Reach has it's Sandbox elements too. He means non linear, AKA the city parts of the game. It was on the verge on sandbox. I take it what security means is GTA sandbox, as in complete freedom, AI, dowhateverthefuckyouwant kinda thing.
Open world/free roam isn't quite the same as Sandbox to me, and in much of the industry use of those terms as well from what I've seen. I'd call ODST open world or free roam pretty happily, but not sandbox.
Games like ODST are non linear progression games, games like Just Cause 2 and GTA are Sandbox. There is a difference between the two. I can handle the game being non linear like ODST, I would however, not like a sandbox halo game. At all.
To me, ODST never seemed open world. You just went from one darkly lit part of a city to another dark part, and then you played a linear mission. There was no sandbox element. Anyway, 343 posted this on youtube. Halo Fest: Halo: Anniversary Panel - YouTube Its a recording of their Halo CEA panel. The videos they show are stuff we've already seen, but there is some juicy information. Like how you will be able to play all the Halo Reach maps while using the CEA disk if you have Reach installed into your hard drive. During the question section, you can't hear the exact question, but I'm assuming that the guy asked if they are planning on remaking Halo 2, and 343i didn't deny the possibility.
I'm not going to use the new graphics in campaign, I STILL CAN'T ****ING BEAT 343 GUILTY SPARK IN THE ORIGINAL.
I said "almost" as in borderline. Not "almost" as in they changed their development philosophy last second. I was just pointing that out because I would happily play a full Halo sandbox game. I don't understand why so many people are ruling out. Yeah, it's a little bit out there but I want a new take on Halo with the same classic mechanics. I don't want a bunch of add-ons from different games, like loadouts, killstreaks, challenges or what have you. I want an expansive single-player campaign experience -- something the more recent Halo games have been lacking (in my opinion).
I've always imagined a Halo sandbox game playing like Metroid or Castlevania SOTN. You have a long term goal, and you can choose any number of ways to get to that goal via picking which power ups you want to go for first and which routes to take and after getting certain ones, you could back track to previously explored areas if you want to use your new abilities to explore other areas for goodies and possible shortcuts. Considering what the setting for Halo 4 is implied to be, this could be totally possible and would personally be my dream Halo game, though most people won't consider this a sandbox style as the first thing someone thinks of when the word sandbox is brought up in a game related conversation is GRAND THEFT AUTO.
I don't really see this working out within the game mechanics, the story, or the character. Master Chief has always been given directives, he's a soldier. Metroid is of course herself a battle hardened soldier, but she operates under her own authority. She doesn't adhere to military jurisdiction like the Chief does. Throughout the books and the games Master Chief has always been sent to pursue the hardest objectives and the ones that are immediate, both of which don't fit into the context of a sandbox game. The narrative and game mechanic's wouldn't fit into a sandbox game either. Cut scenes are typically the mode of transporting the player to the next mission. Most importantly though, Halo doesn't have a large weapon sandbox or a way of upgrading the player. Not all sandbox games do that, they are more about the exploration of the world around them. The GTA series has long been a great sandbox game without many rpg elements, but of course the entire setting of GTA suits the character. As a gangster you own the city, it's yours and you do what you like. That just clashes with the nature of Master Chief's character. Master Chief hasn't been set-up as a rogue operative like Samus. Halo doesn't have a big enough weapon palette to sustain free-roam play. I would love to explore the Halo Universe to it's full extent, but I feel that the larger the world is you lose a bit of its charm. One thing about Halo that I always love is the diversity of the levels you play though. A sandbox game typically has large portions that reflect different ecosystems, but the world feels small, which is completely contradictory to the Halo Universe. I would like to see more levels like that of Silent Cartographer though. That has a bit of free roam in it. I could possibly see this some elements of sandbox play, but too much and it doesn't feel like you're playing the Chief. I think ODST was exactly the perfect blend of Halo and Sandbox. It was a really cool setting and story for a game, but it didn't have the epicness that the other Halo storylines had.
Well, nothing there seemed remotely covenant or flood thought I doubt they'd show us this early if there was. I'd say everything is forerunner, enemies and all.
I thought they announced that the covenant would NOT be making a return during E3? And a little bird told me there are factions of disbanded marines that may pose a threat to you.
I highly doubt anyone at E3 said anything about halo 4 other than to say there would be 3 more games. And that "bird" was a member on bungie.net that was linked here who said they got inside information from 343i about how some of the campaign would go. Not official word mind you.
still, when the announcement for halo 4 released, they said it would be "the start of a new trilogy." and yes, they did release the teaser trailer at E3.
I hope the new trilogy hinges on the fact that cortana is going rampant. Personally think that would produce the best results storyline wise.
I think it should focus on Chief going rampant and killing everyone like a boss and blowing things up and explosions.