It was a good game and thought the switching between Master Chief and the Arbiter was kind of interesting. I liked the story of the dissension in the Covenant. I just wonder why, for two years, Bungie promoted this as your chance to save the Earth when you're hardly even there. Putting that off till the third game is weak, especially when its going to take years to get it......
Yeah, I just read an interview with one of the level designers for the game and he said that everyone working on the game knew that the ending wasn't that great, and that people probably wouldn't like it, but he said they had to end it like that in order to make the deadline and because Halo 2 wouldn't been to big with the fight on Earth, so they decided to save it for later.
yah I disliked how the all the talk was aobut how you would be earths savior, and you only are there for 3 missions.
My biggest dissapointments were with the game are:
level🙁note I always try to keep my AI allies alive, so take that into account)
Cairo: no problem
outskirts: probably the best level in the game in terms of fighitng covenant, and back alley fire fights. the level is just a tad to linear for a total getto back alley expirience, and sniper ally is the hardest part in the whole game.
Metropolis: no problem, one of the best levels.
Arbiter mission1: to much stealth fighting in the beggining, it was a nice change of pace, but making sure I pull off the back melee perfect so that all my AI dont die is kind of a pain.
Arbiter mission 2: a nice change of pace fighitng flood. the part on the elevator was boring. one of my favourites once you get past the hella hard "flood lobby" that you have to fight off wave after wave of flood by the air lock.
delta halo: one of the funner missions, the pace of the level is ruined after you have to defend the complex. I would much rather just hop in the warthog and fight. I was annoyed by the stupidity of the marines/ODST's, who one time killed the whole group of AI allies with the rocket launcher I gave them. also, after I drive up with the tank to where I cant go any farther, alot of the time half my marine allies just dissapear. once you get past all that, it's one of the most immersive missions.
regret: the length of the level is nice, but the level kinda drags on.
regret: felt a little repetitive. again stupid human AI hampers my expierience.
Arbiter mission 3: fighting sentinels is a cakewalk, and it's almost awaste of time until you get the the flood part. very hard on harder difficulties, and nice firefights. level just takes to long to get goin anf get with the good stuff.
arbiter mission 4: one of the longest missions ever. I felt the vehicle combat dragged on way to long, and the elites would never get off the tank when they should. Combat was intense when it was up close, but it was to predictable when your on the gondola. the vehicle combat was nice, but I just get tired of driving the human tank around so much. it so freaking slow and ruins the challenge, but it is the only thing that really works. I had fun when I was able to get in the only other gauss hog in the game. like I said the elevator dragged on FOREVER!!
Gravemind: was a nice change being forced to use weaposn like the needler, which I can almost gaurentee you didnt use at all before that point in the game and you realised crap this is actually a good weapon. I was a little annoyed I was forced to use all covenant weapons(thats what the arbiter missions are for). the civil war was a nice touch. I like the level for it's fast pace and action.
Arbiter mission5: the brutes make this level a great challenge, especially if you want to go all stealth. I did stealth kills to the first 3 and eventually brutes came running past going "why are they not responding" ect. without hte sword or the carbine your toast. the AI is very agressive in this mission. certain biuts dragged on a little, but it was one of the more solid levels.
High charity: the flood vs covenant back drop was nice, and the levels were very asthetically designed. they looked good, and the fog was a great touch, as i made certain rooms a great challenge. I was annoyed by how hard the flood were to kill with the covenant weapons, unless your good at chest shots with the carbine. it made carrying the carbine
a pointless excercise for except for the few moments you needed to snipe, or fight brutes, you used the shotgun the whole level until you got the sword and ditched the carbine.
Arbiter level 6: the vehicle combat was boring for the first half, and then the combat was more of the same inside. same weapon assortment carbine and sword. the banshee flying was just a pain on the harder modes, since the thing now takes a large amount of skill to be good with. the giant brute fight was cool, but the tartarus boss fight was a pain. I loaded over 500 carbin rounds into the head/shoulder level. I was so low on ammo, that I took him down with my last clip, and had only 2 shots left after he died.
So my friend (dark1365) has told me to post some trivia and rumours in this thread.
The Number 7...
Penitent Tangent's number (2401) is 7 to the power of 4 whilst Guilty Spark's number (343) is 7 to the power of 3, as the number 7 is used frequently in Bungie games and mythology. Also, 2+4+0+1 = 7.
Also, one must note that there are seven unique letters in "Penitent Tangent".
In an earlier Bungie series, namely Marathon, names were often found to be sevens. A numerology grid was used as shown:
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
a b c d e f g h i j
k l m n o p q r s t
u v w x y z
Penitent Tangent is thus
P e n i t e n t
5+4+3+8+9+4+3+9=45, 4+5=9
T a n g e n t
9+0+3+6+4+3+9=34, 3+4=7
{
9+7=16, 1+6=7.
}
To find out more about installation 0-4 (Halo) and the theories we have about the ark/ set up in the milky way here is a good site that I would recommend!
ahhh well a new question has arisin in my mind! Halo fans we can pool our intellect, and discover more regarding the Arbiter... in other words please post any related information! Thank you.
In the events of Halo 2, the Arbiter's role is filled by an Elite who was in command of the forces that pursued the Pillar of Autumn in the first game. This Elite may have been Orna'Fulsamee, although this is yet to be confirmed. Because he failed to protect the 'sacred ring' from the humans, he was branded with the Mark of Shame and sentenced to be hung by his entrails, his corpse to be paraded through the holy city of High Charity. However, rather than have him slain outright, the Prophets of Truth and Mercy gave him a chance to regain his lost honor and serve the Covenant again. He donned the armor of the Arbiter and became the Covenant's equivalent to the Master Chief.
* if you have anything disproving that the Arbiter is "Orna'Fulsamee" then I will gladly accept a better theory on his identity *
My vote: I would have the last mission in Halo 3 a Helm's Deep siege type, protect the Ark from the Brutes. Elites, Grunts, and Hunters(yay) are your ally.
Mission title: The Ascension
Section Title: "Finders keepers, losers weepers."
Mission objectives:
-Defend the Ark fortress for 40 minutes.
-The Arbiter must survive.
My version of the opening cinematic of this mission(choreographed):
A Pelican dropship roars past the screen, followed by a friendly Phantom.
(Whine of many engines)
(grows louder)
Several dozen hostile Covenant-made aircraft scream by.
(ABOARD THE PELICAN)
MC- How long until they hit the outer perimeter?
Cortana- The Phantoms will drop the Brutes down, followed by the march from the west. All and all, they will be at the Ark fortress in an hour.
Johnson- Looks like they want some revenge for us killing Mohawk, eh?
(Radio crackles)
MC-Punch through the interference and give me a clear signal.
Cortana- Done.
Voice- Demon, this is Arbiter, I'll drop off and try and muster some reinforcements. You hold off the heretics from the Sacred Device. Do not let them get hold of it. I will fight with you, and let the ship flyer go find help.
MC-Roger that, split-chin.
Arbiter- (growls threateningly)
Johnson- Hey, Cortana, have you sent the troops at fortress HQ the warning yet?
Cortana- Of course, Major.
(Phantom pulls away)
***
(Pelican lands at port, and marines are scurrying about on duties.)
MARINE-1 : Fitzgerald reporting for duty, sirs. Lieutenant Williams told me to brief you. Is it true that the stupid-ass gorillas are gonna lay the place down?
MC- Not if we can help it.
(MC jumps aboard a Longsword in the docking bay)
Cortana- Are you sure you know what you're doing?
MC - Of course.
At this point, this will be an aerial battle, and the Chief will be in the longsword the whole time. This section will finish when all the hostile aircraft have been shot down.
CONTROLS FOR LONGSWORD
Right thumbstick- steer
Left " = Accelerate/Decelerate. (you can never stop or hover.)
A + --->/<--- : Barrel roll left or right
A + Up on right stick: Loop
A + Down " " " : Dive
Left trigger: Machine gun cannon.
Right trigger: Missiles with locking function.
*******
(Longsword flies back to landing pad, battered but still working.)
Cortana - The Brute army on foot will be here in approximately thirty minutes.
MC - Check in at HQ and see how the preparations are going. Get a hold of Split-Chin if he's arrived yet.
Cortana - His name's Arbiter.
MC - (bored voice)That's nice.
(movie switches to gameplay)
Now, thus begins the next section, one where you must hold of the Brutes from the Secondary Sanctum, for at least 15 minutes. A pair of chain-cannons (much more powerful than the standard turret) guard the entrance. When they get blown up...
A) with 15 minutes or more, the Chief yells at everyone to fall back.
B) with less than 15, (even only for one second) You fail. HAHA! Sorry.
Next section title: "Please keep off the grass."
Originally posted by dark1365
protect the Ark from the covenant loyalist(brutes, jackals, drones). The seperatist( Elites, Grunts, and Hunters)are your ally.Mission title: The Ascension
Section Title: "Finders keepers, losers weepers."
second section title: We must protect this house
3rd section title- Coolest apocalypse ever.
Mission objectives:
-Defend the Ark.A Pelican dropship roars past the screen, followed by a Phantom.
(Whine of many engines)
(grows louder)
Several dozen hostile Covenant-made aircraft scream by.
(ABOARD THE PELICAN)
MC- How long until they breach the outer perimeter?
Cortana- Loyalist forces have touched down 12 clicks outside the perimeter. Estimated ETA in 60 minutes.
Johnson- Looks like they're looking for some revenge for Killing mohawk head, eh?
Cortana- Communications intereference spike. Most likely positive ion filtration.(Radio crackles)
MC-Punch through the interference and give me a clear signal.
Cortana- Done.
Voice- This is the Arbiter. I shall leave the main battle group to muster reinforcements to defend the Ark. You must hold off the heretics from the Sacred Device. Do not let them defile the sacred creation. I will rejoin the battle cluster when I have completed my mission. For the sake of both our races, let us hope you do not fail.
MC-Roger that, split-chin.
Arbiter- (growls threateningly)
now my second part to the edit.
[b]
Johnson- Cortana, have you informed High Com of the situation?
Cortana- Of course, Major. The 405th is inbound and should be ready to engage the enemy in less than 20 minutes.
(Phantom pulls away)
***
(Pelican lands at port, and marines are scurrying about on duties.)
MARINE-1 : Fitzgerald reporting for duty, sirs. Lieutenant Williams told me to brief you. Is it true those stupid-ass gorillas are gonna lay the place down?
Johnson- Not if we can help it son. Join up with the rest of your unit, and fortify the barricades. If it's our time to die, THEN WERE GONNA DIE IN THE BIGGEST DISPLAY OF MARINE GLORY EVER!!
Marine-1: Sir, yes sir!
Johnson(to the chief)- do you think we have a chance?
MC- (looks at him and silently walks off)
MC- if not,
[QUOTE]Originally posted by dark1365
[B](MC jumps aboard a Longsword in the docking bay)
Cortana- Are you sure you know what you're doing?
MC - (jams the throttle)
At this point, this will be an aerial battle, and the Chief will be in the longsword the whole time. This section will finish when all the hostile aircraft have been shot down and you have strafed the appropriate target.
CONTROLS FOR LONGSWORD
Right thumbstick- steer
Left " = Accelerate/Decelerate. (you can never stop or hover.)
A + --->/<--- on left stick : Barrel roll left or right
A + Up on left stick: Loop
A + Down : Dive
Left trigger: Machine gun cannon.
Right trigger: Missiles with locking function.
*******
(Longsword flies back to landing pad, battered but still working.)
Cortana - The Brute army on foot will be here in approximately thirty minutes.
MC - patch in a communication to High Com. What is the progress starside?
Cortana - The covenant fleet was severly weakend by the seperatist, and they lost over half of their ships. We have orbital control for the moment, but only a handful of battleclusters are still intact, and the Cairo has taken a beating. The fleet is relatively still intact, but it's begining to look like Reach all over again. Communications have remained solid, but I picked up on a handful of encryped transmissions that I have yet to decode.