Instead of playing into that storyline in ANY WAY, I found myself bored nauseous playing a Covie, with a bunch of Covies as help FIGHTING COVIES. I never made it past that part of the campaign, and never even loaded the campaign up again.

In conclusion, I think the Halo universe (ilovebees, the games and teh novels) comprise a well thought out and interesting universe, but in terms of WHICH story to tell for the game itself, I have to give it thumbs down. Not interested in a renegate covie. I never want to play as the covenant. EVER. I'd rather play as friggen Cortana. Seriously. For all these reasons I have never even cracked a cover of one of the novels.

It also looks like the movie, in lieu of all the awesome backstory and conspiracy crap from bees etc has been shaped as a brainless action romp which could feature a pro wrestler in the lead.

  • 06.01.2006 9:12 AM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

Posted by: Caer Bannog
Posted by: Zero Or Nothing
Johnson didnt die smart one, he escaped.

DE-DE-DEEE


And I call BS on that. He died, with the Elite, unless somehow Elite hugs make a human being invulnerable to massive assplosions and capable to survive and navigate the vacuum of space back to their homeworld.


Apparantly some ppl don't know what an Easter Egg is. If you honestly think that i can't take anything you say seriously.

  • 06.01.2006 9:17 AM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

Posted by: Caer Bannog
Posted by: TheStanman
I read this thread and I ask but one question: Have any of you actually read the books? IT EXPLAINS HOW HE GOT OUT. And still I see people saying: "H0w D1d H3 GEt 0Ut!?!"

READ THE BOOKS BEFORE YOU BASH THE STORYLINE.

Sheesh.


I know the story of how he got out. It only verified my original belief about the books....they are just there to be sold and squeeze more money out of the franchise.

I'm not in particular bashing on Halo by saying this...I mean, Lost recently put out a novel also that is just riding the tide of the series popularity.

Again, in my opinion, it's a crap way to squeeze more money out of something, and most of the time novel's based around TV series, video games, roleplaying games, blah blah blah contradict the original medium, which I find frustrating.


Oh I'm sorry... that wasn't directed at you. That was directed at the other 10 year old's wanting to change Halo 3 for themselves that have never read the books...

Sorry.

  • 06.01.2006 9:20 AM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

Posted by: d3adeye
Posted by: Caer Bannog
Posted by: Zero Or Nothing
Johnson didnt die smart one, he escaped.

DE-DE-DEEE


And I call BS on that. He died, with the Elite, unless somehow Elite hugs make a human being invulnerable to massive assplosions and capable to survive and navigate the vacuum of space back to their homeworld.


Apparantly some ppl don't know what an Easter Egg is. If you honestly think that i can't take anything you say seriously.


Seriously. Do you actually think the Soccerball in New Mombasa or the Scarab Gun is part of the story? It's a little bonus. Just for kicks. As a congrats for completing legendary.

  • 06.01.2006 9:22 AM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

Posted by: d3adeye
Posted by: Caer Bannog
Posted by: Zero Or Nothing
Johnson didnt die smart one, he escaped.

DE-DE-DEEE


And I call BS on that. He died, with the Elite, unless somehow Elite hugs make a human being invulnerable to massive assplosions and capable to survive and navigate the vacuum of space back to their homeworld.


Apparantly some ppl don't know what an Easter Egg is. If you honestly think that i can't take anything you say seriously.


What's an Easter Egg?

  • 06.01.2006 9:23 AM PDT

It's an egg made of chocolate.

  • 06.01.2006 9:24 AM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

Posted by: TheStanman
Posted by: d3adeye
Posted by: Caer Bannog
Posted by: Zero Or Nothing
Johnson didnt die smart one, he escaped.

DE-DE-DEEE


And I call BS on that. He died, with the Elite, unless somehow Elite hugs make a human being invulnerable to massive assplosions and capable to survive and navigate the vacuum of space back to their homeworld.


Apparantly some ppl don't know what an Easter Egg is. If you honestly think that i can't take anything you say seriously.


Seriously. Do you actually think the Soccerball in New Mombasa or the Scarab Gun is part of the story? It's a little bonus. Just for kicks. As a congrats for completing legendary.


Ya, cause if Halo was real, the MC would be able to run around picking up skulls that give him super powers to turn invisible among other stuff...

  • 06.01.2006 9:27 AM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

An Easter Egg:

A little "gift" in the game for fun, that does not affect the story line in any way.

[Edited on 6/1/2006]

  • 06.01.2006 9:28 AM PDT