After the Gamescom weekend, I noticed that 343 had a post regarding a Halo 5 tournament that happened during that time. With full skepticism gearing up, I watched and waited to see those moments happen; the moments and abilities I feared that would ruin Halo 5. Skilled players would be able to fully exploit the games mechanics in front of the world and I would then be able to write off the rest of the series completely. But it wasn't that way at all. Something completely different was happening on screen that I didn't fully understand at first...
The game actually looked fun for once.
The pros were not sprinting everywhere, they were not using smart scope every time, and on top of it they were using clamber in ways that 343 hasn't talked about, hasn't showcased really like they should have been.
Looks better here.
Seeing what else came out of Gamescom, they released more footage including this multiplayer video here where they utilize these maps in a very unique way for clamber. There's 5 different times that it's used including the very beginning. I know I cringed when I first read that they were making these maps around these abilities, but to actually see that they have created these spots specifically for it sets me at ease especially because it wasn't something I was expecting.
Sprinting was used very sparingly. They knew that whoever had their weapon ready would have a good advantage, and all of the weapons that have been designed to be deadly so "sprinting to get back into cover" really doesn't happen in these gunfights. I've only ever seen them use the thruster to catch their opponent off guard long enough to pull a kill.
Weapons look like they are on point. I know I said it before with Halo 4, but it's very apparent here now. The core gameplay has been perfected way beyond what Bungie has accomplished. Every weapon looks like they are viable and not under powered anymore. Yeah, they all do seem to have the smart scope for some reason, but now I feel it's irrelevant because you can de-scope your opponent.
I can't find where I said it, but I do remember before where I mentioned how Spartans didn't seem to fit with the technology they are built around. They didn't seem special enough, or something like that. This was back around Halo 2 I believe. Only just remembering that recently, it really made me think about this game differently from a new perspective.
They really seem to be putting forth their best efforts to make this game work. And yes while I do know they still have a lot to prove, and makeup for, I think I might actually buy this game. But I'm going to wait to see if it isn't the bug riddled game that was the MCC launch first. Free 15+ maps for Halo 5, and I believe they were talking about how that they will focus their efforts on MCC once they haven't completed Halo 5 sounds like a good start though...
