What lovers see: PlayStation fanboys will heap undeserved criticism on this franchise no matter what the evidence, won’t they? Any rational observer can appreciate the painstaking labor of love that developer Bungie presents to its loyal community every few years. Halo is the entire package.

The settings, characters and weapons are instantly iconic. The story is epic and expansive, spreading into novels, comics and short films. The graphics are bright and bold. The soundtrack is a modern classic. The multiplayer is addictive, robust, accessible and, for these reasons, the most popular on the planet. Even the game’s core combat and control mechanics have been honed to a pure and almost instinctual science.

The Halo shooters are “made for the masses,” but we mean that in the
best possible way.

What haters see: Xbots will heap undeserved praise on this franchise no matter what the evidence, won’t they? Any rational observer can recognize the cheap and shameless cash-in that developer Bungie tries to pass off as new content to its brainwashed community every few years. Halo is a derivative joke.

The settings are unimaginative recyclables, the characters are animated cardboard cutouts and the weapons look like Happy Meal kids’ toys. In a remarkable feat, the story manages to be both sophomorically simple and hopelessly convoluted at the same time. The graphics are cartoony. The soundtrack is repetitive. The multiplayer is too full of potty-mouthed children and perverted frat boys to enjoy. The game’s combat and controls are no better, and often much worse, than its competition.

The Halo shooters are “made for the masses,” and we mean that in the worst possible way.

Notable battles:
why does halo suck / oh man halo sucks (random forums)
Most Influential Video Game in History (GameFAQS)
Most Overrated Game of All Time (GameLemon)
37 reasons to hate Halo 3 (GamesRadar)
Halo 3: Better than everything? (GamesRadar)
The Blue Grenades Stick (VG Cats)

Mar 16, 2009

The Top 7... Bitter rivalries
Take it outside, you two!

The Top 7... Worst parts of the best games
The most criminal imperfections of all time

The Top 7... Games that don't deserve nostalgia
Honestly, they were never that great in the first place