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This topic has moved here: Subject: Is it essential to read The Forerunner Saga and the Kilo-Five Trilogy?
  • Subject: Is it essential to read The Forerunner Saga and the Kilo-Five Trilogy?
Subject: Is it essential to read The Forerunner Saga and the Kilo-Five Trilogy?

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Every time I come onto this forum I see Didact-this and Didact-that and something about someone called Bornstellar every once in a while.

I have Cryptum but have never actually bothered to read it because the Forerunners just don't interest me enough to pick it up, however do I need to pick it up and read it before Halo 4? I mean, are these books essential to read before Halo 4 comes out so I know a bit more about these characters or will I be able to get the gist of everything in Halo 4 itself?


I know that the Kilo-Five Trilogy is set in a different time than the Forerunner Saga but I don't know much about it and I just wondered if that too was essential to read before Halo 4.

[Edited on 08.30.2012 1:15 PM PDT]

  • 08.30.2012 12:49 PM PDT
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Deva Path


Posted by: DecepticonCobra

We are all going to get banned aren't we?

Regardless of what 343I says if you don't read the books and then try playing this trilogy you are going to be left out.

  • 08.30.2012 1:26 PM PDT

Posted by:ScubaToaster
Posted by: HipiO7
This man, this man right here put it so eloquently that I actually cancelled my own 2000+ word long post.
/slow clap for respect


:)
The person who said participating is important, not winning, obviously never won anything.

You'll probably feel exactly how you felt when you saw the Chief and Johnson back on Cairo Station in Halo 2 all of a suddenly.

It's not 100% essential, but it helps a great deal to get the whole picture.

  • 08.30.2012 2:45 PM PDT

Well since we haven't played Halo 4's campaign, we don't know how it's going to use the books. It could be just a jumping point or it could be vital background information. For example, Halsey's Journal really cleared up a couple things from Reach but I wouldn't say it's necessary to understand the plot of Reach.

From what 343 has said, I think it would help if you read the books but it's not completely necessary. They obviously know that not all fans of Halo games are fans of Halo books and they will need to explain a couple things so it can make sense.

  • 08.30.2012 2:51 PM PDT

By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.

Posted by: TheSpiderChief
the Forerunners just don't interest me enough to pick it up


I'm afraid that you're playing the wrong series then... o_O

  • 08.30.2012 3:12 PM PDT

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Posted by: ajw34307
Posted by: TheSpiderChief
the Forerunners just don't interest me enough to pick it up


I'm afraid that you're playing the wrong series then... o_O

No, don't get me wrong, I like the Forerunners but not on their own hence why I haven't read the books yet. I suppose it's because I'm more used to reading about Spartans and playing as a Spartan.

[Edited on 08.30.2012 3:17 PM PDT]

  • 08.30.2012 3:15 PM PDT
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I wouldn't say that it's essential but it would definitely help a lot as far as getting a complete understanding. I would highly recommend that you read both Cryptum and glassslands because it will give you a better understanding of it all. I think you might enjoy Cryptum because it also explains the relation between the forerunners and humans and where the flood came from along with the creation of the Halos, the Shield worlds (of which Halo 4 takes place) and the Didact who is the apparent antagonist in Halo 4(I know that that's not technically accurate but that's a spoiler).

  • 08.30.2012 3:30 PM PDT

H3ITWP

No you certainly don't need to, but if you like the Halo Universe you will for entertainment purposes. I have read them all and find them quite good.

I like the Karen Travis novels better than Greg Bear, but it really is just a matter of taste. I will read the third GB novel when it comes out.

This is what they do, add depth. Picture the Halo Universe like World War II. The war in Europe was only one part, there was Africa, China, Pacific and so forth. Reading the books expands upon the happenings of that time.

  • 08.30.2012 3:31 PM PDT
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Don't do anything you wouldn't want to have to explain to paramedics. Trust me, I'm a pilot.

I would say yes, as both series will fill you in on much of the back-story for Halo 4.

  • 08.30.2012 5:37 PM PDT

Considering that 343i has pretty much implied, if not directly stated, that, while the books are more tied storywise into the Reclaimer Trilogy (according to 343i), you still don't need to read them in order to understand the games...I'm sure it'd all help to varying degrees, but Halo is first and foremost a video game series, and as such, you won't ever need to read the books in order to understand the games...though they sure do add depth and help some things to be better understood, like First Strike to Halo 2.

Personally, I think that Glasslands' trilogy will probably be slightly more relevant to the Reclaimer Trilogy as it's in the same time period and they're very close together timeline wise. But no, neither the Forerunner Saga or Glasslands Trilogy will be necessary to understand the new games. That's my thought, but I could be wrong since the games aren't out yet.

  • 08.30.2012 6:08 PM PDT

If you're passionate about the thing you're talking about, I'll always lend an ear.

No it is not essential.

Halo 4 should have enough story to pick itself up from 3 to not require you to read the novels to understand the main plot. [That being the game plot first]

If it is essential that means 343i have done a poor job with Halo 4's storyline as the majority of Halo players do not read the novels.

Posted by: ajw34307
Posted by: TheSpiderChief
the Forerunners just don't interest me enough to pick it up


I'm afraid that you're playing the wrong series then... o_O

I guess I am.

[Edited on 08.30.2012 7:45 PM PDT]

  • 08.30.2012 7:44 PM PDT
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"Time was your ally human. But now it has abandoned you. The Forerunners....have returned. And this tomb... is now yours". - The Didact


Posted by: ninjakenzen
No it is not essential.

Halo 4 should have enough story to pick itself up from 3 to not require you to read the novels to understand the main plot. [That being the game plot first]

If it is essential that means 343i have done a poor job with Halo 4's storyline as the majority of Halo players do not read the novels.

Posted by: ajw34307
Posted by: TheSpiderChief
the Forerunners just don't interest me enough to pick it up


I'm afraid that you're playing the wrong series then... o_O

I guess I am.


No it's because the connections between Halo 4 and the new books is huge. Halo 4 is technically a sequel to both Halo 3 and the Forerunner books.

I have read the Forerunner books and i love how these books show what you can expect from the Halo 4 story like the Precursors, Didact, prometheans,composer etc.

You don't need to read the books but if you do then you get a better picture of the overall story.


  • 08.30.2012 8:46 PM PDT

Life is too short to spend it putting down others. Make the best of it.

I think the books play a great part in the story behind Halo 4. I mean if anybody read the forerunner books they would be able to see that that giant orb in the trailer is most likely connected to the first forerunner book. Unless you are looking to just run and gun through the game without story, you really should read the books. I mean, you are planning on putting a whole bunch of hours into the game, why not make it more enjoyable with some backstory?

  • 08.30.2012 9:32 PM PDT

Why are you here?

I know they said that you won't have to read the books to understand the new trilogy now (for people who don't care about books, those filthy casuals), but you're seriously missing out on the hype and anticipation if you don't read them.

[Edited on 08.30.2012 9:56 PM PDT]

  • 08.30.2012 9:55 PM PDT

If you're passionate about the thing you're talking about, I'll always lend an ear.

I think people in this thread need to re-read the OP's question and underlined point.

Yes, reading the novel in any video-game series can supplement and add a greater detail to the establish canon. To what extent depends on how well the book carries relevant material across to the video-game's source, arguably the expanded 343i universe does so to a greater extent when compared to other video game series. But again we don't know that yet as Halo 4 isn't out for us to make a comparison as of yet.

However, is it essential?

No.

  • 08.31.2012 2:52 PM PDT