Book Review Halo: Contact Harvest

This is probably my first Halo novel not featuring SPARTANs or Captain Keyes. So rather than a simply prequel, this was an extension on the Halo universe. By Joseph Staten, the book can be divided into four main narrations: For the Humans there's Avery Johnson (a key character from the video games) training and fighting with the Harvest militia, and Mack and Sif, two Harvest A.I.'s. For the Covenant there's Dadab and Lighter-Than-Some, a Grunt and Engineer respectively, and the politics of the Prophets on High Charity.
Avery is haunted by his fighting with the Insurrectionists and his decisions. Undoubtedly the stars of the book to me were Mack and Sif. Their bickering is humorous and their development as characters is fantastic.

Dadab and Lighter-Than-Some's segments are great too. It's amazing that A.I. which speak through text and Engineer which speaks through sign language are the most fascinating characters in the book. The Covenant segments are confusing until you get used to the names.

The politics with the Prophets on High Charity is about as interesting as it sounds. Of course you want to get back to Avery and Dadab, but it helps weave the back story together, so it has its place.

The fighting sequences are great and a joy to read too. Overall if your a Halo fan or not, the book is a great read. I definitely recommend it.   

 

Game Review: Halo Wars

Halo Wars is an RTS based in the Halo universe. The plot is nothing special, Covenant take a thing, try to blow up the world... yadda yadda. In the end it doesn't have an impact on the Halo universe we know and love.

The problem I have with the game is that the pace seems kind of slow. Also a thing that bothered me was that you could on build a couple buildings and defences. And they can only go in specific places around the main construction base. I like the Red Alert scheme where you could build building anywhere around a building you own. It let you be creative with your bases. But they did it for easier controls.

In the end there's nothing wrong with the game. It has some interesting scenarios. However when I finished and looked at the achievements, I thought "ugh". And I knew right then, if playing through levels was feeling like a hassle, I was done. I traded it in for money.

Programming: 9/10 : Very well made game, controls really well too.

Graphics: 7.5/10 : The graphics are pretty good for a RTS

Story: 5/10 : The story kind of weak because of the low impact on the Halo universe.

Atmosphere: 9/10 : The Halo units are done really well

Multiplayer: NA/10 : Didn't really play multiplayer

Overall: 7/10 : Like I said I didn't hold onto the game.

10 Best Halo Multiplayer Maps

Read this post today and found it interesting. Did a little research and remembered some of my old favs.

1. Boarding Action - My dream is to have a remake of this map, half Covenant ship with a huge hole in it, half human ship.
2. Ivory Tower - Had a love/hate relationship with this map but I wish it were in Halo 3
3. Blood Gulch - Classic
4. Elongation - Loved this map for it’s design, colors and gameplay. Loved Swat and Snipers.
5. Beaver Creek - Classic map
6. Hang ‘Em High - Loved sniping here.
7. Terminal - Yes, I miss being hit by a train.
8. Zanzibar - I remember E3 when this was unveiled as part of Halo 2’s multiplayer. The spinning wheel and opening doors were amazing.
9. Blackout - I probably like Lockout more but I love the Human setting redesign
10. Backwash - Sort of out of left field, but I really loved the feel of this map

Honorable Mention: Containment, Foundation, Headlong, Relic, Colossus, Warlock
Least Favourites: Waterworks, Burial Mounds, Turf, Foundry, Isolation and Snowbound

Assassin's Creed Review

Assassin's Creed was great. A lot of people complained about the repetition in the game but in reality it's not that bad, and their more of a story deliverer. The weapons are very cool. It's the most fun I've ever had with swords in a game. You get a sword which is great. A short sword, throwing knifes (a limited amount). My favourite thing to do is throw people off buildings. Now for some complaints:

1. I borrowed this game from my cousin so I can see why some people might be unhappy.
2. It's pretty short but is long enough, so don't go expecting a GTA game here more like Halo.
3. There are some glitches I think I felt two during the game.

Finally the ending, a lot of people griped about this. Including OXM who gave it the Worst Ending of the Year 'Award'. But in reality it's actually pretty good. The red lettering below is spoilers so if you don't want spoilers don't read the red and skip to the black.

The ending is fine. 1st you kill the "bad guy" and the you kill the real bad guy. and the story is over. But wait your character sees a map with a bunch of spots pointing to other orbs. So what do you expect him to suddenly start going to other places? That doesn't even make sense. You just fought through all the places in the Crusades era. So how would you tie it in to going other places. You can't! You'd have to make a sequel which is what their doing. So what if they let you know they're going to make a sequel! IT DOESN'T MEAN IT'S A CLIFF HANGER! This is the same thing with Halo 2. Even though it's the exact same as Prey and Halo 1 and you don't see anyone bitching about those! /end rant

Overall the game is very well made, very few bugs and glitches, fighting is quite fluid, story was great, graphics are great.

• Programming: 7/10 : I experienced a few glitches but combat/whole game was fluid.
• Graphics: 10/10 : Beautiful Game
• Story: 10/10 : Fun and entertaining. Can't wait for Assassin's Creed 2
• Atmosphere: 10/10 : Middle East during the Crusades is amazingly well detailed
• Control: 9/10 : Small problem with attack combos being a giant ass.
• Overall: 9/10 : Although it didn't have that "perfectness" to it. The game is definantly worth your money.

I'm gonna have to ask you to hold on because Lost is coming on in two minutes. I'll finish with this. I should never predict the weather again because there was a f***ing snow storm yesterday. 3 days left.