Halo 4 First Impressions – We've Missed You, John

68
Dan Webb

Anticipation levels surrounding the debut unveiling of Halo 4 in San Francisco at Microsoft’s Spring Showcase were through the roof. Finally, the Chief is back and we thought we’d have a good chance to see whether 343 Industries has the moxie to carry Bungie’s elliptical torch on to new heights. Boy, were we wrong… Not wrong in the sense that the game looks like an utter disaster or as uninformed as when we saw one map for Halo: Reach at the same event 2 years ago. We were wrong because we didn’t really see that much of the game to evenly remotely form an opinion of the holiday 2012 title. Still, we were put on this planet to probe, and probe we did.

Halo 4 is the “beginning of an epic new sci-fi saga that will define the next decade for Halo,” said Josh Holmes, the game’s Creative Director, but it’s not just about more of the same and then some, 343 Industries is keen to start its own legacy in terms of creating Halo game and stamping its own mark on the franchise. How can 343 do that and keep fans of the franchise happy, you ask? Simple, it’s about balance according to Holmes, “How do we balance the respect that we have for the legacy of this game that we love so much with this desire to innovate and push things forward?”

Keeping and maintaining the game’s canon is an important part of that respect notion and it probably factored into why Master Chief is coming back. “He’s the heart and soul of the IP,” said Kiki Wolfkill (who must have the coolest name in the games industry), the game’s Executive Producer, but for the most part, it’s because, as Wolfkill says: “As gamers and players, we just missed him.”

Halo 4 is looking to explore Master Chief more as a character and 343 is not only looking at “what makes Master Chief click,” but the studio is looking to pull back the curtain on John and explore what’s going on behind the mask. That’ll include not just John and the Chief’s persona, but also his relationship with his closest friend and ally, Cortana, who Wolfkill points out, is probably more human than he is.

Master Chief’s had a bit of a makeover too in Halo 4, but it’s not just about the aesthetics, it’s about functionality – think Batman in the Dark Knight film. The in-game Chief we took a look at was not only shinier than ever before, but his armour redesign was all about making the 900lb Spartan more agile as well. There was some spiel about Master Chief’s HUD being a focus in Halo 4, but in our brief 2-second glimpse, it wasn’t clear what 343 had done with it, if anything.

It is a much prettier and more impressive game from a visual perspective though, with 343 opting for a much more detail-orientated experience. “There’s been dramatic improvements across the board in terms of the visual fidelity that we’re getting out of the game experience,” said Holmes. “All in service of the experience we’re trying to create obviously – that’s where we focused our attention.” It only took a few minutes of multiplayer gameplay footage to notice the more impressive particle effects, a new level of lighting and an element of vibrancy in the game visuals.

Storytelling and character development are a key focus for 343 Industries in Halo 4, with Holmes noting that it’ll be a “deeper, more emotionally impactful story.” Master Chief is going to be facing a “very ancient, very dark threat” that “will define him as a hero,” according to 343. Holmes noted that “in telling that story, we’ve really adopted a darker, more sophisticated tone for the game which ties into the themes of our story and the goals that we have there.” Remember though, Halo 4 isn’t just about being Halo 4, it’s about the “evolving saga” and being able to “connect [it to the] existing fiction.”

So let’s leave the theory behind for a minute and focus on more of the nitty gritty: the multiplayer after all, was the purpose of Microsoft’s “unveiling” at this year’s Spring Showcase. I use the term “unveiling” in the loosest sense, as it seemed anything remotely interesting or revealing was being saved for a later date.

“We really want to redefine what Halo multiplayer is and make it something that is indisputably Halo at its core, but is evolved in important and innovative ways,” said Holmes, again not giving anything away and speaking rather cryptically. “So from a gameplay standpoint, it’s really about creating something that stays true to that magical Halo feel, but is faster, more visceral and intense in all aspects of the combat.” More mystery there then. The one thing that did stand out though was when Frank O’Connor, the Franchise Development Director said, “We’ve created a fairly convincing reason why Red Spartans kill Blue Spartans,” although we’re not sure there needed to be a reason. The term “fairly convincing” doesn’t seem to exude confidence either.

Regardless of our cynicism, Halo 4 takes advantage of the new Spartan IV character model, who are the newest breed of Spartan warriors. These bad boys are fully customisable, not only from a cosmetic standpoint like Reach, but from a gameplay standpoint too, allowing players to make “gameplay enhancing choices, customise playstyle and [create] custom loadouts to take into battle.” In terms of concrete information, battle rifles are back, joining a “vast arsenal of weapons and abilities that will be available in the game,” says Holmes.

The main focus of the hands-off look at Halo 4 was to take a look at the game’s multiplayer, with 343 bringing a pair of multiplayer maps with them to give us a bit of a first look tour.

First up was “Warhouse,” which is a civilian manufacturing facility that exists in near space orbit above a gas giant. It’s a map with symmetrical design and tight spaces that range from corridors and catwalks to a large centre space housing a large Cyclop Mark II mech being assembled in the centre of the map.

As you’d expect in any Halo map, it’s littered with catwalks, grav lifts, outside areas and man cannons galore. Warhouse is a map that boasts more moving parts than any other Halo map to date as well, with the giant mech being assembled in the middle whilst the combat flows around it, steam bellowing out of pipes in the game’s metallic corridors and crates suspended from cranes swaying in the map’s gusty exterior. It’s a map that feels more alive than any other Halo map before and like every map in Halo 4, it’s a purpose-built space for competitive combat, which according to 343 allows for “optimal flow and optimal balance.”

The second and final map or our brief look at Halo 4 was Wraparound – which is too close to reach around if you’re asking us. Wraparound is a map that’s set on a Forerunner solar facility within a Forerunner shield world that generates artificial sunlight, providing energy for the world below. It’s a smaller, more focused map, serving as a good Team Slayer arena, with drop downs, inner catwalks and a circular core around the outer core in the middle. Unlike Warhouse, Wraparound is a lot less claustrophobic, with the bright artificial sun meaning it’s much more vibrant than Warhouse and with man cannons allowing you to jump back into the thick of it within an instance. In essence, it’s very Lockout in nature, especially in terms of its walkways and inherent openness.

Unfortunately for us – and you – it seems as if Microsoft is saving the first in-depth look at the Chief and his Halo 4 antics for this year’s E3, which truth be told is a rather bizarre decision considering the white noise phenomenon of E3 and the fact they have a captive audience in San Fran at their dedicated Microsoft event. At present though, Halo 4 is a lot of buzz words, PR gobbledegook and cryptic messages galore. I mean, if we hear the words “cinematic,” “own voice” and “visceral” any more times, we’re going to forcibly insert the Pillar of Autumn into Master Chief’s anus! That said, the classic battle rifle is back and it’s sure looking purdy, so at least we’ve got something to take away from this debut showing, right? Pewpewpew! Makes you wonder whether MS and 343 have something to hide though…

Halo 4 is scheduled for a holiday 2012 release.

Comments
68
  • Can't wait for E3 is all I have to say. Not only because of Halo 4 but because of the other billion games that are going to be shown/announced.
  • Sweet Jezus, waiting for E3 now. I genuinely hate you Dan. But now i think i can forget the past for what you put here today.
  • Nice report, I'm looking forward to seeing more and I'm glad the battle rifle is back, my fav Halo weapon.
  • "we’re going to forcibly insert the Pillar of Autumn into Master Chief’s anus!" haha well said =)
  • Makes complete sense to save the reveal for E3.
  • Pretty cool. I'm not a die hard Halo fan, but I do enjoy them as a top notch co-op experience. I'd really like if it was a bit more like ODST. I thought ODST was probably the best Halo game since CE (and to be honest, that may just be nostalgia clouding my opinion). I hated the City overworld but the actual levels werte amazing. Reach had a few rubbish levels but was also great. Halo 3 had a weak first half but the later levels were class. Anyway, I'll buy Halo 4.
  • OMG!!!! BRs are going to return!!
  • BR is back. Instant preorder.
  • ‎(^_^)/‎(^_^)/‎(^_^)/
  • I know everybody hates the DMR, but I was definitely better with the single fire over the triple burst BR. Still cant wait to get this but now I know it Ill die a bit more often haha
  • Article kind of fails as a first look video with gameplay and details came out. You guys probably just haven't noticed yet, here's the link. Update away! http://youtu.be/f6UL63Zo-uo
  • all we need is more galo
  • @12 I just watched the video and some of the small things I noticed was that in multiplay, next to the team scores it had a team 'emblem typy thing'. Also when the goy melees someone, little medals pop up around the top/centre of the right hand side of the screen. These 2 medals that popped up were new to me. AND he got 5 points pop up with each medal. That might have been for leveling up, idk... What small things did you notice?
  • I am a huge Halo fan but there are no Spartan-IVs. How is the 343 going to cover the back story? Also I just have a feeling that Halo will become the next Final Fantasy series.
  • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6UL63Zo-uo Making Halo 4 : First Look !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • So we have to wait till E3 which is the biggest show for video game previews to have more info...hmm makes sense, ill be interested to see how this is gonna be w/out Bungie
  • Thank god for the good old BR. :)
  • @15- There are spartan IV's, we just haven't been introduced to them as none of them have names or anything. They show up in comics and books. I'm guessing the IV's are just online play wise and won't affect story.
  • @1 G4 sucks...
  • Kept getting confused in the article, for some reason kept treading as what Guilty Spark 343 had done to the chief.
  • Wow, this game will be such a visceral experience, seeing the Master Chief's personality through his own voice in a cinematic and vibrant story.
  • As long as they dont try to turn this into a CoD or Battlefield thing ill be happy :) Halo is one of the very few FPS's that dont need to be like them in order to hit sales
  • love me some donnie darko referencing
  • More galo no one say malo.
  • Really looking forward to this. I just hope they don't fuck it up, its not that I don't trust 343 but this game has got a lot to live up to especially since its the first non-Bungie Halo game. Either way, can't wait to play it and see how it turns out
  • "we’re going to forcibly insert the Pillar of Autumn into Master Chief’s anus" - now here is an idea for a mini game in Halo that would revolutionize the franchise=) I can't think of nothin even remotely similar that I saw in Halo yet=P More serious? They only thing I can take out of it is there will finally be no more grunts=) And good riddance too..
  • @12 Thanks for the link, amazing stuff.
  • "Hey look, I hate Halo so much, I am going to make a comment on an article about Halo." Why do people even bother? Did 4chan not load for you? Can't wait. 343 have a big job on their hands and from the first look, they are on the right track. http://h9.abload.de/img/gif3bqadk.gif Check out those medals.
  • I like the DMR more than the BR.
  • Not sure I like the whole "armor affects gameplay" thing. I'd rather it just be purely cosmetic.
  • "Regardless of our cynicism, Halo 4 takes advantage of the new Spartan IV character model, who are the newest breed of Spartan warriors. These bad boys are fully customisable, not only from a cosmetic standpoint like Reach, but from a gameplay standpoint too, allowing players to make “gameplay enhancing choices, customise playstyle and [create] custom loadouts to take into battle.” In terms of concrete information, battle rifles are back, joining a “vast arsenal of weapons and abilities that will be available in the game,” says Holmes." Oh...we're going to do the Halo Reach thing of disappointing the shit out of me again, aren't we?
  • cannot wait and all the hating with halo must stop...totally uncalled for
  • the halo haters are probley the group of MW hard core gamers.i've played them there ok but online isnt compared to halo multiplayer
  • Has there been any word yet about whether they are going to have customization like on Reach? It would be nice if there was, plus more to collect would be a definite plus.
  • Nevermind I just re-read the article.....duh lol
  • Ok, sure. But is there forge?
  • I think it would be interesting to have both the DMR and BR in the halo match making. This for me, is THE game of 2012. Halo haters can suck my big toe, cheif kicks ass.END.
  • Halo
  • Cant wait to play it!!
  • http://h9.abload.de/img/gif3bqadk.gif Movement and graphics are definitely an "up". I'm just glad that series such as Halo and Gears of War actually change both their quality and game-play with each release.
  • @32 Thank God I'm not the only one. Don't get me wrong I love Halo and COD (I know, I know, sacrilege). Abilities don't belong in Halo (Played since CE). Don't turn it into COD. COD is not a serious shooter. I play it just to goof around and bs with friends who don't play Halo or are just downright terrible at Halo and won't play it. Halo on the other hand I play and take a little more serious, because to me it seems more competitive (You can play COD with no communication and still succeed somewhat but Halo very little succession comes with no communication). Next thing you know 343 will announce "kill streak" rewards at E3.
  • I liked the Halo games (excluding CE, and Reach) but forge can die in a ditch 'cause even as a time waster it sucked and the maps you could use in forge were bland as a lot of Halo maps were essentially the same.
  • @42 I originally bought my 360 just for Halo 3, lol. ODST and Reach sucked ass in my opinion. The multiplayer on Reach was dumb, I didn't even buy the game because of it. I played my brothers. On the note of Call of Duty, I am not a fanboy of any game really, however, I do not think that you should bring it up when they are (Halo and Call of Duty) two COMPLETELY different games. The only similarities being that they both have a campaign, and a multiplayer mode that involves weapons. I like both games, don't get me wrong, but you can't say that Call of Duty doesn't take communication to win, because it certainly does if you are playing against a good team. Anyways, the bottom line is that I hope that the multiplayer is Halo 3 style. I used to roll with a little clan and I sure do miss BRing people off of the back of a mongoose. Or sniping from it. Lol. Good times.
  • i cant wait for halo4, @44 i too originally got my 360 for halo3, but things happen and i had to give it up and when i went back to it everything seemed different. And your right you cant compare cod and halo at all, i love halo and i am extremely excited to have a battle riffle back ( at least thats what it looks like in the screen shots) should be greeat though
  • I hope they show chiefs face at the end.That would be awesome.
  • can't wait :3
  • Master Chief is coming back. “He’s the heart and soul of the IP,” ... “As gamers and players, we just missed him.” I missed him? News to me. Master Chief is a downright boring character IMO. I preferred Noble Team, they actually had some form of personality. Most interesting thing Chief ever did was say "I was planning on shooting my way out, mix things up a bit." Seriously. And for those of you who say "READ THE BOOKS!!", just no, sorry. I may be a nerd but I just don't have that much time on my hands. I appreciate that 343 says they are going to try and make Chief's personality more apparent in the game this time. Props there.
  • Call of duty will be dead when this comes out
  • @48 i hate you
  • Oh Awesome! Let's just hope I can beat it before the World blows up! xD Can't wait looks and sounds fun but there going to have to really explain why I couldn't use jet packs in CE-3
  • holy shit, i want to see this at E3 so fucking bad, but directv had to be a dick & give G4 the axe a couple years ago. how 'bout instead of booting the only tech/gaming channel, you kick one of the ten or so shopping & religious networks that nobody gives half a shit about.
  • if they try to hype too much they could dissapoint, they need to stop with the secrecy, halo is not new so they need to rememeber they cant just spew PR words at us and they have all been said before at the other events for all the other titles. Everyone says "cinematic" "visceral" and shit
  • for gods sake, will someone stick a plasma grenade to this game and BE DONE WITH IT?!?! weakest game ever, and they just keep spitting them out. did i read that correctly? “beginning of an epic new sci-fi saga that will define the next decade for Halo,” sweet jesus mother of all that is unholy and just plain RETARDED... 10 more years of jumping over buildings and failure online play?! god help us all if 343 decided to make their OWN game...
  • Delicious...
  • Can't help but wonder if the "reasons for red spartans to kill blue spartans" has anything at all to do with Red vs Blue! Would be awesome if it did!
  • What I like about Halo, they release alot of quality games like CoD, but they space it out more and take there time.
  • so stoked man
  • dmr are better
  • I`m praying that this game has success. A big fan of Halo since the first one came out, i`d be really disappointed if they decided to make the game purely to make money and not do the series any justice.
  • @22 LMAO!! I see what you did there ;)
  • this is deffently going to be the year of the games they figure world may end lol dought it so they are releasing all the great games this year
  • Do we serious need another Halo? Seems to the large fan base these games have we do. As far i seen it they def seem to be doing a great job (new studio 343) so lets wait and see.
  • So far I like what I see. I just hope that 343 can pull it off.
  • @#16 I wouldn't worry about that, 343i love the game and its universe to just pump out a lazy cash-in for Micro$oft. My one worry is if they do something that totally changes the dynamic of what makes Halo so god damned fantastic, not so much out of disrespect but to put their own stamp on the franchise. That said some of the promised features sound awesome like totally new and unique made from scratch multiplayer maps (ie not just segments cut from the campaign). As a fan I'm not sure how much of a change we can expect with it being made on a tweaked Reach engine, I do suspect 4 will be the last 360 entry 5/6 and any offshoots would most likely be next gen xbox and be based upon a fresh engine. That's when 343i will need to rise to the bar set so high by Bungie. Unless fingers crossed they do one for the fans and give Halo2 a HD makeover like they did with Halo CE Anniversary.
  • carnt wait for halo 4 js
  • Please no Amor abilities! Kepp the noobs out! And have a ranking system tht shows you are actually good at the game. And have it nothing like reach!
  • So nervous about this. Dear 343 Industries, PLEASE don't ruin my favorite game.
  • 343 did a good job remaking the first one...but im slightly worried about this one. it seems as if there doing it for the title and money but not for the actual game. i dont know, i may be wrong about that but its just the new story not from bungie and the new multiplayer modes... fishy like an uncleaned puss.
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