Halo Universe Explained - Part 8: Halo 4 Features

I'm a day late - Blame Sandy.

I have two posts left before Halo 4 launches on November 6^th.  I’ve read over my previous post and realized I’ve covered just about everything I wanted to cover.  So for the last two posts I want to focus on Halo 4.  With this post I am going to focus on the features of the game.  Next Monday, just hours before launch, I will post speculation on what might be happening in the story of Halo 4.

As a fan of the series I have devoured every last morsel on information about what to expect from Halo 4.  However, some planning on playing the game may not be as obsessed.  Well, this post is for you.  You’ll find out about the 2 versions of the game, the game modes, the all new progression system, and DLC plans.

Regular or Limited Edition

Halo 4 will be released as two versions a standard edition and a limited edition.  The self-explanatory standard edition retails for $60.  The limited edition retails for $100 but includes some goodies that may be worth it for die-hard fans.  Along with the game, the LE contains:

• the season pass which grants access to the first three map pack DLC ($30 value),
• immediate access to the 6 class specializations (discussed below in the progression system),
• a digital copy of the extended version (90 min.) of the web series Halo: Forward Unto Dawn
• various digital goods such as exclusive armor and weapon skins, avatar props, and in-game emblems.
• finally, a briefing packet on the UNSC Infinity – the largest ship ever built by humanity.

Note: In a surprise twist, the Halo 4 Limited Edition is actually limited in quantity.  The limited edition appears to be sold out at Gamestop, Walmart, and Amazon.

Halo 4 Game Modes

So you’ve picked up your version of the game…what can you play.

Campaign: The Halo 4 campaign features 4 player co-op and will return to the roots of the Halo franchise by featuring large scale vehicle battles mixed in with Infantry battles against some of the smartest AI in any FPS available.

Spartan-Ops: Spartan Ops is a whole new game mode for the Halo franchise.  Spartan-Ops is an episodic campaign that is Set 6 months after the events of Halo 4 and features a cast of Spartan-4’s known as Majestic Squad.  As a member of Majestic you will attempt to uncover the secrets of Requim.  Here is how it will work.  Each week, 343 studious will release a 10-15 minute CGI episode of Spartan-Ops, along with 5 playable missions that relate directly to CGI episode.  Spartan-Ops will be broken up into seasons.  The first season contain 10 episodes (50 playable missions) and is included both the standard and LE of the game.  Future seasons are in the works and will probably be DLC.

Wargames – the competitive MP for Halo 4 is known as Wargames.  343 studios are tying the MP to the Halo story by providing a fictional basis for the MP.  Wargames is set on the UNSC Infinity and features your very own Spartan-4.  Each MP “match” is meant to represent a “training” session within the virtual reality training facilities located on the Infinity.  Your performance in these “training missions” affects how quickly you progress through the Spartan-4 ranks.

Maps - 13 virtual settings (i.e. maps) are included in wargames:  

• 9 brand new maps: Abandoned, Longbow, Haven, Adrift, Complex, Solace, Exile, Meltdown, Vortex.
• 1 returning favorite – Ragnarok (remake of the Halo 3 classic Valhalla)
• Countless user-created Forge Maps – Players get three unique play spaces to Forge in: Ravine, Impact, and Erosion.  If Halo: Reach was any indication 343 will take the best user created maps and rotate them into to standard playlist.  In the end, Reach had between 25-50 maps in the playlist hopper.

Armor Abilities- Armor Abilities (AAs) were introduced in Halo: Reach.  Halo 4 adds some new AAs, while dropping other that did not mesh well with the Halo sandbox.  You can outfit your Spartan 4 in one of eight AAs: Jetpack, Thruster-pack, Camouflage, Prometheon Vision, Hardlight Shield, Hologram, Regeneration Field, and Deployable Turret.

Armor Mods- Each Spartan 4 can equip 2 armor mods - one tactical mod and one support mod. Tactical mods includes options that allow you to carry 2 primary weapons, have unlimited sprint, have shields recharge slightly faster,  pick-up grenades and ammo from the dead and more.  Support mods can provide larger weapon clips, allow you to reload faster, provide an increased radar range etc…

Progression System – The biggest change to Halo MP may well be the introduction of a new progression system that allows players to unlock in game content like weapons, AA and Armor mods.  Halo Reach had a similar progression system, but the unlocks were cosmetic only.  Your Spartan-4 will progress through 50 ranks.  After completing rank-50, you can select a specialization.  There are six specializations to choose from.  Each specialization contains 10 additional ranks As you progress through those rankes you will unlocking specialization-specific goodies.  After completing specialization rank 10 you unlock one of the specialization armor mods.  When the game is released you will only be able to choose from 2 of the specializations (unless you have the LE version, then you will have access to all 6 from the start). All together, your Spartan can reach a max rank of 110.

Plans for DLC

Wargames: 343 studios has already announced 3 future map packs.  They are scheduled for December '12, February '13, and May '13. The maps are included free with the LE version of the game.  If you don’t have the LE version you can purchase a separate season pass for $25.  Or you can buy each individual map-pack for $10.

Spartan-ops:  The first season of Spartan-ops (10 epiodes, 50 missions) is included for free with Halo 4.  Depending on popularity, there are plans for future seasons.  They have not discussed those plans.  

Important Note:  Microsoft has stated that in order to play Halo 4 MP gamers will need 8gigs of HDD pace available for a required install.  Though they have not said precisely what this is for, it has been speculated that this space is necessary to deliver to 1-2 hours of CGI being provided in the Spartan-OPs campaign.  In addition, like most MP games, the developer is recommending installing the entire game to ensure optimal performance.  In other words...delete some of the Demos you've never played, wipe out those 300 Skyrim saves, and make some room on that harddrive.