Being a bit of a Halo fanboy I was kind of struck by my frustration with the Beta when it came out last week. I found myself a step behind with the controls and some of the new matchmaking lists. The problem was all mine. After reading some of the Bungie.net info pages and getting three nights of gaming on the Beta it has all opened up. And once we had a larger group of the 2130 on there it was a party.
I'm also glad it is a Beta. Knowing that the final game will have more of the detailed touches is good to know.
The lobby is very easy to navigate and I like being able to see each players 'service record'. The setups are numerous for individual settings making your controls just right. The controls definitely are faster and better than H2. But it took me three nights to get them down. I still hit 'X' too much and if I have the Power Drainer I remember a bit to harshly what 'X' does now. Those activate options are really getting interesting. Free pointed out how Sharkie is using the 'Shield' very effectively so far. I believe those options will win a lot of close games and be the difference.
Once the controls become second nature it goes back to team play. I would recommend doing some Rumble Pit games by yourself to get the feel for the game. You can run around and learn locations of weapons and how to enter base areas and not feel like you have to help a team. In team games the play is just like H2. You have to stay working as a team. Regroup often and fight together. That is one of my favorite parts of Halo multiplayer. Unless you have a ringer 15 year old on your team(Skillz for Killz), you have to play together.
The Sword is not in the Beta. I think that was a good move. The Spartan Laser has taken its place in a way. A three second charge and you have a kill. The Spiker is very effective dual wielding. The now not dual wieldable Needler is much more powerful. Great in close quarter hallways. The rocket does not track anymore and I like that. Its splash damage does seem a lot stronger. The Assault Rifle is a good starting weapon and the BR seems a bit tighter and less effective. My favorite change is the Plasma Pistol does not track anymore. Its best use is now to stop vehicles. Any vehicle it hits stops for a short time and you can expect a frag when it does. No more 'Noob Combo' where that tracking ball of plasma smacks you from 100 yards away.
It will be fun to see what weapon changes are made in the final game and what weapons will be included that aren't in the Beta. Maybe a Flamethrower return.
The theater playback function is fun and will only get better with the final game. The maps are a lot of fun and the look is still Halo but with some nice touches that I assume will look even better in Sept.
I hope to see everyone play the Beta until it ends in June and look forward to running my AR up your MJOLNIR.
From rr1ryno: YO, here's some pics from our bachelor party adventure in Puerto Vallarta.....good weather, good cocktails, good hotel, good fishing and good times had by all..... to cap it off we chilled with ICE CUBE ("you can do it, put yo back into it") at the airport..... I think you've met Rossco. I'm the guy with the loud shorts next to Cube and furthest right in the middle pic. Tsing did not go fishing, but is with Cube.... tallest guy in the back (maroon Tshirt). Who's Next is in both group shots and is right next to Rossco in both pics (white visor in middle pic, white Tshirt in bottom photo).
