Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn

[Hawki]

That's...a broad question. I'm kind of a "sample as much of everything" kind of guy (within limits) in the sci-fi and fantasy genres. Ask me about x, I'll tell you what I think about it, but it would take far too long to list them. But for what it's worth, my favourite sci-fi show would probably be Doctor Who (yes, it's other genres as well, and I still miss the Ten(ant) era, but I think it's still good overall) and I my favourite sci-fi book would be Brave New World (which is also my favourite book of all time honestly).

Sci-fi movies are harder, because there's so many I haven't seen that I think I should see. Overall, I think my favourite sci-fi movie would be...Avatar (yes, really). However, I think the best sci-fi movie I've every seen would be Blade Runner. May seem like a cop-out, but to use another example, while WALL-E is Pixar's best film IMO, Toy Story is my favorite for example.

Sorry if this doesn't answer your question, but singling stuff out apart from favourites is hard for me because again, I try to sample a lot.

Edit: Want to specify that in regards to sci-fi, I don't include Star Wars because I group it as space-fantasy rather than sci-fi, and even then it isn't my favorite movie series. Just thought I'd clarify that since it's a common inclusion in such discussions.

[Pr0nogo]

Most of the characters weren't developed in the actual film itself, which was one of its shortcomings, in my opinion. You had the asides that explained a bit about each character's past, but those were trailers - and a lot of what they were didn't translate to the final product. Dema, in particular, struck me off-guard. I didn't even realise she was Russian until after I viewed a trailer - which was only after I watched part four. The closest thing we get to a peek at her family (which is also mentioned in the trailer) is when Sullivan says "You can't tell your mother about this, okay?" (I took this as a joke when I saw that the first time), and when she intimidates the marine to get an early ride.

Chen's pressure from his father is a bit better in this regard. Though we never hear any reference of him being the only earthborn cadet, we do see his hands shaking as he lies to his father via comms, which is very telling of his character, but otherwise we see next to nothing about his personality and his past. Vickers gets a similar treatment, except I don't know much about his past at all, and we get nothing in the clip.

I don't really know how to feel about the character treatment at a whole. I think that the main characters, the lasting ones, got the attention they deserved. I also think that everyone else was essentially shafted. Perhaps, after reviewing the miniseries and playing the game, I'll have a better understanding of what it was trying to accomplish - and as such, be able to decide whether or not I believe it accomplished such a thing.

[TheEconomist]

Halo: Combat Evolved almost single-handedly redefined and revitalized the FPS genre.

Yes, but only because it brought it to consoles. Halo was a masterpiece. Halo 2 was alright, from there, it got worse, not because the games got worse, but because from then on Halo wasn't the only tolerable console FPS and it didn't compare favorably.

It is not a word that has any weight in reference to Halo.

Except Halo HAS been struggling recently because it IS a shadow of its former self. There are several FPS and other action games that have taken its place and do what it does better. Say what you want about SCBW -> SC2 but there is NOTHING even remotely close to replacing it.

It's likely that your post was troll sarcasm, but, hey, you never know with you, you do, after all, prefer a controller to a mouse, so, it's possible you could be this far off base, being that you probably can't even play the real shooters.

You've got your space-marines; your classical oppressive alien species driven by religion and glory; your hivemind bugs; and your progenitor race.

Basically a StarCraft FPS.

(Sit your ass down Warhammer fanboys.)

[DemolitionSquid]

Yes, but only because it brought it to consoles. Halo was a masterpiece. Halo 2 was alright, from there, it got worse, not because the games got worse, but because from then on Halo wasn't the only tolerable console FPS and it didn't compare favorably.

I meant on consoles. Its simple control scheme proved that FPS could be viable, and imho better, on consoles. Its lost some weight because of more direct copycats, not because its gotten significantly worse, which it has not.

Except Halo HAS been struggling recently because it IS a shadow of its former self. There are several FPS and other action games that have taken its place and do what it does better. Say what you want about SCBW -> SC2 but there is NOTHING even remotely close to replacing it.

As stated above, the games that replaced Halo are copycats, who have admittedly added a few extra things to the gameplay and control formula. That is no way means Halo has faltered or fallen to the level you appear to be claiming it has. It merely has more market competition.

It's likely that your post was troll sarcasm, but, hey, you never know with you, you do, after all, prefer a controller to a mouse, so, it's possible you could be this far off base, being that you probably can't even play the real shooters.

I prefer the controller to the mouse and keyboard when playing FPS because it is the superior control scheme for FPS. Just as I prefer the keyboard and mouse over the controller for RTS, because it is the superior control scheme for RTS. To say that console shooters aren't "real" because their control scheme is more streamlined to suit the style of game shows you are the one trolling. Complexity for the sake of complexity is inefficient, and purposely using a less functional mechanism in an attempt to prove superiority merely shows one has self-confidence issues and needs peer validation. Using a keyboard and mouse to play an FPS instead of the more cohesive dual analog controller is like bringing a bow to a gunfight. If you win its surely impressive, but it by no means means the bow is the superior weapon, only that the person wielding it was required to put in more effort and training to achieve success. People say the keyboard and mouse are the superior FPS controller because they had to put in more time and energy into fighting its UI than they would with a controller, and thus feel entitled to proclaim themselves, their game, and their UI superior.

[Quirel]

Kind of a weird thing, hearing the Chief's voice and realizing that he's only 15 years old.
Also, is that a new Covenant flash-bang?

Wow. Talk about fanservice.
How many casuals are going to know what Tactical Training Rounds are?

Sigh. Silva's death seems cheap, because I called it two episodes before. Just not sure what it's supposed to accomplish.

I've ALWAYS wanted to see a Hunter get taken out like that. =D
Little disappointed that it just disintegrated though.

How did it get light all of a sudden?

Thank God. For once, all of the Spartans are wearing armor with a sane color scheme.
Overall, I think it's the best piece of EU fiction to come out since Halsey's Journal.

Pre-ordered Halo 4 myself but...

I thought you didn't have an Xbox?

well, it's gotten good reviews, but FuD's left a bitter taste in my mouth that I think will carry over, not to mention that 343 seems intent on self-sabotaging the supporting EU fiction. Time will tell I guess.

Yes, 343i's run with Halo 4 can best be summed up as "Where are we going, and why are we in this handbasket?"

To me, Halo has always represented the quintessential sci-fi universe. It is the single most trope-laden series that I can recall.

Mass Effect.

But it is because of that very distillation of scifi that I think it's been so successful, and why I enjoy it so. You've got your space-marines; your classical oppressive alien species driven by religion and glory; your hivemind bugs; and your progenitor race.

You got a point. That is one of the things that draws me to Halo, but I think it's because Bungie nailed the best balance of those tropes. 343i's mix, with some of the crap they've introduced, is far less palatable to me.

Yeah I was a little miffed too. On the one hand, I think to myself that the Elite is playing with his prey like a cat. Which is made obvious in how he stupidly and slowly reaches out with his blade to skewer Lasky's face. On the other, this Seinghilli is definitely no Elite -- or even a grunt for that matter, and is an absolute joke played on a species of tactics-geniuses.

Wow. You must not have been keeping up with the EU, then.

Under Nylund or Bungie, the Elites are dangerous. Under everybody else, they're either cavemen with guns or Samurai in SPACE! They've gotten a little better in the Kilo 5 trilogy, but not by much.

I mean, honestly, this here's been held up by the fans as the greatest fight scene in Halo history.



And if you're really into inflicting pain upon yourself, I'd recommend hunting down the Halo: Legends episode "The Package".

I let it slide because 1.) Cay and mouse game; 2.) Recent books seem to be dumbing down the Elites (which I hate); and 3.) "Suspense." You gotta take the bad with the good.

It really says something about the FUD series that I'm willing to stick up for this instance of an Elite acting like an idiot.
It's established that Corbulo Academy is the last Human holdout on Earth, and the Elite knows (or is pretty sure) that its quarry is unarmed. And rather than fighting him, even when they're found out, Lasky and Co. just cower.

So, cower and the Elite will insult your mother while he picks out one to kill. Attack him with an improvised weapon, like Vickers did, and your death will be quick and painless.

[TheEconomist]

Honestly, DSquid, I can't tell if you're trolling or not. You expressed a similiar opinion before but its so ridiculous ... I'm just not sure anymore

People say the keyboard and mouse are the superior FPS controller because they had to put in more time and energy into fighting its UI than they would with a controller, and thus feel entitled to proclaim themselves, their game, and their UI superior.

I've given roughly equal amounts of time to KB&M and controller, and, for almost everything, the KB&M is superior. Not because its harder but because its more accurate, intuitive, and immersive. I've been playing FPS using a controller since I was a kid back on the N64, but, even now, even after playing competitively on MP with a controller and thousands of hours in SP, I still feel let down when I have to play an FPS on a console because its exclusive. Controllers SUCK for FPS and anyone who is skilled at both would agree. It's just that, as you've demonstrated countless times, you are inept with the KB&M which is why your APM sucks in StarCraft and you had to whimp out with a Witch Doctor in Diablo 3. Just because you lack the coordination for the fine movements of the mouse doesn't mean there is anything wrong with the control scheme.

Truf hurts.

[DemolitionSquid]

Honestly, DSquid, I can't tell if you're trolling or not. You expressed a similiar opinion before but its so ridiculous ... I'm just not sure anymore

I've given roughly equal amounts of time to K&M and controller, and, for almost everything, the KB&M is superior. Not because its harder but because its more accurate, intuitive, and immersive. I've been playing FPS using a controller since I was a kid back on the N64, but, even now, even after playing competitively on MP with a controller, I still feel let down when I have to play an FPS on a console because its exclusive. Controllers SUCK for FPS and anyone who is skilled at both would agree. It's just that, as you've demonstrated countless time, you are inept with the KB&M which is why your APM sucks in StarCraft and you had to whimp out with a Witch Doctor in Diablo 3. Truf hurts.

Surprise everyone, TF is resorting to personal attacks. Didn't see that coming

My APM is low, but its because I have no desire to bore myself to death learning hotkeys for SC2 through mindless repetition, and neither does a good 80% of the population, I'd say. Controllers, specifically dual analog vision control, are the better UI because they are accessible to everyone with minimal effort, and contrary to your claim I have found they offer better targeting and movement accuracy than KB&M. In no way is the KB&M setup more intuitive than dual analog when the user is required to use more hand and finger movements to achieve the same effect as dual analog, and I honestly have no idea what you mean by "immersion." The purpose of a UI is not to immerse a player in the game, but to give the player access to the other immersing factors of the game, like their inventory, in the simplest and most efficient manner possible.

As for the Witch Doctor, I played one because it was the closest to the Necromancer and Druid classes I enjoyed in Diablo 2. I prefer long range and mage classes to melee classes like your Barbarian because I enjoy positional play over mindless hacking.

[TheEconomist]

Surprise everyone, TF is resorting to personal attacks.

Not a personal attack per say just an explanation put bluntly to skip through the bullshit. Those ARE the reasons, and you know it.

contrary to your claim I have found they offer better targeting and movement accuracy than KB&M.

You know all console FPS use some form of auto-aim, right? With a KB&M set up you have to be within a few pixels of your target, i.e. more skill.

I honestly have no idea what you mean by "immersion."

A KB&M is more immersive than a controller for the same reasons that something like Kinect is, ideally, more immersive.

I prefer long range and mage classes to melee classes like your Barbarian because I enjoy positional play over mindless hacking.

1) I play all classes, esp. in Diablo 2, when I had a 100 characters per class.
2) It's general knowledge that, in Diablo 3, melee characters take far more skill.
3) I prefer melee because playing melee in hardcore mode takes risk taking, which is the only thing that keeps me waking up in the morning. Range can just sit back while the real men get up close.

[Gradius]

Nice. I'm not into Halo but that was pretty sweet. Recognize a bunch of the actors, the prophet guy from supernatural, and that one girl from chronicles of narnia.

But they're kept in the shadows as if to make them scarey, but instead, makes me feel "yeah, they didn't have enough money to render them properly."

Didn't we get a bunch of full frontal shots of them?

[DemolitionSquid]

Not a personal attack per say just an explanation put bluntly to skip through the bullshit. Those ARE the reasons, and you know it.



You know all console FPS use some form of auto-aim, right? With a KB&M set up you have to be within a few pixels of your target, i.e. more skill.



A KB&M is more immersive than a controller for the same reasons that something like Kinect is, ideally, more immersive.



1) I play all classes, esp. in Diablo 2, when I had a 100 characters per class.
2) It's general knowledge that, in Diablo 3, melee characters take far more skill.
3) I prefer melee because playing melee in hardcore mode takes risk taking, which is the only thing that keeps me waking up in the morning. Range can just sit back while the real men get up close.

1. They are not the reasons.

2. What you call "skill" is simply fighting an inferior UI. A player who is accustomed to fighting an inferior UI will naturally be a better player because they've been forced to work harder and compensate for the UI's faults. But that does not mean the UI itself is better unless your definition of "better" is its ability to produce better players through the requirement of more effort training against it.

3. The only way I can interpret your statement of "immersion" is in relation to my second point, where you're equating the KB&M to Kinect because they involve more body movement than the Controller. As that pertains to those UI being "better," I cannot agree. As a graphic designer and long-time gamer I've come to believe in the "less is more" philosophy when approaching UI.

4. Again, you're equating needless difficulty with skill. The more skilled can certainly face harder tasks with lesser advantage, and I applaud the endeavor, but its foolish to be outright inefficient when better options are available. You play a Barbarian because you like the challenge of using a weaker character. I also enjoy the challenge, which is another part of why I chose the Witch Doctor instead of the stronger Demon Hunter. Your implication that somehow I'm "less of a man" simply because I prefer to fight with the efficiency of range over melee is baseless.