Halo: Reach

[Lemartes]

Okay, so I played the game for 3.5 hours last night, and I'm pretty sure I'm only two thirds the way through! This game is pretty long for a Halo game!

Spoiler tags from here on in for people who haven't played yet.

One of the my favourite missions so far has been the one where you're fighting a space battle in a Sabre. Was epic fun, and a nice change of pace for a halo game. And then the mission inside the Cov cruiser with low gravity was pretty fun too. Hell, it's all been pretty awesome...

I've just entered new Alexandria, so if you want to talk about anything after that, please warn me, otherwise I will read spoiler tagged posts.

[SonsOfStalingrad]

got my limited edition copy here today. Not playing 'til sammich can play too. Making use of the time to read the journal from my limited edition. Nice.

[Lemartes]

I only got the standard version, I can't really justify spending the extra money atm, saving for trip to England and all... what extras came with the limited edition?

[SonsOfStalingrad]

Special edition has a Team Noble military patch, some photocards, a piece of plastic that is meant to be a UNSC ident card, and a LOVELY journal designed to look hand-made and written. It's Dr.Halsey's journal, talking about the origins of the SPARTAN-II program and what happens to her. Answers a few of the final unanswered questions, apparently, but i'm not all the way through it yet.
Well worth the extra £15. Couldn't justify the £100 for the one with a team noble statuette though.

[Diagnosis Ninja]

I really don't see the appeal though. The story died for me after Halo 3, and even then it was thin by my count.


Contents that do not contribute to the thread have been edited out.
-BCS

[Lemartes]

Ignoring the above post.

I just finished the game, and WOW. I have to say it was my favourite of all the Halo Campaigns, loved the ending. If you haven't finished, don't read below.

I had a nerdgasm when I saw Cortana, then heard we were going to the pillar of autumn, and then heard Captain Keys voice :D

I also loved the scene after the credits where you just have to fight until you die, and that's the end of the game, very poetic

[MalkThe2nd]

I'm not a big fan of the series, but my buddy convinced me to play Firefight with him last night and I have to say I really enjoy the maps and new weaps in this one.

[Lemartes]

Haven't played fire fight on Reach yet, but yeah, the new weapons are fun, I really like the designated marksman rifle.

[MalkThe2nd]

I like the Plasma Repeater deal, the one you have to vent. I took down sooooo many Elites with that hehe.

[Lemartes]

I only used it a little bit in the campaign, so didn't get the full jist of it... does it deal more damage than the plasma rifle?

[MalkThe2nd]

It seems to be about the same, but instead of overheating your fire rate begins to drop.

[Lemartes]

Oh yeah, I noticed that, I thought I was just running out of battery >.<

[MalkThe2nd]

*former double post*

[MC Tic Tac]

I like the plasma concussion gun (ie the red plasma gun) its like a mini mortar :D

Story wise it started off good and the ending well theres a few real nice hooks in there plot wise and the last level was a neat idea, but no epic driving finale like in 1 and 3 was a bit of a downer for me.

But it had that "planet ar war" feel that was kind of missing from 2 and ODST (2 was on earth/delta ring but felt like a series of skimishes)

I like how the Spartans where killed of one by one except for Jun the Sniper not sure what happened to him

Firefight is now fully customisable like normal multiplayer, you can choose whats in each wave/set/round, and all the other settings - Invincivble spartans vs grunts can be done lol

[Lemartes]

True, Jun went off with the doctor lady, maybe that's one of the un-answered things that SoS was talking about that might be in the Journal?

[Cordova]

I really enjoyed it. I thought some bits were obviously coming, but it did a good job overall.

The characters were dealt with well, and the music was sublime.

Still. My fave weapon? The good ol' Assault Rifle...

[Novasry]

You see, I just played through Combat Evolved (Don't have a 360 :'( ) and I never really found the Assault Rifle that useful, you need half a clip just to bring down Elite shields and it doesn't have the range to do it well, and it was rubbish against the Flood when put up against the Shotgun

[Lemartes]

I quite enjoyed the mission where you went in with a sniper rifle and a pistol, it was fun swapping between the two weapons, rifle for elites, pistol for grunts/jackals

[MalkThe2nd]

You're not supposed to use hard rounds on shields anyways. :icon_e_wink:

I always try to carry one alien weapon for shield-busting and then quickly switch to a human weap to finish them off.

[Lemartes]

Charged plasma pistol is the best, I remember back in halo 2 when they used to heat seek, you could take down a sheild, then finish off with one shot from the battle rifle, pissed many people off in multi player... :D

[Novasry]

Out of interest, are the Jackel shields usable in Reach?, I always thought that would be a cool thing to use in game

[Lemartes]

No, they're not, but that would be cool, sort of like a riot shield, where you could use any one handed weapon in the other hand... the odd thing I found with Reach is that you can't dual wield... unless you can and I just couldn't figure out how?

[MC Tic Tac]

No, they're not, but that would be cool, sort of like a riot shield, where you could use any one handed weapon in the other hand... the odd thing I found with Reach is that you can't dual wield... unless you can and I just couldn't figure out how?

You can't, bungie decided to take it out. But I have seen Elites dual welding the basic plasma rifle in campagin though.

As for multiplayer - you can keep your jet pack and armour locks the Hologram is where its at! Run away round a corner turn fire off the holo, wait for enemy to waste a nade and half a clip - walk out and own him - priceless.

Even had some numpty hit my hologram with a sword.......... 3 times!

[Lemartes]

Haha, silly numpty, whatever that is...

[MC Tic Tac]

Haha, silly numpty, whatever that is...

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=numpty

Yeah every one seems to use Jet pack, armour lock or camo cloak online, but good map knowlege and quick thinking will get you through, most jet packers just make them selves a target to everyone.

Firering off the hologram into another players dual is funny as fuck (in solo slayer) as both players freak out and wounder how the hologram laid an grenade the double killed them both.

[SonsOfStalingrad]

Out of interest, are the Jackel shields usable in Reach?, I always thought that would be a cool thing to use in gameThe Mark 5 Spartan armour, fluffwise, has a shield generator based on technology stolen from an outdated Jackal shield. With that in mind, why would you WANT to use a Jackal shield? You've got one that covers your whole body.

[Brother-Captain Sharp]

The Mark 5 Spartan armour, fluffwise, has a shield generator based on technology stolen from an outdated Jackal shield. With that in mind, why would you WANT to use a Jackal shield? You've got one that covers your whole body.

Two shields is better than one?

[Kuarnix]

No, they're not, but that would be cool, sort of like a riot shield, where you could use any one handed weapon in the other hand... the odd thing I found with Reach is that you can't dual wield... unless you can and I just couldn't figure out how?


Mark V Spartan armor is not compatible with two arms, when they are used independently :p

[SonsOfStalingrad]

Mark V Spartan armor is not compatible with two arms, when they are used independently :p

I think it's meant to represent that the Chief was special.
I mean, in ODST you couldn't dual-weild, and I accepted that because you're only a human. You probably couldn't control two rapid-fire weapons like the Chief or a muscular Elite could. Although I wish double pistols was still possible.
However, I was surprised to hear Spartans can't all do it, especially seeing as a LOT of them do in the books.

[Cordova]

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=numpty

Yeah every one seems to use Jet pack, armour lock or camo cloak online, but good map knowlege and quick thinking will get you through, most jet packers just make them selves a target to everyone.

Firering off the hologram into another players dual is funny as fuck (in solo slayer) as both players freak out and wounder how the hologram laid an grenade the double killed them both.

I'm all about Sprint. Mainly because the standard Assault Rifle is my weaon of choice, and it allows you to unload, run forwards and punch away...

Saying that, I haven't played a lot yet, and I'm still getting used to the different maps/gametypes, so it's all a nice learning curve...

[MC Tic Tac]

Spoiler/Easter Egg alert!

The Master Cheif is in Reach, for only a second.

During the last level after you have taken out the Cruiser with the MAC cannon and the cut scene plays of Captain Keyes Pelican landing in the hanger. In the brief internal hanger shot where 2 troopers run past the camera hold down right on the right stick and you see the "Husked Casket"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRrv6rcu90Y

[Lemartes]

Has anyone else used Forge 2.0 yet? Way better than Forge from Halo 3. Me and a mate of mine started editing Haemorrhage to add a massive tower and bridges to the cliff tops, but we got messed up because we couldn't find the kill zones to delete them out. So we ended up starting from blank, had to build the red and blue bases and everything, but in the end we made a pretty awesome map, will be lots of fun for a 10+ player match.

[Brother-Captain Sharp]

Hmmm, now i want this game. Dammit.

Well, off to find it used I go.

[ShadowSplicer57]

Trooped through this game for like nine hours straight and I must say, Bravo Bungie! Great way to go off with a bang! Also, I believe that 343 Industries will carry the franchise in the right direction as there is enough Bungie Developers in their ranks to assure me they won't let the series die. If even that won't convince you, then look at it this way: Halo is Microsoft's baby. Now, unless Microsoft eats babies, they won't ruin it. Now they still could turn into baby killers, but the point is that it isn't too likely... Well, knowing Microsoft... But anyways, I believe 343 Industries will carry on Halo quite well. And if they don't, then I think Bungie will come back and save it. Can't imagine them watching their beloved franchise dying, after all, they sure did come back to save it after Halo Wars.

In regards to which death was the best:

Despite what most people think, I thought that Kat had the best death. I loved how sudden it was and how quickly the tone of the game changed. Before she dies, the game is about saving Reach (or so is the objective of Noble Team). Then, as Six carries her body out into the remains of destroyed New Alexandria, it really does settle in that Reach is dead, and hope is lost. The tragedy of the Fall of Reach really does come full scale at this point in the game and for that I think that while she had the simplest death, it was definitely the most meaningful.

As for Noble Six... That was the worst point in the game. I expected Six (as well as the rest of Noble team) to die in the game, but his death was admittedly pretty lame. You barely got to see anything, which in my opinion is bad in this case because you want to see your guy go down fighting. While he did kill a few Elites, it just wasn't enough to make me think: Wow, what a Spartan. Maybe it's just me, but I felt his death was rather quick and not for the lack of a better word "epic" enough. It just lacked that tone and meaning that Kat's death had.

Has anyone else used Forge 2.0 yet? Way better than Forge from Halo 3. Me and a mate of mine started editing Haemorrhage to add a massive tower and bridges to the cliff tops, but we got messed up because we couldn't find the kill zones to delete them out. So we ended up starting from blank, had to build the red and blue bases and everything, but in the end we made a pretty awesome map, will be lots of fun for a 10+ player match.

I have, and again, kudos to Bungie for doing so well on Reach. I am in the middle of making a Prison map (sometimes known as Cops and Robbers) and it is coming along pretty well. Maybe we should post our maps in this thread as well, because there seems to be a lot of people who play. Would be awesome if we all set up like forum Halo game dates. XD Maybe that's too far fetched, but just imagine Custom Games with the forum... O.o

[SGS]

Very good game. Can't really say much more than that, just hope some of the others I'm looking forward to can wow me like this game did. Loving the online modes and forge (Gruntpocolypse: You will know the wraith of the grunt).

As for my favorite death, had to be Emile's. I enjoyed how they set all of them up but Emile's was the only one to make me say "Hell Yeah!".

[Lemartes]

Maybe we should post our maps in this thread as well, because there seems to be a lot of people who play. Would be awesome if we all set up like forum Halo game dates. XD Maybe that's too far fetched, but just imagine Custom Games with the forum... O.o

Well we can upload maps to file share, then add each other as friends and download each others maps. But I don't know about trying to organise a forum game, it would be hard to set a time when everyone can play, and also lag is an issue, being on the other side of the world sucks that way...

[MC Tic Tac]

ShadowSplicer57

Think of noble 6's death ie YOUR death as that entire bonus level - not just the cut scene.

Kat's death really did change the tone of the story, while Jorge's was almost a 'peak' as in you felt "maybe just maybe....."

As for file share heres some of mine:

Pics: http://www.bungie.net/stats/reach/fileshare.aspx?player=MC%20Tic%20Tac&fc=0

Film: http://www.bungie.net/stats/reach/fileshare.aspx?player=MC%20Tic%20Tac&fc=2

[SGS]

I got some pics but haven't really uploaded my videos (most of which are just brutal looking assassinations). And yes, I like Elites.

Pics: http://www.bungie.net/Stats/Reach/FileShare.aspx?player=Shotgun%20Santa

[SonsOfStalingrad]

Well, got my banshee steal on my first attempt. Anyone who struggles to get that achievement just isn't a Spartan. I did it on the level where you're meant to take out the tower, got a jump pack.. when you go up the grav lift, fly to the upper upper level and watch the movement patterns of the Banshees close by. When you can see one approaching, jump off towards it and free-fall until you're almost level. Then engage jump jets for a hardcore hijacking.

[ShadowSplicer57]

I got some pics but haven't really uploaded my videos (most of which are just brutal looking assassinations). And yes, I like Elites.

Pics: http://www.bungie.net/Stats/Reach/FileShare.aspx?player=Shotgun%20SantaHaha that "WORTWORTWORT" picture is so bomb. And I agree, Sanghelli = AWESOME!
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z305/kipperripper/arbiter.png
^ Thel 'Vadam (more commonly known as The Arbiter) is my personal favorite Elite, even if he was responsible for Reach... And yes I am a total Halo fanboy... :icon_smile:

[SGS]

Thel 'Vadam is nice, but my favorite Arbiter will always be Fal 'Chavamee, the only Arbiter to plow through an entire Covenant army with just energy swords.

http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20091121173927/halo/images/thumb/3/30/Fal_Arbiter.jpg/250px-Fal_Arbiter.jpg

[SonsOfStalingrad]

I have only noticed one inconsistancy so far.
If you bought your Limited Edition like good boys and girls, you'll have a copy of Halsey's Journal.
In which is a lot of cool information, but on one of the pages she acts in surprise and a type of anger that there are Spartan-III's. Not her project. Something she didn't know about.
But according to the novel 'Fall of Reach', which is considered official, she knows full well of the Spartan-III project because she is present in the room when Mendez announces he will be leaving the Spartan-II's to train the next batch.

Other than that, i'm quite happy with all of this.

[SGS]

Considering two of her Spartans ran off to be involved with the Spartan III program I'm sure she must have known for a while.

[ShadowSplicer57]

There's a lot of inconsistencies with the novel, thankfully however, they are making a re-release of all three Halo novels (Fall of Reach, The Flood, First Contact) that will correct some of the errors for use with the new Halo story-line. *Got this off of Halo Wikia.

[Solace]

I want to get Halo: Reach.

[Diagnosis Ninja]

It's way overhyped, but Firefight and Infection are fun. Don't know how you can play it for multiple hours in a row though, guys, I think the pace is well weird.

[The Gnomesbane]

I was pretty unimpressed by Reach. I felt like none of the other spartans, save Jorge (and that could be just because I have a thing for British and Australian accents) were even remotely memorable, or really even did anything. The campaign felt repetitive and unoriginal most of the time. The last level in particular, was a huge letdown. Rather than ending the game, and series, with the almost standard Michael Bay esque explosions and driving, it just ended up feeling like any other Halo mission.In my opinion, that brief mongoose part could have been extended, and used for an entire last level. Just some crazy ass race against time as everything goes to complete shit around you. Rather than end things with a bang, Bungie ended it all with a muffled thud.

[SonsOfStalingrad]

It was still an enjoyable game, though the ending was a bit of a let down. The after-ending survival mission however sort of... hit the nail on the head.
The futility of the war on the covanant. From every minor victory they barely claw from the Covanant, a heavy loss hits back. You got your mission done. The autumn launched. But you and the whole of reach...

Wait.
Did Reach get saved in this version? There was a surprising amount of green around in Halsey's voice over for something that got glassed.

[SGS]

I think they went back to Reach after the war was over and may have started fixing the planet (with all their tech they probably have a way to make grass grow again).

[MalkThe2nd]

It's way overhyped

Welcome to video game marketing? Buy version 2.35 cause it's the best version since sliced bread! You'll hate version 2.05 after playing this!!


Firefight is totally where it's at in this game IMO. All the variations online and custom classes/games makes it much more interesting. With normal multiplayer you may as well be playing 3.

[ShadowSplicer57]

Buy version 2.35 cause it's the best version since sliced bread! You'll hate version 2.05 after playing this!!
Did you just quote Apple there? XD

[Cordova]

Some of my file shares... (only pics...)

http://www.bungie.net/stats/reach/fileshare.aspx?player=CordovaBiconis&fc=0

[Diagnosis Ninja]

Killionaire!

Anyone else get that with the Target Locker challenge in firefight yesterday?

Me (http://www.bungie.net/Stats/Reach/Default.aspx?player=Diagnosis%20Ninja)

[MC Tic Tac]

Killionaire!

Anyone else get that with the Target Locker challenge in firefight yesterday?

Me (http://www.bungie.net/Stats/Reach/Default.aspx?player=Diagnosis%20Ninja)

No cos everytime I tired some noob got it first and tried to shot down the very obviously INDESTRCTABLE phantoms in the very first wave, rather than save it for the boss wave.

[Diagnosis Ninja]

Funny enough Tac, I got it by doing exactly that. Just do it before the guys are about to jump out, and by the time it lands the Phantom has moved :D

[MC Tic Tac]

Well did you lock on to the Phantom or the ground? Noobs locked on to the Phantom /sigh

[Diagnosis Ninja]

The phantom lol. It's cos I'm awesome and shit.

[SonsOfStalingrad]

i'm online now! got myself a gamertag.
pm for info.

[MC Tic Tac]

Well I've done it Solo on Legendary :d


i'm online now! got myself a gamertag.
pm for info.

Would you still like my spare Recon Code?

[Cordova]

I started it on Legendary Solo, but it made me want to throw a rock through my TV...


Any tips?

[SonsOfStalingrad]

Well I've done it Solo on Legendary :d



Would you still like my spare Recon Code?Got one. Not that I like that helmet ;)
CQC UA/HUL all the way.

[MC Tic Tac]

I use the CQC too lol

[MalkThe2nd]

I started it on Legendary Solo, but it made me want to throw a rock through my TV...


Any tips?

Try to always stay at long range until only a couple enemies are left in any given area. Most all of my progress involves popping out of cover to kill 1-2 guys then waiting for my shield to recharge.

[MC Tic Tac]

Originally Posted by Cordova View Post
I started it on Legendary Solo, but it made me want to throw a rock through my TV...


Any tips?

Charged plasma pistol to down Elites shileds and then Pistol/DMR to head shot the Elites. This is your bread and butter combo for Legendary

Vs Brutes 2 Shots remove head protection 3rd kills (Except Chieftains), also needle weapons are quite good ve Elites

[Lemartes]

Try it on an easier difficulty Cordova...

I spent all day yesterday (I was off work sick) making my forged map playable on all the different game variants. I got all working properly so far bar "race", and I haven't even tried "invasion" yet. The only thing I can't get right on "race" is make it so that you spawn in the correct spawn point, so that all players spawn next to each other. At the moment all the players spawn at random spawn points all over the map, it can get quite frustrating when it doesn't work properly.

Oh and a couple of minor variants don't work properly yet either, like single flag capture the flag and single bomb assault. I can't get it so that there's a spawn point for the flag/bomb in the centre of the map for single flag/bomb CTF/assault...

/me goes of to troll the internets for answers.

[MC Tic Tac]

I spent all day yesterday (I was off work sick) making my forged map playable on all the different game variants. I got all working properly so far bar "race", and I haven't even tried "invasion" yet. The only thing I can't get right on "race" is make it so that you spawn in the correct spawn point, so that all players spawn next to each other. At the moment all the players spawn at random spawn points all over the map, it can get quite frustrating when it doesn't work properly.

Oh and a couple of minor variants don't work properly yet either, like single flag capture the flag and single bomb assault. I can't get it so that there's a spawn point for the flag/bomb in the centre of the map for single flag/bomb CTF/assault...

/me goes of to troll the internets for answers.

This might help:
http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=49035808

[Lemartes]

Yep, I've read that. It didn't help with the spawning bit for race, and nothing about the single flag CTF or single bomb assault...

[MalkThe2nd]

Charged plasma pistol to down Elites shileds and then Pistol/DMR to head shot the Elites. This is your bread and butter combo for Legendary

Vs Brutes 2 Shots remove head protection 3rd kills (Except Chieftains), also needle weapons are quite good ve Elites

I've always thought the Plasma Pistol was one of the best weapons in the game. Lots of ammo, accurate, the charge is sweet, reasonable cool down time, and even rapid-fire shots can bust open a shield like no tommorow.

[SonsOfStalingrad]

plasma rifle and dmr/magnum is about the best you need. plasma weapons take out covanant shields better than solid rounds.

[MalkThe2nd]

Does anyone else think it's weird the gun is named a "Plasma Rifle"? Wouldn't sub-machine gun be way closer to the mark?

[SonsOfStalingrad]

I always used to call it plasma gun. It is a gun and not a rifle, unless we're talking assault rifle perhaps.

[SonsOfStalingrad]

So, how does everyone look at the moment in-game? :P
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1003/Ophiuchus/Spartan-III.png

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1003/Ophiuchus/reach_4906472_Full.jpg

[SGS]

700

I rather like this shot of my Spartan. I sadly can't seem to get a good pic of my Elite in his new Zealot armour though, the team colours mess up his glorious green armour.

[Dark Leviathan]

My Spartan at the moment (see below). For some reason the flame effect isn't visible in the second picture. :? I've been relatively frugal with my credits, as I know that they'll be a lot of nice (and more expensive) stuff available once Bungie removes the rank cap.

As for Reach, loving the game, although I think earning credits can be a bit slow, especially in the long run as the highest rank is supposedly reached after earning a mind boggling 20,000,000 credits. Also, the Campaign was lacking in some areas. Legendary was too easy (for a die hard Campaign fiend like me anyway), there was no epic vehicle run/finale, but I have to say it's much better than Halo 2 and 3's Campaigns. I'm also having a lot of fun with Forge, which is greatly improved over Halo 3's version.