Alright. A lot of you know, I like Halo: CE a lot. And what's more, I love EPIC Capture the Flag matches. If it lasts longer than an hour, it can only get better from there. A few of you had mentioned you wouldn't mind playing a game of Epic Flag with me some night (probably not every night, but one takes what one can get). So I set out to create just that, an Epic CTF map and gametype for PGL to enjoy.
EPIC flag, for those who don't know, is essentially a CTF match that lasts over an hour. When a game lasts that long, it becomes very different than the Halo you find in matchmaking. It instead becomes very tactical and very teamwork oriented. You have to fight the enemy, you have to organize your team. All-star players become less important since they can no longer be counted on to carry a team. It becomes more focused on the team. And personally, I'm never happier when I'm playing Epic Flag.
So I just finished up my tweaks of both the Epic Flag gametype and a re-Forging of Valhalla to resemble Blood Gulch. I dug out my Halo:CE disc and threw it in my 360. Booting it up with my 2 controllers I proceeded to walk around and get a feel for the level, noting weapon's placements and such. I then returned to Forge and created my best approximation. It is certainly
not Blood Gulch. For example, you can't have Plasma Rifles for some inexplicable reason on Valhalla. And there are mancannons, which change a lot, but I put a teleporter in for old time's sake. It's not perfect, but I think it's a faithful rendition. I then looked at the CTF Pro settings in Halo: CE and cherrypicked with what I remember being my favorite settings from past totally awesome (read: especially long) CTF matches. And I finished both the Forge map and the gametype tonight.
But I'm not sure I'm ever going to use either. Why? Because when I was testing I discovered two (2) horrifying things that Bungie has changed that completely break my game (and my heart).
1) Indestructible vehicles.
What it is: This was a huge component of Halo 1 for me. If you made an unsuccessful run for the enemy's flag with a 'hog, then Congrats! The enemy team now has two warthogs with which to make their return assault.
Why I like it: It discourages haphazard Rambo style play. Since it's really hard to steal the flag without a vehicle, you can't just run across the map and lose the hog. Secondly, it introduces a secondary objective, which is vehicle management. Instead of always assaulting the flag, you can go on vehicle runs to recover your hog for your next assault. Likewise, a team must now divide resources between defending the flag, defending vehicles and assaulting the enemy flag and stealing enemy vehicles.
Why it's broken: In Halo 2, all vehicles were destructible. Always. So imagine my delight when Bungie announces that in Halo 3 would feature indestructible vehicles. Unfortunately, the vehicles will time-out and then respawn at their original point behind the bases. Thus breaking my mechanic. Even worse, is the way I had it set up, there were never any respawns. So once anyone walks away from a 'hog for the first time, the 'Hog disappears from the map forever.
2) Touch return for flags
What it is: If you steal an enemy's flag, then to return it, all they have to do is touch it. Standard CTF Pro configuration from Halo: CE.
Why I like it: Another tactical tweak to this gametype. It's extremely easy to return the flag, which means that defenders need to be well co-ordinated. You can no longer back on some all-star stealing the flag and getting it back to the mid-field where you can likely relay it back to your base. That ain't gonna cut it. You're going to be much better off, developing a strategy for how you're going to get your flag carrier in, out and back home than leaving some cowboy to charge off recklessly.
Why it's broken: Unlike previous versions, where physical touching of the flag was required, now if any defender gets within 15 meters (!) of the flag, it's an instant return. Apparently, you have hands that are 45 feet long and can touch a flag for the instant return. Worse yet, the touch mechanic can now be applied while driving a vehicle. So what was once a difficult encounter of getting into a tight perimeter of attackers and physically touching the flag is now reduced to a comical farce where a flag is automatically returned even if the attacker purposefully drops the flag within spitting distance of a defender.
Where do I stand now? Heartbroken. I tried looking at all the settings and the two issues here cannot be modified as far as I know. It's just not the same. *sigh* Of course, I just got up from my 360 and typed this post. I'm sure I'll be okay in the morning (read: probably not, but I will try really hard to stop complaining about in threads).
P.S. I warned you that there was going to be complaining.
P.P.S. If you can figure out how to fix these in Forge/ Custom Game modification, I will love you forever.
