Never settle for less than all you got...
Before my review, I had to say that Foman is SPOT ON about a great many things in Halo Reach (as it stands right now in the Beta). Movement is indeed TOO SLOW, to the point that the Sniper feels easier to use then before, and lining up headshots doesn't require you to worry as much about strafing. That doesn't sit right with me, because Halo needs more balance to reward good players then randomness. So my first main thing is please increase default movement speed and increase jump height. I understand that the Spartans in the Reach campaign aren't as advanced as the MC, but that being said, I believe that multiplayer should not follow the story, but should be more focused on solid gameplay above all else.
Weapons
I love the fact that dual wielding has been removed, for it allows every weapon to have more uses. In general the weapons are good, but I feel tweaks and changes should be made to some of them for the final release.
Pistol: This weapon is AMAZING! It destroys at close range and can also dominate at long range if used well. My suggestions for it, depend on what you do with bloom for the final release. If bloom is removed (unlikely, though you never know) then the weapon is excellent as it is. If bloom stays, I believe the Pistol needs a larger clip, slightly faster fire rate, and a 4 shot kill for skilled players who know how to aim and time shots. Bloom will be complained about less, if people who skillfully time each shot are rewarded quicker, as it should be.
DMR: I'm finding myself to love the DMR the more and more that I used it in the BETA. Even with Bloom, its insanely accurate, and is a force of dominance at long range. I would still suggest the same things that I did for the Pistol, if Bloom is kept, making the DMR a 4 shot weapon means that people still cannot spam the trigger, but will be rewarded much quicker for well placed skillful shots. Skillful playing should ALWAYS be rewarded in Halo. The DMR also needs a larger clip size, because I have tended to run out of shots for it much quicker than the BR, even though it fires single shots and not a 3 shot burst (which I 100% support, no more 3 shot weapons!) Finally, I do feel that the fastest fire rate should be increased on the DMR, to reward good shots in close to medium range. If Bloom is removed, like the Pistol the DMR is nearly perfect, but I still think it should be a 4 shot weapon with 4 single shots to the head, because it still requires WAY more skill then leading 3 bullet bursts with the BR into a 4 shot, because you must manually aim every shot (I fully support this Bungie, NO MORE 3 shot bursts)
Needler Rifle: This weapon has excellent accuracy and good fire speed, but it serously needs a damage buff, it takes way too many shots to kill, even at long range.
AR: Of all the weapons, this is my last favorite. It sounds AWESOME but it simply lacks killing power, even more so than the AR in Halo 3. Needs a damage buff and a smaller reticule.
Grenades Nerf the damage. This is really REALLY needed, they are way to powerful.
Melee/Beatdowns: Please make the beatdowns like they were in Halo 3, the double melee as of now makes it far too easy to get kills at close range.
All of the other weapons are fantastic, Plasma Repeater destroys, the Pro Pipe is amazing and the Plasma Pistol is back to epic ownage status to name a few. My only other major suggestion, [b] please make the recitcules more opaque! They are extremely hard to see as of now, and nearly IMPOSSIBLE in split screen. This needs a fix please for the final game!
Game Modes + Arena
From the modes that I have seen so far, I have really enjoyed them. Stockpile is a fantastic new take on CTF, don't change a thing! I found Headhunter frustrating initially, but once I learned to select the correct loadouts, I have come to enjoy it more, Headhunter is very level dependent on how good it is. On a side note, I love most of the loadouts, but I think Guard needs a slight nerf, Sprint/Evade should be default abilities and replaced with something else, and Camo shouldn't be a radar jammer.
I bloody LOVE Invasion. To me, it is the best thing Bungie has EVER done with BTB, and I've already forgotten that Squad Battle and Social Big Team were ever in H3. My only suggestions, increase the maximum players to 8 on 8, or even 10 on 10 (if possible of course)!
Plus, how about some Big Team Covenant levels, as well as new large UNSC ones for the final release, or down the road after release. I love Boneyard, and want more Big team Battlefields! Since its also Spartans VS Elites, how about some more modes with them facing off? I also think that while Spartans and Elites on a team may not work, Elites and Spartans should be able to face each in FFA matches, Spartan and Elites VS themselves where anyone can beat anyone, regardless of race.
Arena is a fantastic new ranking system! Truly exceptional, I will never miss the old H3 ranking system. My only suggestion here is to add more detailed descriptions of the system, what your rank means, how you go up, and just more details in general. And how about some more Arena modes? Objective and Invasion ranked playlists anyone? And how about ranked FFA and Slayer Pro playlists? That would be awesome.
Armory & Credits: The Armory and Credit system have a lot of potential, but it needs A LOT MORE in the final release. First off all, we need MORE COLORS. The ones right now are kind of bland (with the exception of Black & White) and their are too few body parts that we can customize. In the final, we should be able to customize the color of our visors, and not just chest and shoulders, but feet, legs, boots and much more. And why can't we see emblems on our Spartans?! That's just silly...
As for credits, some stuff is WAY to expensive in the Beta! For 20,000 credits, I'm thinking something like Recon or a special new armor, not just another headpiece for Military Police. For that many credits, it needs to be worth the price. And why can't we mix and match accessory headpieces with every helmet, why are they helmet specific? Every helmet should be able to have access to the same head acessories, like the one for the default starting helmet that makes you look more like Master Chief, I think every head should have that option. Obviously those who win consistently, should also get more credits then those who don't, but someone who performs well, even on a loosing team should still get rewards.
Forge & Custom Games
Please read this thread Bungie.
Theater Mode
A better Third Person camera for the final game, its really wonky and doesn't have good angles on your Spartan/Elite. How about Youtube uploading for Bungie Pro subscribers?
Final Thoughts
Overall, for a Beta, Reach has been a lot of fun to play for me! I can already see the incredible effort that has been put into the game to evolve the franchise. I love Invasion, love the new ranking system, love the new levels (maybe not Swordbase, I feel it needs more graphical polish for the final game and easier ways around the level) and new gameplay mechanics. That being said, since it is Beta, I could tell from my playtime that a LOT more work will need to be put into the game to make Halo Reach the best that it possibly can be. I have faith in Bungie as a game developer though. Please heed some of my suggestions, as well as those from the hardcore Bungie community, as well as the casuals. If the final game satisfies both the casual and the hardcore, I have no doubts that Halo Reach will become the greatest Halo installment yet!
[Edited on 05.20.2010 10:33 AM PDT]