While many have been raving about the positives of Halo 5, few have taken the time to address the downright terrible aspects of the FPS. Halo 5: Guardians is a beautiful combination of next-gen aesthetics and refined gameplay all wrapped up into one nostalgic bundle of joy. The game might very well be the best-looking title to debut on the Xbox One and it seems to offer something enjoyable for all gamers, regardless of skill-level. However, every great piece has its flaws – Halo 5: Guardians definitely has a few of those.
So let’s count down our top ten (just to balance things out).
Where Are All the Maps?
This has been an issue with previous installments of the flagship franchise and it appears Halo 5 has fallen victim as well. I’m of course talking about the lack of variety when it comes to the maps offered within multiplayer. For whatever reason, the game seems to only cycle a few major maps per game mode rather than offer a continuous flow. Let’s hope this is attributed to launch blues and not a more calculated plot to keep the game relevant in the future.
Why So Many Teams?
Another annoying multiplayer carry over from Halo 3 and 4 is the issue of matching solo players up against full teams. When I say teams, I mean complete destruction squads with dudes that play this game eight to ten hours per day. It’s difficult for the average Joe to go solo and jump into a series of games without getting eaten up from start to finish. A few matchmaking adjustments are in definitely in order here.
Trolls
You guys and gals know who you are. Let’s be real for a moment and take the necessary time out to identify a rather annoying issue – trolls. Every game has them but the Halo franchise seems to attract them like zombies on fresh brains. The profanity-laced yelling and the general poor sportsmanship is clear and present – and I’m just referring to teammates. 343 has a strict ban hammer, but trolls still seems to make their way to the Halo platform. Stop quitting games early, killing your teammates, and AFKing, you jokers!
Microtransactions
I might be the only guy saying this, but the microtransactions within Warzone really grind my gears. From a business standpoint, it’s pure genius. However, from a core gamer’s vantage point, the ability to prematurely unlock key items within the game removes an element of organic fluidly. In other words, the ability to purchase REQ packs ahead of time completely throws off the balance of the game. Either that or I’m just a whiny writer who feels players should earn their keep rather than springing a few bucks to have it handed to them.
Spartan Locke
Initially I loved the idea of Master Chief being something of a rebel within Halo 5 . However, after a fair dose of Spartan Locke and all of his strangeness, I’m ready for Halo ’s greatest hero to make his way back. Besides, Locke can’t fight and Chief definitely showed him who’s boss. Long live Master Chief!
Spawning Points
I thought we would have ironed this out by now. I guess not. Halo 5 seems to fall right in line with its predecessors in regards to spawn points – they’re awful in every way imaginable. Spawn kills, spawn locations, spawn locations during key moments of battle, and just a general lack of spawn creativity justifiably cracks our top five. We are not asking to move mountains here, just a few spawn locations for more fluidly.
Aiming
The new aiming mechanics in Halo 5 are a bit quirky, to say the least. I love the idea of implementing a new and more challenging system, but this one just doesn’t fit the bill. The reticle seems to have a mind of its own, as if it wants to get into a serious debate with you as to whether you deserve to land that headshot. Tweak it up, 343.
Unjust Bannings
A serious issue arising within the Halo 5 community seems to be the unjust banning of several players for non-aggressive or unintentional acts. It seems a large number of players are facing 343’s infamous ban hammer as a result of teammates running over friendly grenades or jumping in the line of fire while they’re working the opposition. Thankfully, a majority of the most recent bans have been mere minutes to a couple of hours. However, it’s only a matter of time until a righteous player gets a more sizeable ban gift wrapped like a flaming turd in their inbox.
Radar
Halo 5 ’s radar is hot garbage and needs to be put out of its misery. In fact, the radar should be completely removed from the game altogether – sorry, trophy generation. Unfortunately, that’s not going to happen and that deathtrap is here to stay. The lack of adequate range and the inability to distinguish enemies above or below makes the radar unless. My advice, stop fighting it and become more in-tune with your battle sense.
No Local Split-Screen
I can’t believe I’m saying this, because this is Halo after all, but Halo 5 doesn’t feature a local split-screen offering – not even one for PvP. I’m still at a loss for words. Removing this foundational feature is like changing the color of Super Mario’s pants – you just don’t do it. The Halo franchise would be nothing today without the local multiplayer option – let’s not fool ourselves, people haven’t followed the game for the last decade because of a stellar campaign plot. Bring back the local split screen and we’ll gladly appoint a new number one to this list.