Halo 4 criticized for not having iron sights...wut?

[Uncanny Doom]

Do people not understand that whatever you call it, they're both just different zoom features? Iron Sights or a scoped crosshair both have the same function, they're just presented different stylistically. Halo has had it's own unique zoom since the franchise started, it shouldn't get rid of it just because every other FPS has been using Iron Sight since Call of Duty 4.

 

[el derpenburgo]

The idea that people here are actually entertaining the idea of having ironsights in Halo is baffling. The weapons you actually need precision aim for already do have sights. How many times do you see yourself ADS with shotguns in CoD or Battlefield? I hate to ask this, but have you guys even played the game?

OT: I read the review and it was amazing. Especially this bit:

Spoiler

A large part of this problem stems from the fact that, unlike most modern games that claim to care about narrative, Halo 4 doesn?t seem interested in moving into modern storytelling via integrated objectives, causing the campaign to quickly degenerate into a rinse-repeat relay of pumping way too many bullets into the same half-dozen enemies over and over on your way to pushing some random-ass button or blowing up a shield generator?only to find yourself forced to backtrack through yet another sea of the same bad guys who?ve magically spawned in behind your position.

Which pretty much sums up his complete ignorance, basically admitting that he didn't really give a crap about the story and wanted to be taken on a nice rollercoaster to see the pretty pretty graphics. I admit I haven't played the Halo 4 campaign but I know the Halo gunplay is fun enough to make fighting hordes of bad guys bearable, at least more than fighting the same guys with the same guns as you do in modern military shooters, and MW3 gets a 9. I wish this guy was trolling.

 

[cookyt]

There are several people here saying "it's just an opinion." Just because it's an opinion, does not ,mean it cannot be criticized.

Here's a scenario: a critic walks into a restaurant known for its chocolate pies, orders a chocolate pie, eats it, and gives it a bad review because he's not a fan of chocolate and prefers blueberry. While he's not lying, his review is entirely pointless and useless to anyone looking for a good chocolate pie.

It's the same here, criticizing it for not having iron sights is pointless because that's not the reason you play Halo. In general, it's a poor criticism to make for any FPS because the iron sight mechanic is not universally and indisputably better than alternative aiming mechanics. You could, maybe, make an argument that the aiming system used is wonky or poorly implemented, but that's not what is being said here.

You might as well criticize Halo for its lack of mushrooms to jump on or dragons to slay.

 

[Spoonius]

I like you erttheking.

OT: Iron sights aren't even necessary for an accuracy boost, weapons like the Assault Rifle are already extremely accurate when fired in short bursts. I think many of you would be surprised by its effective range when firing single shots.

 

[Demongeneral109]

I mean, everyone has a right to their opinion but...

But what? Their opinion is wrong if you don't agree? Their opinion is wrong if they criticise something you like? Maybe Halo 4 would be better with iron sights? Who knows? Question mark???

Uh...no, I just find it rather bizarre that a game series I liked is being criticized for not confirming to do everything COD style...why so hostile?

Why so defensive? It's just an opinion from this reviewer. If reviewers weren't allowed to give their opinions then reviews would be awfully boring, albeit informative.

Uh...how am I being defensive? I'm just pointing this completely bizarre review.

You're defending this game from the reviewers opinion saying that his opinion is bizarre simply because you disagree with him, or because you don't want Halo to change into something akin to CoD.

If there is a rating system that'll let you down vote him or something, then use that. But preaching about how he is wrong is simply taking too far I think.

Im beating a dead horse here but im going to summarize the problem people have with this review


The fact is that most of the shooters coming out today qualify under the 'realistic FPS' genre, which uses Aim Down Sights as a mechanic to create the feeling of having to brace against recoil, while also slowing down the pace of the game and leading to a 'reflex' style game play, forcing the choice between speed and weapons accuracy. The set pieces thing is rather self explanatory, as far as Halo fans are concerned, it limits player options.
For the Iron sights, it comes down to the fact that they are incompatible to Halo's play style, which involves lots of running around, jumping, and just moving in general, the exact opposite of the twitch gameplay we see in COD. They are(admittedly in an overblown manner) defending the entire style of play of which Halo is somewhat of a last bastion.

The reviewer essentially states that Halo 4 would be better if he removed some of the most important aspects that gave it the 'Halo' style, tone, and feel; without the features he (either directly or indirectly)claims are outdated or unnecessary, Halo wouldn't be Halo... it does seem kinda silly i guess, but Halo is innovative by not innovating in this case. Its defying current genre conventions, and is a relief from the cookie-cutter shooters that have come out lately; even if Halo is still the same as it ever was, nobody can say it feels like any other shooter out there( MW and BF do have the same 'feeling' regardless of their significant differences)

So... TLDR Halo is its own style of shooter, and saying it should adopt ill-fitting conventions of other sub-genres is insulting to the fans and the series as a whole to some people; particularly if you claim that its an objective improvement to do so.

Hope this helps~

 

[Therumancer]

Well, I'd imagine the review is aimed more at casuals, actual gamers are fairly rare, and casuals just kind of want to be lead as opposed to having to explore, make desicians, and risk missing something. The review doesn't surprise me when really that's what most people playing games are increasingly like.

When it comes to "Iron Sights" it's very similar. I'm not a big FPS player, but the big thing with Iron Sights is that as implemented in most games they show you exactly where your shot is going to go, making using them almost a "point and click" affair. If you have Iron Sights, line them up for even a second, and hit the button while they are in line, you score a hit. It makes things much easier than actually having to eyeball things and aim, especially when things get hectic.

Ironically Iron Sights is so popular because games rarely take into account things like gravity, the natural fall of a bullet, and similar things. Half the point of people liking them is that they are usually a way around the variables put into the game's physics engine (if they exist).

That said, I don't begrudge casuals playing their games, I just wish people would lay off trying to make every game have casual features. Halo is enough of a casual "Bro" game as it is without making it even more so.

 

[LongMuckDong]

Spartans don't need iron sites, they're mother-fucking Spartans.

Their iron sites are burnt into their pale robotic eyes, silly.

 

[Lugbzurg]

So, this guy is whining about some really awesome features that are making me want to get into the Halo series even more, now that there's this new installment that's had enough of enough, and goes for something new? Awesome. I've gotta give Halo another look. But I may need an X-Box 360 first.

It feels kind of like Halo feels responsible for the two-weapon slots and regenerating health/shields. So, Halo 4 comes along and breaks from repetition/tradition.

That's what I love about Halo. In an age where everything is pre-scripted, linear and full of looking down Ironsights Halo would stand up, shout "ENOUGH!", put on a jetpack and punch an ostrich...

I simply love that. Well said. (From what I know about Halo.)