Forum:Halo: The Master Chief Collection (General)

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Well, rumor was proven true. What do you guy's all think of this? I think that this is amazing. Halo CEA, Halo 2A, Halo 3 and Halo 4, all on one disk, all somewhat remastered, plus loads of bonus content and forge (except in HCEA) and theater. So much to do. Over 100 multiplayer maps, and so much stuff to go with that. I now have a reason, a great reason, to buy a Xbone. Can't wait for it. tell me what you guy's think.Siphon 117 00:32, 10 June 2014 (EDT)

I'm ecstatic. Especially by the news that the multiplayer will be preserved - not because I play multiplayer, but because now at least you won't get fans bitching about how that was the only thing that matters in a Halo 2 remastery. I also love that they're bringing back Blur Studios to do new, CGI versions of the original cutscenes. The H1A cutscenes looked a little off to me, but prerendering them would hopefully fix that.

Also, some part of me rejoices that we're getting a more detailed texture for the Stalwart-class frigate and Marathon-class heavy cruiser, since those looked great. I'm hopeful they preserve the Cairo Station Vacation glitch so we can explore it, or heck, even get campaign theatre for Halo 2! -- Qura 'Morhek ^{The Autocrat of Morheka} 03:24, 10 June 2014 (EDT)

Basically I'm in flux as to whether I'll purchase this collection (let-alone the XboxOne right away). Like I said in the H2A forum, I'm not too interested in buying remakes/"reruns". And what makes this worst is that it's all the games that I already have including H4. Though, the advantages, from what I've been reading here, is that we got theater mode, the original multiplayer engine for H:CE/A, new terminals, and updated graphics for H2 (which look impressive...I'm talking about the CGI scenes). I've been missing campaign theater mode which has been absent since H:CEA. My question is that, will it be available in ALL the games & modes including H:CEA & H4/spartan ops where it was absent? Also do we have campaign scoring for those games as well including H2A? These are the things I'm looking for. Nonetheless I'm going to wait on purchasing the game & system even if the XB1's price was dropped down to $399. I rather get the game at a much cheaper price.--Killamin7 [Comm|Files] 12:52, 10 June 2014 (EDT)

I agree about getting the XB1 right away, I wasn't planning on getting it until next year for H5. Unfortunately I really want to see the H2 terminals and Nightfall so I'll probably get them both this year.File:Colonel Grade One.pngCol. Snipes450File:Colonel Grade One.png 19:27, 10 June 2014 (EDT)

Pre-order bonuses

Some pre-order bonuses have been confirmed. Most of the bonuses seem to be skull-based as of now. - NightHammer (talk) 23:55, 10 June 2014 (EDT)

I've gotta say, I'm kinda pissed off about the extra skulls being retailer-specific bonuses. I didn't mind it so much in Halo 4 where the bonuses were purely aesthetic, but these can be used to affect gameplay. Offering a skull as a pre-order bonus worked in Halo: CE Anniversary because it wasn't retailer-specific, but now people will have to choose which one they want most, or else buy 4 (or more) copies of the collection, or hit up eBay and overpay for the codes. They'd better offer the skulls as DLC fairly soon after launch.-- Rusty-112 Admin ^comm 02:05, 21 June 2014 (EDT)

After reading the ShopTo description of the Bonded Pair skull, two of my questions appear to be answered. First, it looks like these skulls will be available for unlock or (more likely) DLC purchase after Dec. 12, 2014, as the Shopto description of the skull states that it will be "exclusive until 12/12/2014." It also confirms that the skulls are only for Halo 2: Anniversary, and not the entire collection. This makes sense as two of them were already available by default in Halo CE Anniversary. Still, it would have been nice to have the Bandanna skull in Halo 3 and 4.-- Rusty-112 Admin ^comm 22:52, 23 June 2014 (EDT)

Halo CE and Halo 2 (non-reimagined) multiplayer

So far, I haven't heard anything as to whether Halo CE's multiplayer and the non-reimagined portion of Halo 2's multiplayer will feature retextured maps/items or not. According to this screenshot it seems like the multiplayers will be their original, non-prettied-up versions. This is a pretty big disappointment. I guess it is a huge undertaking to completely "Anniversify" all of those maps. But it can't take much longer than doing the same for all those campaign missions though, right? And it's not like they'd have to create a brand-new engine for it like with the "reimagined" maps.--File:PENGUIN4.gifFluffyEmoPenguin^{(ice quack!)} 19:54, 1 August 2014 (EDT)

From what I've heard and everything, the most logical reason as to why the original multiplayers of HCE and H2 will keep using the original graphics most likely has to do with lag issues. This is because to have the updated graphics on the older mops, would require two engines running at the same time. Or maybe they wanted to update all the maps, but chose not to due to time constraints? Just speculating. Even though it will still be in the original graphics, it'll be at 1080pi and 60 frames per second. I honestly could care less about the graphics, as graphic don't make the game, but I do see your point.Siphon 117 14:11, 2 August 2014 (EDT)

And another thought: do you think they'll include the regular versions of each reimagined Halo 2 map? Because I can see some "purist" fans of Halo 2 multiplayer getting annoyed that their favorite maps don't use the original Halo 2 rules/weapons/vehicles.--File:PENGUIN4.gifFluffyEmoPenguin^{(ice quack!)} 17:53, 2 August 2014 (EDT)

As far as I'm aware, the Six remastered maps will still have their original versions in the original multiplayer. At least, as far as I'm aware.Siphon 117 01:37, 3 August 2014 (EDT)

Possible Return of Theater Mode?

This makes me wonder what with the release of HMCC that maybe we will finally be able to save Campaign and multiplayer films and screenshots made in Theater mode on Halo Waypoint. So does anyone know if this question has been asked and what the answer might be? If not, then someone should ask. Personally, I hope this does mean we can do so for Halo 3, if not Halo 4, HCEA, or Halo 2 Anniversary. Sorry, I realize this might be a bit garbled. --Xamikaze330, Halopedia Team ^Talk 12:07, 4 August 2014 (EDT)Xamikaze330

Unfortunately it is only available for Halo 3 & Halo 4. As far as multiplayer is concerned, I'm not sure. But of course the Xbox One has the capability to record gameplay so that may be the least we'll get.--Killamin7 [Comm|Files] 17:33, 4 August 2014 (EDT)

Actually it looks like we'll be getting theater for Halo 2A multiplayer as well. Unfortunately still not campaign nor Halo CE.--Killamin7 [Comm|Files] 09:14, 19 October 2014 (EDT)

H2A Delta Halo redesign

I just wanted to say I'm really happy they didn't go the Halo CEA route with their redesign of Installation 05. The CEA version looked more Covenant than Forerunner and the surface detailing was so big it made the ring look way smaller than it's supposed to be (this is also a problem with the Mantle's Approach)—on a really large object, any secondary features are most likely going to be minutely small, or at least that's a good way to convince the human eye something is really huge. The original Halos 1 and 2 were created with textures and the H2A version is a pretty faithful recreation of what the 2D details might look like in a 3D model—there's depth, but it isn't overstated. Those little blue divots on the sides could pop out of the surface a little less and they could've toned down the blue lighting, but I suppose that's an inevitable byproduct with Tron being in vogue with the Forerunner aesthetic these days.

However, does the ring look too wide to anyone else? If you look at the image on the right with the original version, the other side seems much slimmer in the original. I had a similar concern with this image and it's something a lot of fan artists seem to miss about Halos; they're really, really narrow and that's one thing that helps make them look big along with the minute scale of the detailing. I wonder if Blur modeled the ring according to the canon dimensions (10,000 km diameter, 318km wide) or at least proportionate to them, or if the camera perspective is just more flat than in the original. --Jugus (Talk | Contribs) 03:22, 19 October 2014 (EDT)

Yeah, I agree with the redesign, CEA went overboard on the aesthetic detail, and the Halo lost something as a result. I think what's key to the design of the Halos is their minimalism; the focus shouldn't be the little details up close, the focus should be the fact that it's a gargantuan 10,000km artificial ringworld hanging in space. I quite like the blue circly things myself, they look like engines or thrusters to keep the ring spinning at a consistent rate, adjusting the orbit and whatnot. Also, given Nightfall's revelation that the rings are far more mobile and self-sufficient than we initially thoughy, I think this design helps to sell that. - File:Black Mesa.jpg Halo-343 (Talk) 08:55, 19 October 2014 (EDT)

I agree, I prefer the ring's more simple design over the HCEA one which was outrageous and had too many kibble and gribbles in it. And I do see what you mean about the latest iteration being a bit wider than the previous designs. Nice comparison by the way.--Killamin7 [Comm|Files] 09:14, 19 October 2014 (EDT)

Installation 04, on the other hand, looks absolutely wonderful to me. The exterior plate material looks appropriately solid and featureless and the tiny lights convey the ring's massive scale. The circle parts are also much better looking than in the 05 model. I'm still not a huge fan of the amount of lighting (the Halo looks more abandoned and ancient without big glowy things on it) but I suppose they work with the rest of the design well enough. And it looks as though they got the ring's proportions right with 04, so I wonder if the Delta Halo in the achievement screenshots is an older model and will be replaced in the shipping version. And Threshold actually looks like a gas giant now! Now if only they'd replace the ring model in HCEA too so we could all forget that version ever existed. --Jugus (Talk | Contribs) 14:11, 29 October 2014 (EDT)

Well, it's clear now that they're using that same I05 model. Why they'd choose to make the two Halos so different is beyond me, particularly as the proportions of the Delta Halo one are ostensibly mangled (it looks like a toy version of a Halo). Previously all of the final seven Halos have been depicted as being identical in surface patterning and proportions (which implies the original rings, at least Installation 07, were also 318 km wide, given I07's appearance in Halo 3) so I don't see any good reason not to just decide upon one model and use it for both rings. --Jugus (Talk | Contribs) 10:55, 5 November 2014 (EST)

Warthog design

File:MCC-CUT-SCENE-WARTHOG-3.png

I'm sorry but what the heck is wrong with Blur (and by extension 343i) using "their" Warthog design instead of adhering to the canon Warthog design at the time of New Mombasa incident?! I could accept the bad Johnson lip-sync as an oversight but this?! — Hacame 12:35, 28 October 2014 (EDT)

I would have preferred them using the classic design for nostalgia's sake. Fortunately, it's established that the 2554 Warthog (the Halo 4 model) entered service in late 2552. I'm okay with their decision since it's canonically consistent. Besides, I think the newer model looks better. --Our vengeance is at hand. (Talk to me.) 13:00, 28 October 2014 (EDT)

While it is canonically consistent, a retcon (visual or otherwise) shouldn't have been done simply because they can be done. I wouldn't say much about your taste of the design since that's your opinion and not mine, so I'll just say I have to agree to disagree with that. I'm still waiting to see how they're gonna fix the Dawn's appearance when Halo 3 receives its anniversary treatment. — Hacame 13:07, 28 October 2014 (EDT)

I'm otherwise OK with the Halo 4 Warthog (I almost like the sharper and more defined angles) apart from the unnecessary change of the iconic shape of the LAAG's armor plate and, above all, the suspension. Seriously, if we're still using wheeled vehicles in the future a little innovation like the classic Hog suspension architecture wouldn't be too far out. As for placing it in Halo 2, I'm not a fan of the decision but it's nowhere near as egregious as the redesign of the Dawn in Halo 4. But then I'm also a purist who would prefer the original versions completely untampered with, otherwise awesome-looking CGI cinematics be damned. --Jugus (Talk | Contribs) 15:12, 28 October 2014 (EDT)

Forge

So this happened: Ign: Halo 2 Forge. Thoughts? --Weeping Angel (talk) 17:53, 28 October 2014 (EDT)

How much of this do you think will be in Halo 5? Like, this is big. Seemingly too big for just a side-game in the series.--File:PENGUIN4.gifFluffyEmoPenguin^{(ice quack!)} 13:36, 29 October 2014 (EDT)

My bet is that they are using the Master Chief Collection as one big beta. They already have an actual Beta, that is far enough away from the game for them to be able to really respond to community feedback. They know people love forge, and what they are doing here is pretty epic. I'm thinking they'll fine tune the experience that they gave us here, but not really give us a whole lot of new stuff in halo 5. --Weeping Angel (talk) 22:32, 29 October 2014 (EDT)

Elite's armour design (non-contentious)

Just wanted to point out an interesting observation about the Elites armour in the Blur trailer: Thel's (new) armour seems uncomfortable for his neck, resulting in what I would call the Elite-equivalent of forward head posture. For example, compare this with this. It might be angle of the camera works. Nevertheless, just an interesting observation. :) — subtank 03:07, 1 November 2014 (EDT)

There's a name for it?! You've just diagnosed me, completely by accident.

As for the armour itself, I'm so glad they're returning to the original Halo 2 aesthetic, and not trying to implement the Halo 3 or 4 armour looks. I've always liked the helmet fin look, it's streamlined and ornate without being obtrusive, which Halo has sometimes had problems with lately.

If we want to talk about the glimpses of the Arbiter armour in the prologue intro sequence, I don't like it. I don't hate it, but I prefer the gleaming silver knight-in-shining-armour look. The new look gives me an Aliens vibe, and that's been a thing since the beginning, so I can at least respect it, but it's an example of what I was talking about - ornate, but in an obtrusive way. I think I would have preferred the Escalation look to the one they're using. -- Qura 'Morhek ^{The Autocrat of Morheka} 05:43, 7 November 2014 (EST)

Haha, glad to provide an accurate diagnosis. :P

For some reason, the new Arbiter armour design makes his head larger and narrows his shoulders. That and the hunching/forward head posture. I'll check back on this when the cutscenes are uploaded on Youtube. — subtank 11:14, 10 November 2014 (EST)

New prologue

Could anyone provide a source for these new images? Is it a leak? Thanks. Imrane-117 (talk) 16:06, 4 November 2014 (EST)

Of course, my friend. --They're coming. They're hungry. (talk) 16:10, 4 November 2014 (EST)

Thanks. I guess Microsoft will probably ask Youtube to delete this video... Did anyone notice that the hologram on this screenshot looks similar to the Forerunner machine in Halo 5? Imrane-117 (talk) 16:16, 4 November 2014 (EST)

As I said, the video has been deleted. I wonder if we may have to delete these screenshots too. Microsoft has begun their witch hunt, like when they went after all Halo 4 leaks in 2012. Imrane-117 (talk) 17:07, 4 November 2014 (EST)

One week away... We could make them unavailable I guess. Not too long. On a side note, I forgot Broken Circle came before MCC... so I put it afterwards in appearances... oh me... Erickyboo (talk) 18:27, 4 November 2014 (EST)

I probably should say we should delete them and all, but... eh. They'll be available in less than a week anyway and it's not like they're spoiling any earth-shattering details. --Jugus (Talk | Contribs) 10:55, 5 November 2014 (EST)

Leaked content is still leaked content. It's a slippery slope if we start being lax with the policy on leaked content. — subtank 11:04, 6 November 2014 (EST)

So, since we've dealt with that issue, I'd like to address another one. 343 have announced that they're making a new prologue to resonant with Guardians, so it's no spoiler to talk about it. But where do we put these scenes? In The Heretic and The Great Journey? Or somewhere else? -- SFH (talk) 21:33, 5 November 2014 (EST)

I would say the prologue and epilogue will get their own pages placed before The Heretic and after The Great Journey for the infoboxes.Sith-venator Wavingstrider (Commlink) 23:21, 5 November 2014 (EST)

On the subject of visuals: Locke's armor doesn't look half bad, but what's the deal with the multicolored Tron lines and visors? Locke looks at least vaguely professional with the blue lines (not that they're necessary) but the Spartans in the background lose all credibility with their pink and green trims. Or is it an ONI PR thing to make their agents seem less threatening or something? --Jugus (Talk | Contribs) 11:57, 11 November 2014 (EST)

Perhaps for co-op in Halo 5. Imrane-117 (talk) 12:00, 11 November 2014 (EST)

Pink? Green? Maybe Red...

You weren't kidding Jugus. I haven't seen the prologue (nor do I have the game let-alone the xbox one) but it is kind of crazy and unprofessional looking. I said it before, 343i seems to be going buck wild with their Spartan-IV armors and colors. Basically more superhero-ish rather than militaristic. But I have to agree with Imran-117 - Maybe they are co-op characters that will be in Halo 5. It would be nice for Locke to have a Spartan team with him for co-op rather than players playing as a clone of Locke. But assuming we play as MC, will those co-op players be blue team?--Killamin7 [Comm|Files] 10:23, 13 November 2014 (EST)

Perhaps these three Spartans accompagnying Locke are already Blue Team in disguise. Imrane-117 (talk) 10:51, 13 November 2014 (EST)

I'm suspecting both, that these are Locke's co-op partners, and that the three other Blue Team members are John's, it just fits so well. I suspect that at least for Blue Team, they will be AIs and be present most of the time like Arby in H3. Personally, I don't have a problem with the armour; a team like that, and S-IVs in general, seem far more like the Sangheili in terms of style, going for bright and intimidating vs the S-II's more professional, military look. I see it as an intentional separation of the "real" Spartans (IIs), with the "super space marine" S-IVs. That, and since co-op characters will likely be preset they'll have to be unique, like N'tho and Usze. Alex T Snow (talk) 02:22, 16 November 2014 (EST)

Even considering the S-IVs' more overt manner, neon pink, red and green are a bit much for me. They could've been made unique in different ways; preferably ways which didn't involve bright colorful glowy bits. Like little bits of color on the shoulder pads, or simply, as I'd prefer, identical or near-identical armor with conspicuous call-outs on the player's HUD to tell who's who. And they're bringing the colors of the rainbow to the classically mono-colored S-IIs too with Blue Team's new designs, which I absolutely hate. Do what you will with your new space superheroes but keep that nonsense out of Nylund's Spartans. At least they're not giving Blue Team Tron lines yet. --Jugus (Talk | Contribs) 10:22, 17 November 2014 (EST)

Aside from Linda's eye sensor things, which are incredibly silly looking on all the armours they're on, I rather like Blue Team's armour; it's very Halo 3 in style, which to me makes it very S-II, especially Fred's. Remember that when you're writing a novel, making every character visually identical is irrelevant to the reader, but using a visual medium it doesn't really work. Every single S-IV NPC being literally identical, to the point of not even having (generic) female S-IVs on screen was one of my biggest complaints with them in H4. Alex T Snow (talk) 16:23, 17 November 2014 (EST)

Oh, I definitely understand. I've come to accept the notion of them being given different armor in and of themselves, as it would be silly for them not to get specialized variants given the introduction of armor permutations in Halo 3. However, I still wish they would've been more subtle about it (something I think the 343i art team needs to learn in regards to a lot of things). At least make them all the same color as the Chief; there is no practical justification for having their suits be colored so wildly different. Even the canon S-IV teams (eg. Fireteam Majestic) have uniformly colored armors. As for the choice of variants, I'm mostly fine with them though I also dislike Linda's tacticool optics ("geddit? She's the sniper! geddit?") and the fact they've stuck with Kelly's EVA helmet from The Package. While not much thought was probably put to the appearance of the Spartans in the anime, the use of EVA was even strangely appropriate back on that particular mission, but it doesn't really make sense anymore when she continues to wear it on ordinary ground ops. But even then they're still much better than Locke's Tron Spartans. --Jugus (Talk | Contribs) 01:52, 18 November 2014 (EST)

Halo 2 Anniversary cinematic impressions

First off I think the new cinematics are for the most part beautiful; Blur is an expert in their field and it shows. It goes without saying they're certainly leagues ahead of Saber's sloppy work with HCEA. But there are times when I'm taken out of the experience and am reminded that I'm watching a beautifully animated 3D render and not a real thing. You could call it uncanny valley, though I must note doesn't happen (to me at least) with characters that much. Okay, there are bits where the lip-sync seems off. But maybe that's just poor audio in the videos available online.

It's hard to explain but for instance Installation 05 doesn't look right to me. I've concluded it's not even the ring's design that's the problem here since the thing looks fine for the most part, but it's the way it seems to lack the proper depth or perspective—the whole setup of the ring looks like they're filming miniature props. Namely, the arc of the ring somehow looks... wrong in certain shots (part of it is because of the proportions - the ring is still too wide). I noticed a similar problem with some of the Covenant ships in the opening cinematic, where they just seem to hang in space somehow. Like I said it's hard to put to words. Maybe all it takes is some getting used to.

Then there's little bits bits where the new animations lack some of the dynamism and energy of the original - like the way the Arbiter barely seems to be struggling in the clutches of the Gravemind, or how the In Amber Clad is suddenly stationary when deploying the HEVs to Delta Halo (the shot as a whole is flatter than the original). Overall I felt part of the expressiveness was lost with the different camera angles, particularly in the Gravemind introduction scene. Also, do some of the cinematics feel clipped and/or sped up to anyone else? Like there used to be longer pauses between lines of dialog or sound effects which makes some of the scenes seem jerky in comparison to the original versions. For example, Miranda seems to yell "Report!" a lot sooner than in the original. Given the sheer amount of stuff to animate, could it be that they were willing to cut corners with the cinematics' length as much as possible, clipping out little split second bits here and there?

Maybe it's because the originals have been burned in my brain so thoroughly over the last ten years; maybe someone who's seeing these for the first time or saw the originals maybe 1-2 times won't have any of these problems. Though I could see there being a certain disconnect because the visuals in gameplay and cutscenes don't match up anymore. --Jugus (Talk | Contribs) 10:55, 5 November 2014 (EST)

Here's a pretty good comparison video between the new and old cinematics.--Killamin7 [Comm|Files] 11:12, 5 November 2014 (EST)

Terminals

You've probably seen the first two terminals released by Waypoint (N°1 "Beholden" - N°2 "Unyielding". I have to say I really enjoyed them. The first one finally reveals how Regret found Earth (or Erde-Tyrene, I like how they make use of the lore). It also shows Meridian and what was hidden under its surface. If I remember correctly, the planet had been mentioned a few times in the Data Drops. I like how 343i isn't forgetting to "conclude" what had begun a few years ago (for once, they're doing it right, although I still think Meridian's story is too short, but at least it ties into Regret's story). So basically the first terminal solves a few mysteries. I have a more nuanced opinion of the second terminal. I really (really) like the fact that they're tying Halo: First Strike's story with that of Halo 2. It had always been weird to see how disconnected John's and Blue Team's stories were during the Earth events. However I must say they could have shown that in a better way. First, Blue Team isn't complete (I understand the absence of John/Kelly, but what about Will?). Second, their armors are also... a weird choice. I'm more and more expecting Blue Team to appear in Halo 5, so I can understand their renewed presence in recent Halo materials, but the armors from the Terminals and Escalation just seem off. It's ironic, because I have always advocated in favour of canonically explaining armors that "don't make sense" — of course I hope 343i will clarify this stuff in the future (secret ONI-related Mark VI armors that are based on the previous Mark IV iteration that will also inspire the upgraded Mark VI suit...). I wouldn't mind accepting "that" canonically, but I wonder why they wouldn't just use Halo 3-era Scout and EOD armors (for example), it would make things so much simpler! But finally, I have to say that these new terminals are much more exciting than those from CEA. Honestly, I still remember CEA's terminals as 343 Guilty Spark babbling on things that contributed little to the Halo universe in my opinion. (And it introduced more mystery than answers: the unknown alien ship, the Covenant AI...). These new stories have much more potential. Imrane-117 (talk) 11:53, 7 November 2014 (EST)

Love how Regret has no idea he's about to get rekt. The only thing I wish they would have shown in the Meridian scene is the Mark IX Mantis ADS wrecking those Type-27 Mantids. Would have been nice to see that, but that's not really important to the point of that terminal. Just wish Catalog would have answered my question about Blue Team's armor months ago.Sith-venator Wavingstrider (Commlink) 14:13, 7 November 2014 (EST)

Promethean "Bird" Ship

The one from the old teaser trailer facing down John? Take a look at the hologram aboard Thel's Lich during the bookend cutscene(s). Alex T Snow (talk) 02:25, 16 November 2014 (EST)