11 Reasons Why Halo 5: Guardians' Campaign Was a Letdown
After years of anticipation, 343 Industries has finally released Halo 5: Guardians. Since launch day, the game has become the fastest-selling Xbox One exclusive and has debuted at number one on the U.K. sales charts. Up until the week of release, the game was met with hype-worthy trailers & advertisement and later received praise across the board from critics... but, mostly for how well the multiplayer aspect is. When reviewers stated an issue they had with the game, it usually came down to something within the campaign. Well, we couldn't agree more.
Xbox may be dropping the greatest games lineup in its history, but the biggest title in that group, Halo 5, (when it comes to its single-player campaign) was nothing more than a letdown to us.
Here's The 11 Reasons Why... SPOILERS AHEAD:
11) It Was Falsely Advertised
We've got something to tell you about all of those trailers with Master Chief going up against Spartan Locke in this epic fight and the world panicking after being informed of the Chief's death... none of it happens. We also would have liked to see Master Chief in that poncho too, but nope, much like Chief himself, it was nowhere to be found.
10) Pre-Rendered Cutscenes
One good thing we can say about Halo 5: Guardians is that it looks so good running on the Xbox One! Why would you not keep the cutscenes in-engine? And, that slow fade to black at the end of each scene just seems so unnatural... It's like the scene ends before everyone is done stating their peace.
9) The Clichés
One cliché includes Fireteam Osiris determining who's buying the first round at the pub when all is said and done. We could have also gone without them counting how many times they've saved each other's lives.
8) Forerunners & Prometheans Are The Worst
Not only are these things bullet-sponges, but there's no lack of them either. Frederic from Blue Team even says at one point, "The Prometheans just keep coming." Yes, we've noticed Frederic and we much prefer killing grunts.
7) The Boss Battles Star The Same Boss
Far too many times you face off against the Warden and each time feels just like the last; keep shooting and eventually he'll go away. And, of course, he's a Forerunner.
6) No Split-Screen Co-op
For a Halo game that's screaming, "play me with three of your friends," it's just the oddest choice that this is the first one to eliminate split-screen.
What a bummer.
5) Cortana Turns Evil
We've been growing close to Cortana since Combat Evolved, feeling at times more sympathetic for her than Master Chief. Guardians decides to bring her back from the dead, just to make her look like the bad guy.
4) The Best Moments You're Forced To Watch
We've all seen that cinema of Fireteam Osiris taking out enemies in an over-the-top sequence while sliding downhill. Unfortunately, with all of the coolest moments in the game, you take no part in them as a player.
3) You Play As Master Chief In Only Three Missions
You read that right... In only three of the fifteen missions you'll be playing as Master Chief. We were hoping the story would switch back and forth between him and Locke, but instead it seems the star of Halo has been replaced by someone a little less... fun to play as.
2) The Gameplay
Halo 5 doesn't get any more exciting than clearing an area of enemies and moving on to the next one. Occasionally you'll hit the "X" button at a control panel or charge through a wall. Other than that, it's unfortunately about as linear as a game can get.
1) The Story
Much like the Witcher 3, Halo 5 has you searching for someone along your journey. Exploring new locations will give you a new idea as to their whereabouts, and it goes on and on til you eventually find them. It's not exactly a million-dollar concept.
Plus, when there's so many characters in the mix by your side and no character development whatsoever, it just feels like a slap in the face to anyone playing.