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Subject: Halo 4 lovers: Convince me to buy halo 4. (I'm aware it's n...

If i woke up looking like that, i would just run to the nearest living thing, and kill it.

This is a sincere request. I loved halo, but the more recent releases have convinced me that the series is dead. What in halo 4 serves to counter this believe? Specifically, I have a few questions you could start with, but feel free to sell me on anything you think looks promising about this game. (Forgive outdated questions, I've been out of the loop for some time.)

How is MC's change of armor justified? Also, are we expected to believe the jetpack from the trailer has just "always been there?"

What is this "spartan ops" thing I'm hearing about and why is it so great?

How is lore/storyline being introduce to multiplayer concepts? What makes it likely to be successful?

What is known about S-IV's?

Thanks for your time if you read/respond.

  • 05.22.2012 1:44 PM PDT

1. Cortana was modified the suits firmware and for the jetpack, it's for low G environments so thats why we never really see him use it before.

2. Its a tiny bit like Specs Ops from MW. The difference is that it gets updated weekly with new missions for free and you get a bit of cinematics that help tell the UNSC Infinity's story.

3. It has Spartan-IVs use a holo deck like thing on the UNSC Infinity to train. I'm not sure if it'll be successful, I kind of hope so.

4. S-IV's, as we so far know, are adult volunteers, like the S-I program that wear a lightweight version thats similar to Mjolner. The S-IIIs and the remaining S-IIs were folded into this program.

  • 05.22.2012 2:03 PM PDT

-Watertribe-

The Chief's armor is different because of the different art style. The thruster pack has always been there.

[Edited on 05.22.2012 2:08 PM PDT]

  • 05.22.2012 2:08 PM PDT

2nd account
Original: http://www.bungie.net/Account/profile.aspx?uid=2512387
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Like what?
"Oh hey honey im going to virtually destroy oh.... 10 or so interplanetary species and hopefully become a god after I have a cataclysmic suicide!"


Posted by: ThatOneJedi
1. Cortana was modified the suits firmware and for the jetpack, it's for low G environments so thats why we never really see him use it before.

2. Its a tiny bit like Specs Ops from MW. The difference is that it gets updated weekly with new missions for free and you get a bit of cinematics that help tell the UNSC Infinity's story.

3. It has Spartan-IVs use a holo deck like thing on the UNSC Infinity to train. I'm not sure if it'll be successful, I kind of hope so.

4. S-IV's, as we so far know, are adult volunteers, like the S-I program that wear a lightweight version thats similar to Mjolner. The S-IIIs and the remaining S-IIs were folded into this program.


This, also like to add that "Spartan Ops" will be the same size and scale and story telling as Campaign and will run seasonly, so every season you get a new campaign basically with the missions released weekly as Free DLC.

Multiplayer is like a combat simulator between the missions on spartan ops, which take place before the main campaign, so it's all tied in.

A lot of forerunner technology went into the Spartan IV's.

  • 05.22.2012 2:48 PM PDT
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  • Exalted Legendary Member

If you don't want to buy it, then don't. Just rent it, I've just ordered the Limited edition.

[Edited on 05.22.2012 2:54 PM PDT]

  • 05.22.2012 2:49 PM PDT
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Posted by: Vicks007

This, also like to add that "Spartan Ops" will be the same size and scale and story telling as Campaign and will run seasonly, so every season you get a new campaign basically with the missions released weekly as Free DLC.
Do you know if it can be played offline?

At the bottom of the H4 official page, it says requires Xbox Live Gold.

[Edited on 05.22.2012 2:54 PM PDT]

  • 05.22.2012 2:52 PM PDT


Posted by: Chrome TaterTot
This is a sincere request. I loved halo, but the more recent releases have convinced me that the series is dead. What in halo 4 serves to counter this believe? Specifically, I have a few questions you could start with, but feel free to sell me on anything you think looks promising about this game. (Forgive outdated questions, I've been out of the loop for some time.)

How is MC's change of armor justified? Also, are we expected to believe the jetpack from the trailer has just "always been there?"

What is this "spartan ops" thing I'm hearing about and why is it so great?

How is lore/storyline being introduce to multiplayer concepts? What makes it likely to be successful?

What is known about S-IV's?

Thanks for your time if you read/respond.


Incase someone else hasn't said...

1) Mostly different artistic interpretations. There was some upgrades, but not enough to make the whole suit new.

And yes, he's always had it. A zero gee thruster on his suit's back.

2) Free campaign DLC every week, basically. Your Spartan 4 multiplayer character in an entirely new story complete with CG cinematics and 5 new misions every week. This relates to the Infinity and what their story is.

3) with S.O. mostly, but the multiplayer is now on a holodeck/Matrix type structure in the Infinity. Combat excersizes basically. Doesn't change anything, just a little note.

4) They are all picked out of the best and the brightest units in the UNSC and given Spartan augmentations and MJOLNIR, but at the consent of the soldier rather than kidnap. UNSC get's their supersoldiers at a significantly decreased cost but with more returns value.

They are currently stationed aboard Infinity.

  • 05.22.2012 2:56 PM PDT
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  • Fabled Legendary Member

I understand nothing because my life is a conspiracy.


Posted by: ThatOneJedi
1. Cortana was modified the suits firmware and for the jetpack, it's for low G environments so thats why we never really see him use it before.

2. Its a tiny bit like Specs Ops from MW. The difference is that it gets updated weekly with new missions for free and you get a bit of cinematics that help tell the UNSC Infinity's story.

3. It has Spartan-IVs use a holo deck like thing on the UNSC Infinity to train. I'm not sure if it'll be successful, I kind of hope so.

4. S-IV's, as we so far know, are adult volunteers, like the S-I program that wear a lightweight version thats similar to Mjolner. The S-IIIs and the remaining S-IIs were folded into this program.


How can Cortana modify MC's exterior. Last time I checked FotD didn't have a Build-A-Spartan in it.

[Edited on 05.22.2012 2:57 PM PDT]

  • 05.22.2012 2:57 PM PDT


Posted by: lime013

Posted by: ThatOneJedi
1. Cortana was modified the suits firmware and for the jetpack, it's for low G environments so thats why we never really see him use it before.

2. Its a tiny bit like Specs Ops from MW. The difference is that it gets updated weekly with new missions for free and you get a bit of cinematics that help tell the UNSC Infinity's story.

3. It has Spartan-IVs use a holo deck like thing on the UNSC Infinity to train. I'm not sure if it'll be successful, I kind of hope so.

4. S-IV's, as we so far know, are adult volunteers, like the S-I program that wear a lightweight version thats similar to Mjolner. The S-IIIs and the remaining S-IIs were folded into this program.


How can Cortana modify MC's exterior. Last time I checked FotD didn't have a Build-A-Spartan in it.


It is mostly computer upgrades; the visuals are simply artistic changes to make it their own.

It also allegedly gives him more room to maneuver.


Posted by: Sliding Ghost

Posted by: Vicks007

This, also like to add that "Spartan Ops" will be the same size and scale and story telling as Campaign and will run seasonly, so every season you get a new campaign basically with the missions released weekly as Free DLC.
Do you know if it can be played offline?

At the bottom of the H4 official page, it says requires Xbox Live Gold.


I know you can play solo, and if it is disc locked than you should be able to get it. Probably through automatically timed weekly updates.

Most likely, however, you need at least silver so you can download each episode. You do not need to play cooporatively, it's just advised (what with the difficulty).

  • 05.22.2012 3:00 PM PDT
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I'm not a H4 lover but I'd be happy to provide reasons to get H4:

-no Flood. The Flood after CE are easy/hard to kill for the wrong reasons.
-no Firefight. Firefight is now all about fighting off swarming enemies.
-no armor lock
-there's an emphasis on story (though there's more appeal to mp players atm), meaning the campaign will be much better than Reach's
-quick time events (limited) are better than first person cutscenes
-H4 is 343's own work. They're not going to sabotage it or make it sub par like CEA.

H4 is essentially 1) killing off things that have become stale or never had potential and 2) using trash/trashed assets that have potential (yes, armor abilities have it. They're just not done right and everything was centered around them i.e. players have slow movement speed because sprint exists).

ODST implemented things properly: Firefight, part of a team, cinematics, first person cutscenes.

Reach took them and used them so horribly. They're so -blam!- up that they can't be fixed. So I'm guessing cinematics will not show massive teases (a la TotS, Scarab on PoA), will not deprive us of gameplay, and will not force us to watch them (a la LNoS). We will not be forced to stand around and watch AI talk with each other.

Teams are becoming stale. Having Arby as a partner or a bunch of unnamed friendly AI was more fun.

Posted by: ROBERTO jh

I know you can play solo, and if it is disc locked than you should be able to get it. Probably through automatically timed weekly updates.

Most likely, however, you need at least silver so you can download each episode. You do not need to play cooporatively, it's just advised (what with the difficulty).
I certainly hope that's the case.

I wouldn't want to go Gold just to access one feature in one game.

[Edited on 05.22.2012 3:12 PM PDT]

  • 05.22.2012 3:01 PM PDT
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  • Fabled Legendary Member

I understand nothing because my life is a conspiracy.


Posted by: ROBERTO jh

Posted by: lime013

Posted by: ThatOneJedi
1. Cortana was modified the suits firmware and for the jetpack, it's for low G environments so thats why we never really see him use it before.

2. Its a tiny bit like Specs Ops from MW. The difference is that it gets updated weekly with new missions for free and you get a bit of cinematics that help tell the UNSC Infinity's story.

3. It has Spartan-IVs use a holo deck like thing on the UNSC Infinity to train. I'm not sure if it'll be successful, I kind of hope so.

4. S-IV's, as we so far know, are adult volunteers, like the S-I program that wear a lightweight version thats similar to Mjolner. The S-IIIs and the remaining S-IIs were folded into this program.


How can Cortana modify MC's exterior. Last time I checked FotD didn't have a Build-A-Spartan in it.


It is mostly computer upgrades; the visuals are simply artistic changes to make it their own.

It also allegedly gives him more room to maneuver.


Posted by: Sliding Ghost

Posted by: Vicks007

This, also like to add that "Spartan Ops" will be the same size and scale and story telling as Campaign and will run seasonly, so every season you get a new campaign basically with the missions released weekly as Free DLC.
Do you know if it can be played offline?

At the bottom of the H4 official page, it says requires Xbox Live Gold.


I know you can play solo, and if it is disc locked than you should be able to get it. Probably through automatically timed weekly updates.

Most likely, however, you need at least silver so you can download each episode. You do not need to play cooporatively, it's just advised (what with the difficulty).


I hate how everybody bashed Reach for "canon errors" while Halo 4 is getting off the hook.

  • 05.22.2012 3:20 PM PDT


Posted by: lime013

Posted by: ROBERTO jh

Posted by: lime013

Posted by: ThatOneJedi
1. Cortana was modified the suits firmware and for the jetpack, it's for low G environments so thats why we never really see him use it before.

2. Its a tiny bit like Specs Ops from MW. The difference is that it gets updated weekly with new missions for free and you get a bit of cinematics that help tell the UNSC Infinity's story.

3. It has Spartan-IVs use a holo deck like thing on the UNSC Infinity to train. I'm not sure if it'll be successful, I kind of hope so.

4. S-IV's, as we so far know, are adult volunteers, like the S-I program that wear a lightweight version thats similar to Mjolner. The S-IIIs and the remaining S-IIs were folded into this program.


How can Cortana modify MC's exterior. Last time I checked FotD didn't have a Build-A-Spartan in it.


It is mostly computer upgrades; the visuals are simply artistic changes to make it their own.

It also allegedly gives him more room to maneuver.


Posted by: Sliding Ghost

Posted by: Vicks007

This, also like to add that "Spartan Ops" will be the same size and scale and story telling as Campaign and will run seasonly, so every season you get a new campaign basically with the missions released weekly as Free DLC.
Do you know if it can be played offline?

At the bottom of the H4 official page, it says requires Xbox Live Gold.


I know you can play solo, and if it is disc locked than you should be able to get it. Probably through automatically timed weekly updates.

Most likely, however, you need at least silver so you can download each episode. You do not need to play cooporatively, it's just advised (what with the difficulty).


I hate how everybody bashed Reach for "canon errors" while Halo 4 is getting off the hook.


Halo 4 hasn't presented any canon errors, unless you mean the armor. An artistic evolution is not a canon error, it is simply a different artistic approach.

  • 05.22.2012 3:35 PM PDT

I am un-convincing you.
Do not give your money to corporate overlords.
Do not contribute to their fund for world domination.
The end result will be your enslavement!
You have been warned.

  • 05.22.2012 3:59 PM PDT

Vengeance only leads to an ongoing cycle of hatred.

The big green cyborg, Halo, is in it.

  • 05.22.2012 4:30 PM PDT


Posted by: Chrome TaterTot
This is a sincere request. I loved halo, but the more recent releases have convinced me that the series is dead. What in halo 4 serves to counter this believe? Specifically, I have a few questions you could start with, but feel free to sell me on anything you think looks promising about this game. (Forgive outdated questions, I've been out of the loop for some time.)
ODST was great. The only huge disappointment was Reach, and that's coming from a select few of the Halo population. The percentage of the population that actually goes on forums and what not.

Posted by: Chrome TaterTot
How is MC's change of armor justified? Also, are we expected to believe the jetpack from the trailer has just "always been there?"
I believe Spartan II's have always had thruster packs. Isn't that how Kurt got blown out into space? Anyway's Chief's armour is probably just a different art style. If it IS a new suit of armour...then I am really going to facepalm.

Posted by: Chrome TaterTot
What is this "spartan ops" thing I'm hearing about and why is it so great?
Spartan Ops is like a side campaign. You do missions (as your Spartan IV?) and it progresses the story in Spartan Ops.

Posted by: Chrome TaterTot
How is lore/storyline being introduce to multiplayer concepts? What makes it likely to be successful?
It's just a training simulation aboard the UNSC Infinity. Nothing more, nothing less. It doesn't really affect the lore too much, and it will be successful because of that. People just want to shoot each other in multiplayer.

Posted by: Chrome TaterTot
What is known about S-IV's?
Go read Halo Glasslands. The basic rundown is that instead of children they are adult volunteers that are given augments. If they are on par with the Spartan 2s and 3s, only time will tell. IMO I don't think they will be, but you never know.

Posted by: Chrome TaterTot
Thanks for your time if you read/respond.
Your welcome. However you could have found out most of this if you took the time to actually research it.

[Edited on 05.22.2012 5:07 PM PDT]

  • 05.22.2012 5:04 PM PDT


Posted by: ThatOneJedi
1. Cortana was modified the suits firmware and for the jetpack, it's for low G environments so thats why we never really see him use it before.


Okay then, here, I'll give you two scenes completely made STUPID if that's true.

A: Halo 2, when he took the bomb off Cairo. Would've been perfect place to show it.

B: Halo 3, when he was BARELY hanging onto the dawn. Would've been perfect place to use it, even if it can't lift him in the atmosphere, it would've helped him secure his grip.

I seriously, cannot buy this "It's always been there!" because it's NEVER, EVER been hinted at. Seriously, give me a pre-halo 4 place/thing/book/anything, that said Mark VI armor had a built in thruster pack.

Edit: every time in the books we have the S2's in space, they use thruster packs. aka, they slip into a harness and have a backpack that is the thruster. It's not part of their armor.

[Edited on 05.22.2012 5:40 PM PDT]

  • 05.22.2012 5:39 PM PDT

Why are you here?

If you haven't seen everything it has to offer, how exciting and amazing everything sounds and looks yet, I won't bother.

  • 05.22.2012 5:58 PM PDT


Posted by: Cmdr DaeFaron

Posted by: ThatOneJedi
1. Cortana was modified the suits firmware and for the jetpack, it's for low G environments so thats why we never really see him use it before.


Okay then, here, I'll give you two scenes completely made STUPID if that's true.

A: Halo 2, when he took the bomb off Cairo. Would've been perfect place to show it.

B: Halo 3, when he was BARELY hanging onto the dawn. Would've been perfect place to use it, even if it can't lift him in the atmosphere, it would've helped him secure his grip.

I seriously, cannot buy this "It's always been there!" because it's NEVER, EVER been hinted at. Seriously, give me a pre-halo 4 place/thing/book/anything, that said Mark VI armor had a built in thruster pack.

Edit: every time in the books we have the S2's in space, they use thruster packs. aka, they slip into a harness and have a backpack that is the thruster. It's not part of their armor.


Have you ever looked at the back of an SII in Halo 3 or 2? Looks to me like you can clearly see his thrusters.

http://www.halopedian.com/images/6/61/Mark_VI_Study.jpg

Which are, funnily enough, what open up and fire when he's out of the tube in the trailer.

[Edited on 05.22.2012 6:01 PM PDT]

  • 05.22.2012 6:00 PM PDT

And in Halo 4, those parts are much more pronounced.

I see the back shoulder pieces on the torso, but they don't "Clearly" appear to be thrusters. Oh, and you know, Security helm in halo 3? Has a piece attached OVER those. So if they were always thrusters that'd be stupid as heck.

http://www.halopedian.com/images/4/47/SecurityArmor.png

That armor. If it was always thrusters/designed to 'pop out' and activate, it'd be impossible with that piece there. That seems to point more AGAINST "It was always thrusters" then not.

Oh, and I still haven't been given anything that proves they were always there. Just the piece of the model 343 turned into thrusters when they redesigned Mark VI armor.

[Edited on 05.22.2012 6:08 PM PDT]

  • 05.22.2012 6:04 PM PDT


Posted by: Cmdr DaeFaron
And in Halo 4, those parts are much more pronounced.

I see the back shoulder pieces on the torso, but they don't "Clearly" appear to be thrusters. Oh, and you know, Security helm in halo 3? Has a piece attached OVER those. So if they were always thrusters that'd be stupid as heck.

http://www.halopedian.com/images/4/47/SecurityArmor.png

That armor. If it was always thrusters/designed to 'pop out' and activate, it'd be impossible with that piece there. That seems to point more AGAINST "It was always thrusters" then not.

Oh, and I still haven't been given anything that proves they were always there. Just the piece of the model 343 turned into thrusters when they redesigned Mark VI armor.


Well, with it being a redesign that has actually used the thrusters, then the new design would have them more pronounced.

And Frankie did confirm a long time ago that these indeed have always been there. Don't expect me to find the video, it was last year.

  • 05.22.2012 6:16 PM PDT

Eh, that doesn't change my point. Nothing in universe pointed to them being thrusters besides *something dealing with halo 4* going "Oh, they were always there."

Seriously, this armor, which Chief has had for TWO games, had something never mentioned, never used? That's BS.

  • 05.22.2012 6:21 PM PDT

I love you


Posted by: Cmdr DaeFaron
And in Halo 4, those parts are much more pronounced.

I see the back shoulder pieces on the torso, but they don't "Clearly" appear to be thrusters. Oh, and you know, Security helm in halo 3? Has a piece attached OVER those. So if they were always thrusters that'd be stupid as heck.

http://www.halopedian.com/images/4/47/SecurityArmor.png

That armor. If it was always thrusters/designed to 'pop out' and activate, it'd be impossible with that piece there. That seems to point more AGAINST "It was always thrusters" then not.

Oh, and I still haven't been given anything that proves they were always there. Just the piece of the model 343 turned into thrusters when they redesigned Mark VI armor.
If you've actually read a Halo book, you would know right away that the armor was said to have zero G thrusters. It says it in Fall of Reach, don't know what page, but I believe once they get their Mk IV it says so (someone edit this if I'm off)

Now for the security armor part: Canon wise, Spartans don't go and mix and match armor pieces. The different armor perms are just for multiplayer so you can make your Spartan reflect you. You don't see Chief walking around with a damn sword on his back, or Haybusa armor, nor did any of the books say other Spartans used different variants of Mjolnir.

  • 05.22.2012 6:22 PM PDT

Weapon of Oppression

Whether or not you buy the game, you'll always be insiginificant to microsoft .

  • 05.22.2012 6:37 PM PDT


Posted by: cRiPpL3fIgHt45

Posted by: Cmdr DaeFaron
And in Halo 4, those parts are much more pronounced.

I see the back shoulder pieces on the torso, but they don't "Clearly" appear to be thrusters. Oh, and you know, Security helm in halo 3? Has a piece attached OVER those. So if they were always thrusters that'd be stupid as heck.

http://www.halopedian.com/images/4/47/SecurityArmor.png

That armor. If it was always thrusters/designed to 'pop out' and activate, it'd be impossible with that piece there. That seems to point more AGAINST "It was always thrusters" then not.

Oh, and I still haven't been given anything that proves they were always there. Just the piece of the model 343 turned into thrusters when they redesigned Mark VI armor.
If you've actually read a Halo book, you would know right away that the armor was said to have zero G thrusters. It says it in Fall of Reach, don't know what page, but I believe once they get their Mk IV it says so (someone edit this if I'm off)

Now for the security armor part: Canon wise, Spartans don't go and mix and match armor pieces. The different armor perms are just for multiplayer so you can make your Spartan reflect you. You don't see Chief walking around with a damn sword on his back, or Haybusa armor, nor did any of the books say other Spartans used different variants of Mjolnir.


A: Those thruster packs are like backpacks. If they were the shoulder piece area, then how come... james, At the orbital station took a hit in his thruster pack, which both Chief AND Linda had unhooked and gotten rid of? If it was built in, then a needle damaging it and causing it to go haywire wouldn't be a problem. Literally every single reference to a thruster pack I remember is something they put on like a harnessed backpack, not part of the armor.

B: Canon wise, most of these pieces are canon, simply put Chief didn't use them/get a chance to. Spartans would use whatever armor piece is most effective for their role. Chief might not have used Security, but the armor is canon. Sword variant might not be canon, but we know for a fact CQB is, as a Spartan in Halo Legends used it. Likewise, EVA was used by Kelly. Then the various pieces of Noble Team. So those pieces are confirmed canon.


edit: http://www.halopedian.com/Thruster_pack. Yeah, that's totally always been built into the armor.

[Edited on 05.22.2012 7:19 PM PDT]

  • 05.22.2012 7:09 PM PDT
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We are determined that before the sun sets on this terrible struggle our flag will be recognized throughout the world as a symbol of freedom on the one hand and of overwhelming force on the other.

There is no legitimate excuse that makes any sense in terms of canon as to why Chief's armor is changed. 343, for absolutely no reason, changed it without considering the gaping hole it'd cause in the canon.

-Cortana can't change it while he is in Cryo
-Forward Unto Dawn doesn't have futuristic Spartan armor laying around
-Even if there was new armor on the ship how did they fit it on?

Its just silly "I wan't to be artistically expressive." This game isn't about freaking art. Its about John.

According to me John's MJOLNIR Mk. VI looks the same way it did in Halo 2-3

  • 05.22.2012 9:21 PM PDT

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