Comments on: Will Halo 3: Recon turn the Halo series around?

Microsoft announced the follow-up to Halo 3 and Don Reisinger thinks it's a mistake. But will Microsoft agree with his logic?

[retroboy77]

I really hope that Don Reisinger isn't getting paid a lot. His articles are all outrageous. He purposefully writes things that go against the popular opinion in order to get hits. I guess CNET likes that but frankly his attention grabbing, but utterly useless reporting is going to catch up with him... and soon.
- izi

[imodey32]

I think you're dead wrong here. The difference between the Halo franchise and say... Madden is that Bungie has gone through a lot of work crafting a working backstory that has spanned games, novels and other printed media. There's no reason why Recon can't be a Portal to Master Chief's Half Life.

I trust Bungie as much as I would trust Blizzard. Naysayers lament about the recycling of the same old franchise, but that doesn't mean the finished product won't ooze quality and style.

[Nightmare385]

and what about Gears of War 2? they will gonna do the same!!!

[wtfbutt]

im not bein funny, get a grip isit, i'd love a new halo game because its completely changed, ure not some big spartan runnin round pwnin *******, ure a soldier, which mean more stealth n stuff..
SO STOP TALKIN OUT OF URE ASS NOOB!

[noahjwhite]

Nintendo has extended several franchises successfully for many generations...Mario, Metroid, Zelda Why can't Microsoft?

[JDoobs]

"but anyone who played through the last two games knows all too well that the experience couldn't match the first game, the stories weren't nearly as appealing as the first, and the gameplay couldn't quite compete with the first title."

This is a matter of opinion and I know quite a few gamers, including myself, who would appreciate if you spoke for yourself, rather than the community as a whole. I enjoyed all the games equally. The story did not go down hill in either game. That, is MY opinion.

"Halo 3: Recon will sell out on too many levels. It'll be the same basic game with a barely-updated design that features a new storyline and a new protagonist that we probably won't even like."

This statement is almost disturbingly cynical. Recon is an expansion of Halo 3. That's why the title includes Halo 3. It would make sense that the gameplay mechanics and design will be similar or even the same as Halo 3. And as far as assuming that WE won't like the story line or protagonist? That, is once again, your opinion and there are many of us who would prefer it if you didn't speak for us.

"Why can't Microsoft let Halo retire at the top of its game?"

Microsoft is the publisher. Bungie is developing Recon on their own accord. Microsoft might own the rights, but Bungie is the creator of the series. Microsoft is collaborating with them on all the Halo projects to make sure the games DON'T sell out.

Overall, I think you need to chill. There's no reason to assume that the excellent line of games that Halo has been so far will deteriorate magically because the core series is finished.

[Necromantici]

I really think that Mr. Reisinger didn't get the point. You must take for account what kind of players could buy something like this. Things like this expansion pack are mainly aimed at the hardcore fan base.

Also, you can't judge the Halo history only by what you had learn from the videogames. If you like the history or you want the complete experience then buy the books, buy the soundtracks, etc.

Thats why you have Halo 2 Collectors Edition when you dont have something like it for Halo.

If you liked Halo, then probably like many of us you buyed the books, the soundtracks. And then the experience is complete.

Is like seeing The Matrix movies without reading the comics, without watching The Animatrix and definately without playing Enter The Matrix beacuse you would thing that Revolutions plot is lame.

Another thing to consider is that currently we don't know if MC will be on any future game, it looks like for the present time he is, as in the game, waiting to be awaken to fight again. So its a mistake to say that Halo is going to fail beacuse Halo is not the main element, its the MC, now we will have another, that ODST. And so on.

Also, why you said that they haven't improved between games? I had never seen something like Saved Films, Screenshots, filters, Forge. Those are really great improvements that one might have expected from companies like id Software or Epic Game. But no, those companies are the ones that have been squishing their franchises without giving us the consumer at least one cool new thing.

Finally, I remember that a few years ago many "experts" said that Microsoft would fail in the videogame industry. I don't care if they had loss or gain money but the Xbox is at the moment the best game console, the best platform mainly due to its development tools, and the only videogame console that might have a REAL future. Also many "experts" saw the Microsoft/Bungie deal as the end of Bungie. What have them to say now? I suppose the same that you said here.

[Rikmannix]

Are you kidding me??? Halo 2 game was better then halo. each game has been and an improvement gameplay wise. I would agree the CAMPAIGN was short in two but seriously Halo is the backbone of the xbox. This game is going to further that statement Cnet should fire you

[delta343]

Just a few things. The reason that Halo 3: Recon will "only" release 2 years after Halo 3(instead of 3 years, like the other Halo games) is because Bungie didn't have to start from scratch. All they had to do was tweak the engines a bit and then they could completely focus on making an amazing campaign experience. Also H3: R may not be as long as the other Halos, therefore shorter development time.

Second of all, Recon takes place after the slipspace jump inside New Mombasa that takes place in Halo 2. Master Chief is on Delta Halo while this game takes place. It's dark, gritty atmosphere is suppose to show the feeling of despair troops have when fighting the covenant without a Spartan.

And lastly, since when was four games milking a franchise? Because we all know GTA: Vice City, San Andreas, and 4 were all enormous sell outs, right? No. Just no.

[RC-0424]

I agree with most of the commentaries on this topic--Halo 3 Recon (H3R) looks like a cool addition to the Halo universe. I really enjoyed the first three games and this installment appears to be similar to those classics. I don't think we should jump all over Microsoft and Bungie for selling out, they are large corporations, isn't it impossible for corporations to sell out? They are simply capitalizing on what fans want--another Halo game. I am a huge Halo fan, I replay the campaigns every few months and have read all of the books and side-stories that go along with the Halo plotline. I have never once been disappointed in a Bungie product. They seem to have their fingers on the pulse of the gaming industry. Think about it, what true fan wants the subject of their fanaticism to end? Not many, giving the fans what they want is not selling out...How many Mario games are out there? No on criticized Nintendo for releasing Mario Galaxy...or Smash Bros. or any of the other Mario installments. How about Zelda games? How many of those exist? With Mario and Zelda, Nintendo doesnt even change the plot, they have been using the same story for twenty years...but Nintendo fans cherish those games and the experience of playing and replaying them on new systems. Why not release Recon? It looks like a great game! If it is only half as cool as the other Halo games it will be worth playing...I do not understand why all of a sudden everybody has an opinion on gaming and companies selling out? It strikes me as somewhat ironic that a so called 'technology expert' would venture to call anyone a sell out...
Bottom line is that this game looks great. I don't think I'm alone in saying that I will definitely be pre-ordering this game whenever it becomes available--and I will enjoy playing it through numerous times!

[FlippinNinja]

First of all you show your complete lack of knowledge with the very argument you're bringing to the table. Microsoft (despite being the money grubbing pigs that they are) are not in charge of whether or not BUNGIE make an expansion. THEY ARE JUST THE PUBLISHER.

Second, this is the most ridiculous article I've read in a long time. Basically, you are an idiot, all of your points are not just inaccurate, they're completely wrong. Have you even played the games? Are you aware that bungie is no longer even owned by Microsoft and that it is completely up to them whether or not they make an expansion or not? So it has NOTHING to do with Microsoft making more money. Sure, they are the sole publisher of bungie's previous and future titles, but that doesn't mean anything. Bungie makes their games with the utmost care, making sure that they are great in every way. The movie has been delayed so long primarily because of bungie trying to have as much control as possible, making sure that the movie will stand proudly alongside the halo games. So seriously, you should just stop writing, because you suck, moron.

[veruslite]

Retroboy77 Thank goodness im not the only one.

This guy writes some of the most ridiculous artices that basically go completely against the grain with even the most basic ideals as far as the current trends in video games from what i've read. I havent bothered to pay attention as of yet but im almost positive hes the same person ive written a number of similar posts regarding how out of touch(deliberately so) he is just to get some attention on his comment box. His articles make no sense in a real world scope and should just be discontinued. for those of you that feel everyone is entitled to their opinions, i totally agree but just not for the purpose of getting attention with baseless nonsense. especially considering hes likely getting compensated for writing this trash. this article belongs in the dark void of conscience that has long since abandoned ideas like "the world is flat" "Elvis isnt really dead" and "the moon is made of cheese"

[drcubeminion]

I agree with them on the fact that bungie is releasing too many halo games, but I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing. It doesn't look like they were putting a lot of effort into making H3R different from Halo 3, but Halo 3 was an amazing game, and I don't know about anyone else, but I'm very excited about the new campaign. About the idea of releasing it when the 360's predecessor comes out, I think there is a strong possibility that Halo 4 will be released then.

[R315r4z0r]

I disagree. Halo games, the story, the graphics, the controls, the multiplayer, and basically the overall depth of the game have only gotten better since the 1st game. The first game was fun the first and second times around, but when you look back on it now, it was sort of 2 dimentional. Back when it came out it was just your average Humans vs Aliens military shooter set in the future, it had a good game plot and fun action, but that's about as far as it went.

Looking at Halo now, it is an entire universe... not just a simple giant ring in space were humans and aliens are fighting, there are planets, a time line of history in the Halo universe. Everything has information backing it up as if it were a real thing. If I wanted to right a full report on the history of the Warthog, I could!

With the introductions of the novels and the other games, the story has gotten so deep and immerse, it is almost on the same level with Star Wars!

Halo Wars looks to be exciting, too because I want to see Halo alive in its history that I've read about. Not to mention that RTS games are very fun and addictive.

Halo 3: Recon is going to take the story into a new era by giving it a nice twist. It's still going to be the fun, fast paced shooter we love, but have a new twist because you aren't a SPARTAN super-soldier, but rather just a basic UNSC ODST.

[dmjossel]

Sigh.

Anyone agrees that Halo 2 and 3 don't match the original for story or gameplay?

No, they don't, as I think the comments above show. As the first in the series, Halo 1 holds a special place in many fans minds and memories, and it is a truism that many times sequels, however good, cannot match that first impression. Halo 2 certainly had its shortcomings and Halo 3 had its detractors as well, although for many reasons it stands up to me as nearly as good as the first.

Will Microsoft try to milk the franchise? Are they doing so now? Definitely.

Is it yet hurting the franchise? No, I don't think so. When Bungie is no longer doing anything with the franchise, I think that is when the real harm will come. Now that Bungie is independent, I think that when they truly feel they are done with the franchise, they will let it go rather than do harm to it.

In terms of wanting to let the franchise conclude and let Bungie get on to the "next best thing" I was right with you up until you said this game was coming out too soon. Two years after Halo 3 is "too soon"? If there's less content and few engine tweaks, I see no reason why you can't get a decent, shorter game out in two years instead of one. Let it go longer than that, place higher expectations on it, and you'll rob Bungie of their ability to do something else. Let them get whatever Halo they have left in their system out as soon as is feasible so they can move on. Let them get whatever can be gotten from the Halo 3 engine while it is still there and we're still in this console generation.

Greatest Halo ever? No, probably not.

Decent game in a great series, from a perspective many fans have been clamoring for for years?

Yes. Definitely yes.

[hankthetank27]

Obviously this guy is stupid and has never played halo 2 or 3 if he think CE is better. You suck

[reelyferkinanoied]

This don reisenburglar piece is an effort to boost this websites search engine ranking by attracting the attention of Halo fanboys and winding them up with ill informed ignorant claptrap.

[Shaun822]

The author of this article obviously just didn't like Halo story. That doesn't mean the games got worse. Personally I liked the direction that the Halo storyline took. I liked the way that the trilogy concluded. However, even if I didn't the gameplay of the games still improved with each installment, so did the graphics, and the multiplayer.

[USeekYoda]

The author makes a valid point, in my opinion.

For starters, like many of you, I certainly feel that Halo 2 & 3 were each major improvements in many ways and really sets the bar for other online multiplayer games. Halo 3, in particular, really sets the standard, I feel, as far as 1) partying up, 2) connectivity and 3) online stats tracking (truly unbelievable).

That being said, Nintendo has been able to sustain Mario for decades by only releasing one true Mario game per generation (a model perhaps followed more diligently in generations succeeding NES). As the author suggests, a new Halo being released at launch with every new Xbox would fuel a buying franzy and sell alot of premium priced Xbox units. I think it is a brilliant suggestion.

[billcross6]

I think a funner angle would be to start where 3 left off. Have the piece of ship that Master Chief is in drop onto an alien world that Humanity has yet to discover and fight for survival against new races with a different story line unconnected to Halo. He would have to rely exclusively on whatever he could put together for weaponry until he's able to start picking up arms from the new aliens. Maybe more primitive or biologically based weaponry. Not advanced enough to escape their own planet, maybe caugth up in some sort of revolutionary war. Well, just thinking with my keyboard.