Yesterday saw the beginning of Week Two for the Halo 5 Guardians Beta. Yeah, I know, you’re also saying, “Wait, week two already?” For whatever reason, 343 decided to start the week two game types and new maps early. I’m curious if it was pressure from fans who were complaining about AR starts?

In any event, we now have BR starts with Magnum secondary weapons. Slayer is now on Regret and Eden. Both are remixes of last week’s maps, Truth and Empire. 

As well as two new maps and weapon change starts for slayer, we are now introduced to ‘Breakout’, a new game type from 343 that is round based with only one life per round. The maps for this are both on the same area. Crossfire is the map we’ve seen before, while ‘Trench’ is a variant of this map.

As for my initial thoughts…

While I like the different layouts of the maps, I (and many of my friends, who have also played the beta) hope that 343 does not have only one small set of maps at launch with remixes of all of them. The prevailing thought on that is that it cheapens the original maps and doesn’t show enough originality of map design from 343. Again, I like the remixes, but I do want something wholly different that isn’t a remix.

As for BR starts, I’m fine with them. On Eden, there are plenty of other weapons to pick up as well. Sniper of course, sword now also. It’s NOT the Prophet’s Bane, BTW, that seems to be reserved ONLY for ‘Truth’. We also can pick up SMGs, ARs, and DMRs. I’ve found that the AR is mostly ignored on Eden, with players opting to keep the longer ranged weapons. Less I forget, we also get to pick up a Light Rifle. This weapon has had a definite upgrade to it. It does more damage for sure. As well, the sounds of the blasts are quite unique. I like them. What is even cooler when using the Light Rifle, is when you scope in. The weapon now splits out when zoomed in and comes back together when you zoom out. It’s hard to describe in words, so I recommend you search out this weapon on Eden and try it out for yourself.

Regret is very similar to Truth with many of the pathways being the same. There are some significant differences though. Bottom mid for one. This is where 343 currently has the Hydra spawning and everyone knows it. You’ll find players on both teams rushing for the weapon. I got ahold of it a couple of times yesterday. To lock on to an enemy, just keep your reticle over them for a few seconds. It will lock on from there. While that’s pretty cool, the issue with it comes from the enemy’s ability to evade rather effectively. With shoulder rush, thrust and sprint at your command, it’s not too hard to evade an incoming missile from the Hydra.

Breakout

As for the new game type, it took a couple games for my friends and I to get a handle on it. It’s fun and most definitely requires team play. If you’re alone and facing off against two enemies, you’re toast.

The map itself, be it either ‘Crossfire’ or ‘Trench’ are rather small. Narrow that is to say. Plenty of cover is to be had. The main issue that we have with this game type is the grenade. You start with one and if you’re lucky or skilled enough, can make it to a small cache of grenades on the map. I and many of my friends feel the ‘nades are way too overpowered. Since this is a one life per round based game type, we’d rather see no nades or ONLY the one you spawn with. This would make chucking your grenade a little bit more important than just spamming an area.

The game type is fun and I definitely recommend trying it out and giving 343 your constructive criticism of it as well.

Beyond the new maps and gametpype, issues I’m having (and many others are) with staying in a party when a game ends, game lobbies crashing and the occasional person being dropped from party chat or can’t get in a party. This often means that person needs to either reboot the Beta or their XBOX One completely. While I know this is a beta, those few issues do take away from the experience. I hope that 343 addresses those fully.

The one spartan attribute I’m not enjoying so much is ground pound. While I like the effect of it, it does leave you exposed while you’re trying to target an enemy. Speaking of targeting an enemy with ground pound, that’s not so easy either. I hope that becomes a little more intuitive, whether through repeated gameplay or 343 tweaking how it works.

Another small issue I seldom face is accidentally hovering in mid air. This isn’t ground pound, this is just simply jumping and holding the jump button which keep you in the air for a few seconds. It’s not the same as jet pack as you don’t get much height out of it. I’m not so fond of that attribute and hope it’s taken out of the game. If not, then I hope 343 tweaks it so it’s not as quick to use if you hold jump just a little too long.

All in all, I’m really enjoying the beta, those issues above aside. The game play is pretty smooth.

So what are your thoughts on this second week of the beta? Don’t forget to make your opinions heard to 343 as well on their forums!

-Sal