Today, we learned that Halo 5: Guardians will not only hit in 2015, but specifically on October 27th. For some that’s reason to mark their calendar. Others might not be so excited.
There is some skepticism among Halo fans when it comes to the next Halo release. But I happen to be confident that it’ll be a stellar release. Here’s why.
The First 60 FPS Halo Game
Halo: The Master Chief Collection showed us just how great Halo can feel when cranked up to 60 frames per second. Truthfully, there is no going back. It feels as though Halo was meant to be 60 FPS all along.
The twitch-shot nature of Halo melds perfectly with the smooth, unequaled experience of 60 FPS. This doesn’t just mean that it’ll have the most crisp presentation of any Halo yet, it’ll also be more friendly for competitive play. The truth is that 60 FPS is a strandard when it comes to eSports games, hence the domination of PC games and Call of Duty. Along with 343 Industries’ commitment to support the needs of competitive players (i.e. Spectator Mode at launch), it should be exactly what Halo needs to substantiate itself as a premier title in the FPS landscape.
We Know the Gameplay is Solid
The month-long Halo 5: Guardians Multiplayer Beta was a home run. Most Halo fans agree that the gameplay is a great evolution of the tactical combat of the series, while still retaining the most important qualities that make it Halo.
The Thruster Pack is a new element that adds a new way to dodge while also speeding up gameplay. Sprint has also increased the tempo, and been balanced by stopping shield recharge when active. Most importantly, guns feel great in the hands. While it might have more mechanics than its predecessors, this is still the cohesive sci-fi shooter that everyone has grown to love.
Dedicated Servers
I can’t even begin to explain how important dedicated servers are for a first-person shooter. In virtually every case playing on a dedicated server means a smoother, less frustrating experience. The host and lag are no longer a concern. You can connect to servers and maintain a great ping on a consistent basis.
Related: Halo 5: Guardians Multiplayer Beta Impressions – The Good and The Bad
The shocking thing is how rare dedicated servers are in gaming. Here are a few: Team Fortress 2, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, and Battlefield 3. Notice anything? Yeah, they’re outstanding games that have lived great lives.
2015 is a Dry Year for First-Person Shooters
In case you haven’t noticed, 2015 is not a great year for FPS titles. Evolve and Battlefield: Hardline both disappointed. As usual, there will be an Call of Duty, but expectations aren’t high. The only FPS games I expect to perform well are Halo 5: Guardians and Star Wars Battlefront, and we’ve only seen gameplay from the former.
When October rolls around and you’re itching to play a shooter, you’ll be glad you have an Xbox One.
343 Industries Has a Lot to Prove
Right now 343 Industries has its back against the wall. Halo 4 was a great game, but didn’t meet the expectations of fans. Halo: The Master Chief Collection‘s rough launch didn’t do it any favors.
At this point many Halo fans are skeptical that 343 Industries can deliver a proper Halo game. 343 Industries knows this. When Halo 5: Guardians comes out you’ll know that the team put everything it could into the game, for better or for worse. I happen to think it will deliver.
