343's guide to Halo CE: Anniversary

[Dodece]

I am severely disappointed in the game myself. For me online competitive play is the overwhelming justification for purchasing a Halo title. In this case they are only offering a third of the maps that originally came with the game, and the label fan favorite roughly translates to previously recycled. Fewer maps wouldn't be so bad if the maps on offer were maps I hadn't played in the past few years. Unfortunately that seems to be where they are going with this. I am sorry I have had enough of Battle Creek, and Hang em High. There is only so many times that you can play the same maps before they make you sick.

This is just one example of doing something to death. Implementing Halo Reach features isn't exactly novel either for that matter. Armor abilities were decidedly different, but wouldn't a slew of new weapons, vehicles, or gadgets have seemed more inspired. Armor abilities are old hat now, hell even a new list of abilities might have offered up a lot more fun. I know one thing we aren't probably likely to get, and that is the flamethrower, or the traditional fuel rod gun, and those were real game changers in the first game.

All in all this seems more like a blatant ripoff rather then anything else. Previously recycled maps, previously used bonus features, and somehow a graphical upgrade/bonus story doesn't exactly justify the price. Oh and please do not sight the price of dlc as a justification. That content itself is very much a ripoff. I would rather they released the original game untouched as to what they are offering up here. At least that game could stand on its own. The fact that I already own Reach only makes this game seem entirely redundant.

Sorry if this all sounds sour. Just tired of people spewing praise on a game that is nothing more then a shameless money grab. They should be proving why this is a must buy rather then having it be some accepted fact. You just watch the closer it gets the more people are going to key in on how absurdly light this Halo game will sadly be. I honestly expected more, and 343 isn't exactly starting off on the right foot with the community. They had a real chance to wow us, and they decided to not do that.