The Granddaddy Console FPS Game – Halo 4
For the Xbox 360 console, 2012 marked the return of its biggest exclusive title, Halo. Although there were some concerns regarding the new developer taking on this behemoth gaming franchise, but with Halo 4, 343 industries has done a masterful job helming the franchise in a bold new direction. 343 Industries retained everything that made the previous Halo games so successful, while introducing enough changes to keep the game fresh.
Halo 4 takes place 4 years after the events of Halo 3. For the first time in the series, the plot focuses on the human side of Master Chief which is a welcome change. The emotional connection between Master Chief and Cortana is the main highlight of the narrative, plus, there is a new threat that the duo must contend with. Story in Halo 4 is well written and fits perfectly with the lore. For those who are not familiar with the back story, there are terminals scattered through out the game which can be used to unlock videos explaining everything to new comers to the series. The story will have you hooked from the start right to the finish. And the only downside that I can think of is that once it ends you know that it will be a good few years until we get to suit up as Master Chief again.
To start, the gameplay is just so smooth. You never really hear people talk about the gameplay of Halo 4 and I think that the reason for this is because it is just so well done and everything is so accessible that you never really notice it. Gameplay in Halo 4 feels similar to the previous games; it’s just as smooth, responsive, engaging and fast paced. There is a plethora of new weaponry that feel and sound awesome, Moreover, some new vehicles are thrown in the mix, further adding variety to the gameplay. Alongside Covenants, Halo 4 introduces a new type of enemy called the Prometheans. Both the Covenants and the Prometheans play very differently from each other, forcing the players to think and change their strategy according to the enemy they face.I loved all of the weapons as well as now being able to wield Forerunner weapons which are pretty cool. The new enemies are great. When you first encounter these guys they are absolutely brutal. And to start off with you may think think that this game is far too hard, but then it throws you a bone and you get better weapons and figure out what to do.
Halo 4 features a stellar multiplayer. Some people may not like all the changes or additions that 343 Industries have made; like having sprint and perks similar to COD, but these changes add a fresh take on the multiplayer. Halo 4 uses weapons loadouts similar to other games, but it greatly simplifies it, by allowing players to unlock all the available loadouts, as soon as they reach level 20. Fan favorite, the Forge mode, also makes a return and it is as robust as ever, allowing the players to create custom maps from scratch.
Halo 4 is a gorgeous looking game with amazing cinematics that looks like live action rather than CGI. All the environments are beautifully rendered with topnotch animations, lighting and particle effects with excellent and consistent frame rate. Halo 4 is certainly one of the best looking console games available to date. This is the most cinematic game in the Halo series to date. I also would go as far to say it is the best looking game on the Xbox 360. 343 Studios have set an incredibly high bar for games coming out in 2013.
Halo 4 is an absolute classic, it has everything; fantastic campaign, fun and addictive multiplayer with remarkable graphics. Halo 4 is an absolute master piece of a sci-fi shooter. If you want to play a part in an amazing crafter intergalactic story with great controls then you have to give Halo 4 a try. Even non fans of the series I think would find it hard not to be impressed with it. It is without a doubt the best FPS of 2012.
