With permission from @CruelLEGACEY
The suit looks fantastic. Daniel Cudmore as the man in the suit is a great choice. He’s 6’8″ if I’m not mistaken, so he’s very near the right height already (without those pesky enhancements the UNSC did to Chief…)
Anyway enjoy.
-Sal
Earlier today IGN revealed info on the War Games Map Pass. Now we take a look at concept art for each of the 9 maps.
First coming in December the first of three packs is Crimson pack with the following three maps:
Wreckage: a blend of claustrophobic spaces and dangerous exposures
Harvest: You venture into the human colony environs of the planet
Of note this is the first planet documented as having had combat with the Covenant.
If Harvest the map is anything like this concept it looks to be a BTB map. Just look at the wide range and multilevel bridges between the ravine.
Shatter: Explore a human foray on an alien moon
This map looks somewhat spooky and for that I can see it being a good FLOOD infection map depending on it’s final size. Also looks good for small objective gametypes.
The second of the map packs is Majestic and is due in February 2013. It will bring us the following three maps:
Landfall: emphasis is on infantry battles against a glittering ocean on a distant world
Now wouldn’t it just be great if we finally got some type of watercraft?? Hmmmm. This map would be perfect for it.
Monolith: exposes you to the naked vacuum of space — and the firepower of opposing teams
Just an amazing looking concept. I wonder what the final map will look like. Is that a huge kill ball in the middle? Could it be another Cryptum? We’ll have to wait until February of next year to find out (or unless 343 tells us before hand).
Skyline: distinct industrial feel provides new challenges in somewhat familiar, but occasionally confined spaces
The third map pack is Castle. I wonder if that’s a reference to Castle base on Reach, or possibly for Nathan Fillion’s TV series. You know he’s a HUGE Halo fan. LOL. This map pack comes out in April of 2013. Yikes, so far away… It will bring us:
Daybreak: set in a military facility against the backdrop of an idyllic mountain range
I like the concept pic. Though the holes in the mountains are strange. Then again, this is an alien world, so not all of the same rules apply there as on Earth.
Outcast: plunges you into the warrens, canyons and arches of an alien edifice
There’s something I really like about this concept pic. I can’t quite put my finger on it. Maybe the relative confined spaces yet with enough room for larger scale combat. Dunno, but I can’t wait to see more of it.
Finally, Perdition: takes players into the heart of an urban sprawl
Please let me know what YOU think of these concepts. Do you like the direction the future map packs are taking? Do you like the names of the maps? Can you see yourself forging on them?
Please feel free to reply. I’d love to read your comments.
-Sal
Courtesy of IGN:
343 has announced downloadable content details for Halo 4. Three map packs will be available including three maps each and are set to arrive between December 2012 and April 2013. Players will have the option of purchasing a Halo 4 War Games Map Pass for $24.99 (2,000 Microsoft Points) that will offer access to the packs at a 15% discount as well as a unique in-game Falcon emblem. The Map Pass is included for free with the Halo 4 Limited Edition, and two unique in-game helmets (Scanner and Strider) will be offered when the Pass is purchased separately.
The Crimson Map Pack will be released in December 2012 and includes three maps: Wreckage, Harvest and Shatter. According to 343, players will “witness the chaos of a clash of civilizations” in Wreckage and see a “blend of claustrophobic spaces and dangerous exposures.” Players will also “venture into the human colony environs of Harvest” and “explore a human foray on an alien moon in Shatter.” The Majestic Map Pack, due in February 2013, includes Landfall, Monolith and Skyline. As 343 describes, “Landfall’s emphasis is on infantry battles against a glittering ocean on a distant world, while Monolith exposes you to the naked vacuum of space — and the firepower of opposing teams. Skyline’s distinctly industrial feel provides new challenges in somewhat familiar, but occasionally confined spaces.”
Finally, the Castle Map Pack is scheduled for April 2013 and offers Daybreak, Outcast and Perdition. “Daybreak is set in a military facility against the backdrop of an idyllic mountain range,” 343 says, “while Outcast plunges you into the warrens, canyons and arches of an alien edifice. Perdition takes players into the heart of an urban sprawl, with tactical speed and situational awareness its key features.”
You can also check out their Halo 4 concept art gallery here!
A really good trailer here. Mostly campaign with bits of multiplayer as well. Toward the end, note the Didact’s hand. It has 2 opposable thumbs and 4 other fingers. OOhhhh, I just am dying with anticipation for the game to come out already!
-Sal
Brought to you by IGN’s Ryan McCaffrey.
He talks with Kynan Pearson about the map, different game types, vehicle usage and armor abilities.
This is a good walkthrough though I feel we don’t quite get enough time in each area.
I love everything about the map except one thing. Trees. Those trees do not look believable at all. I hope they are better at the final release, otherwise I hope we can remove them. I rarely harp on anything Halo, but this is one time in one specific instance that something just isn’t quite up to par.
The rest of the map though? Awesome. Well textured and a snow map. SO glad to have one of those return.
-Sal
Thanks to “April Orenski” herself, Enisha Brewster, for the link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwXcRovhwaA
“Can you drive a Warthog?”
Oh, I think I can! LOL.
My gawd, Master Chief looks AWESOME!
-Sal
Thanks to POD Dust Storm for having me. This is the second Podcast I’ve done with him. The first being last week’s FUD episode break down (episode 2). He used some of my info from FuD episode 1 before that. I had the opportunity to meet him at New York Comicon last week and we discussed me being on the podcast.
Have a listen and let me know what you think.
Podtacular 322 – Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn Part 3
I’ve been invited back for future FuD casts, so stay tuned.
-Sal
Friday I brought to you my 8-part review of the third episode of “Forward Unto Dawn.”
I’ve taken that a step further and made a 32-page graphic novel of the second episode. Using the screenshots I took as well as typing out some the dialog, I added Photoshop effects as well as laid out the project in InDesign.
Feel free to download this as it’s FREE. If you repost this anywhere, PLEASE give me credit as: Designed by Sal Salerno of HaloFanForLife.com
And please link back to my original post here.
Please let me know what you think of the graphic novel, as I’ll be doing one for each of the six episodes.
Without further ado:
This was a labor of love. I really enjoyed making this. Again, if you have any comments, please feel free to respond here, on Twitter, Facebook, or e-mail me at: [email protected]
-Sal (HFFL)
I’ve got it laid out, the text written, now I just need to put the text into text bubbles and I’m done. Was hoping to finish it today, but had to do some things around the house. ‘
It WILL be done tomorrow though, so look for it, please, and as always, if you have a comment, please feel free to reply.
-Sal
So here we are. Near the end of the episode and the final review of it. The Covenant have struck and the cadets are scrambling. Not just for cover, but to figure out what the hell is going on.
Silva and Lasky peer out to something.
A UNSC soldier is fighting something that is shooting purple bolts. And what is that between them?
It’s an alien and it’s BIG!
It cuts down the statue of Corbulo in one fell swoop. But with what? A sword made of light?
I have to admit this scene was deliciously exciting. Seeing an early perutation of an Elite in purple lighting. Then is easily slicing through a dense statue with ease. It’s stance says it’s ready for more and that it’s only just begun.
This final shot really hits home the 9/11 feeling. Bodies falling from the sky. We can only grieve for Dima now.
This episode is chock full of engaging images such as this. The first minute with Cortana is powerful, the shots of the Spartan hand and helmet are as well. Then there is the last couple of minutes of the invasion scenes.
At first I was mildly disappointed that we still haven’t seen Master Chief yet. However, when taking this episode into full context and the action scenes at the end, there can be no doubt he will be in the next one. I for one am ready to see him kick some ASS!
Kudos to Stewart Hendler and the cast for an awesome performance in this episode. The quality of this production far exceeds anything I’ve seen from a web production. Were this made into a TV mini-series, I think we’d see a LOT more buzz about it and Halo 4.
I’m excited! Are you? Stay tuned for next week’s episode and the introduction of John-117, aka the Master Chief!
-Sal
The cadets look up as something makes an appearance through the clouds.
That’s not the UNSC. It’s three Covenant cruisers, like the one seen in the Reach mission “Long Night of Solace.” This is a powerful scene as there is real fear on the cadets faces. They have no idea what it is, but know it’s not good.
One of the cruisers lashes out and strikes the space tether. Um, NOT good.
This is where I started to get chills as it’s reminiscent of the World Trade Center collapsing.
Here comes the rubble and debris wave. The cadets scatter! Again, evoking the cloud of dust we saw during the events of 9/11.
Utter chaos ensues as people fall and are trampled on, or are caught up in the debris blast.
Lasky and Silva fall. Is this the end? This sequence really is striking and puts the cadets in the most peril they’ve been in up until now.
Next the final review of Episode 3. Part 8 The Elite and the Fallen
The action really starts to ratchet up from here on. As the Klaxon rings out, the base AI is telling cadets to go to the “tunnel.”
Various personnel are running about getting to their stations. Marines are directing the students and the feeling that all hell is about to break loose pervades.
Lasky and Silva get to the tunnel and are directed by Mehaffey to find their squad.
They look up to see the space tether through a roof window. An impending doom awaits.
What’s this?
Is that a Drop Pod?
It is indeed and there’s an ODST now. Lasky realizes they are under attack. But by whom? Tension rises.
Dima panics and tells the squad that she can get them on the car going up the space tether.
She’s ordered to stay, first by Orenski, then by the marine who is stationed at the car entrance. She uses her mother’s clout as Secretary of FleetCom to aboard. This is the first time we see a cadet directly use their family’s position as leverage.
The cadets look up at the escaping car.
Next: Review part 7 Tethered to Rubble
Near the end of the vid of his mother, Lasky is interrupted by Sullivan, who brings even more interesting footage.
So there it is, closer up. Clearly an Elite with an energy sword in the Spartan’s visor. Even the spartan seems taken aback by this.
They are both concerned when all of the sudden the transmission is cut off. Sullivan is in fear that ONI caught wind of him and rushes off to see if Dima’s mom is involved. So here we’re given indication that Sully isn’t part of ONI, but he’s more well than aware of it.
Lasky goes to find Chyler to tell her of the letter he got. The halls are empty and lonely, much like what Lasky is likely feeling in that moment.
He finds her at his normal thinking spot and they discuss the letter. She’s concerned that he’s going to leave, knowing that’s what he wanted. She says she’ll miss him then…
Yep, there it is, the big kiss we all knew would happen. Lucky guy that Tom/Thom. However they barely have time to enjoy the moment when a klaxon rings out…
Next: Review Part 6 Chaos and Tchakova.
We’re treated to another fly-by of the Space Tether. It’s an amazing 2 seconds with superb graphics. Man, I wish these existed here on Earth!
The cadets are notified by the base AI that it’s time for dinner.
During this scene the cadets talk about what they saw and try to figure out what it was. Sully is a little annoying making “pew pew” sounds. Chyler interrupts by saying what’s important is that the UNSC and Innies were working together.
The table is then interrupted by a man named Taylor who tells Lasky that Mehaffey needs to see him, now. Given the commanding voice of Taylor is sounds important if not urgent.
Colonel Mehaffey gives Lasky news that his Cryo condition is bad. It’s enough that he’s being given an letter to sign if he chooses, that will allow him to leave the academy. This is what he wanted at one time. Is it now? He asks when it would take effect and is told the next day if he signs then. To this news he is surprised and definitely does not seem ready to pack his bags.
Mehaffey goes on to explain that all he’ll have left of this is his memories and choices. It’s clear she doesn’t want him to go, yet is allowing him to make his own decision. Once again, she exudes a pseudo-motherly expression to Lasky. He takes the letter to think about it. They part saying “Axios” to each other while saluting.
Again, I have to say that the character of Mehaffey is very compelling. I hope to see this actress down the line again. She has done a fantastic job so far in this series. There is a hardness about the character from years of service, yet a softness when it comes to Lasky. A great balance.
Lasky goes to his room to mull things over. Hmm, that’s some really good paper stock there for such a standard thing. I guess the academy really is that elite…er no pun upcoming intended.
Lasky then views a vid from his mom. I was right! She tells Tom that his brother was shot down. Man, that’s rough. I liked that character. Very likeable. He’s another person I’d like to see in film again. Director Hendler sure has done an amazing job of getting just the right amount of emotion out of his actors. Folks this is a top notch production…have I said that before?
Next: Review part 5 Trouble Brewing
Seems it was Chyler, NOT Tom who was viewing the vid. She and Tom have a brief discussion as to why he watched them, knowing they’ll bring pain. Not quite a heartfelt moment, but we do see the Chyler cares for Tom.
Speaking of which, Tom reveals his Cryo wounds to Chyler. She seems at first disgusted, but then concerned.
While doing so they get interrupted by Sully who has some great footage of Classified Intel.
Sullivan tells them to come over and this is where it gets even more interesting than from the footage we’ve seen before.
Yep, that’s a Spartan hand there. Now, if you did take the time, like I did, you actually could have seen this in the last episode, however it wasn’t a crystal clear as it is here. We don’t just get a hand though…
Spartan 104. Yes, FRED S-104! Now that’s pretty freakin’ cool. What may seem a little odd to us though is the reaction by the cadets at seeing this. They don’t know of Spartans. Hmm, seems Spartans aren’t yet well known in human space. Oh and take a look at the visor…You’ll see more of that in a later review.
What’s telling is Chyler’s reaction at both Innies and UNSC working together. She seems the most confused and even a bit disappointed at this sudden revelation.
Next: Review part 4 You’re in a Mess