Halo in Legendary Mode

[Case]

I played Halo (PC version) through in normal mode, pretty much running and gunning through. As a shooter, it was fun, but only took fifteen hours or so.

I've started a new game in legendary mode. I'm finding it much more involving. The fights are more tactical, stealth is now a factor and I'm having much more fun this time around.

I'm also finding the pistol much more useful, and I've completely dumped the assault rifle for Covenent weapons.

It almost feels like a different game. Anyone else have this impression?

[Mark Asher]

I loved it in Legendary mode, but I got stuck at one part and haven't been playing for weeks.

I also ditched the assault rifle. Just not enough punch.

[MarchHare]

On the Xbox, my roommate and I finished every level except for the Library on hard, and about half of them on Legendary. The higher difficulties really do change how you play the game (for the better, imo), but playing the Library on normal was more than enough...I'll never play that level again. What was Bungie thinking?

[Kalle]

playing the Library on normal was more than enough...I'll never play that level again. What was Bungie thinking?

<mid-game SPOILER>





I think in their design docs for that level they had this thought:

"Space zombies + shotgun = fun"

Personally I consider myself a hardened FPS player, I finished the game on hard without much problem, but on legendary... I'm still stuck just trying to defend the first structure with human survivors after you land! Legendary is brutal, no doubt about it. I don't think I'll ever be able to finish it.

Also, the assault rifle sucks. At first possible opportunity I ditch it for a plasma pistol/rifle. The only time in the game when the assault rifle is moderately useful is when you first come under attack by waves of those balloon thingies.

[Wholly Schmidt]

Yeah, it's long been the consensus that Legendary is a radically different (better) experience, and that you will love the pistol dearly. I'm too much of a wuss to make it very far in legendary, but you're definitely not alone in your impressions.

I had a few friends tell me that the Library was actually easier on Legendary relative to the other levels on Legendary. Anyone else had that experience?

[Case]

playing the Library on normal was more than enough...I'll never play that level again. What was Bungie thinking?

<mid-game SPOILER>





I'm still stuck just trying to defend the first structure with human survivors after you land! Legendary is brutal, no doubt about it. I don't think I'll ever be able to finish it.

I failed that first one, too. But the game lets you continue with no penalty, other than a somber note from Cortana. I did succeed in defending the rest of the shuttle survivors, though. Now it's off to the Truth and Reconciliation...

[Warlord of Mars]

I had a few friends tell me that the Library was actually easier on Legendary relative to the other levels on Legendary. Anyone else had that experience?

It was like that for me, but then again, by the time I get to that level, I'm sharp as a tack and don't seem to see why people think it's such a pain to get through.

[bago]

The flood DO run out.... Eventually.

[Mike Cathcart]

Yup, the pistol is great. Figured that out about 30 seconds into my first multiplayer game. Legendary also made me realize how valuable melee attacks could be. I don't think I ever used one in normal or heroic.

PS: The Library is the best level in a game this generation

[Guido Jones]

You're on crack Cathcart - the best level this generation? Come on.

[Kalle]

You're on crack Cathcart - the best level this generation? Come on.

Shotguns, zombies, endless corridors. It's an action shooting gallery, what more could one want?

[Theodore Rex DX]

Eh, Area 51 did it better.

[Guido Jones]

I played an entire game of that when it was called "Doom"

[Kalle]

I played an entire game of that when it was called "Doom"

No, that was the chainsaw game. Chainsaws and zombies and corridors.

[Major Malphunktion]

You have to love the melee attack. I use it all the time in MP. I still stick with the AS becasue through the first part of the game the rounds are everywhere.

I haven't treid legendary, but after reading this i'm gonna give it a run.

[bago]

BERSERKER FIST OF FURY!

[Jobe]

PS: The Library is the best level in a game this generation

That's trying WAY too hard.

[Mike Cathcart]

That's trying WAY too hard.

OK, maybe I'm mildly exaggerating because of all of the hate the Library gets. It's really the second best level this generation. The first is the Warthog run at the end of the game.

Fuck Doom, and fuck Area 51, you lame-ass hipsters. The Halo shotgun kicks ass. Plus, clearing out those little poppy guys with the assault rifle is fun. They're so cute! Pop pop poppoppop pop! Gotta love it.

Shotguns, zombies, endless corridors. It's an action shooting gallery, what more could one want?

This guy knows what he's talkin' about. Not just zombies, space zombies. That jump fifty feet in the air! Didn't I just get through telling you guys this? Does nobody listen? Stop arguing about hard drives and get back to the Library!

[Guido Jones]

How can I be a hipster for loving an ancient game? Wouldn't *you* be the hipster? You're the one in love with the latest game, not me.

As for Kalle: I hated the chainsaw, shotgun was the weapon of choice in Doom for me.

[Mike Cathcart]

Nah, hating Halo is the new liking Halo. Hipster.

PS: hitting space zombies with sticky grenades in mid-air: awesome!

[Guido Jones]

That's not the definition of Hipster, Cathcart.

Also - I never said I hated Halo, I actually like it quite a bit. I just don't think that the library level is "the best level in a game this generation"

[Mike Cathcart]

I do know what it means, but I know like 10 people who all have their own retarded definition that they're sure is the right one. None of them capitalize it, though. I'm sticking with my definition, which is "guy who doesn't think the Libarary is awesome."

And really, who doesn't love firing the rocket launcer down one of those little corridors with a bunch of Flood at the end? Beautiful.

[Wheelkick]

You're on crack Cathcart - the best level this generation? Come on.

Shotguns, zombies, endless corridors. It's an action shooting gallery, what more could one want?

I liked it too.
I know I'm a bit late to the party, but I'm currently playing through Halo for the first time. And I can't figure out the hate for the library level. Why? It's not that repetetive is it? The one thing that I found a bit boring is that the zombies spawn in a few waves and then it's over until the next "spawnpoint". Broke the immersion a bit for me. But is that why you all hate the library?

[Ergo]

My biggest peeve with the library is that it's so frickin' LONG.

[Creole Ned]

Yeah, it just went on too long, nothing more. I felt like I was playing Halo's version of the movie Groundhog Day after awhile.

[Mike Cathcart]

I'm hoping for Bungie to pull a Kojima on us: make the first level of Halo 2 take place on Earth BUT THEN! Chapters 2 - 10: The Library. That's right, entire levels for each floor. Halo 2 is Master Chief's quest to retrieve the Index from the massive Library at Halo-Making People's headquarters. All Library, all the time.

With two shotguns! And more types of Flood. This time, fat guys! And Flood robots. Just think of it, robot space zombies! That are also ninja/dinosaur pirates! They could roar, jump 50--no, 100--feet through the air and yell "Arrr!" as they fly towards you with their laser sword throwing stars, and then you could blow them out of the sky with the double-fisted shotguns, woo hoo!

Hot damn, this is going to be the best game ever*.


[size=2]* Except Aria of Sorrow and Amplitude[/size]

[Creole Ned]

That's a fantastic idea, but I think I may have a better one:

In chapter 2, Master Chief approaches The Library and notices a sign on the door: "LIBRARY CLOSED ON SUNDAYS"

[BobJustBob]

In Half-Life, you start out facing hordes of stupid aliens. Then you get to the intelligent marines and have all sorts of memorable firefights.

In Halo, you start out facing intelligent aliens. You have all sorts of memorable firefights. Then you get to the hordes of stupid space zombies.

I like Halo's way better because the good stuff comes first, and I can just quit when I get to The Flood.

[Jazar]

I would rather sit through 50 hours of non stop codec conversations from Raiden and his girlfriend Rose then play one single minute of that damn Library level again.

[MarchHare]

The first two floors of the Library were fine. When I got to the third floor I was bored at how repetitive it had become; all the corridors looked the same, all the waves of enemies consisted of mostly the same ratio of quick jumping zombies to fat popping ones to little spider ones, and I just wanted it to be over so I could fight the Covenant again. Then came the forth floor. When I realized I had yet another level of this to go, I imagined that every Flood I killed was the idiot level designer at Bungie who came up with this level.

Assault on the Control Room is by far the best level in Halo.