(For a recap of End of an Era, click here, here, and here)

It’s safe to say that Halo has integrated itself into videogame culture. I’ve contemplated before on how and why it did so, but then again, I’m just looking at it from my own perspective.

So I asked around the significance of Halo to the gaming community here in Singapore from the people, gamers and fans alike, who matter the most to Bungie. Thanks to my good pal Nizam from Nizam’s Space, here are their answers:

Azrirahmat

“What made the Halo series memorable was that the game producers were able to develop characters such as Master Chief and Cortana which both new and die hard fans can relate to. The music composers in Bungie were able to come up with great musical scores that was able to nicely synchronize with the current situation that you are in which made the gaming experience more exhilarating. One vivid example that comes to mind is final stage “The Maw” in the first Halo.

But the story wasn’t the only thing that mad the series a successful one. It was the multi-player aspect that fueled Halo’s success.With shooter game being unheard off on consoles. Bungie were able to change the FPS gaming mechanics which made it easier to play thus making it one of the games that revolutionized the FPS genre to what it is today. Finally what made Halo alive online was that Halo is very community based.

With the help of the upcoming Forge World, improved video-editing and many other tools, players are able to express their creativity in many ways, thus making the game fresh even up to now.”

Ryan Teo a.k.a “SPU7N1K”

“What made Halo memorable was not the new formulas that the game invented, but rather, the mix of already existent formulas to redefine Halo’s gameplay. For instance, the limiting of two weapons, the regenerating shield (and in Halo 2 onwards, health) encouraged tactical thinking. For hardcore fans of the series, what drew many in was the storyline.

From fighting close quarters on the Pillar of Autumn, to experiencing the huge open world environment on Halo, the missions were a mixed bag of pure fun and hellish encounters like the Flood. Graphically, the Halo series looks much different from other FPSes. Vibrant purple hues and blue-orange skies combined with the metallic green of Warthogs and the Master Chief himself, one look is all it takes to say “This. Is. HALO!””

Raja Tiwary

“Martin O’ Donnell: the man who contributed to the success of Halo. Halo will always remain close to my heart , it was the first game I played on a console vividly remember getting lost in the dark corridors of the first level and thinking to myself; this experience is worth the investment. Donnell’s music gives this game soul, and as anybody Halo needed his music to drive the storyline.

Of course quick gunplay and scenic backgrounds also had alot to do with the success , but it’s still the music which sticks with me the most. From the game’s code-name like”Monkey Nuts” and “Blam” , Halo has indeed come a long way. It stays in the hearts of gamers at least until Bungie can throw a whole new universe at us. Fingers crossed.”

Albert Hoolsema a.k.a “Razgriz Fllaga”

“When the original Halo:CE came out in 2001, it was an instant classic. There is no other game like it at that time. The game provides you with huge, beautiful game world to immerse yourself in epic storyline, great gameplay and controls that works for gamepads. The storyline also does a great job building lore without laying it on too thick and the plot arcs halfway through with new characters that make a significant impact on how the game actually plays.

Bungie also did a great job of expanding the storyline into novels (and a couple of graphic novels/comic books). They are all exceptionally well written and are a hit among both sci-fi fans and Halo fans alike. This also helps them into converting those non-gamers into gamers. Halo 2 also introduced us into the world of online gaming – namely Xbox Live.”

Leong Han Keow a.k.a “Duelist”

“The Halo series features game play elements never imagined to be possible. For example, “Halo Combat Evolved” showed the world unique open worlds and made vehicular combat possible in an FPS. Limiting your weapon-carrying count up to two helps  put strategic thinking and micro-managing into the genre.

Game play was not the only thing that made “Halo” great. The story that’s been woven into every single “Halo” game ties in together well. And, of course, Bungie introduced the Spartans – the brave, intelligent, fast, and super-strong soldiers who are more than human and even, at times, act human in every way.”

Thanks again to those who contributed to this piece.