Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
We hope you enjoy your visit.


You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free. Members can enjoy the best gaming community that covers all next generation platforms and more. Handhelds, PC and Mac gaming are also supported, so whether you're playing Solitaire, or Halo -- this is the best place to be!

Members get exclusive access to a monthly game giveaway as well. As of this writing, we have less than 100 members. Less than half of our members are inactive, which gives you a one in 30 chance to win a game every month! Check out the contest page at the top of the forum to see some winners for yourself!

Anyway, I'm glad that you came by to check out the site. We don't ask for much here, just a little activity once and a while, and the odd match on Xbox Live or PSN! This is the place to call your online gamer home, so take a seat and grab a controller! We're waiting!

Click here to join Infinity Gaming!


If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features:

Username:   Password:
Add Reply
Halo Wars Demo
Topic Started: Feb 5 2009, 05:23 PM (290 Views)
SpartanZypher
Member Avatar
Vanguard
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
I was going to wait until an official press release, but I'll just go ahead and let everyone know that the Halo Wars Demo is now available to all Gold Subscribers.
Posted Image
Posted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
saucey feet
Member Avatar
General Bad Example
[ *  *  *  * ]
Yep, I downloaded and played through it, and I like it a lot. I thought it was gonna be a little crappy, being an RTS on a console, but they did a really really good job. Definitely a rent, if I have the money a buy.
Posted Image

Posted Image
GeoWars 2 Gamercard!
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Rocky2000
Member Avatar
Illusive Man of iG
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
I'm down for buying Halo Wars. I was thinking a lot of the time while I was playing it... If this game didn't have the Halo sticker on it, would it be as good?

I know it's not the case, but if all the vehicles looked different, and was set in a new IP --- would people enjoy the game if it played and controlled the same? Past the fact, I did really enjoy it. After going through the campaign level I had three separate skirmishes (which all ended very, very well) trying out infantry, vehicular and air attack preferences.

And in the character select for the skirmish, there's a bunch of other heroes that you can use (not in the demo) so I would imagine that depending on which character you use, you would get different bonuses. Should make multiplayer quite interesting.

Posted Image
Check out my blog at www.WoahRandom.com
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Shabbah
Member Avatar
New Comer
[ * ]
TBH, I hated it. I haven't ever been big with the whole halo franchise and I'm not much of an RTS player but I tried to play through the demo and just got bored after the first mission. In fact, I dragged myself on to even finish the first mission as I thought it may have gotten better. Unfortunately it didn't, I guess the whole RB, X, Y thing isn't for me.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
SpartanSinister
Member Avatar
Specialist
[ *  *  *  *  * ]
RTSs on a console just aren't appealing to me. I know what you mean. Disappointing, eh?
Posted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
SpartanZypher
Member Avatar
Vanguard
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Sin, you don't really play any RTS'...period. Even on PC, and don't say Warcraft III, because I've never seen you play a standard match.

If they're not appealing to you, then it can't be disappointing, since you didn't like it to begin with. I wonder, did you guys play any skirmish maps? And are you considering that the game will have full Campaign Co-op, and up to 3v3 Versus matches?

Sure, it's not as in-depth as a PC RTS, but then it wouldn't play very well at all. There would be to much micro-management that the control interface couldn't easily be converted. Halo Wars is hopefully the first in a series of games, and I think Ensemble Studios did a great job building a simple base to start from with Halo Wars. Even though Ensemble Studios no longer exists, the former employees have/will be splitting into two separate studios. One of which will continue to provide support for Halo Wars and possibly future titles.
Posted Image
Posted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
SpartanSinister
Member Avatar
Specialist
[ *  *  *  *  * ]
Just because the ones I have played on a console weren't appealing doesn't mean they can't make one that is. If I played every RTS that came out with a preconceived "I hate RTSs on console" attitude, I wouldn't have even tried Halo Wars. The fact that it isn't as in depth is why it can't compare to PC ones. Okay, for a console RTS it was okay, but it isn't a good RTS in general. Just because I don't play RTSs now doesn't mean I don't know them. I'm pretty sure I've played more RTSs then you in my lifetime. I played tons of them when I lived in Texas. From Red Alert to Age of Empires. I know what an RTS is and how it feels. The classic ones I played stomp the hell out of current ones, other than in graphics. Halo Wars did not feel like a true RTS. Age of Empires had like 6v6 versus I'm pretty sure, don't remember about Red Alert. And I have played standard matches on WC3, actually. I wasn't aware that you watched me play WC3 to see if I was playing any.

All I'm saying is I don't like console RTSs, so far. That's not to say someone can't make one I will like. Due to the lack of buttons, obviously, console RTSs have a hard time comparing to PC ones. That reason is why I don't like them, they're not nearly as in depth which takes a lot of the RTS aspect out of it.

When Halo Wars come out on PC, let me know.
Edited by SpartanSinister, Feb 16 2009, 01:47 AM.
Posted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
SpartanZypher
Member Avatar
Vanguard
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Look, I didn't say you haven't played RTS', id you seriously just say you've played more RTS' than me, that makes me laugh. I've played RTS' you've probably never even heard of, but I'll let it slide.

Do you understand why Halo Wars is the way it is? Believe it or not, the simpler the game the better RTS it makes. What's the purpose of a Real Time Strategy game? Strategy, is it not? The objective is to beat your opponent, and that's why the earlier games in the genre are generally more enjoyable. Those early RTS' had just as simple resource and unit systems as Halo Wars, if not more so.

And that leads to why Halo Wars is simple. The problem with most console RTS' is that they're ports of PC games, even the games that have claimed "built for consoles" have PC counterparts. And those games were continuations of old well known series'. With Halo Wars, Ensemble (who were considered one of the best RTS developers), set out to create a true Console RTS. And they very well knew it wouldn't, and in fact couldn't, be as in-depth as PC RTS'. And, believe it or not, Halo Wars is the very definition of what an RTS should be.

Perhaps that's why you don't like it, because you had preconceived notions of what an RTS should contain. Perhaps I overestimated you're understanding of the reasoning behind the game, and why it's not as complex. Or, perhaps, I'm just unable to dislike a game that's not as complex as others, because the developers knew what they're were doing.
Posted Image
Posted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
SpartanSinister
Member Avatar
Specialist
[ *  *  *  *  * ]
Well, everything you said is subject to opinion.

"Believe it or not, the simpler the game the better RTS it makes."

"And, believe it or not, Halo Wars is the very definition of what an RTS should be."

Easily subject to opinion. I'm sure we could find an equal number of people that side with yours and my argument. So, possibly we both have preconceived notions of what an RTS is. I believe that strategy shouldn't come with ease. I'm not saying necessarily that the more complex it is, the better. Just the more actual strategy that's required to use, the better. The line between the two is thin, and that's what we rely on developers to balance between.

"Perhaps that's why you don't like it, because you had preconceived notions of what an RTS should contain. Perhaps I overestimated you're understanding of the reasoning behind the game, and why it's not as complex. Or, perhaps, I'm just unable to dislike a game that's not as complex as others, because the developers knew what they're were doing."

Perhaps it has "Halo" in the title and that gives reason to defend every aspect of the game anyone disagrees with.
Edited by SpartanSinister, Feb 16 2009, 02:30 AM.
Posted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
SpartanZypher
Member Avatar
Vanguard
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
"Well, everything you said is subject to opinion."

Umm, duh.

"Easily subject to opinion. I'm sure we could find an equal number of people that side with yours and my argument. So, possibly we both have preconceived notions of what an RTS is. I believe that strategy shouldn't come with ease. I'm not saying necessarily that the more complex it is, the better. Just the more actual strategy that's required to use, the better. The line between the two is thin, and that's what we rely on developers to balance between."

And I believe that the fewer options you have at hand, the more strategy it takes.

"Perhaps it has "Halo" in the title and that gives reason to defend every aspect of the game anyone disagrees with."

Do you really have to pull a fanboy card? I thought you were better than that, Sin. You disappoint me... I'm a fan of well developed games, the fact that it's Halo has nothing to do with me defending it. <R2>
Edited by Rocky2000, Feb 16 2009, 11:00 AM.
Posted Image
Posted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
SpartanSinister
Member Avatar
Specialist
[ *  *  *  *  * ]
Let's not act like you haven't pulled the fan boy card on someone before, so saying you thought I was better than that is being kind of hypocritical. And acting like any of us don't have bias towards titles of games would also be crap. We could argue about this forever, but apparently we have different opinions of what an RTS should be, can't get passed that, but don't try to tell that you judge games solely on how they play, no other factors accounted for. I'm not completely unbiased, you're not, nobody is.
Edited by SpartanSinister, Feb 16 2009, 06:56 PM.
Posted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
SpartanZypher
Member Avatar
Vanguard
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
I never said Halo Wars is how an RTS should be, not at all. What I'm merely trying to point out, is this. Ensemble realised that to create a RTS that plays well on a console, you have to start simple. That's what I've been trying to get at. And, like I siad in my other post, most other RTS' on consoles haven't done that. The developers just tried to shoehorn a PC RTS by developing a better interface, and I beleive some have done a great job. But they still weren't perfect, and I'm not saying Halo Wars is, just that it's the best so far.

And now that Ensemble has built a great platform, whichever of the two studios that emerges from it's dust, can build upon that. And then create a really in-depth RTS, that many, even myself, desire. Now can you see why I'm defending it?

Sure it's Halo, sure it's a MS developed and published game, and pretty much everyone knows I'm a fan of both. But I've defending plenty of games, that needed it way more than Halo Wars, because I no one else would. Over on PreGameLobby's forums, I've always defended the developers, and they always asked why. Guess what I said.
Posted Image
Posted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
SpartanSinister
Member Avatar
Specialist
[ *  *  *  *  * ]
Look, I understand that you aren't defending it merely on the fact it's a Halo game, I'm not that oblivious. Maybe I was wrong for pulling the fan boy card, but that's just how I saw it with the what your were saying. I'm a little confused though.

"And, believe it or not, Halo Wars is the very definition of what an RTS should be."

"I never said Halo Wars is how an RTS should be, not at all."

I don't really care though, this is a stale topic and there's no need to defend, argue or whatever over it. It's just you and I that are actually giving any input on this anyways, other than Rocky's subtle little tag. Fun debate though.

Sin, out!
Posted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
SpartanZypher
Member Avatar
Vanguard
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Perhaps I should reword both of those, how about these.

"And, believe it or not, Halo Wars meets all criteria as to what makes a RTS a RTS."

and

"I never said Halo Wars is how I'd like an RTS to be, not at all."

That make a bit more sense?
Posted Image
Posted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
saucey feet
Member Avatar
General Bad Example
[ *  *  *  * ]
Yea, I opted out of your little skirmish =p My opinion won't change from what it is now. I've never played any RTS games out there, I probably wouldn't have played this one if it didn't have the name and hype, and I'm glad I did because it kicks ass and I can't wait to spend what little money I have on it!
Posted Image

Posted Image
GeoWars 2 Gamercard!
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Rocky2000
Member Avatar
Illusive Man of iG
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
This isn't the kind of activity that I'm looking for on my site. Thread closed, carry on.
Posted Image
Check out my blog at www.WoahRandom.com
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
SpartanZypher
Member Avatar
Vanguard
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Oh, come on Rocky. We were just having a nice little discussion. Let's not stop all conversation just because of that.
Posted Image
Posted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
SpartanSinister
Member Avatar
Specialist
[ *  *  *  *  * ]
Things have cooled down, I think we're fine. :) No need to stop others from talking about it because us!
Posted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
« Previous Topic · Xbox 360 Discussion · Next Topic »
Add Reply