what is so good about the Halo series (from a PC gamers point of view?!

I was just browsing through the online retailer where i buy games from and noticed they have for sale a 'Legendary Eidtion of Halo 3' which includes (among other things) a replica Halo 3 helmet (ftw?). People are going nuts over this game... I've played Halo and Halo 2 and as a PC gamer (maybe i'm missing something) i just don't get it.

Sure, Halo was fun, me and a mate finished the singleplayer co-op in a single sitting - good times. And multiplayer was also fun but - it never really amounted to much. The singleplayer levels were deritave and repitative, the weapons seemed really unimaginative, the background story was about as generic sci-fi as they come (I mean, Master Chief - come on...). Multplayer was the same thing over and over again. I started to play Halo 2 and watched another person play it for a while and it seemed to be exactly the same sort of thing as Halo - by then I started to get bored.

Thinking about console FPS's Goldeneye was head and shoulders above Halo. On the PC... don't even get me started. So back to my point, I just don't get it, what is so great about Halo that makes people go crazy about it?

In my opinion, Halo series is nothing new to PC gamers gameplay wise. Maybe the story is something you'd like, or something, but PC has the Halo series beat with the number of great FPS games it has.

Where Halo shines is on consoles, where FPS games traditionally have not been... as excellent, with a few exceptions. That's how I see it anyway. I mean, without Halo (and games like Goldeneye and Perfect Dark), the console FPS market wouldn't exist, pretty much.

Edit: I think I just repeated what you said... so well then, you're right. It's all just a matter of preference, really. I love the Halo series... It's fun for me. On PC and otherwise (I've played the first Halo on the computer... although I had it on Xbox first.)

oh, and it might also be that you're playing it so late in the game, after like, the initial rush, you know? Because the PC ports come out years later.

It was nothing special on PC there has been games more groundbreaking on pc 10 years before Halo.. Consoles cant keep up with pc Grafixs wise. They are only equal the first 3 months the console is release then pc technology surpasses consoles. When Halo was release on Console consoles have seen nothing like it before. When it was released on pc it was dated compared to Pc games at the time.

Did that make any sense?

As far as the story goes, I can't believe Larry Niven hasn't sued. Ringworld had many of the same concepts ;)
Good book if anyone here reads.

There is so much that is great about Halo. Here is a list of all the great things.

1. The presentation is epic from the main menu to the legendary ending.

2. The single player had a great story, especially for those just introduced to the science fiction genre.

3. The co-op was fun as hell.

4. The multiplayer is perfect in my opinion. Better than any other game.

5. The music is better than any other game I have played.

6. The LAN parties provided a lot of fun memories.

7. The community was excellent. See halo.bungie.org and Red vs. Blue.

8. In my case, I bought the Xbox on a whim and did not expect such a quality game. A lot of the game is the memories involved and looking back on all those good times.

9. Best vehicles in a game. Ever.

As far as the story goes, I can't believe Larry Niven hasn't sued. Ringworld had many of the same concepts ;)
Good book if anyone here reads.

delirin

no not teh b00ks OMG reading ahhh horrible........either way i believe halo is great cuz of MP, and the fact that on xbox it was one of our first launch titles:)

For me being a PC gamer Halo(esp if you read the books) is all about story. The idea of humanity fighting this big epic struggle and the heros in it. But ya most good games are all about gameplay and story and the rest of a game being good(graphics etc is just icing on the cake so to speak.QuattroRS6

Read any amountof Warhammer 40k books, that universe puts Halo's to shame as a cliched train wreck no joke..

As far as the story goes, I can't believe Larry Niven hasn't sued. Ringworld had many of the same concepts ;)
Good book if anyone here reads.

delirin

Ive read Ringworld and Ringworld engineers no doubt some borrowed IP there. Good books if someone hasnt read them.

[QUOTE="QuattroRS6"]For me being a PC gamer Halo(esp if you read the books) is all about story. The idea of humanity fighting this big epic struggle and the heros in it. But ya most good games are all about gameplay and story and the rest of a game being good(graphics etc is just icing on the cake so to speak.sSubZerOo

Read any amountof Warhammer 40k books, that universe puts Halo's to shame as a cliched train wreck no joke..

Warhammer has the advantage of having been around much longer so of course it is a more developed universe. Ive never been a huge fan of the warhammer universe though. To each his own we all like what we like.

I think it's the story, combined with the overall charm of the characters, weapons, and vehicles. It's not a bad series at all.

I think it's place is just not on PC, even tho Halo3 will most likely be ported to PC in 20 years.

There is so much hate for Halo on these boards.

For some reason, many PC gamers have delusions of superior tastes over console gamers.

This is not true. Halo is just as good as Half life if not better.

Either you played it in the beginning with an open mind, or you played it with a bias towards disliking it.

This is not a good place to ask how good Halo is. Especially since Halo for the PC was bad.

There is so much hate for Halo on these boards.

For some reason, many PC gamers have delusions of superior tastes over console gamers.

This is not true. Halo is just as good as Half life if not better.

Either you played it in the beginning with an open mind, or you played it with a bias towards disliking it.

This is not a good place to ask how good Halo is. Especially since Halo for the PC was bad.

Ninja_Dog

I've never played Halo on the PC before, only the console. And I wasn't hating on it, I just don't get what the whole big deal was with it when it seems to be decidedly average - i didnt say bad - just not f****** spectacular as so many millions of people claim that it is.

Being that I'm a PC gamer, this seemed like the perfect place to ask like-minded people what they think of Halo.

[QUOTE="Ninja_Dog"]

There is so much hate for Halo on these boards.

For some reason, many PC gamers have delusions of superior tastes over console gamers.

This is not true. Halo is just as good as Half life if not better.

Either you played it in the beginning with an open mind, or you played it with a bias towards disliking it.

This is not a good place to ask how good Halo is. Especially since Halo for the PC was bad.

djtim_3000

I've never played Halo on the PC before, only the console. And I wasn't hating on it, I just don't get what the whole big deal was with it when it seems to be decidedly average - i didnt say bad - just not f****** spectacular as so many millions of people claim that it is.

Being that I'm a PC gamer, this seemed like the perfect place to ask like-minded people what they think of Halo.

Well, I'm a PC gamer, too, and I told you what I think. :(

9. Best vehicles in a game. Ever.

Ninja_Dog

Qft. Hog fights are the best.

[QUOTE="djtim_3000"][QUOTE="Ninja_Dog"]

There is so much hate for Halo on these boards.

For some reason, many PC gamers have delusions of superior tastes over console gamers.

This is not true. Halo is just as good as Half life if not better.

Either you played it in the beginning with an open mind, or you played it with a bias towards disliking it.

This is not a good place to ask how good Halo is. Especially since Halo for the PC was bad.

Ninja_Dog

I've never played Halo on the PC before, only the console. And I wasn't hating on it, I just don't get what the whole big deal was with it when it seems to be decidedly average - i didnt say bad - just not f****** spectacular as so many millions of people claim that it is.

Being that I'm a PC gamer, this seemed like the perfect place to ask like-minded people what they think of Halo.

Well, I'm a PC gamer, too, and I told you what I think. :(

Sorry, I just wasn't bashing Halo or consoles games or proclaiming the end of Pc gaming or anything like that. It's just like most people have pointed out, Halo has occasions where it is better than average but nothing that is incredibly spectacular. It's like the ipod of gaming, millions of people going nuts over something thats been done better somewhere else but because of marketing people are blinded?

It's a novel idea and a media sensation thanks to good timing on microsofts part. So therein that success followed on to the PC releases and left many dissapointed gamers.

[QUOTE="Ninja_Dog"][QUOTE="djtim_3000"][QUOTE="Ninja_Dog"]

There is so much hate for Halo on these boards.

For some reason, many PC gamers have delusions of superior tastes over console gamers.

This is not true. Halo is just as good as Half life if not better.

Either you played it in the beginning with an open mind, or you played it with a bias towards disliking it.

This is not a good place to ask how good Halo is. Especially since Halo for the PC was bad.

djtim_3000

I've never played Halo on the PC before, only the console. And I wasn't hating on it, I just don't get what the whole big deal was with it when it seems to be decidedly average - i didnt say bad - just not f****** spectacular as so many millions of people claim that it is.

Being that I'm a PC gamer, this seemed like the perfect place to ask like-minded people what they think of Halo.

Well, I'm a PC gamer, too, and I told you what I think. :(

Sorry, I just wasn't bashing Halo or consoles games or proclaiming the end of Pc gaming or anything like that. It's just like most people have pointed out, Halo has occasions where it is better than average but nothing that is incredibly spectacular. It's like the ipod of gaming, millions of people going nuts over something thats been done better somewhere else but because of marketing people are blinded?

I like your analogy.

Halo- the ipod of gaming.

Very good.

Halo 1 is god awful on the PC. There's almost no content in the game, the levels repeat endlessly, you see practically all covenant enemies within on hour of the game and the flood are just a poor excuse for no AI. The game has points of endlessly respawnnig enemies = gay enemies that spawn behind you when you pass triggers etc, I found the game almost amateurish. Combat in general is really boring, I mean the crosshair is so massive that there's no aiming involved at all. The jumping is floaty and feels WRONG. Towards the end of the game I cleared out a corridor, walked back to let my shields recharge, and when I turned the corner again, the enemies had respawned. I couldn't run past them either because there was a suicide dude and the corridor was too narrow. Horrible gameplay. I hated every minute of the game almost, I just wanted to finish the story.

The endless level repetition alone should be enough for everyone to hate the game. They bloody copy pasted levels and merged them. Bah.

There is so much hate for Halo on these boards.

For some reason, many PC gamers have delusions of superior tastes over console gamers.

This is not true. Halo is just as good as Half life if not better.

Either you played it in the beginning with an open mind, or you played it with a bias towards disliking it.

This is not a good place to ask how good Halo is. Especially since Halo for the PC was bad.

Ninja_Dog

There is so much that is great about Halo. Here is a list of all the great things.

1. The presentation is epic from the main menu to the legendary ending.

4. The multiplayer is perfect in my opinion. Better than any other game.

6. The LAN parties provided a lot of fun memories.

7. The community was excellent. See halo.bungie.org and Red vs. Blue.

9. Best vehicles in a game. Ever.

Ninja_Dog

I used to rave to my friend about how amazing Halo was. Then, I got a gaming rig and I was introduced to Counter Strike, UT2004, Far Cry and Battlefield. Halo seemed quite ordinary afterwards. Its a well made series and Co-Op is awesome with friends, but console peeps only swear by it because they've never played a PC FPS (i said it!).

EDIT: Legendary AI was pretty cool, though.

bu bu buh...... master chef!!!! gimme a break. :D

Now with a more mature approach -i loved halo CE on the first xbox, but iv already said about a million times in threads. Halo has had its time at the top, and it needs to go away!! Finish the fight? Finish the seriesssss already!!!

I think the main thing tha gripped me was the SP mode, it was great and epic on the xbox, and the first decent FPS on the xbox. But people are still clinging onto that and still holding it in high esteem. WHich is fine, but realise its time has come and gone is all im saying.

BTW - Which FPS are better than halo on the pc? Just wondering coz i wanna get one!! :D

I got a gaming rig and I was introduced to Counter Strike, UT2004, Far Cry and Battlefield. Halo seemed quite ordinary afterwards. Its a well made series and Co-Op is awesome with friends, but console peeps only swear by it because they've never played a PC FPS.

andrewt1187

Halo's singleplayer was amazing the first time I played it on the Xbox (multiplayer is laughable when compared to PC titles), but when it finally came out on PC it was still good, just not the same impression the first time I played it. Halo 2 was a let down, decent multiplayer and half baked singleplayer, Halo has always been about the singleplayer for me. PC is far superior in FPS multiplayer then console IMO.

P.S. Halo's 9.7 on the Xbox was well deserved, most definitive singleplayer experience since playing Half life, and the 9.0 it got on PC was well deserved also! Halo 2 did not deserve a 9.4.

Its run and gun but at the same time itstoo slow and too easy to aim, two things that are important in an FPS.

What makes Halo great is the story. Not just because it's an epic tale but how much symbolism is in the games, the commercials, the trailers, the websites, and the novels. Halo is actually a pretty religious game if you choose to interpret it that way. Imo, no other game has a story as deep. In fact, if you look across forums on the net, you can see countless threads where people are arguing about how Halo is going to end and what little things in the games and books mean in the big scheme of things. I don't think I've seen hardly as many thread discussing how good of a shooter Halo is compared to how good the plot is.

Also, the guys at Bungie and Microsoft have done an excellent marketing campaign for Halo 3. They've done little things like their Halo "servers" and things on their web sites to give clues as to what's going on in the Halo Universe and how the story is gonna unfold. They know they have a killer story. Also, the reason why so many were disappointed with H2 is because the story blew. Everyone wanted to find out what was going to happen but they just ended in a cliffhanger.

O yea, Halo is truely meant for consoles. I have the first one on PC and it feels and controls nowhere as good as it does on the Xbox. Also, the second one for PC I heard is pretty bad because they waited so long to release it and by the time they did release it, it was outdated already.

First of all, to fully appreciate the game, you should've played it on the Xbox back when it came out. There was something about the PC version that just made the game seem kinda...mediocre. It's not just the lack of co-op, the game just didn't feel that good.

But anyways, Halo single player was just fantastic for its time despite the repetitive level design. The real highlight for me was the amazing outdoor battles, especially on the Assault on The Control Room and Two Betrayal levels, where you had to deal with several ghosts, banshees, wraiths, covenant ground troops....it was the most intense stuff I've seen in a shooter for its time. I really can't think of any other shooter before it that offered that kind of experience. And plus, everything else (aside from the repetitive level design) was simply perfect, like the AI (which was by far the best for its time), the well designed and well balanced(in the single player) weapons, the excellent story, vehicles (still fairly new in shooters at that time). Plus, it brought(or atleast popularized) quite a few features that most shooters nowadays tend to use like the recharging health, being able to throw grenades while still holding your gun, melee attacks integrated into the regular weapons etc.

Split-screen multiplayer was quite a bit of fun as well.

BTW, Halo 2 pretty much sucks.

[QUOTE="anandram"]Also , i think halo lovers should realise that ALOT if not the majority of PC gamers say Halo is average FOR A REASON. Its because they've played better on PC. You cannot hide from that fact. Maybe if introduced to some of these PC titles, ona pc, then they'd feel the same?_Memento_

Look in a dictionary for the word OPINION.