halo's story is better than people give credit for

people who say halo's story sucks have probably played too many RPGs. let's take a look at the FPS genre. there isn't much story going on in that genre. in fact, you have games like Painkiller for the Xbox which basically has no story. Halo's story has themes such as:

• racism
• church and state
• religious fanaticism

all of which are very topical, and at some points, seem to draw parallels to current events.

now let's look at the covenant. at first glance, they seem like generic aliens bent on world domination. but on further inspection, you see that they're not so much bent on taking over the world as they are about a "great journey." however, the army seems oblivious to the fact that in order for this "great journey" to take place, all sentient life must die; they run purely on blind faith, and in essence, kill themselves for that faith. this draws parallels to radical islam. things get even more interesting when you consider the brutes and ttheir allies, and the elites and their allies, both of whom are fighting each other and preventing the covenant from fighting under one banner, which is similar to sunnis vs. shiites.

But that begs the question, is it really the making of a decent story, or a quick cash in on current events?

Edit:

Oh, and I do like the books quite a bit, but they don't count in relation to the game.  Yes, they are part of the universe and may even be acknowledged by MS and Bungie, but the team that makes and writes the Halo GAME storyline has little to do with the book except to say, "Don't add that", or "Looks good".

The author should be lauded, not the game.

I agree Halo does have a good story, anyone who says otherwise didn't pay attention to the game or read the books. The only thing that bothers me is that Starcraft and Halo have a very similar story. Humans = Terrans, Covenant = Protoss, Flood = Zerg, and Forerunner = Xel'Naga. Either way both great games with a great history, and depth.Godslay

But that begs the question, is it really the making of a decent story, or a quick cash in on current events?spikegriffin

[QUOTE="Godslay"]I agree Halo does have a good story, anyone who says otherwise didn't pay attention to the game or read the books. The only thing that bothers me is that Starcraft and Halo have a very similar story. Humans = Terrans, Covenant = Protoss, Flood = Zerg, and Forerunner = Xel'Naga. Either way both great games with a great history, and depth.Tiefster

[QUOTE="spikegriffin"]But that begs the question, is it really the making of a decent story, or a quick cash in on current events?6icks_tea_4hoar

Historically, its better to add a sci-fi or alternate reality to a story to make it current events.  Ever read 1984 or Animal Farm?  And that's one author.  The only reason I'd contend this is because Halo's story dosn't flush out these themes, its just uses them for drama (which is not true for the books, you see mor development of the Covenant). 

For me, a good story implies wheels within wheels within wheels.

[QUOTE="6icks_tea_4hoar"][QUOTE="spikegriffin"]But that begs the question, is it really the making of a decent story, or a quick cash in on current events?spikegriffin

Historically, its better to add a sci-fi or alternate reality to a story to make it current events.  Ever read 1984 or Animal Farm?  And that's one author.  The only reason I'd contend this is because Halo's story dosn't flush out these themes, its just uses them for drama (which is not true for the books, you see mor development of the Covenant). 

For me, a good story implies wheels within wheels within wheels.

I agree, Halo 1 wasn't very deep, but had a good twist, and a great ending.

Halo 2 was deep, had decent plot twists, but the ending was too much of cliff hanger. I recently replayed the campaign and I was surprised how much stuff I missed or ignored the first time through.

Overall it's a superb story for a FPS, and I can't wait to see what happens for the 3rd one.
jrhawk42

The story is about the game's only weak point, so haters have to attack it like it was an RPG.

[QUOTE="Tiefster"][QUOTE="Godslay"]I agree Halo does have a good story, anyone who says otherwise didn't pay attention to the game or read the books. The only thing that bothers me is that Starcraft and Halo have a very similar story. Humans = Terrans, Covenant = Protoss, Flood = Zerg, and Forerunner = Xel'Naga. Either way both great games with a great history, and depth.Godslay

F.E.A.R.

Half-Life 2

The story is about the game's only weak point, so haters have to attack it like it was an RPG.

YellowPik

Halo has a story?web966

[QUOTE="web966"]Halo has a story?6icks_tea_4hoar

[QUOTE="spikegriffin"]

[QUOTE="6icks_tea_4hoar"][QUOTE="spikegriffin"]But that begs the question, is it really the making of a decent story, or a quick cash in on current events?6icks_tea_4hoar

Historically, its better to add a sci-fi or alternate reality to a story to make it current events.  Ever read 1984 or Animal Farm?  And that's one author.  The only reason I'd contend this is because Halo's story dosn't flush out these themes, its just uses them for drama (which is not true for the books, you see mor development of the Covenant). 

For me, a good story implies wheels within wheels within wheels.

True, they're not cash ins.  But I was addressing your point of Halo's sci-fi setting vs. currents event game.  The reason Halo's story seems closer to a cash in is because you can draw so many surface parallels, but (again) the themes are not fleshed out and are often little more then drama inducing.

I should point out too, that Halo 1 DID have a decent story going.  Halo 2 just messed it all up to the point that I would call irreperably.

[QUOTE="6icks_tea_4hoar"][QUOTE="web966"]Halo has a story?web966

[QUOTE="6icks_tea_4hoar"][QUOTE="web966"]Halo has a story?web966

[QUOTE="6icks_tea_4hoar"][QUOTE="spikegriffin"]

[QUOTE="6icks_tea_4hoar"][QUOTE="spikegriffin"]But that begs the question, is it really the making of a decent story, or a quick cash in on current events?spikegriffin

Historically, its better to add a sci-fi or alternate reality to a story to make it current events.  Ever read 1984 or Animal Farm?  And that's one author.  The only reason I'd contend this is because Halo's story dosn't flush out these themes, its just uses them for drama (which is not true for the books, you see mor development of the Covenant). 

For me, a good story implies wheels within wheels within wheels.

True, they're not cash ins.  But I was addressing your point of Halo's sci-fi setting vs. currents event game.  The reason Halo's story seems closer to a cash in is because you can draw so many surface parallels, but (again) the themes are not fleshed out and are often little more then drama inducing.

I should point out too, that Halo 1 DID have a decent story going.  Halo 2 just messed it all up to the point that I would call irreperably.

This is all just a matter of opinion... nothing to get excited over.00Joseph00

[QUOTE="Godslay"][QUOTE="Tiefster"][QUOTE="Godslay"]I agree Halo does have a good story, anyone who says otherwise didn't pay attention to the game or read the books. The only thing that bothers me is that Starcraft and Halo have a very similar story. Humans = Terrans, Covenant = Protoss, Flood = Zerg, and Forerunner = Xel'Naga. Either way both great games with a great history, and depth.spikegriffin

F.E.A.R.

Half-Life 2

Making a science fiction parallel to real-world conflict doesn't necessarily make a story great.ZebethOrZebes

[QUOTE="ZebethOrZebes"]Making a science fiction parallel to real-world conflict doesn't necessarily make a story great.Redmoonxl2

Making a science fiction parallel to real-world conflict doesn't necessarily make a story great.ZebethOrZebes

Hey, I like playing Halo.  And I like the Halo books too.

But Halo 2's story introduced some pretty stupid themes.

1) Flood overmind that can not only warp time (but seems to be stuck in one place nonetheless) but makes the until then nearly brainless Flood capable of massive organization.

2) The Arbitor.  While he's a cool character and its fun to play the other side, lets not forget that the Master Chief is the sole reason he is as good as dead when the war is over.  There can be no cooperation that is implied in the game.  And if you want to include the books, he isn't anywhere near your typical elite, to an overly heritical level.

3) Earth.  Two things here.  If the books are to believed then the defences around Earth arn't near enough to slow an invasion the size the Covanent threw at them, and the time elasped during the game is more than it would take the Covenant ground forces to mop the floor with Earth's defenders.  The Ark is the worst part.  The Covenent have to have some idea what it is, seeing as they got to Earth looking for it, not knowing the humans kinda lived there.  And (again) given the nature we know of the Covenent, they can pretty quickly find Forerunner relics or technology and then glass the planet.

And its petty, but what about Mendez?  Last we saw him he as playing grabass with an elite.  But hell, I did laugh at his little 'its classified' joke.

If the series had gone a different way I wouln't have some of the issues I do now.  But maybe the books have spoiled me a bit too.

[QUOTE="Redmoonxl2"][QUOTE="ZebethOrZebes"]Making a science fiction parallel to real-world conflict doesn't necessarily make a story great.ZebethOrZebes

[QUOTE="ZebethOrZebes"]Making a science fiction parallel to real-world conflict doesn't necessarily make a story great.6icks_tea_4hoar

[QUOTE="ZebethOrZebes"][QUOTE="Redmoonxl2"][QUOTE="ZebethOrZebes"]Making a science fiction parallel to real-world conflict doesn't necessarily make a story great.Redmoonxl2

[QUOTE="Godslay"][QUOTE="Tiefster"][QUOTE="Godslay"]I agree Halo does have a good story, anyone who says otherwise didn't pay attention to the game or read the books. The only thing that bothers me is that Starcraft and Halo have a very similar story. Humans = Terrans, Covenant = Protoss, Flood = Zerg, and Forerunner = Xel'Naga. Either way both great games with a great history, and depth.spikegriffin

F.E.A.R.

Half-Life 2

Wait the TC is suggesting that Bungie rewrote the Halo story in 2 months and based it off of current events?SuperVegeta518

[QUOTE="6icks_tea_4hoar"][QUOTE="ZebethOrZebes"]Making a science fiction parallel to real-world conflict doesn't necessarily make a story great.ZebethOrZebes

[QUOTE="ZebethOrZebes"][QUOTE="6icks_tea_4hoar"][QUOTE="ZebethOrZebes"]Making a science fiction parallel to real-world conflict doesn't necessarily make a story great.6icks_tea_4hoar

oh please.. 99% of fps stories are cliche and secondary to the action. halo is no different.edeasknight

[QUOTE="ZebethOrZebes"][QUOTE="6icks_tea_4hoar"][QUOTE="ZebethOrZebes"]Making a science fiction parallel to real-world conflict doesn't necessarily make a story great.6icks_tea_4hoar

Maybe I should have said Half-life 1 instead.  It had the 'movie' feel to it and wrapped up a good sci-fi plot with at least some depth (which we see flushed out more in 2)

FEAR, while storywise is weak, it at least goes pretty far into character mentality.  The majority of FEAR your seeing backstory about Alma and why she - and by extension, Fettle - are the way they are.  You don't know if she's justified, or wrong, or crazy and all the while everybody is friggin trying to kill you. 

[QUOTE="Redmoonxl2"][QUOTE="ZebethOrZebes"][QUOTE="Redmoonxl2"][QUOTE="ZebethOrZebes"]Making a science fiction parallel to real-world conflict doesn't necessarily make a story great.ZebethOrZebes

Maybe I should have said Half-life 1 instead.  It had the 'movie' feel to it and wrapped up a good sci-fi plot with at least some depth (which we see flushed out more in 2)

FEAR, while storywise is weak, it at least goes pretty far into character mentality.  The majority of FEAR your seeing backstory about Alma and why she - and by extension, Fettle - are the way they are.  You don't know if she's justified, or wrong, or crazy and all the while everybody is friggin trying to kill you. 

spikegriffin

[QUOTE="spikegriffin"]

Maybe I should have said Half-life 1 instead.  It had the 'movie' feel to it and wrapped up a good sci-fi plot with at least some depth (which we see flushed out more in 2)

FEAR, while storywise is weak, it at least goes pretty far into character mentality.  The majority of FEAR your seeing backstory about Alma and why she - and by extension, Fettle - are the way they are.  You don't know if she's justified, or wrong, or crazy and all the while everybody is friggin trying to kill you. 

6icks_tea_4hoar

I'm pretty sure it's impossible.  I remember saving before that and trying both anyway.

[QUOTE="ZebethOrZebes"][QUOTE="Redmoonxl2"][QUOTE="ZebethOrZebes"][QUOTE="Redmoonxl2"][QUOTE="ZebethOrZebes"]Making a science fiction parallel to real-world conflict doesn't necessarily make a story great.Redmoonxl2

But...but...now I know the movie is wrong because I have a VERY clear mental image of how that chair looks!

[QUOTE="ZebethOrZebes"][QUOTE="Redmoonxl2"][QUOTE="ZebethOrZebes"][QUOTE="Redmoonxl2"][QUOTE="ZebethOrZebes"]Making a science fiction parallel to real-world conflict doesn't necessarily make a story great.Redmoonxl2

[QUOTE="ZebethOrZebes"][QUOTE="Redmoonxl2"][QUOTE="ZebethOrZebes"][QUOTE="Redmoonxl2"][QUOTE="ZebethOrZebes"]Making a science fiction parallel to real-world conflict doesn't necessarily make a story great.Redmoonxl2