5 Franchises We Don't Want To See Next-Gen

Posted on Friday, July 27 @ 10:30:00 Eastern by Daniel Bischoff

As the shadow of the next-generation looms over this current one, I'm ultimately hopeful for the future. A new console hopefully means new games and a new IPs. Well, at least it'll mean new games for sure. As the Xbox 360 and PS3 take forever to ride off into the sunset, I realize that there are far too many franchises.

In order to make room for new ideas and new characters in the next generation, here are five franchises I never want to see again.

Halo

Halo has earned a special spot at the front of the list for one reason: They won't let Master Chief die. Halo is the one franchises I am 100% sure will make it into the next-generation.

The first trilogy of Master Chief games straddled the line between old and new hardware, and even allowed the original Xbox to limp on in the face of the 360. While the series has gone from launch day to multiplayer-phenomenon to Reach, I'd much rather see Halo 4 take a turn for the apocalypse.

Do we really need more shooting aliens in the face? I'm all for science-fiction games, but I've had enough Halo to last me a lifetime. It was like nails on a chalkboard to hear that they're planning for a brand new trilogy. Do you realize that Halo has been around for OVER 10 YEARS. Am I really supposed to care about this green guy for two decades?!

Call of Duty

You had to see this coming, right? If I'm bored with Halo, I have to be bored with Halo: Real People Combat.

I've played a new Call of Duty game for every year of my life since 2006? How many goddamn soldiers am I supposed to have shot and killed? How many world wars am I supposed to have single-handedly stopped and/or prevented? How many times do I have to see that quick-scoping son of a bitch sit on my face?

If anything, it's the fans that make me want to leave Call of Duty behind in the dusty ol' Xbox 360. What if these games didn't have a multiplayer component? I'm sure the single-player would be a lot better. I'm sure we wouldn't have to buy one every year. Call of Duty is the new Madden, and I'm sick of it.

Well, Madden is still Madden. Call of Duty is just crap, I guess.

Pokémon

When I was younger, sure, I enjoyed Pokémon. Then Pokémon Yellow came out and I just couldn't keep up. Pikachu follows him around in this one? You can only pick pikachu?!?! What the fuck!

Now there's tons and tons of Pokémon. Did you know there's a Pokémon called Poophead? There isn't? Well, there might be if you look through all bajillion of them! Pokémon has gotten way too big for its own good. I think it's time to take Gamefreak out back and put it out of its misery... by giving it an opportunity to make a different game.

And now?! What? Direct sequels? Black and White Version 2? No, I just... I can't--.

Uncharted

I've had it up to here (my hand is really high right now) with this half-tucked asshole and his sack-of-bones grandfather. Go home! Take a fucking shower you dirty, stinky thief!

Nathan and Elena are married. Now Elena needs to crack the whip and keep Drake at home. There's no excuse for behavior like this when you're trying to raise a family. What? I'm supposed to believe that they're not getting busy? They are way too pretty for that. They're probably giving birth to their ninth or tenth kid already!

And there's no way treasure hunting and eventually getting everything in your posession stolen by the villain and then miraculously getting it back pays very well. Let this franchise stay buried in the desert where no one can find it.

Assassin's Creed

*GASP* I know! Shocker, right? No, not really. Having seen what Ubisoft is doing with Watch Dogs, I'm ready to say goodbye to our hooded heroes. As a series, Assassin's Creed has made a ton of money and gone to a ton of different places, but ultimately, the yearly release schedule has landed me squarely in fatigue.

And how long does something you love last anyway? The enjoyment we reap from video games is fleeting and oftentimes met with the harshest, loudest criticism from outside sources.

The truth is, this is an industry built on new ideas and fresh faces. It can't possibly sustain itself with just 5 franchises. Take E3 2012. The industry's biggest showcase was a gathering of been-there-done-thats. A new Gears of War? Because that's what we all wanted, right?

I enjoy sequels as much as anyone else. God knows I've played and enjoyed and evangelized plenty of them. Still, it's time to move on. If anything, the dependence on franchises coupled with the longer-than-should-be console generation have created a huge gap in sales. Let's give some new ideas a chance.

Tags: Halo, Call of Duty, Pokemon, Uncharted, Assassin's Creed

Comments

NecroWolf
Joined: Oct 2005

Posted: Jul 26th, 2012 at 6:53 pm
I agree with all of these except Assassin's Creed, because I want to play Assassin's Creed 3. I am a consumer whore.

2 4

Squiggy
Joined: Nov 2005

Posted: Jul 26th, 2012 at 8:12 pm
And how!

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danielrbischoff
Joined: Nov 2009

Posted: Jul 26th, 2012 at 11:17 pm
I definitely want to play it too! Looks great!

1 2

ballabert
Joined: Jul 2011

Posted: Jul 27th, 2012 at 10:37 am
Agree with all of these. I really want to play ACIII but I was getting pretty sick of climbing buildings and assassinating the same way everytime. But they need to stick a fork in it... unless they listen to my idea of AC in fuedal Japan, why haven't we had a ninja AC yet?

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Delta47
Joined: Feb 2008

Posted: Jul 26th, 2012 at 7:19 pm
anything but assassin's creed :(

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danielrbischoff
Joined: Nov 2009

Posted: Jul 26th, 2012 at 11:18 pm
Haha, I love it too. Watch_Dogs will be plenty like Assassin's Creed.

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213EDD
Joined: Sep 2007

Posted: Jul 26th, 2012 at 7:24 pm
Fuck assassins creed. Ending that stream of comments right now.

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Jonathan_Leack
Joined: Jan 2012

Posted: Jul 26th, 2012 at 7:47 pm
As crazy as this article comes off, it's totally true. All five of these series have run their course. It's time for some new material.

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Jobin_Wendy
Joined: Mar 2012

Posted: Jul 26th, 2012 at 8:59 pm
I disagree about Uncharted. Maybe it's just because I enjoyed all three so much. I'd say one or two more iterations and I'll say no more.

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danielrbischoff
Joined: Nov 2009

Posted: Jul 26th, 2012 at 11:20 pm
Uncharted certainly has the cinematic has to go two more iterations, but ultimately someone else will figure out exactly how to do that style of game with a bigger, better concept. Star Wars 1313 certainly appears to mimic Uncharted's gameplay.

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warmaster670
Joined: Jun 2007

Posted: Jul 26th, 2012 at 7:48 pm
I wish pokemon werent such crap anymore, you know you're scraping the bottom of the barrel when your making pokemon out of ice cream cones and garbage bags, either kil it or start making pokemon that dont look like they were designed by a 5 year old.

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wildmario
Joined: Jan 2007

Posted: Jul 26th, 2012 at 9:05 pm
Probably won't stop till they hit 1000 of the buggers

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Chunibrow
Joined: Mar 2010

Posted: Jul 26th, 2012 at 9:19 pm
I have been calling for a 3d Pokemon game for years, it could be so good

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wildmario
Joined: Jan 2007

Posted: Jul 26th, 2012 at 9:21 pm
3D? People been demanding a full console version of the main Pokemon franchise since forever and not spinoffs like Pokemon Stadium/Battle Revolution/some other stupid name

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Chunibrow
Joined: Mar 2010

Posted: Jul 26th, 2012 at 10:39 pm
Yeah that's what I mean, a regular Pokemon game but not with the same sprites they've been using for 15 years. I think they could really make it cool if they put a lot of effort into it.

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danielrbischoff
Joined: Nov 2009

Posted: Jul 26th, 2012 at 11:22 pm
Even if they remade Red and Blue would I be interested at this point.

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Snacko
Joined: Jul 2011

Posted: Jul 27th, 2012 at 3:00 am
Uh, they did.

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danielrbischoff
Joined: Nov 2009

Posted: Jul 27th, 2012 at 9:33 am
I mean in 3D.

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danielrbischoff
Joined: Nov 2009

Posted: Jul 26th, 2012 at 11:21 pm
Exactly my point. My brain can only care about 125. I'm lucky they kept my attention with 150 in the beginning.

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theoutcast32
Joined: Oct 2005

Posted: Jul 26th, 2012 at 8:25 pm
i dont want to see any of the old nintendo or sega characters. im tired of looking at mario, zelda, samus, sonic, etc. ive been seeing them for 20+ years!

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danielrbischoff
Joined: Nov 2009

Posted: Jul 26th, 2012 at 11:22 pm
Too true! If I could have made more choices...

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Ranim
Joined: Nov 2005

Posted: Jul 26th, 2012 at 8:29 pm
Perfect Dark.

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Snacko
Joined: Jul 2011

Posted: Jul 26th, 2012 at 9:07 pm
I actually agree with all of these, but I agree with the Uncharted entry for different reasons than the others. I think the series has been fantastic and that the story has run its course and come to a satisfying conclusion. I actually think that Naughty Dog is probably done with it, and that's good. It's not that the series was getting tired, but it's over and The Last of Us looks amazing.

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danielrbischoff
Joined: Nov 2009

Posted: Jul 26th, 2012 at 11:24 pm
Last of Us certainly does look great! See? Naughty Dog was so ready for a next generation they went ahead and started a new franchise.

I wouldn't doubt LoU could be a PS4 game.

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Klandathu
Joined: Apr 2008

Posted: Jul 26th, 2012 at 9:12 pm
I hate to be *that* guy, but I really wish Valve would quit cramming Half Life down our throats. It seems like they have a new HL game or DLC being released every five f*****g minutes. Seriously guys, work on something else for a change. Sheesh...

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danielrbischoff
Joined: Nov 2009

Posted: Jul 26th, 2012 at 11:25 pm
I lol'd, then I cried.

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Chunibrow
Joined: Mar 2010

Posted: Jul 26th, 2012 at 9:21 pm
Nice article Dan. How about "5 IPs That We Want A Sequel For Next Generation" for the next article? I think it could be equally as stirring.

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Chunibrow
Joined: Mar 2010

Posted: Jul 26th, 2012 at 10:49 pm
Oh and I'll get the ball rolling with Kingdoms of Amalur, Elder Scrolls, Red Dead, Batman, and Fallout. Not counting on that first one though.

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danielrbischoff
Joined: Nov 2009

Posted: Jul 26th, 2012 at 11:25 pm
:) how'd you know?

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Chunibrow
Joined: Mar 2010

Posted: Jul 27th, 2012 at 12:42 pm
Im your Canadian doppelgänger

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Greywolfe1982
Joined: Jan 2008

Posted: Jul 26th, 2012 at 9:26 pm
Uncharted needs a break, not to be killed off. Assassin's Creed 3 seems to be shaping up very nicely. Revelations felt rushed, but before then it had just kept getting better. And Pokemon...I fail to see why you getting confused over lots of additions to the franchise (oh my goodness, a steel type? What's that?) is reason to stop the franchise.

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danielrbischoff
Joined: Nov 2009

Posted: Jul 26th, 2012 at 11:26 pm
Thumbs up for opinions!!

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TheJx4
Joined: Jun 2011

Posted: Jul 26th, 2012 at 9:36 pm
This has got to be one of the worst things ever.

Uncharted yes, everything else...no. I'm really looking forward to what they do with a next-gen Call of Duty. A better name for this article would be "5 franchises that don't need another release this gen"

"has been around for OVER 10 YEARS"

What about Mario, Sonic, Zelda, etc. You only listed blockbuster action game franchises.

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TheJx4
Joined: Jun 2011

Posted: Jul 26th, 2012 at 9:38 pm
"HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO SAVE THE PRINCESS?"

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danielrbischoff
Joined: Nov 2009

Posted: Jul 26th, 2012 at 11:27 pm
I knew this response was coming from you :P

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TheJx4
Joined: Jun 2011

Posted: Jul 28th, 2012 at 12:44 pm
But is it baseless? Call of Duty has extreme potential, despite it being locked on a treadmill for the past few years. Halo is...Halo, and I honestly wasn't a fan of Reach. So I'm still waiting on a suitable successor to Halo 3. Pokemon, sure...throw it away. Unless they make a console game, a REAL one.

Uncharted and AC, are new IPs (barely at this point), so why would you want them to be thrown out so early? Because they're mainstream?

I'm sure if Uncharted was only a cult hit, you wouldn't be saying the same.

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Bras
Joined: Jul 2008

Posted: Jul 26th, 2012 at 9:59 pm
I want III to be the last Assassin's Creed.
I also plan to play Pokemon Black but I fear I might be overwhelmed like I was with Silver (I couldn't get to the middle of it), and it's only for nostalgia purposes.

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Barth_Vader
Joined: Nov 2005

Posted: Jul 27th, 2012 at 1:18 am
the mmorpg model of nowadays. it is pure cancer and has been since forever. needs a complete overhaul.

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danielrbischoff
Joined: Nov 2009

Posted: Jul 27th, 2012 at 10:21 am
Partly why I'm excited about GW2, kind of a hybrid F2P micro-transaction model there.

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used44
Joined: Mar 2002

Posted: Jul 27th, 2012 at 1:25 am
Agree with Halo, mostly because no more Bungie.
Disagree with COD, I could see some major innovations on that framework
Agree with Pokemon, I hold almost no nostalgia for it, so **** it. They had their chance at a "next gen" game and chose to remake the same one 40 times instead
Uncharted, don't know
AssCreed, strongly agree. Kill that franchise with fire. I was done after a game and a half.

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danielrbischoff
Joined: Nov 2009

Posted: Jul 27th, 2012 at 10:21 am
You don't even play Call of Duty do you?

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used44
Joined: Mar 2002

Posted: Jul 27th, 2012 at 1:27 pm
Not anymore. I played a fair amount of MW2 and especially Blops. Then I discovered Battlefield was more my style/pace. I don't play many multiplayer games at all anymore though...

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intoTheRain
Joined: Jul 2006

Posted: Jul 27th, 2012 at 5:02 am
yea uncharted is the one i have a problem with too, but it's the kind of game that can benefit HUGE as new technology comes around. so as someone said, shouldn't be killed off, just given a break.

the rest i'm indifferent to

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daverabbit
Joined: Oct 2008

Posted: Jul 27th, 2012 at 6:14 am
I, for one, am super intrigued to see what Bungie does now that they've separated themselves from Halo. What other companies are out there making new IPs that you are dying to hear about?

Aren't we mostly to blame for blindly purchasing these more of the same sequels?

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Alex_Osborn
Joined: Jan 2012

Posted: Jul 27th, 2012 at 7:48 am
I agree with Uncharted whole heartedly. I still love my Halo and honestly, how could you say no to Pikachu? The Pokemon franchise is really the only handheld series I've ever gotten into... and that's saying something.

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wildmario
Joined: Jan 2007

Posted: Jul 27th, 2012 at 8:25 am
Because Pikachu is a cheating ****er whose voice is as annoying as Navi

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Kakulukia
Joined: Nov 2005

Posted: Jul 27th, 2012 at 9:03 am
There's a Pokemon called Trubbish. He's a garbage bag with eyes.
Yes, it's time they let that series die.

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danielrbischoff
Joined: Nov 2009

Posted: Jul 27th, 2012 at 10:34 am
So pretty close to Poophead....

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Mr_Pieper
Joined: Feb 2009

Posted: Jul 27th, 2012 at 1:11 pm
Call of Duty needs to stop so I stop buying them and getting angry about it. I have all of the AC games but can't get through 2 because I get bored. So glad I stopped at Halo 3.

Pokemon IS a garbage bag with eyes. I shall call him Poophead.

Muska Kills

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warmaster670
Joined: Jun 2007

Posted: Jul 27th, 2012 at 2:44 pm
I know plenty about it, especially about how theve been making shitty pokemon for the last 3 gens or so of them.

The games could be the best games in existance, wont matter if the pokemon look like a 5 year olds drawings.

really, how can anyone defend garbage bag and oce cream cone pokemon? at least the original 150 were more realistic, even 151-300 or whatever erent so bag, then they start getting stupider, more anime, and more stylised, many of them dont even look like they could really exist, not to mention the fact that each game is pretty much the same with some some adjustments and tweaks, yet it never gets bashed like CoD does.

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inferno003
Joined: Jul 2012

Posted: Jul 27th, 2012 at 3:15 pm
im sorry but you wrong in regards to the HALO SERIES!

HALO: the fps that revolutionized shooters on consoles! LAN party's were amazing!
HALO 2: the game that carried XBL service to greatness!
HALO 3: the conclusion to the story of the (halo rings)
ODST: not a game, a expansion! also offered one of the better coop modes: firefight
HWARS: not part of the series as far as im concerned, different company & different style of game!
REACH: the step forward i feel H3 should have been, finally more spartans!
ANNERVERSARY: just a remake of one of the greatest shooters of all time! (optional buy)

like or hate halo, it revolutionized console shooters, and was one of the 1st to have a good story! im sorry but their are alot of sci fi fans out there and as far a fps goes, there is no better sci fi shooter series than HALO!

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danielrbischoff
Joined: Nov 2009

Posted: Jul 27th, 2012 at 10:08 pm
Don't get me wrong. I love these franchises, but I'm ready for them to fade away and make room for new brands. Assassin's Creed in particular I'm very fond of.

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inferno003
Joined: Jul 2012

Posted: Jul 28th, 2012 at 3:07 am
i dont want a style of game to fade while theirs not anything like it to fill the gap...
im a sci fi fan, & i love shooters... as far as MP goes the only sci fi shooters ive really enjoyed on 360 are HALO REACH, some H3, UNREAL TOURNAMENT 3 & AVP...

these games are all so different i dont see how any could replace each other! and UT3 & AVP really didnt get the respect they deserve! both were good shooters that are completely different than everything on the market, but the community died too fast...

i really wish UT3 & AVP would have been 360 vs pc crossover titles like shadowrun... that would have been a good move that would have helped both titles!

i do see your point, but... i think we need a break from the yearly releases more than the others...
i love assassins creed but they shouldnt be yearly... madden could use a break as well as cod & wwe wrestling titles!

all of these should make 1 really good game and give it longevity with expansions & updates!

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inferno003
Joined: Jul 2012

Posted: Jul 27th, 2012 at 3:20 pm
the halo series has always been a innovative powerhouse in multiplayer & it has always boasted great soundtracks that bring the game to life...

halo also offers one of the most complete gaming packages:

you get a 4 player story mode, coop firefight mode, balanced competitive multiplayer, map editor & a theater mode that can record anything you do in game!
not to mention customizable game modes for longevity...

what other fps game offers you this much out of the box?

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zanzibarmcfate
Joined: Oct 2011

Posted: Jul 27th, 2012 at 7:32 pm
Do you work for Microsoft's marketing department?

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inferno003
Joined: Jul 2012

Posted: Jul 28th, 2012 at 3:11 am
no, im just a sci fi fan that enjoys the halo series! theirs alot of good storytelling do be done in this franchise, ive read 4 of the books & 2 of them were so good id recommend them to non gamer sci fi fans!

HALO: FALL OF REACH & HALO: GHOSTS OF ONYX

i just feel this game gets bashed far too much & it really doesnt deserve it... i know a big part of it is sony fanboys that trash anything microsoft... but still, it gets ridiculous sometimes...

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inferno003
Joined: Jul 2012

Posted: Jul 27th, 2012 at 3:32 pm
as far as people saying they mad too many too fast... i strongly disagree!

here are the main games releases:
halo: 2001
halo 2: 2004
halo3: 2007
reach: 2010
halo 4: 2012

aside from the 2 year gap to halo 4 all games are 3 years apart, which is more than enough time between games!

like i said odst was nothing more than a expansion that came with h3 maps...
halo wars is not part of the series!
and anniversary is a option buy remake for fans only...

ive noticed, online whether its film, music, or games it doesn't matter, if something is successful people will blindly hate it for no reason, its quite pathetic if you ask me...

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Kanklez
Joined: Jun 2011

Posted: Jul 27th, 2012 at 8:57 pm
I don't hate halo blindly I hate it because it had, even for its time when compared to what was on pc, a story with a retarded plot, level design that was terrible and repetitive and weapon balance that was way off.

As for the list of games that need to die I'd disagree with all but CoD. In all other cases I'd much prefer for them to just hand over the franchises to radically different companies to do with as they wish. Could you imagine Valve's take on Pokemon or if you let Relic do a Homeworld style game using the halo universe. These franchises aren't needing o die, just to change radically.

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danielrbischoff
Joined: Nov 2009

Posted: Jul 27th, 2012 at 10:09 pm
I would love to see where these games went in different genres.

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inferno003
Joined: Jul 2012

Posted: Jul 28th, 2012 at 3:18 am
as far as the story goes your in the minority... ask nearly any reviewer, halo fan or xbox fan & you'll hear the same thing, all aspects of HALO 1 are unanimously loved!

and as far as the comparison to pc, why even bother?
we all know pc games are more advanced and for the most part better than console games...

like i said as far as console shooter are concerned, HALO did revolutionize them... it was the 1st truly great 16+player shooter on consoles and for consoles, not just a port like quake & UT on dreamcast...

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CaptainPicard
Joined: Sep 2010

Posted: Aug 24th, 2012 at 1:16 am
Dude you obviously didnt play much Halo, cause it sported some of the most beautiful levels of any shooter, and aside from a few exceptions the weapons were balanced very well. And the story is awesome lol...i guess its all in the eye of the beholder.

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CaptainPicard
Joined: Sep 2010

Posted: Aug 24th, 2012 at 1:12 am
great article Daniel! You are definitely at your funniest when youre angry :P

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mountshikhar
Joined: Oct 2012

Posted: Oct 29th, 2012 at 9:47 am
I JUST MADE A FUCKING ACCOUNT TO COMMENT. ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND YOU FUCKING FUCKTARD? ALL THESE GAMES ARE LEGENDARY .... YOU ARE JUST AN OLD FART EATING NACHOS AND PLAYING 2D GAMES ... -_- BUHBYE. M GONNA DELETE MY ACCOUNT COZ MY PURPOSE IS DONE

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rf40928
Joined: Nov 2012

Posted: Nov 12th, 2012 at 7:43 pm
Bischoff your thinking is flawed to say the least. Games are only worth making if they sell - Its the gamers who decide with their dollars if a franchise is worth continuing - not people like you. They won't kill COD or Halo because they are the two must popular games selling now. Halo 4 just got released and guess what ? It's a great game - better then Halo 3. Yeah I was surprised myself but its true. You said above "They won't let Halo die" - Correction: fans decide that ... Don't believe me? Mario has been around 30 years Bischoff!! Do your homework if you want to be 'somewhat' credible! Mario has been on 30 yrs! 3 times longer then MasterChief ( Halo ) !! Ok, hope you can write something more thought out next time...

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rf40928
Joined: Nov 2012

Posted: Nov 12th, 2012 at 7:55 pm
Halo 4 is way better then Reach ever was 343 outdid Bungie H4 is a worthy successor to H3 Peace

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JWrangler98
Joined: Dec 2012

Posted: Dec 1st, 2012 at 7:59 am
343I did a great job with Halo 4 but it doesnt mean Bungie is a bad company. If it wasnt for Bungie we wouldnt even have Halo and while 343I had 4 years to work on Halo 4 Bungie only had 2 to make reach and reaches story wasnt bad but their multiplayer maps on reach sucked.

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JWrangler98
Joined: Dec 2012

Posted: Dec 1st, 2012 at 7:56 am
Pokemon, i used to love it but now it just seems like they are running out of pokemon ideas,Uncharted ive never cared for,Assasins creed just got three im trying to get into the series, and as for CoD BO2 was probably one of the better ones for a long time but it can go for all i care.
Finally........Halo needs to stay! Halo has founded a whole universe with so much depth in it along with mystery everywere. Since i am a Halo Fanboy a Huge one for a matter of fact i enjoy all the merchandise to watch, read, and collect but unfortunatley since it is a big franchise it gets targeted so much with hate. I respect your opinion but im stating mine flat out.

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UDUmbass
Joined: Dec 2012

Posted: Dec 2nd, 2012 at 3:03 pm
i made an account just to comment pokemon i agree every other one proves ur stupidity do u need t get punched in the ****ing head to wake up just because Hola COD and AC are to popular they need to stop because people like them heres a tip if ur tired of playing them then stop buying meanwhile the rest of the world will still be having fun FUCk u u stupid ass dick

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