My thoughts: Awesome (with some reservations)

Why?

• Glad to see the BR back
• Looks like Spartans move well. The new sleek armor adds to that look.
• Maps look good. I especially like Warhouse with the Cyclops Mk II mech in the middle. Can you imagine if we get to use that huge ass Cyclops in the game? If so, I’m thinking it would be VS one of the Didact’s War Sphinx’s.
• Master Chief does indeed look SICK. Ididn’t think I’d like the sleek look of the armor, but it grew on me FAST.
• Lighting is simply AMAZING. Finally if you’re in darkness your armor isn’t still bright and shiny. It looks like it’s in shadow. AS IT SHOULD! Kudos to 343.

Good but concerns:

• Sprint IS in and it appears to be BUILT-IN. Everyone will have it. All other AA’s will now be equipment. I’m totally fine with that. Would have loved to have a perma jetpack, but I’m cool if it’s just equipment.
• Covies. Okay, you want to know what races of them? I know one for sure. I can’t say how I know as it would put someone’s job in jeopardy. It’s BRUTES. And they seem to be more primitive from what I’ve learned. Though this could be just their look after the great schism war.

A feeling of ARGH:

• Perks. There WILL be weapons perks. It seems the more you play the better upgrades you can get to your weapons. What are those? The following is speculation and should not be considered fact:

Upgrade to tech such as:
– Higher accuracy (Bigger reticule-this allows for a larger hit scan area than normal) It would make sense to because over time you would get bette with a weapon, though in reality you wouldn’t have a growing reticle to help you
– Bigger clip so you don’t have to reload as much
– Faster reload, obvious

There also appears to be Armor perks as well:
– Stronger. This could mean either a stronger shield and/or bigger health bar. Either way you can take more hits
– Faster movement. Either a natural faster normal movement or you can sprint faster and longer
– Jumping. You can jump a little higher. This could really be a help if you’re trying to get to places you’d otherwise have to walk/run around to get to. Gets you the advantage of positioning.

If all of those perks play out then it is NOT going to be a balanced game at all.

The one thing we can hope for is that the game will match people up of similar rank. The problem is though when you have a mixed party of ranks.

For instance, you guys just KNOW I’m going to play the hell out of the game and will likely get perks quick. I have friends who don’t play Halo as much but would want to game with me. They would have a severe disadvantage if every team is matched up against me since I might be the highest “rank.”

This video is only the beginning though, so we’ll have a lot more to learn as fact as time goes on.

The one thing that does kind of piss me off is that it’s been confirmed NO BETA. WTH? Really? I know they want to spend time on the game itself. However, the feedback 343i could get about the game through a BETA would be invaluable.

My thinking is that, since they are building/rebuilding this game from scratch, they just simply would not have the time to “fix” things we find broken in the game. I foresee perks being one of these things. I hope they have an “out” for this.

Sure it could bring in Call of Nooby fans…But it’s going to alienate many hard core Halo fans. While CoD did kick everyone’s ass in sales last year, turning Halo into CoD or some facsimile there of does an injustice to Halo and it’s long term fans.

Respectfully,
Sal

Confirmed by Frank O’Conner himself.

Check out the vid in the link:
Halo 4 interview with Frank O’Conner

Well this is sad news. I was hoping to get my mits on a BETA Key to try the game out. I believe that 343 is taking a huge risk not having a BETA. While the vid looks great, fans want to test it out.

I’ll still be buying it though as likely will you.

This map looks amazing! With the huge Cyclops Mk II Mech being constructed in the middle and the more than amazing lighting, this map just screams multiplayer madness (that’s in a fun way).

Here’s some shots of the Mech:

This map has hints of the Halo 3 MP map “Orbital” but amped WAY up.

The lighting in particular is what gets me. Finally players in shadows LOOK like they are in shadows. None of this bright colored armor no matter where they are on the map. That has been on of my biggest peeves about previous Halo games and it looks like 343i has solved that.

These next shots show that lighting in action:

And finally some assorted shots of the map in play:

I can’t wait to play on this map!!!

One of two multiplayer maps revealed in the ViDoc, this one distinctively Forerunner. The map itself is supposed to be a facility for generating an artificial sun, hence the bright lighting.

Note the tall structure with the partial circle. It looks similar to the one seen on Breakneck, the revised Headlong Multiplayer map from Reach.

Here are the screenshots:

Note the red “up” arrow in two of the shots. Not sure if it’s necessary with an enemy immediately in front of you. I wonder if this can be achieved through radar instead. The arrow may be distracting. Here’s hoping for a Beta to check that out more.

Finally confirmation that the Battle rifle has returned. It also gets an update. I know many of my friends who went over to another game will be FLOCKING back to Halo due to the Battle Rifle being back.

Here are some pics from the ViDoc including a comparison between the Halo 3 and Halo 4 BRs.

So we’re going to be playing as Spartan IVs in multiplayer. Hmm, I bet that wrinkles a few noses on the Halo Waypoint forums. I am fine with it, so long as we have a lot of armor customization to follow.

Here are some shots from the ViDoc of the Spartan IV multiplayer model:

I particularly like the helmet design.

So I’ve had the chance to watch the video a few times now and took many screen shots.

First before we go any further let’s take a look a Master Chief’s armor in a side by side from Halo 3 and Halo 4:

The updated armor is more sleek. He appears to be more nimble and not bulky. As well the armor is a brighter green. I’m liking it!

In this particular shot Chief is looking at you from behind the wheel of the Halo 4 Warthog. Classic!

The Chief looks rather nimble here:

I think this will be a classic pic from Halo 4:

In this pic we see the awesome lighting that 343 has done. It looks great on Chief:

I’m really loving what 343 is doing so far. Chief looks great. I thought I wouldn’t like the more sleek look. However, now I feel he’s not encumbered by the armor and is able to move more freely. Still looks enough like classic Chief, just more agile.

Here’s some more pics of Master Chief from the vid:

Okay folks, you’ve wanted it, you’ve got it!

Four minutes of multiplayer footage and 343 talking about the game. Great stuff in this. I’ll be taking screen shots like mad to discuss what was seen.

Also here is a shortened version with just a little bit different video.

Master Chief is back!

We’ve had two news outlets reporting as such in G4 and IGN.

We’ve also had cryptic Twitter posts from both Allison Stroll (Senior Producer at 343 Industries) as well as David Ellis (Multiplayer designer at 343 Industries).

So tomorrow is the day we finally get SOMETHING.

Now to wait and see what that something is.

My hopes are for a 1 minute clip that includes mutliplayer, firefight, and campaign; a release date; concept art.

Once this info is release we should also see a media embargo lifted on the toys and Mega Bloks as well as McFarlane can finally show their Halo 4 product.

Cross your fingers toes and anything else, LOL.