Wow, that cinematic...

Finally some Spartan IVs I can respect.

I couldn't disagree with you more.

I'm glad to see Spartans being treated like Spartans finally (after years of text-only accomplishments). It's excitement. It shows how far we've come with humanity and the MJOLNIR Gen 2 systems. It's memorable alone for how it shows the Spartans.

You're also not elaborating at all on how you think its bad. What exactly did Halo 3, Reach, or ODST that was all that spectacularly different in response to what Halo 4 and 5 did? Open somewhat slowly? I really don't think you know what you're talking about.

Also, 343i released figures for Multiplayer for H4. It was able to maintain a good 40% (a respectable average) for the first 6 months of its life, and with MCC working and functioning properly, it's maintaining a sizable population, even luring back old users. I also challenge you to define how H5, with its well documented changes to gameplay, is not trying to freshen up that aspect of the series? Your complaints ring pretty hollow here.

And with your last statement, you make your opinion clear. "No one will ever be as good as Bungie!" I've heard it before, and as always, it rings very hollow. You'll have to define what Bungie did that was so singularly unique to the series (the crews for each game changed after each release, so it wasn't them).

I disagree entirely with it being anything unique: not poorly done, but it wasn't unique for any reason whatsoever. In fact, go to the waypoint forums and you'll here a lot about how Reach in particular was quite cliche. As well, H4 got criticized for being too 'moody and emotional' focusing a lot more on characterization than action a lot of the time, and it got criticized. Now that action (for one cutscene, where they're dropping you in right in the middle of a fight) is here, it gets criticized for being too 'flashy' and superficial. In all honesty, I think this point is a non-sequiter. H5 has already been confirmed to be very heavy on the lore and focusing on telling a story. Also, you still haven't defined what makes Halo 3 or Reach's intro 'well done'. Honestly, I don't think you have an explanation that's rational.

Each Halo games numbers went down. The trend that Halo 4 held with a 40% value is actually rather respectable, especially considering the market for games that is relatively short lived per game. Only a few titles are able to really stand up on their own: for now, Halo MCC is one of those titles.

I'm a great fan of Halo, more than likely a larger fan than you. I have my issues with several choices that 343 is doing, but I'm not holding it against them and saying that Bungie is better. I know precisely what Bungie did well, and what they struggled at: I like where 343 is being more lore-centric and focused on the story. And when you fail to define why you dislike something, it ceases to be rational justification: you've already stated that you don't think 343 could ever match or outdo Bungie, so there's no point continuing this discussion. You aren't willing to be persuaded, or even consider other views.

I don't adjust my thoughts based on whatever is going on over at the Waypoint forums. I've already explained why I think the intros are better in the previous games. Better direction, actually had a purpose and weren't all about flash over substance, a far superior soundtrack by Marty, and so on. The Halo 5 intro looks like just another Spartan Ops cut-scene from Halo 4.

Yes, each Halo game eventually went down. But Halo 4 went down the fastest and stayed down until the release of the MCC, according to you. Do you actually have any numbers to suggest there is a large population of people playing Halo 4 online on Xbox One?

So, what you're doing is giving 343i a free pass.

I noticed that. I'm not saying you should, but I'm saying that the more hardcore Halo fans who are willing to put time into a forum more or less disagree with you. You have not actually explained why you think the intros are better in previous games: I would be willing to count this down to opinion, but you labeled it as an objective, so I must pursue a course to get you to prove how your opinion is objective here. Better direction? What do you mean by better direction? Direction of the story? Flow of cinematic's? And lack of purpose? What the hell are you even talking about? This is just plain regression and reactionary. And what's wrong with the Spartan Ops cutscenes (besides Sarah Palmer)? 

... Look at the trends for each game: it's a positive relationship between time and number of players. Each game loses players as time goes on. The independent variable is of course time, the dependent variable being players, and I'm going to have a throw-it-in and state that there is a spurious relationship variable that correlates to both, and that that variable is other games that are released to play instead. And I have no information to give you for Halo 4 on Xbox One. The reason: Halo 4 was not released for the Xbox One on its own. Any figures that apply to it are for the MCC.

No. I'm giving 343i a chance. I like what I've seen so far. There have been hiccups and problems, but 343i has gone on to acknowledge these problems and work to overcome them in the future. They're being far more ambitious with the universe and lore than Bungie ever was. They're passionate about Halo and they want to see it succeed beyond what Bungie could do.

The two books this year that I've been looking forward too: Last Light and Shadow of Intent.

Last Light is written by Troy Denning, and I've loved his work in the Star Wars EU for years: I can't wait to see how his writing style transfers over to Halo. And he does his research too. He reads prior books and plays the games to get the best feel for how to tell the story.

The intro for the Blue team mission



And more gameplay

I thought it was very awesome. 

Spartan IVs are extremely capable, but have only been shown as incompetent. It's great that 343 is tapping into the full potential of them with what I'm seeing so far. Hopefully it stays this way. I also love how 343 is fleshing out the Halo universe even more, by adding Blue Team and bringing Buck back, along with others. 

The launch trailer has be released.