Everyday Gamer

Like most everyone else I know, the gaming time I’ve had has been spent on Halo 3. Those who know me know I’m not the biggest Halo fan, which is not an anti-Xbox knock or even an anti-Halo knock. It’s simply a matter of preference and I tend to enjoy “realistic tactical” shooters over the arcade style ones. Coincidentally I still think the Half-Life series trumps every other arcade style FPS (Orange Box this week as well… WOOT!!!) I personally feel that this comes from the tense feeling I get knowing all too well I could die from one precisely placed shot in a Tom Clancy game. Or it could be the personal satisfaction from being faster and more calculating than your opponent when you manage to eliminate the opposing team though you are outnumbered, out gunned, and the situation may feel seemingly grave for you. This blog isn’t just about my personal preferences though, it’s about how I feel about the series now that we have “Finished the Fight.” I can say I am both satisfied and a little disappointed at the same time. I won’t ruin it for those who haven’t finished it yet but pretty much what I expected happened. I had written a full on review that I will probably never post - but for those who still think that Halo 2 is the best multiplayer game of all time then just buy Halo 3 and you will be in Heaven. For those who hated Halo 2… you will probably still hate Halo 3. The game is largely the same (with the usual upgrades that come with a sequel) and judging from current and previous sales there is no reason to switch the formula it would seem. Those in the middle or who like aspects of Halo should just buy it as well. I personally have been more stoked about Halo Wars than Halo 3 though. It simply looks amazing and there’s a good chance it will revolutionize what we should expect from a RTS on console. Command & Conquer 3 certainly raised that bar but it can easily go higher. Just play it on PC first… a mouse is just more precise for manipulating that many objects.

More news which is Halo related is Microsoft allowing Bungie to become an independent developer once again. I personally feel this is excellent news for all parties as Microsoft retains the Halo IP for exclusivity and it’ll give the Bungie staff a much needed break from all things Halo. They created Marathon and Oni (which was a decent game that was just rushed to make the Playstation 2 launch) so they are capable on their own which is more than I can say for some other second party developers allowed to do their own thing in recent years. Either way I wish Microsoft and Bungie future success for gamers and their business alike. Word is that Bungie is working with Microsoft and Peter Jackson for the Halo Movie game so who knows how that will tie in with what we “know.” They are also supposed to work on future projects involved in the Halo Universe - any bets that the next trilogy will focus on the Elites, the formation and rise of the Covenant, and how the story got to the point where Halo 1 begins?

Well that’s all rumor, speculation, and some insight but it makes a lot of sense as well.