Running so I can start gunning
I have a host of fond memories of multiplayer in Halo 1. Then Halo 2 came out, and I quickly found that I didn’t enjoy the multiplayer nearly as much. Now Halo 3 is out, and I enjoy it even less.
It’s really simple - the original Halo sported an overpowered pistol as part of your starting equipment. It was a versatile weapon that worked for just about any task. Other weapons - the rocket launcher, sniper and shotgun - were better than the pistol in limited situations. Sometimes it was difficult, but you could still fight back with your pistol.
That all changed in Halo 2, and Halo 3 continues down the same path. I was really good at Halo 2, and it wasn’t long before I found that skill rarely determined whether I won the match. What really mattered is whether I started close to the weapon of choice on the map. Usually that was the rocket launcher, and acquiring the first rocket was always enough to ensure my victory. I’d get enough kills with the rocket launcher that equal skilled players wouldn’t be able to catch me. With my new weapon, I’d be able to secure more ammo and powerups like overshield and cloak. I had several deathmatches against equally skilled players where I won 25-0 just because I spawned near the rockets, sword or sniper. Likewise, I had plenty of matches where I lost just because someone else spawned in a favorable location.
This problem exists on many levels. For example, the single SMG is no match for anything dual wielded unless you’re in a favorable grenade location. It feels worse in Halo 3 because I start with the assault rifle. At least with the SMG, there were SMGs laying everywhere so you could hardly take a step without picking up a second one for dual wield. With the AR, you’re just plain screwed in so many situations. I’m not nearly as good at Halo 3 as I was at Halo 2, but I see the same results. I can tell that if my aim was steadier, I’d never lose to an assault rifle when I have a battle rifle. I feel helpless running around with the AR. It’s responsible for the majority of my kills, but that’s primarily from situations where I’d win with any weapon.
Maybe I’m in the minority here, but I think this is sucky gameplay. For whatever reason, I didn’t have the same feeling when I played games like Unreal Tournament, even though they have a similar degree of weapon disparity. Perhaps because in UT, if I snuck up on someone I would still kill them. In Halo 2, sneaking on a skilled player with a rocket launcher didn’t mean you win - it just extends your life a split second.