Close quarters combat
In many ways, theCrimson Map Packwas a bit of a letdown forHalo 4fans.
The over-emphasis on vehicles and the concept of giant new maps on top of over-saturated giant maps from the base game was really frustrating, and didn’t do any favors for old-schoolHalofans who were seeking that classic arena-based feel.
If you were one of those frustrated people, you should definitely pick up theMajestic Map Pack.
Halo 4: Majestic Map Pack(Xbox 360)Developer: 343 Industries/Certain AffinityPublisher: Microsoft StudiosRelease: February 25, 2013MSRP: $9.99 (Part of the $24.99 Season Pass)
There’s really no bells and whistles here — you’re getting three eight-player-centric maps: “Landfall,” “Monolith,” and “Skyline” — and … that’s about it.
They’re all fairly symmetrical and highly reminiscent of the original game — and that’s a good thing.
This map has potential for lots of mid-range rifle fights, thanks to the numerous openings and tunnels you can sneak your sights down into. In the end, it’s not the flashiest level ever, but I have a feeling the competitive community will love it.
That’s not to say the entire experience is plain: if you look into the background, you’ll see a pretty cool war going on in a faraway city. This attention to detail is basically a staple of this pack, as all of the backdrops are absolutely gorgeous.
If only this amount of effort went into every FPS map pack.
It’s shaped like a square, it’s symmetrical, and it’s very reminiscent ofHalo 1. You can get into some pretty nasty close-quarters combat underneath the spires, which brought on some of my favorite moments. Snipers will love it as well, as the openness lends itself very well to long-ranged combat.
Like the other two, “Skyline” is a beautiful-looking map. Given the multiple height levels, it’s perfect for FFA games and Capture The Flag, but really, it can accommodate anything.
Expect to have people sneak up on you all the time on this map, as it has so many hidden alcoves and ramps that it almost feels likean M.C. Escher painting.
Like “Monolith,” I also think this one of the better maps in the game from both a competitive and casual standpoint. Although people may feel like “Landfall” isn’t anything special, the other two manage to meld the concept of interesting, exciting visuals with great layouts.
343 has proven itself to be a quick learner in terms of what the community really wants out of itsHalomaps. This is a much better effort than the somewhat forgettableCrimson Map Pack, because it allows for faster, more intense matches without having to wait for long, drawn-out vehicle wars.
