Okay, first before I get started talking about the vid, have a look for yourself.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29fUIsRuEZI

Okay, now that you’ve had a chance to view this (hopefully multiple times), let’s discuss this trailer.

In this first shot, we see what looks to be a Halo 4 styled Banshe. However, it looks like it’s been tweaked a little. Hard to tell, but some of it looks more like the Heretic Banshees from Halo 2.

Here we see the Banshee has hit the Pelican and it’s going down. Now, that isn’t the important part in this screen, at least for this moment. It’s rather the background. Where is this? My bet is on Sanghelios and by the time the trailer is finished, I’m convinced of it.

Locke putting on his helmet getting ready to disembark the flailing Pelican.

Locke jumps out of the rear troop hatch. Again, not the important part. What are those seemingly floating (though likely connected) discs? Are they living quarters? Docking stations? I’m certainly intrigued to find out.

Now here we get a more grand look of the city this is all happening in. It’s not human architecture. Or at least none that we’ve seen in Halo up to this point. The more organic nature of the buildings screams Covenant, specifically Elites.

This view is of the inside of a building that Locke crash lands through. Seems eerily similar to Forerunner, don’t you think??

Okay, now we get into the baddassery that seems to be Locke.

Below is a screen of Locke using his thruster pack.

From there he jumps through the b building to land on the trailing Banshee that had shot down the Pelican. Still loving the alien architecture. More I see it, the more I want to learn about it.

Here’s a nice glimpse of the underside of the Banshee as it tries to roll/shake Locke off of it. Again, this doesn’t appear to be EXACTLY the same as the Halo 4 model. 

Locke landing on the ground with the use of his thruster pack. However, it seems to be used more like a jetpack, hmm… Beyond there are Elite Zealots (Halo 4 style) coming at him with energy swords drawn. Who might these be? What faction do they follow? Are they part of Thel Vadam’s keep or Jul ‘Mdama?

This screen just doesn’t capture the action going on here. Locke is clambering up the side of the building. Not just a simple jump clamber either, as was in the beta. He’s leaping stories at a time.

The next three screens show us a visor ability. Is this the VISR from ODST or Promethean Vision form Halo 4? Looks like an integration of the two, to me. I like it. (Though it’s unfair in multiplayer, IMO)

A shot of Locke jumping down, followed by the sequence of him delivering a huge ground pound. If only it was this strong in the game…well at least the campaign anyway.

Locke rushes into action with his thruster pack again.

This time crashing into some Jackals. Those energy shields look fantastic!

The ghost design is slightly different, but clearly recognizable.

In this shot below, I’m very curious if this is a main character or just another elite. By the helmet design and color of the armor, he’s at minimum an officer. Sadly, he gets stuck by Locke, so we may never know.

Finally, Locke looking down at some movies racing to attack him. Note the red sky in the background. That is another piece that gives me clear evidence that this indeed is Sangheilios.Now, as for the trailer itself, the pacing was great all the way through. It clearly showed off a number of attributes that Locke’s armor has.

This as an advertisement to pre-order from Gamestop however is sort of lost. Only at the end do they same to pre-order from the to get this armor. Why? Is it not part of the cadre of armors at release? Strange since Master Chief’s armor has always been an option one way or another.

Besides, we’re going to be able to play as Locke in the campaign. So I personally do not feel the driven desire to pre-order from this trailer. (Besides, I already had this pre-orders from Gamestop a month or so ago).

As an action sequence to get me pumped for Halo 5 Guardians, it’s good. I can’t quite say great though as it’s (location excluded) a typical battle between a Spartan and Covie forces, al be it with cool abilities.

Still, it’s a definite good video and a step in the right direction to lead us on to what’s ahead.

What do you folks think? Like the vid? Don’t like it? Let me know why. Reply below or e-mail me at slashalofanforlife.com.

-Sal