Daily Archives: 10/04/2012

Halo 4 map: Meltdown Screenshots.

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I’ve got 41 screenshots for you to peruse of Meltdown.

Click on each to enlarge.

This map is just fantastic. From all the long sight lines, to the superb graphics, to the well thought out layout, and lighting, this map is sure to be a popular one in Halo 4.

I love all the little nooks and crannies in the side caves, lower caves, bases and so on.

Just an amazing map all around. Kudos to 343 for doing an excellent job on this map!

-Sal

Halo 4 map walkthrough: Meltdown

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Ryan McCaffrey, Executive Editor, IGN, speaks with Kynan Pearson, Lead Multiplayer Level Designer, Halo 4 of 343 about the map “Meltdown.”

Check out what I think is a truly amazing BTB map!

[UPDATE] Looks like IGN wasn’t supposed to release that vid yet. So the vid link was removed. I’ll repost it here when it becomes available again.[/UPDATE]

I love the design! Lots of places to run about, not just on vehicles, but on foot. So much detail in the vid. I wish they would have just stopped a few times so I could see the areas clearly, instead of a blurred motion. (Even pressing pause doesn’t get rid of the blur in most cases…)

But it’s not the quality of the video I want to talk about. It’s the quality of the map. Many places to hide behind if you’re on foot. Tunnels abound as well as bases to infiltrate. I like the more subtle Red Vs Blue natural tones of this map with the Snow and Mountain sides of the map. I see this being a great map for objectives and yes for sniping, though I’m not prone to pick that game type.

Without a doubt this is yet another hit for 343. So long as the spawns are worked out well, I can’t see how anyone would dislike Meltdown.

Screen shots and a further analysis of the map to follow later today.

Thanks to The Halo Council for posting a link on Twitter.

-Sal

Comparison of Halo 3/4 medals.

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Okay this isn’t comprehensive…yet.

Here are the medals shown for Halo 4’s Flood mode side by side with medals from Halo 3. Do you like the new medals? Are they up to par with Halo 3’s?

It’s a different direction to be sure. I’m not sure I like the white outline of the Halo 4 medals. It’s too late of course, regardless, to change them, even if 343 were inclined to do so (and at this point, I’m sure they’re not, LOL). I’m just curious what you folks think about the medals.

Beyond the white outline of the medals, I’m not too keen on the pastel colors used in the medals and some of the color combinations. This of course is a minute thing and not really worth complaining about. It’s just a matter of one’s own tastes.

I think Bungie did well by their medals. I’m sure 343’s versions will grow on me over time as well.

-Sal

Halo questions for New York Comicon?

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It’s a week away! In preparation for this I’m asking all of you if you have any burning questions (Halo related of course). I’ll be visiting any booths at the con that are Halo related. Of course 343’s booth, Mega Bloks, Square Enix, and so on.

Please forward your questions to me at: sal@halofanforlife.com OR
for Twitter followers, Direct Message me. Facebook subscribers message me.

Please be respectful in your question and understand I may not be able to ask some or some may not be able to be answered due to  Non-Disclosure.

Cortana / Heather Locklear Comparison.

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Okay, I’ve been thinking this for a long time now. I think Cortana has a striking resemblance to a young Heather Locklear.

Granted I had to look for similar style poses. But really it’s mostly in the face that I see the resemblance, not just the body type.

Hmm, I’m going to have to find out who designed Halo 4’s Cortana and ask if Locklear was the inspiration. If not then who?

After looking at this pic, what do you think???

-Sal

Cost of the MEGA Bloks UNSC Mantis?

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I been having a discussion with other Halo fans/collectors about the UNSC Mantis set from MEGA BLOKS since the story broke. The following are my thoughts on what pricing could/should be for this set.

I use the 10 cents per piece formula when considering price. Mega is still pretty close to that for the most part. In fact in some cases even less.

They are becoming more popular, not just with Halo, but with WoW (World of Warcraft) and then there are the upcoming licensed lines of Barbie and Skylanders. They haven’t quite hit the right supply vs. demand set, to raise prices a lot. That has a to do with retailers and their buying habits, as well as consumer buying habits.

Still, when in comparison to “that other building blocks” company, Mega is still less expensive and in my opinion are better. If anything I always point back to the minifigures. By far, Mega is the best in building blocks category.

As for the extra stuff in this set like the docking station it’s a way to help flesh out a set that might seem not as exciting otherwise.

Since the price hasn’t been announced I made a guess based on the piece count. The piece count for the set is 443. Hmm, so I guess we should ask the question of ourselves; What do you think the UNSC Mantis set is worth paying for (as shown)? and what is the most you’d be willing to pay for it?

Personally, I think it’s worth $35 due to the number of small pieces and not very many unique pieces (as far as I can tell). Since the joint system is new, Mega has to account for that. However, I suspect they will find a way to use those again in other sets. I’d pay another $5 for the set though because it’s just that cool. If it’s more than that, I’ll still get one, but multiple purchases will have to wait for sales.

Somehow though, I think this particular set will sell very well though.

Again, I’ll state, I think this set is amazing. I’d like to have at minimum 2 if not up to 4 of this set. Price will affect my decision to buy multiples immediately or wait for sales.

What do you folks think? How much do you think it’s worth? What would you be willing to pay for it? Will you consider multiple purchases of this set? Will you factor in retail price if considering multiple purchases?

-Sal