Halo Wars Continued

[teh lag]

From HBO :
As we mentioned (http://halo.bungie.org/news.html?item=24094) on Thursday, there was a new cinematic unveiled on GameTrailers TV last night - DHalo pointed (http://carnage.bungie.org/haloforum/halo.forum.pl?read=900027) it out while it was being broadcast, and then Impervium passed along the online link (http://carnage.bungie.org/haloforum/halo.forum.pl?read=900034) once it went live. It's a pretty impressive piece of animation - and it unveils quite a number of tidbits of the upcoming Halo Wars storyline. Go watch it (http://www.gametrailers.com/player/40831.html) - and then jump into the thread linked above and toss in your two cents! Update: looks like the entire episode (http://www.gametrailers.com/gametrailerstv_player.php?ep=39&ch=1) is online - you can see more Halo Wars content, including Campaign gameplay, in there. Thanks, Bzerker01. (Louis Wu 14:59:29 UTC)

http://www.gametrailers.com/player/40831.html - Cinematic

http://www.gametrailers.com/gametrailerstv_player.php?ep=39&ch=1 - Cinematic + Other Stuff.

Dialog seems even more cheesy than normal Halo tbh, hope it's not going to be a recurring problem.

Cinematic assets look amazing, especially that Arbiter. Sadly, the brutes (http://carnage.bungie.org/haloforum/halo.forum.pl?read=895548) that were shown off a few weeks ago aren't anywhere near as good as these elites... I want my bear-gorilla-rhinos, not Planet of the Apes + beards + ewtastic armor.

[Advancebo]

It seems that they discovered something about the Flood?

[Ki11a_FTW]

looks awesome :-o, and no not the flood. the game takes place 20 years before halo 1

[TeeKup]

Cheesy Dialogue? That's how the Covenant ALWAYS speak. Personally I loved that trailer.

[teh lag]

Given this game's already established desire to futz with the storyline, I wouldn't be surprised to see the Flood make an appearance only to become part of a MASSIVE ONI TOP SECRET COVERUP.

Also, am I the only one thinking the music is definitively un-Halo?

Also, why would the writers build up with "key to the whole war" on the part of the Captain? Obviously it won't be (or it will conveniently be sealed off with an everybody-dies ending) or humanity wouldn't be fighting for 20 more years.

Also, christ that "open the relic" scene was out of The Mummy or something.

E : Teek, I think this is a new level, and not just for the Covies. "Well, open sesame..."

[TeeKup]

I agree with you there though. Piano seemed like an excellent element in Halo 3 but for that trailer it really didn't fit. ONI Cover up seems obvious like you said though.

However I liked the ending there.

EDIT: Now that I looked back, the music seems too star wars-ish. :S

[ICEE]

is it just me or does that planet somewhat resemble the planet in halo 3's legendary ending?

[TeeKup]

is it just me or does that planet somewhat resemble the planet in halo 3's legendary ending?

What? All we saw was a big black sphere of a planet, the little detailing we DID see doesn't match Harvest at all. >_>

pQjefkVXfU0

[Heathen]

I didn't think it was too starwars-esque.

Still loading the trailer though.

EDIT:

Also, ew. On the second video with gttv.

00:55. Look at the snow at the bottom left from the explosion.

[JDMFSeanP]

I didn't think it was too starwars-esque.

Still loading the trailer though.

EDIT:

Also, ew. On the second video with gttv.

00:55. Look at the snow at the bottom left from the explosion.

Can you say beta?

[Heathen]

well, never finished the video. I got bored.

[Higuy]

Some part's didn't seem haloish. The music didn't seem haloish either.

[Botolf]

I like it a lot :D


Dialog seems even more cheesy than normal Halo tbh, hope it's not going to be a recurring problem.
After Miranda's "to waaaar" and three games full of Johnson-isms, you seriously think that? :p

[teh lag]

I like it a lot :D


After Miranda's "to waaaar" and three games full of Johnson-isms, you seriously think that? :p

Dear god, I must have repressed that. Come to think of it, h3 was full of really bad lines... Though for Johnson, it's always been intentional. (At least, when it was humorous and not >.< bad.)

[Needles]

Do those graphics look kind-of like Crysis's to anybody else?

[TeeKup]

Do those graphics look kind-of like Crysis's to anybody else?

........No?

[Higuy]

Isn't that just CGI?

[Botolf]

Dear god, I must have repressed that. Come to think of it, h3 was full of really bad lines... Though for Johnson, it's always been intentional. (At least, when it was humorous and not >.< bad.)
The opening Crow's Nest cinematic sure takes a turn for the weird at that point :p.

[Dwood]

The opening Crow's Nest cinematic sure takes a turn for the weird at that point :p.

Halo Wars has taken a turn to the weird at this point.

I've never really thought of elites sounding like that.

[thehoodedsmack]

I like the music. It's a different turn for traditional Halo, but it isn't all about the forerunners this time. It's similar enough, but I think it fits well with the new setting.

[Corndogman]

I think they were trying to make the music like Halo, with the piano being played and such, but didn't really do a good job of it.

The trailer just looks "Crysis" good, because it is pre-rendered. It doesn't actually look that good in real time, like Crysis does.

[thehoodedsmack]

Ugh. Finished the whole thing. The opening music fits the scene well, and plays well to the whole "humanity's last stand" thing. But the rest blew horrible ball-sacks.

[Pyong Kawaguchi]

I like the cinematic visual quality this seems to give.
Why do animated movies never seem visually impressive?
E: The gameplay itself seems to have low FPS, its probably due to it not being finished/not optimized yet.

[Con]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v164/bastable/dr_02.jpg

http://idiotsyncrasies.com/uploaded_images/SenatorPalpatine-729395.jpg

ah shit

[Heathen]

:O

ok, only one. I'm calling coincidence.

[Cortexian]

So we've got Final Fantasy-esk graphics (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0173840/), old school Arbiters, and possible flood infection forms on Harvest... Hell, if they made the feature film out of that story line with those graphics I'd go see it.

[n00b1n8R]

I didn't think it was that bad. It certainly tried to go "I know something you don't know" a few times but asides from that (and the cheesy dialogue which I've come to expect) I had no gripes.

Asides from the music.
What the fuck did they do to the music.

Also, who is palpentine?

[ultama121]

L2 Starwars n00b. http://sa.tweek.us/emots/images/emot-colbert.gif

[The_Wraith]

The cutscene looked hot. The gameplay does not. The way old stuff looked miles better.

Music was the least of my worries...it sounded pretty good. The gameplay looks like horrible un-Halo shit. Too bad those sex cutscenes aren't going to a different game...

[L0d3x]

The gameplay looks like C&C to me. Nothing of the battles brings back that old Halo1 feeling.

[FlyingStone]

So we've got Final Fantasy-esk graphics (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0173840/), old school Arbiters, and possible flood infection forms on Harvest... Hell, if they made the feature film out of that story line with those graphics I'd go see it.

I rather it be a movie then a game, tbh.

[n00b1n8R]

L2 Starwars n00b. http://sa.tweek.us/emots/images/emot-colbert.gif
Notice how he never said he was called Palpentine?
Yeah.

My question was; what does he have to do with HW?

[DaneO'Roo]

the only part i liked was the actual 3d. That and the elites had nice textures.

[Hotrod]

I liked the video, everything from the music to the characters. I didn't imagine Elites sounding like that, but they all have to have different voices, right?

[teh lag]

New gameplay vids - http://www.gametrailers.com/game/3260.html?show=Gameplay#Content

There's so much in there I'm not liking. I really, really hope they change a lot between now and release.

[Heathen]

Srs. Better physics on the vehicles needed D:

[Hotrod]

Those videos look fine to me, except the speed of the Scorpion tanks... Seriously, I didn't know tanks could instantly accelerate to 100kph...

[Heathen]

I dont like the way they look when they turn >.>

Like RC.

[Pooky]

From HBO :

http://www.gametrailers.com/player/40831.html - Cinematic

http://www.gametrailers.com/gametrailerstv_player.php?ep=39&ch=1 - Cinematic + Other Stuff.

Dialog seems even more cheesy than normal Halo tbh, hope it's not going to be a recurring problem.

Cinematic assets look amazing, especially that Arbiter. Sadly, the brutes (http://carnage.bungie.org/haloforum/halo.forum.pl?read=895548) that were shown off a few weeks ago aren't anywhere near as good as these elites... I want my bear-gorilla-rhinos, not Planet of the Apes + beards + ewtastic armor.

I don't get why everyone seems so excited about a new AI. It's a different ship, of course there's a different fucking AI.

[Heathen]

Agreed. I know that the Smart AI weren't extremely rare, but having this AI is making Cortana less impressive. Dr. Halsey is still around, so Cortana isn't even there yet.

[teh lag]

Seriously, I didn't know tanks could instantly accelerate to 100kph...

Indeed. When this was announced and they talked about how it would literally be "Halo but as an RTS"; I was hoping for that. Instead, we're getting "an RTS but with Halo." I WANT to have vehicle acceleration be a factor. I WANT individual units to have some self-determination, not warthogs just driving up and then standing still to fire, or 'shees just hovering there while bombarding the enemy. I WANT there to be crucial, stark differences between the playstyle of UNSC and the playstyle of Covenant, even down to base-building. We're just getting some C&C style minor unit differences, not the contrast akin to Zerg and Protoss you would expect given the established story. Halo plays very dynamically, and I think if they really *wanted* to they could have incorporated that into an RTS.

This post is about to turn into a major rant, so I'll stop here.

[Heathen]

Yes Lag. Thats what we all wanted. Now we have a game with the halo asthetics.

[343guiltymc]

Indeed. When this was announced and they talked about how it would literally be "Halo but as an RTS"; I was hoping for that. Instead, we're getting "an RTS but with Halo." I WANT to have vehicle acceleration be a factor. I WANT individual units to have some self-determination, not warthogs just driving up and then standing still to fire, or 'shees just hovering there while bombarding the enemy. I WANT there to be crucial, stark differences between the playstyle of UNSC and the playstyle of Covenant, even down to base-building. We're just getting some C&C style minor unit differences, not the contrast akin to Zerg and Protoss you would expect given the established story. Halo plays very dynamically, and I think if they really *wanted* to they could have incorporated that into an RTS.

This post is about to turn into a major rant, so I'll stop here.
The only RTS even close to having the individual determination thing is as far as I can tell DOW2. Also is the girl in the trailer Dr.Halsey?

[Heathen]

Doubt it.

She would look like Cortana.

[Hotrod]

And probably sound like her too.

[MithosK]

[quote=teh lag;308812]Also, why would the writers build up with "key to the whole war" on the part of the Captain? Obviously it won't be (or it will conveniently be sealed off with an everybody-dies ending) or humanity wouldn't be fighting for 20 more years.
quote]
I don't think he meant it as a key to winning the war, since the UNSC seems to be diverting a lot of ships to Harvest, it’s safe to assume that the Covenant haven't begun systematically destroying every human world yet. I think when he said the key, he meant the reason for the war, because as far as they know at this point in time, the Covenant just want Harvest.

[Edward Elrich]

I knew Marty should have done the music for this... (and tried to suggest it on bungie.net, but being a lowly not-even-18-year-old member it didn't carry far. Plus he's probably doing the music for the new Halo 3 thing)

edit: Oh well, hopefully it doesn't really suck. I'll be looking at the reviews before I buy it though...

[Botolf]

I knew Marty should have done the music for this... (and tried to suggest it on bungie.net, but being a lowly not-even-18-year-old member it didn't carry far. Plus he's probably doing the music for the new Halo 3 thing)

edit: Oh well, hopefully it doesn't really suck. I'll be looking at the reviews before I buy it though...
Judging by past performances, the ES music department knows what it's doing. Do you honestly want a Marty rehash anyways?

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=FVNo3zX_XHY
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=5DizSDUz8jw
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=zyY1M2UY69o
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=IXcenhhd6bI
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=AKeAl3RTNiQ
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=SjKctPewO7Y
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=fD6EUdo8PGI
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=CPhJWlURRVM
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=pA7pADbR-yU
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=ezaRJNo5N1Y

[teh lag]

Judging by past performances, the ES music department knows what it's doing. Do you honestly want a Marty rehash anyways?

Yes. Halo should sound like Halo. That trailer didn't sound like Halo.

[Botolf]

Yes. Halo should sound like Halo. That trailer didn't sound like Halo.
And what is the "sound of Halo?" The concept was brand new once, and each new game has changed it and shown that it's open to interpretation. Why are you so eager to say "It is what is and should never change!"

[teh lag]

And what is the "sound of Halo?" The concept was brand new once, and each new game has changed it and shown that it's open to interpretation. Why are you so eager to say "It is what is and should never change!"

Because the music is a part of what *makes* a Halo game. Even with some changes (H2's inclusion of guitar, H3's emphasis on piano), core themes have stayed the same. Just like the Mjolnir armor changed from H1 to H2 - even if it was "different," it was still recognizable. If Halo Wars had the Mjolnir armor as a skin-tight stealth suit, it would instantly be recognizable as something out-of-place - the same goes for the music.

[Botolf]

Because the music is a part of what *makes* a Halo game. Even with some changes (H2's inclusion of guitar, H3's emphasis on piano), core themes have stayed the same. Just like the Mjolnir armor changed from H1 to H2 - even if it was "different," it was still recognizable. If Halo Wars had the Mjolnir armor as a skin-tight stealth suit, it would instantly be recognizable as something out-of-place - the same goes for the music.
If the music in the trailer was heavy metal or some weird post-modern track, I'd agree with you. But Halo music isn't about repeating certain themes ad infinitum. Don't you get enough of that in the main trilogy anyways?

[teh lag]

If the music in the trailer was heavy metal or some weird post-modern track, I'd agree with you. But Halo music isn't about repeating certain themes ad infinitum. Don't you get enough of that in the main trilogy anyways?

It's not so much repeating themes - it's a question of being recognizable as having originated from them. From what I could tell, this was completely different from everything we've heard before. Given the amount of definition music has given the Halo games, I really would prefer to keep that connection.

[Botolf]

It's not so much repeating themes - it's a question of being recognizable as having originated from them. From what I could tell, this was completely different from everything we've heard before. Given the amount of definition music has given the Halo games, I really would prefer to keep that connection.
Who knows, there may be brief musical allusions to the other games, but I won't exactly be disappointed if there isn't. I'm ready for a fresh set of everything.

[Hunter]

Why they make the equipment even more high tech than Halo 3. I thought this was set before that time, so they wouldn't have that sort of equipment.

And imagine if the game was FP and the graphics where as good as they are in the renders. That would be amazing.

[Hotrod]

The music sounded good, yes, and the first song did fit in Halo in my opinion. However, the song that played when they were opening the gate seemed more like Lord Of The Rings rather than Halo.

[Rentafence]

It sounded reminiscent of battlestar galactica, and that's fucking awesome. The mellow classical feel of it is great, even if it's not the same theme song remixed over and over.

[Heathen]

Does the music matter? Sheez.

[Hotrod]

Would Halo really be Halo if it had Mario Music? No, so yes, the music does matter. It also gives a certain feeling while playing the game, and to have the Halo feeling, you need Halo music.

[Botolf]

Would Halo really be Halo if it had Mario Music? No, so yes, the music does matter. It also gives a certain feeling while playing the game, and to have the Halo feeling, you need Halo music.
"If the music in the trailer was heavy metal or some weird post-modern track, I'd agree with you."

I'm not a music junkie, but the music in the trailer sounds like it's sitting in the same genre as Marty's stuff.

[Hotrod]

That's what I've been saying as well, except for the part where they open the relic or door, or whatever it is.

[TeeKup]

Agreed. I know that the Smart AI weren't extremely rare, but having this AI is making Cortana less impressive. Dr. Halsey is still around, so Cortana isn't even there yet.

Halsey is trapped in the Micro-Dyson Sphere in the remnants of Onyx. She's stuck there permanently I remind you.

[Hotrod]

But that happens after the events of Halo Wars, so she'd still be around.

[TeeKup]

But that happens after the events of Halo Wars, so she'd still be around.

Ah thats right.

[Huero]

Halsey is trapped in the Micro-Dyson Sphere in the remnants of Onyx. She's stuck there permanently I remind you.
Maybe not, I doubt they'd seal off a good amount of Spartans like that forever.

[TeeKup]

Maybe not, I doubt they'd seal off a good amount of Spartans like that forever.

They wouldn't if they could, but they have no control over the Dyson Sphere.

[343guiltymc]

Who's the "they"? If by "they" you mean the author, I think he can think up some crazy solution to get them out of there. If by "they" you mean characters in the story, then yeah they're fucked.

[TeeKup]

The main characters? Dr. Halsey explained that once the Dyson Sphere shut it could never be re-opened.

[Hotrod]

Well, we'll see what happens...hopefully. I have a feeling he won't let them stay stuck there.

[343guiltymc]

Probably will, they might all just go insane for being confined and kill each other...

[The_Wraith]

The main characters? Dr. Halsey explained that once the Dyson Sphere shut it could never be re-opened.
Uhh...when did she ever say that?

[Huero]

By they I meant those that control the Halo universe, like the author. I seriously doubt they'd put to waste so many good Spartans because they got stuck in forerunner magic sphere thing.

[Heathen]

Probably will, they might all just go insane for being confined and kill each other...

Theirs your story tie-in for multiplayer.

[teh lag]

http://www.gametrailers.com/player/41104.html

Gameplay - it looks way better than in past vids... My only real problems are with the "cryo bomb" (wtf?), the "Vulture uber-unit" (more wtf), and the lack of a massive explosion on blowing up the Covie base. Also the wraith projectiles don't look like they should :(.


but FFS WHY ARE THERE FUCKING FLOOD IN THIS FUCKING GAME. (Very end, it looks to be a flood BASE?) My god...

[Arteen]

but FFS WHY ARE THERE FUCKING FLOOD IN THIS FUCKING GAME. (Very end, it looks to be a flood BASE?) My god...
You say that like it's a bad thing.

[Pooky]

You say that like it's a bad thing.
While I agree it rips the canon up the ass, I'm with Arteen here. The Flood seem like they would be a fun sort of swarm tactics race to play.

Imagining thousands of infection forms swarming over infantry while juggernauts tear up vehicles and combat forms provide ranged support. Not only that but you would get to use those hilarious Flood sac guys :D

[Hotrod]

The Flood is probably an MP-only race, that's the only way it can make sense.

Also, vehicle physics suck shit, and I'm glad that the Scarab looks good now.

[Botolf]

The Flood is probably an MP-only race, that's the only way it can make sense.

Also, vehicle physics suck shit, and I'm glad that the Scarab looks good now.
I recall some ES dude saying the Flood aren't a MP race.

[Hotrod]

Great...now let's go and ruin the story-line even more...

[Botolf]

Great...now let's go and ruin the story-line even more...
:cover-up:

:everybody dies:

/imagination

[itszutak]

They mention that you can play on blood gulch in this RTS.


How the hell is that going to work?

[Heathen]

:awesome:ly. Thats fucking how.

[Hotrod]

They mention that you can play on blood gulch in this RTS.


How the hell is that going to work?
Link?

[343guiltymc]

I suppose someone could do a map with a similar layout, but expanded. Someone did that for CNC3.

[Heathen]

Why change the scale? The players are still the same size. What the hell would they have to change?

[itszutak]

Why change the scale? The players are still the same size. What the hell would they have to change?

Usually you control more than 16 characters in an RTS.

My typical strategy in AOE2, for example, is to get an army of 5 battering rams, 15 longbowmen, 10 champions, and 10 knights. That's a total of 40 soldiers, not counting the hundreds of civs I have gathering resources.

BG would get a bit cramped. Plus, you'd be building stuff all over the map.

[Pooky]

Usually you control more than 16 characters in an RTS.

My typical strategy in AOE2, for example, is to get an army of 5 battering rams, 15 longbowmen, 10 champions, and 10 knights. That's a total of 40 soldiers, not counting the hundreds of civs I have gathering resources.

BG would get a bit cramped. Plus, you'd be building stuff all over the map.

You're forgetting the obvious part... there are many areas in blood gulch with closed cielings it would be tough to make work for an RTS.

[Masterz1337]

Even though it somewhat breaks the cannon of the story, I'm glad the flood are in. Finally we can see exactly how their society progresses and expands.

[TeeKup]

Uhh...when did she ever say that?

Did you read the book?

[teh lag]

3 new images at http://www.1up.com/do/media?cId=3154058&sec=IMAGES

Discussion of gameplay and Flood at http://www.1up.com/do/previewPage?cId=3170575


showed off a mission where the Covenant discover a Forerunner artifact on the planet Harvest, and decide to blow it up. That's not cool, so it's your mission to intercept the Covenant demolition team and prevent the artifact's destruction

GJ guys, way to totally screw around with the established behavior of Covies towards Forerunner stuff.

My next big question is : if the Flood aren't playable, why include them in the storyline? It seems to really be taunting the player if they have infrastructure but can't be used.

Also, I'm concerned with the power of "uber-units" like the Vulture or Scarab. They were described as making everything else "take up space" and become obsolete - that's not a good aspect of any RTS.

[Heathen]

So thats sp? Are they srsly sticking to the "Covies are all purple and UNSC is all green" thing?

[Hotrod]

Yeah, I'm worried about the Vulture fucking up the balance of the game, and the Flood fucking up the story. They were supposed to be trapped on the Halos, so they can't be on other planets. It sucks even more that you can't play as them, since they'd be an interesting faction to play with.

Oh, and I hate how they're doing the green UNSC and Purple Covies instead of the actual colours...those lazy bastards...why do they always break something that's already perfect in every Halo game before it comes out? Removing RTR visors for Halo 3, removing the ability to destroy Phantoms in Halo 2, and now this...

[The_Wraith]

Did you read the book?Yeah I don't ever remember them being trapped forever. Pretty sure it just closed with them being there.

[Masterz1337]

why do they always break something that's already perfect in every Halo game before it comes out? Removing RTR visors for Halo 3, removing the ability to destroy Phantoms in Halo 2, and now this...
What makes you think they were actually there?

[Hotrod]

Well, I don't know if you kept yourself up to date with the games in between the announcements and the releases, but they showed them being there, and said that they were there. I know that the RTR in the visor was there in the Halo 3 announcement video, and there was even some in the Halo 2 announcement. As for the Phantoms, I remember reading about it in an interview a while back. And the E3 2007 Halo Wars gameplay video had the normal colours for the UNSC and the Covenant.

[Pooky]

As for the Phantoms, I remember reading about it in an interview a while back.

Source or stfu.

God I hated Phantoms in H2 Legendary :|

It was so satisfying blowing them up in h3 I never missed an opportunity.

[Hotrod]

I don't remember a source from 4 years ago... My memory is good enough to remember what I read from that long ago, yes, but remember where? No.

[343guiltymc]

I though in Halo wars team colours were MP only?

[Warsaw]

What makes you think they were actually there?

Because Bungie specifically stated that Halo 3 had real-time reflections in the visor. :downs:

The Destructible Phantoms in Halo 2 is debatable though.

[TeeKup]

Yeah I don't ever remember them being trapped forever. Pretty sure it just closed with them being there.

I'm pretty sure she confirmed it before they commenced the operation to delay the covenant by destroying the major constructs in the cavern. Besides when they enter it, Onyx breaks apart effectively dissipating the atmosphere, even if they did find a way to open it several of them would die, Halsey first off because she's a civilian with no armor; the others sustained suit breaches (I think) and couldn't survive. Even IF they didn't have suit breaches, all UNSC forces retreated from the system, they would have no way to return to earth. Either way they're effectively stuck in the Micro Dyson Sphere.

[Botolf]

Oh, and I hate how they're doing the green UNSC and Purple Covies instead of the actual colours...those lazy bastards...why do they always break something that's already perfect in every Halo game before it comes out? Removing RTR visors for Halo 3, removing the ability to destroy Phantoms in Halo 2, and now this...
This comment lacks sense. You have to be able to "read" units in an RTS at a glance, which is why every RTS ever invented pretty much relies on huge colour patches on textures. Sticking to "canon" is worth absolute shit if you lose track of unit blobs in the other guy's unit blobs. It's not laziness, it's good design, now kindly get off ES's back.

[legionaire45]

Someone obviously hasn't played CoH.

I think that they could make the units less flamboyantly colored, or at least give players the option to choose to some extent. Right now the multiplayer units look out of place because they are so damn bright compared to the relatively toned down (for Halo) environments.

[Botolf]

Someone obviously hasn't played CoH.
Har har har (I have, and I lurves it). It works for CoH because the way you read units is entirely different. All the infantry are made in groups (harder to lose 'em in a swamp), and the two sides have distinctive silhouettes for all of their units. This system only works as long as Axis and Allies aren't playing on the same team (IIRC we have no idea if ES will allow teams to be mixed). Both Covenant and UNSC sides have individual infantry units that could get lost in the shuffle, and there's Co-op and multiplayer to consider, too. You have to have a way to distinguish your stuff from your ally's, which could be a challenge if they are the same race ("HAY?! WTH WHERE MAH SPARTANZ AT?!").


I think that they could make the units less flamboyantly colored, or at least give players the option to choose to some extent. Right now the multiplayer units look out of place because they are so damn bright compared to the relatively toned down (for Halo) environments.
An option would be good, I agree, but I'm just saying the units are coloured in that garish way for good fucking reason.

[L0d3x]

I'm not too fond of the fact that the campaign units don't use the original colours schemes. It's ALL green. Scorpion tanks should be greyish, like in that old E3 07 video.
And yes, they were easy to distinguish from the rest.

[Hotrod]

I don't find it too hard to distinguish UNSC greens browns from the Covenant's brighter primary colours, purples, etc...

However, I do agree with the "reading" the units, since it will be easier, however, I don't find it all that necessary.

[Botolf]

I don't find it too hard to distinguish UNSC greens browns from the Covenant's brighter primary colours, purples, etc...

However, I do agree with the "reading" the units, since it will be easier, however, I don't find it all that necessary.
ES and whomever they found to test the game would be the only ones with enough experience the game to accurately gauge how difficult it would be, and I trust they would make changes where they had to. They did have more subdued colouring before, after all.

[Masterz1337]

Because Bungie specifically stated that Halo 3 had real-time reflections in the visor. :downs:

The Destructible Phantoms in Halo 2 is debatable though.
Perhaps I should I stated it better, it still does have RTR Visors in cutscenes, but whoever said it was thoughout the game?

[Hotrod]

ES and whomever they found to test the game would be the only ones with enough experience the game to accurately gauge how difficult it would be, and I trust they would make changes where they had to. They did have more subdued colouring before, after all.
I'm just judging from the gameplay videos I saw from way back at E3 2007.


Perhaps I should I stated it better, it still does have RTR Visors in cutscenes, but whoever said it was thoughout the game?
Bungie did, and they also explained that they took it out and stuff.

[Masterz1337]

I'd like to see this, because it was never planned to be used throughout the game, and it was never removed.

[Hotrod]

Well, you can look through the Weekly Updates, because I remember them answering that question in a FAQ a while back.

[itszutak]

I'd like to see this, because it was never planned to be used throughout the game, and it was never removed.
I distinctly remember one of the new features in H3 was RTR. That's partly why it was in the announcement trailer- it was meant to be in the game itself.

Later, they said that it was more effective to just use custom cubemaps, as there would be almost no discernible difference except in cutscenes (where they would use RTR again)

[Botolf]

I distinctly remember one of the new features in H3 was RTR. That's partly why it was in the announcement trailer- it was meant to be in the game itself.

Later, they said that it was more effective to just use custom cubemaps, as there would be almost no discernible difference except in cutscenes (where they would use RTR again)
Frankie or some other dude basically said Bungie considered it a waste of resources. Support for it is allegedly still enabled, though.

[itszutak]

Frankie or some other dude basically said Bungie considered it a waste of resources. Support for it is allegedly still enabled, though.
I could swear it was in the level Cortana during the cutscene where the chief resuces Cortana...

[Hotrod]

It's still there, but only in cutscenes, so yes, when he rescues Cortana, there is some RTR.

[Botolf]

I could swear it was in the level Cortana during the cutscene where the chief resuces Cortana...
I don't remember seeing it in that cutscene. MB my friend didn't have a hard drive or something on his Xbox?

[Hotrod]

No, it's there. You see it at the end when Cortana goes back into his helmet.

[Masterz1337]

Anythign that isn't geometry reflected in the helmet is RTR. Lights for example.

[Botolf]

No, it's there. You see it at the end when Cortana goes back into his helmet.
Dude, what I'm saying is that I haven't see it. I've seen the screenshots with Cortana reflected in MC's visor, but I haven't seen it whilst playing on a friend's box.

[Hotrod]

Oh, I misunderstood what you meant, sorry about that.

[Botolf]

NP. The whole thing makes me wonder if the effect doesn't show up on consoles without hard drives (No idea if my friend had one, but that's the only difference-maker I can think of).

[teh lag]

Bu-bump.

http://www.dpadmagazine.com/2008/11/17/graeme-devine-on-halo-wars/

http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/strategy/halowars/news.html?sid=6201215&mode=previews&tag=result;title;0

http://kotaku.com/5091026/what-halo-wars-means-to-ensemble - plenty of pics

http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/930/930695p1.html


While human forces gain upgrades through building reactors, the history-crazed Covenant do so by researching "Ages" at their temple building. This makes for quick and easy upgrades, but the Temple is fragile – destroy this and the Covenant go back to square one.

:\


The Covenant also have a Contact Pad that, if used effectively, can be a real thorn in the side of any UNSC commander. Any Covenant unit that touches it will be transported to wherever the Prophet hero unit is on the battlefield, a useful tactic if you need to quickly move reinforcements to a siege or battle. And the Prophets are no slouches on their own.

The one we controlled, the Prophet of Regret (a well-known villain of the Halo universe) wields a powerful special attack called Cleanse, which is a laser beam that can be moved about the battlefield, destroying anything in its path. I used to obliterate a UNSC Elephant transport platform in a matter of seconds. And yes, I felt a bit dirty afterward.

:\ again.

http://www.halowars.com/images/screenshots/wallpaper.aspx?s=WraithandHog.jpg

Just lol.


Yeah, really mixed opinions here. Some stuff *does* look cool... but there's so much else that bothers me I'm really wondering if I'll end up getting it.

[mech]

That Warthog would be perfect for teekie :-3

[Skill]

the history-crazed Covenant do so by researching "Ages" at their temple building.

Nice to know Microsoft is ripping off superior RTSes.

[Jean-Luc]

Nice to know Microsoft is ripping off superior RTSes.

You are aware that every single RTS game...ever that I know if has an information system where they research something to improve themselves? I would highly doubt this is ripping off Age of Empires.

[teh lag]

I'm not so concerned with any "rip-off" as much as that the "research" feature exists at all; it seems to conflict with the "fast pace" they've been pushing so hard. I much prefer the UNSC reactor system - at least it makes more sense.

Also, the prophet thing just makes me wonder wtf. Since when were they military leaders? Isn't that what elites do?

[Botolf]

Nice to know Microsoft is ripping off superior RTSes.
The hell?

Ages have been in Ensemble's games since day one, not to mention that's the name the Covenant uses for their major historical epochs.

[Bodzilla]

wait i think i just saw somewhere that it's only for Console tards?

Laff.

[Sever]

How did you 'just see' that??? From the beginning, Halo Wars has been widely known that it will be exclusively for the Xbox 360. It was built from the ground up for that console, and, unless Microsoft decides otherwise at a much later date, Halo Wars will remain that way.

[Bodzilla]

RTS's and consoles just dont work properly duder.

i wish Games would just stop being made for the fucking console, So many games are ruined and dummed down to allow people to play them on a box that just doesnt have the control's or ability to pull the game off to it's potential.

[Sever]

All of the previous console RTS's were initially made for PC. Halo Wars was, as I said, designed specifically for console play. Therein lies the difference. It sucks that because of Halo Wars HaloGen got its plug pulled with a C&D order. That game would've been great - Halo RTS in the last quality C&C game's engine.

[Bodzilla]

but the consoles dont offer enough control to truly use and manipulate the Vast strategic types of play available with an RTS.

i used to playstarcraft semi-competitive on the net and it's just rediculous and impossible to be able to play and make use of the game in that way.

Until they ship this game with a mouse and keyboard you just wont be able to play it as well as it could.

TL:DR, CONSOLES MAKE EVERYTHING SHIT

[Cortexian]

You guys also have to realize that when a game comes out exclusively for the "Xbox 360" it's just a limited time exclusive. I'm trying to think of a 360 exclusive that has not come to PC after a year or two, none are coming to mind... I will be buying a 360 for this game though, I love Halo to much to not get one.

[Bodzilla]

but thats the thing fucking ports from a Console to a PC dont work because they dont want to overhaul the control system to make it work properly for a fucking PC.

cause that might make a dint in the cash cow.

[n00b1n8R]

You guys also have to realize that when a game comes out exclusively for the "Xbox 360" it's just a limited time exclusive. I'm trying to think of a 360 exclusive that has not come to PC after a year or two, none are coming to mind... I will be buying a 360 for this game though, I love Halo to much to not get one.
You'd buy it for this, but not H3? :raise:

[Cortexian]

You'd buy it for this, but not H3? :raise:
I'll be getting that as well, I Couldn't afford a 360 at the time. Now I work at Future Shop so not only can I afford it, but I get employee discounts. I'm going to get an Elite package with my next paycheck (our store has a holiday bundle with 4 free games) and hook it up to the Logitech Z-5500 speakers I got with my first paycheck as well as my computer monitor.

[Skill]

TL;DR, CONSOLES MAKE EVERYTHING SHIT
Easy there brotato; I thought Starcraft 64 was pretty awesome.

[DarkHalo003]

If anyone has seen the more recent gameplay vidocs, I would have to say I'm rather intrigued by what Ensemble has put into the game. Definitely a shift in gameplay.

[Saggy]

Sorry for the bump, but achievements have been revealed. CAUTION: MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS!!! CLICK AT YOUR OWN RISK!!!

Halo Wars - Achievement List
Xbox360Achievements.org - Every Point Counts

There are 50 achievements with a total of 1000 points.

Adjudicate the Arbiter (30 points)
Complete the Campaign on Heroic Difficulty
Detour the Great Journey (50 points)
Complete the Campaign on Legendary Difficulty
Momma's Boy (5 points)
Get a Gold Medal on any mission
Crushed Colors (10 points)
Improve your Score in any Campaign Mission
Mr. Punctual (15 points)
Finish all missions under Par Time on Heroic difficulty
Own Worst Enemy (20 points)
Get a Gold Medal with all Debuff Skulls Active
Wall of Recognition (30 points)
Get a Gold Medal on every Campaign Mission
Epic Grinder (40 points)
Obtain a Lifetime Campaign Score over 1,000,000
Everything's Better with Bacon (5 points)
Mission 1: Ram 50 Grunts with Warthogs
Endless Fun (5 points)
Mission 2: Destroy every Methane Tank
Covenant "Hot Drop" (5 points)
Mission 3: Kill at least 5 Covenant Units with the Bridge
The Real Winner (5 points)
Mission 4: Save Adam
He's Got The Jack (5 points)
Mission 5: Jack 6 Covenant Vehicles
Rhino Hugger (5 points)
Mission 6: Successfully protect every Rhino
Micro Manager (5 points)
Mission 7: Do not destroy any Power Node
Ramblin' Man (5 points)
Mission 8: Use Elephants to train 100 Infantry
Sweet Naptime (5 points)
Mission 9: Put every Colony in Hibernation Mode at the same time
The Procrastinator (5 points)
Mission 10: Disrupt all Tractor Beams
Battened Down the Hatches (5 points)
Mission 11: Save all the Airlocks
Handy with Tools (5 points)
Mission 12: Repair the Power Core in less than 4 minutes
Beaming with Pride (5 points)
Mission 13: Destroy 25 units with the Scarab
Didn't Get To Second Base (5 points)
Mission 14: Don't claim an extra base
Thinkin' about My Doorbell (5 points)
Mission 15: Open the Doors in order
Backscratcher (10 points)
Complete any Campaign Mission in Co-op Mode
OMG BFF FTW (40 points)
Complete entire Campaign in Co-op Mode
Playin' the Field (15 points)
Win a Skirmish Game with every Leader
Gallivant around the Galaxy (25 points)
Win a game on every Skirmish Map
Empire Builder (5 points)
Win a game in every Skirmish Game Mode
Titan (15 points)
Get 20,000 points in any Skirmish Game
Big Al's Scooter (10 points)
Win a Heroic Skirmish Game against the AI in under 10 minutes
My Virtual Friends Love Me (10 points)
Win a 3v3 Skirmish game with 2 AI Allies
Walk-Off Winner (30 points)
Use one of the 6 Major Leader Powers to destroy an enemy's last unit
2 Bugs are Better Than 1 (10 points)
Win a Skirmish Game with Dual Scarabs
Penny Pincher (10 points)
Get a winning High Score with 10 or less Squads against the Heroic AI
N00b n0 M0r3 (10 points)
Win a Matchmade Skirmish Game on Xbox LIVE
So Lonely at the Top (20 points)
Win and have the Highest Score in a Matchmade Skirmish Game on Xbox LIVE
Basically Naive (10 points)
Obtain the Recruit Rank on Xbox LIVE
Officer on Deck (30 points)
Obtain the Lieutenant Rank on Xbox LIVE
Running the Show (50 points)
Obtain the General Rank on Xbox LIVE
Alas, Poor Andrew Thomas (5 points)
Collect your first Skull
Graverobber (30 points)
Collect all Skulls
Halo Academic (15 points)
Unlock 20 Timeline Events
Halo Historian (40 points)
Unlock All Timeline Events
Ready for the Sequel (75 points)
100% Completion
24 Hours of Quality (20 points)
Play Halo Wars for at least 24 Total Hours

Secret Achievements

Secret Achievement (10 points)
Continue playing to unlock this secret achievement.
Secret Achievement (40 points)
Continue playing to unlock this secret achievement.
Secret Achievement (50 points)
Continue playing to unlock this secret achievement.
Secret Achievement (70 points)
Continue playing to unlock this secret achievement.
Secret Achievement (70 points)
Continue playing to unlock this secret achievement.

Source: http://www.xbox360achievements.org/achievements.php?gameID=431

[sdavis117]

Skulls?!?! In an RTS?!?!

And Co-op :D

[Needles]

Good thing I ordered a 360 a week ago and it's coming in a few days :D.

[itszutak]

yep, there's a halo involved. Second achievement down

I might buy this, if the reviews are good-- I'm a big fan of RTSs.

But I may just skip the cutscenes.

[Masterz1337]

Whaaaaa. The cutscenes look amazing. Also, they are used to hide the loading screens, so you may not be able to skip them anyway.

[L0d3x]

This game had alot more potential, which they did not use.
The upgrade system also makes no sense at all.

For example, you can't have Gauss hogs and AA hogs at the same time, since gauss is a direct upgrade for the AA hogs. Another example: ALL marines upgrade into ODSTs, which makes no sense at all, though as far as I know this only applies to a certain leader.
And yet another example: the Hornet upgrades into the Sparrowhawk...

I'm feeling pretty sadface about the game.

[Dwood]

I'm feeling pretty sadface about the game.

I coulda told you that when it was announced to be on console only.

[nooBBooze]

*generic Halogen rant just to keep the memory alive*

[Heathen]

People need to stfu about the "RTS ON CONSOLE WUTWUT HERESY!!!"

No other RTS was made from the ground up for console. They were always ports.
If it worked so badly, dont you think the project would have been killed by now?

[MetKiller Joe]

People need to stfu about the "RTS ON CONSOLE WUTWUT HERESY!!!"

No other RTS was made from the ground up for console. They were always ports.
If it worked so badly, dont you think the project would have been killed by now?

Ahem. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deadliest_catch_alaskan_storm)

Bad games get published including their bad concepts (like making the player go through 20-30 minutes of driving to a fishing ground). It isn't an RTS, but there are plenty of games that get published that are bad. I'd say 90% of them.


Still, I hope that Halo RTS will be good.

[L0d3x]

I coulda told you that when it was announced to be on console only.

Unfortunately that doesn't apply here. The only reason that this is failing imo is because ES focused too much on the casual gamer. They don't care about the stuff I just complained about.

It will probably work on console, it just could have been a better Halo game.

[Dwood]

Unfortunately that doesn't apply here. The only reason that this is failing imo is because ES focused too much on the casual gamer. They don't care about the stuff I just complained about.

It will probably work on console, it just could have been a better Halo game.


Let's judge it when it comes out, as to the quality of the game. (85% of points possible can be earned if this doesn't suck on 360)

[Botolf]

Unfortunately that doesn't apply here. The only reason that this is failing imo is because ES focused too much on the casual gamer. They don't care about the stuff I just complained about.

It will probably work on console, it just could have been a better Halo game.
You're one to speak of it failing, especially given that:

a) You haven't played the game
b) The game isn't even out yet

Good grief.

[DarkHalo003]

The game looks and seems awesome. The upgrades are done in different categories for each component, such as certain marines will upgrade to either ODSTs, Rocket Marines, or Flamethrower Marines. The Gauss Hog and AA Hog can coexist because the Gauss Hog has a slower rate of fire than the AA Hog. They're probably upgraded in a different sense as well. Idk where you got Hornets being upgraded to Sparrowhawks, but it's either the other way around or a expansion of the Hornet. When something like the Hornet, which upgrades to have passenger Rocket Marines, upgrades, that doesn't mean it's left in the dust. an upgrade in RTS can mean an expansion from the original. One way I look at this is in Age of Empires. You have Bombard Towers AND Keeps, but if the Bombard Tower is more powerful why keep the Keeps? That is how I justified the Gauss and the AA Warthogs. The Hornet and Sparrowhawk still have me a bit puzzled. Do Sparrowhawks just get sent in faster?

[Kornman00]

I'll see your Halo Wars Continued and raise you Halo Wars Modded (http://www.halomods.com/ips/index.php?/topic/295-halo-wars-1st-mod/).

[ThePlague]

That is a massive bump.

[Bodzilla]

Kornman has that talent.

i have no idea how he does it but i've seen him bump threads exactly 1 year after jcap said that a problem would be resolved soon.

like literally exactly a year.

[DarkHalo003]

Oh those poor, poor Covenant bastards. Not even a Scarab could help them now. Hope they have fun with an Army of Spartans!

[Patrickssj6]

korn has brain.exe

[Kornman00]

I'll see my brain.exe Halo Wars Modded, and raise myself Video of Halo Wars Modded


S9Na8bNLN9U
http://kornnersoftware.com/images/boner.png

[=sw=warlord]

Scarab is OP, bring pack prophet.
:v:

[NullZero]

Nice hacking ;)

I haven't played Halo Wars for about a year, it's just sitting on my shelf D:

[Amit]

Hacks.

[Kornman00]

I've released the beta build (http://www.halomods.com/ips/index.php?/topic/369-ksofttool/) of the tool you'll need to mod the game.

[DarkHalo003]

There need to be more Halo games on PC and the like.

[Arteen]

http://www.oxm.co.uk/34548/halo-wars-splitscreen-was-cut-at-the-last-minute-reveals-ex-ensemble-producer/?cid=OTC-RSS&attr=OXM-General-RSS
We could have had split-screen. :(

[Kornman00]

Could have had a lot of things if MS didn't fucking rape the people at Ensemble Studios out of their well deserved jobs.

And I can't download that issue because my billing address needs to be in the UK. Anyone have any scans?

[TeeKup]

Halo Wars could have been so much more, the campaign itself had the potential for a sequel. I would be rocking it so hard if it was for the PC.

[Kornman00]

Who knows what the future will bring

[dark navi]

Who knows what the future will bring

:realsmug:

[DarkHalo003]

If Halo Wars 2 is for PC, then my College grades would basically shrivel up and die. Still, I would enjoy having it on PC.

[dark navi]

I feel like the game on PC would be a tad boring. It seems too slow for a PC RTS.

[Cortexian]

I feel like the game on PC would be a tad boring. It seems too slow for a PC RTS.
Yeah, because it was developed for consoles. If it had actually been developed as a PC RTS then it could have been glorious.

[Phopojijo]

You're assuming a lot...

[Kornman00]

HxciOQjWEtc

[n00b1n8R]

lol u suck at hw
why would you remove camera limits and not play fully zoomed out l2rts

[Cortexian]

Not everyone strives to become a professional esportsman.

[n00b1n8R]

not everyone strives to be bad at videogames either but i certainly admire your determination lancer

[Zeph]

not everyone strives to be bad at videogames either but i certainly admire your determination lancer
No meme can repel a burn of that magnitude.

[Cortexian]

my shields r still up

[Kornman00]

Tissue paper can't be used for shields, freelancer

[neuro]

:v: <blargh

[t3h m00kz]

one shot on my X

[Kornman00]

Fuck 343i

[BobtheGreatII]

Fuck 343i

.

[Pooky]

3-shot on my everywhere

wait this is Halo 1 right

[Kornman00]

Apparently there's a Games On Demand sale going on now. Halo Wars is going for $10. Get it or kill yourself.

Note: you can still kill yourself, just as long as you first pony up the $10 for the game

[Tnnaas]

What if we already own Halo Wars?

[Kornman00]

Then kill yourself and haunt those who don't. Until they get it obviously. After that, seek out the nearest Composer. Oh wait, 343i is not canon. Sorry, no resurrection here.

Here's the GoD sale source: http://majornelson.com/2013/02/25/xbox-live-ultimate-game-sale-starts-today/