Shep gets Halo 1 and 2.

Vendetta · Post by **Vendetta** » 2006-11-29 06:57pm

Molyneux wrote: Oh, yes, shell out 200 dollars for a large brick.

Or $30 off ebay. Of course.

Your alternative is $200 for an OS that will turn your PC into a brick.

Losonti Tokash · Post by **Losonti Tokash** » 2006-11-30 10:36am

Molyneux wrote:Oh, yes, shell out 200 dollars for a large brick.

Man, you sure are clever for making a joke about how big the Xbox is. Maybe if I hadn't heard it a dozen times a day for the past five years it might still be funny.

Besides, you're an idiot if you go out and buy a brand new one. I sure as fuck didn't pay $200 for my PS2, I went to EBGames and got a refurbished one.

Molyneux · Post by **Molyneux** » 2006-11-30 11:01am

Losonti Tokash wrote:
Molyneux wrote:Oh, yes, shell out 200 dollars for a large brick.
Man, you sure are clever for making a joke about how big the Xbox is. Maybe if I hadn't heard it a dozen times a day for the past five years it might still be funny.

Besides, you're an idiot if you go out and buy a brand new one. I sure as fuck didn't pay $200 for my PS2, I went to EBGames and got a refurbished one.

The average price for an XBox on eBay is roughly $200. I've looked.

Losonti Tokash · Post by **Losonti Tokash** » 2006-11-30 11:26am

Molyneux wrote:The average price for an XBox on eBay is roughly $200. I've looked.

Is it just an Xbox or does it come with a pile of games, too? If not, just drop by EBGames or Gamestop. They'll probably have a refurbished stystem for something like $120. Not an insignificant amount for a single item, but it'd save you enough for probably half a dozen (good) games.

MKSheppard · Post by **MKSheppard** » 2006-11-30 12:07pm

LOLZORS

Halo 1 sucks so far.

Let us list the many ways.

1.) NO GOD DAMN SUBTITLES.

Yes, Bungie, your "remarkably deep storyline" is lost on me, since I can't understand what the fuck is going on beyond "rar! aliens attack!"

2.) Dumb as shit opening level.

A.) Okay, the Master Chief is going to have to get to the bridge, through a hoarde of aliens. It just so conviently happens that whenever the aliens are too tough for the Marines/crew, blast doors conviently seal them off...

B.) AFTER the master chief gets to the bridge, and has a yak yak with the Captain, he somehow fucking remembers he has a god-damn weapon and pulls it out.

Wouldn't you know, he have pulled that out on the way to the bridge, to kill the aliens instead of standing around like a dumbass?

C.) The aliens aren't really that bright or scary; and there are too many "blocked out" parts of the levels, where piled up things prevent the aliens from reaching you and you can blast them with impunity....I mean, just how strong do these Marines have to be in order to drag some pretty big and heavy computer panels or whatever into the hallways? These ain't tables..

3.) NO GOD DAMN SUBTITLES.

4.) A god damn stupid name for the ship. Pillar of Autumn

Post by **Beowulf** » 2006-11-30 12:09pm

The pistol MC gets is given to him by the Captain. MC doesn't have it until that point.

MKSheppard · Post by **MKSheppard** » 2006-11-30 12:13pm

Oh WOW, it appears that Halo 2 only has subtitles for the cut scenes, it doesn't have them for in-game; and quite a bit of information is put forth in-game...

*gets receipt to return them*

TheFeniX · Post by **TheFeniX** » 2006-11-30 12:13pm

My roomate and I wasted weeks after work-hours to beat both Halo 1 and 2 through on every difficulty. I remember the complete feeling of satisfaction after finally getting through the Library on Legendary to finish out Halo 1. I can't even recall the the number of absolutely excruciating times it took us to get through it (you lose one guy on Legendary and you have to reload a checkpoint). Halo 2 was far easier to beat through on Legendary, but still had it's moments.

Then my Xbox HDD died.... fuck.

On a unrelated topic, I just finished Gears of War through on Insane: beating the game on every difficulty. I must be a masochist, because the only console games I do this on are FPSs. And I should really be playing those on PC.

When you play one or the other, I recommend taking some time off because of the difference in the movement system. After playing Halo 2 for a while, then going back to Halo 1: I felt like I was Superman. The Chief can haul some serious ass in Halo 1 and jumps like 50 damn feet in the air. It can get pretty disorienting if you're used to Halo 2.

That and the weapons are seriously screwed in Halo 2. The shotgun and Pistol are not the awesome weapons of destruction they were in Halo 1. Sniper rifle? Fuck you, I've got 2x zoom on my pistol. It's head-shot time.

Also, after checking your next post during my preview: the Covenant don't really show any decent tactics until you get into Heroic and Legendary. Sucks about the subtitles though.

Vehrec · Post by **Vehrec** » 2006-11-30 12:25pm

MKSheppard wrote:Oh WOW, it appears that Halo 2 only has subtitles for the cut scenes, it doesn't have them for in-game; and quite a bit of information is put forth in-game...

*gets receipt to return them*

Shep? Can't you just turn down the sound of Lemay in your place, and LISTEN TO THE WORDS? I mean, I had very little trouble understanding what people were saying. And the reason the first level is so EASY is because it's supposed to be a fucking TUTORIAL for people who haven't played a Console FPS, or any FPS at all! You want them to be able to live to get to the second level!
Things get real good right around 'Silent Cartographer' and 'Assault on the Control Room'. If you can hold out until then, the hate should abate a bit. Of course, I don't think that You could ever stop hating anything.

MKSheppard · Post by **MKSheppard** » 2006-11-30 12:27pm

Vehrec wrote:Shep? Can't you just turn down the sound of Lemay in your place, and LISTEN TO THE WORDS?

Hey fucktard, I was born deaf, do you have any brilliant suggestions to add before I choke you to death on your own stupidity?

Admiral Valdemar · Post by **Admiral Valdemar** » 2006-11-30 12:59pm

Haha, go Vehrec. You da man.

While I'm not totally deaf, I certainly feel for Shep here when it comes to things being said that totally bypass you because of a congenital problem. I, however, turn subtitles off because it's only one ear fucked, and plus subtitles ruin the cinematics. I have to say, I'd never really considered the loss of them being so annoying, especially when the game has so much dialogue. You couldn't play MGS without subtitles if hard of hearing.

I'd write a nice lengthy rant to MS and Bungie.

Lazarus · Post by **Lazarus** » 2006-11-30 02:00pm

Shep, the lack of subtitles is certainly a flaw, and not something we should still be seeing in such big-name games. However, I'd say some of your observations are maybe a tiny big provoked by annoyance with this flaw. As has been pointed out, the pistol is handed over to youl, which you can see on-screen. Concerning the blast doors, the marines are sealing the Covenant off for the very reason you state; they're fighting a delaying action, and attempting to isolate as many boarders as possible to slow them down. The first level is designed to introduce you to the gameplay, as with many FPS's, so give it a chance to get better. As for the name, its a bit odd, as is In Amber Clad, but I think a bit of variety on the old USS *insert American thing here* is nice.

Ace Pace · Post by **Ace Pace** » 2006-11-30 02:34pm

Vehrec wrote:
MKSheppard wrote:Oh WOW, it appears that Halo 2 only has subtitles for the cut scenes, it doesn't have them for in-game; and quite a bit of information is put forth in-game...

*gets receipt to return them*
Shep? Can't you just turn down the sound of Lemay in your place, and LISTEN TO THE WORDS? I mean, I had very little trouble understanding what people were saying.

Another reason for subtitles: Not all your players are native english speakers. Some of us infact have it pretty hard understanding rapid spoken english. If a game is story heavy and dosn't have subtitles, guess what, I can't fucking understand it.

If it's easy enough for Valve to put in subtitles, I don't see what the hell would prevent Bungie or any developer from including subtitles, therfor opening up their games for a massive audience of people who can not hear clearly/have issues with spoken english.

ThatGuyFromThatPlace · Post by **ThatGuyFromThatPlace** » 2006-11-30 03:10pm

behold!
Captions for Deaf Gamers petition

Molyneux · Post by **Molyneux** » 2006-11-30 03:24pm

Losonti Tokash wrote:
Molyneux wrote:The average price for an XBox on eBay is roughly $200. I've looked.
Is it just an Xbox or does it come with a pile of games, too? If not, just drop by EBGames or Gamestop. They'll probably have a refurbished stystem for something like $120. Not an insignificant amount for a single item, but it'd save you enough for probably half a dozen (good) games.

I got lucky today...a friend of mine is looking to get rid of his old XBox and several games, including Halo 2 and Steel freakin' Battalion, and is willing to sell the whole kit and kaboodle for $100...the only problem is that he's got only one XBox controller, and it's one of the old clunky ones.

I think I'm going to take him up on it...

Incidentally, it is a major complaint of mine that Halo and Halo II lack in the subtitle department...but that's pretty much my only complaint.

MKSheppard · Post by **MKSheppard** » 2006-11-30 03:41pm

Lazarus wrote:Shep, the lack of subtitles is certainly a flaw, and not something we should still be seeing in such big-name games.

Excuse me, but Halo is an average FPS which is supposedly lifted into "Uberdom" by it's "story". If I cannot enjoy the story, then the game sucks.

As has been pointed out, the pistol is handed over to youl, which you can see on-screen.

Except I skipped that part, because the cutscenes were too long and had no point with no subtitling.

Oh, and you're supposed to be the master chief, last of the SPARTANS, uber killing machine if what half the wank backstory is supposed to be true, so why can't you do anything with no weapons? Just wade into them and use your uber reflexes and hth skillz to break enemies necks, etc.

Virtually every FPS game out there has a "punch" or "kick" mode for when
you're weaponless.

Or for that matter, why can't you just pick up a rifle from a dead marine, which there are plenty of on the way to the bridge, or have one of the marines hand you a rifle? I mean, you're the fucking Master Chief. Giving you a rifle right then and there massively increases the marines in that section's chances of fighting off the enemy threat and surviving.

Concerning the blast doors, the marines are sealing the Covenant off for the very reason you state; they're fighting a delaying action, and attempting to isolate as many boarders as possible to slow them down.

That I can buy, except that we see blast door after blast door seal off the covenant EVERY FUCKING TIME you encounter them. What, is the USS Fucking Stupid Name really a blast door maze masquerading as a ship?

The first level is designed to introduce you to the gameplay, as with many FPS's, so give it a chance to get better.

Except the intro level is fucking stupid. Compare it to Call of Duty 2's intro level.

"Why are we throwing potatoes?" (at the training range for grenades)

"Because comrade, grenades are worth more than your lives."

Stark · Post by **Stark** » 2006-11-30 03:42pm

Hey Shep, did you like the 'yeah there are Cov ships over there... HOLY SHIT WE'VE BEEN BOARDED A MILLION TIMES' part? I loved how they showed the suicidal assault of boarding pods against the ships powerful point-defence battery!

Just remember, the opening levels are great stuff compared to the later 'recycle that map!' levels.

MKSheppard · Post by **MKSheppard** » 2006-11-30 03:47pm

I really wouldn't care if I paid about $5 or $7 each for both Halo 1 and 2; which is what I paid for RtCW and MOH: Rising Sun, but due to Halo being so "popular" I had to pay premium pricing of $9 on Halo (it's fucking OLD people!), and $29 on Halo 2...

For those kinds of prices I expect something worth more than "LOLZOR, lets put in no subtitles and make our marines stupid as shit!"

Fuck that shit. At least I have Call of Duty 2 for the PC for only $19.95 from Best Buy....*goes and installs it*

Stark · Post by **Stark** » 2006-11-30 03:49pm

MKSheppard wrote:What, is the USS Fucking Stupid Name really a blast door maze masquerading as a ship?

With an attitude like this, Shep was never going to enjoy Halo. He hates contrived map design! Wait till he gets to that battlecruiser!

General Zod · Post by **General Zod** » 2006-11-30 03:50pm

Stark wrote:
MKSheppard wrote:What, is the USS Fucking Stupid Name really a blast door maze masquerading as a ship?
With an attitude like this, Shep was never going to enjoy Halo. He hates contrived map design! Wait till he gets to that battlecruiser!

At least he never got to the Library. Yeuch.

MKSheppard · Post by **MKSheppard** » 2006-11-30 03:51pm

Stark wrote:With an attitude like this, Shep was never going to enjoy Halo. He hates contrived map design!

I didn't mind them being smart enough to seal off the covenant by closing the blast doors, but when I got to the 3rd example of this happening on my way to the bridge, I started going "WTF"?

Wait till he gets to that battlecruiser!

Do tell

Stark · Post by **Stark** » 2006-11-30 04:01pm

Okay, the Covvies decide to park a battlecruiser real low over Halo, right? Like 100m. And they have a gravity elevator, right? And you kill the guards, and they send more, and you kill them, and they send tougher ones, just like in Double Dragon. They never turn it off, though, not even after you kill the two uber boss guys.

Then you get inside, and Cortana is unlocking doors... right after you kill everyone. 70% of the battlecruiser is identical rooms and featureless corridors, and as you enter the door locks and other doors around the room open spawning guys. Like in Smash TV. Once you win, Cortana opens the right door and you continue.

Remember, STORY! Guy kills everyone on a space station... it's a classic for our time.

Well, it beats 'rah scary girl' from FEAR.

Post by **Beowulf** » 2006-11-30 04:11pm

The only time MC is weaponless is during the first dash to the bridge. At all other times, he's got a weapon. I guess they didn't feel like making the animation required to let him attack without a weapon, though he can do melee attacks once he has one.

MKSheppard · Post by **MKSheppard** » 2006-11-30 04:15pm

Beowulf wrote:I guess they didn't feel like making the animation required to let him attack without a weapon, though he can do melee attacks once he has one.

LOLZORS!

"I need a gun in order to bludgeon some alien to death, despite me having some funky power armor...."

MKSheppard · Post by **MKSheppard** » 2006-11-30 04:20pm

Was talking with Ye about this and he said:

Oh, I enjoyed how you only ever get one path in that [first] level.

Even when Cortana 'Superhacker' is with you.

So you are never in danger of getting lost on a huge cruiser... and there's only one path to the escape pod.

Oh, how about that? You don't get a map, not even so much as a sign, Telling you which way you are meant to go.

You just go forward, and keep going until your way is blocked, and eventually you'll find your destination!