Mythic Map Pack Preview
As some of you may already know some of our staff and premium members were given the opportunity to download the new Mythic Map Pack due out on March 3rd in the U.S. with the purchase of LCE Halo Wars. We would like to thank Bungie first and foremost for the opportunity to get to play these over a week before they are released to the rest of the world. We have compiled several member’s impressions on all three maps of the Mythic Maps: Orbital, Assembly and of course Sandbox. If you haven’t been living under a rock you should know by now that sandbox is the ultimate forge map. Most of those privileged enough to have an early look at Sandbox quickly began to work on the three areas of the map, creating some stunning maps. Imagine what a couple of forgers can do in a few days and what will be possible when forgers dedicated weeks, or perhaps even months to a map. All the maps were nothing less than amazing, so less talking & more salivating as we present you the Mythic Map Pack Preview courtesy of Bungie.
Orbital
Now, when you first step foot on this map, you'll get lost. Hands down. But once you get the hang of it, Orbital really is a simple map… trust us. Orbital is definitely one of the more unique maps Bungie has bestowed upon us. It doesn't really look like any other map in theme nor in design. However, you’ll have to do a bit of homework if you plan on being successful right off the bat here. We recommend running around this map on your own before jumping into matchmaking, otherwise you're likely to be left in the dust. Two narrow, offset U-shaped tunnels sliced up by cross sections are complemented very well with some of the better aesthetics seen yet in Halo 3. The level of detail that has gone into this map is truly astonishing. While advertised as a asymmetrical objective map, don’t let that discourage you from playing any symmetrical games. The two “sides” are similar enough to keep players on their toes attacking and defending from either end. The long halls in this map make it excellent for long range battles but with all the cover, made of crates and boxes, it still possible to dual wield your way to victory.
Forging on Orbital is a new, fresh challenge we’re really looking forward to here at FH. Large doors can block off entire sections of the map, and greatly change the way the map plays and how players think. We foresee a variety of new Conquest maps resulting from these narrow corridors, and frankly, we can’t wait. Be on the lookout for our own Vorpal Saint’s newest addition to the Book of Conquest, Moonshine (available for download in the very near future).
Assembly
Assembly may very well be the greatest addition to Halo 3 matchmaking yet. We haven’t heard a single complaint about Assmebly’s gameplay to date, nor do we foresee it either. Boasting a diverse weapon layout that caters to both close range, dual wieldable weapons and longer range rifles, there’s a little something for everyone here. If players feel they would prefer smashing some skulls with the gravity hammer, the lower quadrant is the place for them, with tight corners and lots of cover, providing ample opportunity for stealthy attacks. Or take the high ground, which provides great vantage for the Battle Rifle, but at the loss of solid cover. It's this unpredictable variety that makes the map so appealing to competitive and casual players alike. In addition to playing absolutely phenomenally, Assembly is easily one of Bungie's most beautiful maps to date.
From a forger’s perspective, Assembly is a bit limiting. However, we realize that was never the map’s purpose, and are more than happy to turn the other virtual cheek. However, there are some interesting pieces within the pallet that will definitely garner some attention like the lift blockers (used to take the gravity lifts out of the game), and the shield tubes will certainly lend themselves to some creative applications that we’re looking forward to. Another interesting note: the power cores attached to the walls can actually be deleted this time around, unlike the ones on Construct and Snowbound.
Sandbox
When you first load up sandbox, you don't really know what to fully expect. We’ve all seen the preview screenshots, but until you actually set that virtual foot on Sandbox, you truly can’t appreciate how large the default layout really is. Somewhat reminiscent of the classic Halo CE/Halo 2 favorites Battle/Beaver Creek, Sandbox delivers a standard base-to-base approach in a somewhat linear layout. The defalt gameplay is very impressive. Players without a rifle of some variety need not worry. There’s plenty of vehicle madness to be had, along with an array of other heavy and light weapon options at your disposal. This map is bigtime fun with bigtime action, nonstop.
Forging Sandbox
The map is big, and the forge pallet is bigger
The Crypt
A large square that covers roughly the entire length of Foundry from the bay doors by the crane all the way to the back hallway, The Crypt is the perfect place to remake all those favorite Foundry maps that could have benefited from a few more spacebucks for which to forge with. We foresee a smorgasbord of remakes constructed down in the crypt, as well as a ton of innovative new designs that are sure to boggle our minds. Roughly 14 boxes high from the ground to the drop-down hole way above make this the perfect haven for exploring verticality in forged maps without compromising too much materials.
Ground Floor
The space seems to be designed for team matches, so keep that in mind when forging. It's also important to know that the sand dunes are not symmetrical, and some parts of the grid are overlapped with sand where opposite sides of the map aren't. So be sure to plan your maps ahead of time. ForgeHub Architect Cosmic Rick has undertaken a project that plays out like Sandtrap meets Kentucky Tango. Large imposing structures with the usual Cosmic flare we’ve grown to love, this map will be available for Download in the near future.
Sky Bubble
The third tier, the sky bubble, is unlike any space we’ve ever had to work with before. It really opens up a new realm of creativity that most people never even believed to be possible. With the sky bubble, players are encouraged top focus on asymmetrical maps that use the sky bubbles main attraction, which is the death barrier immediately beneath the pulsing blue grid. Maps that focus on the division of lines of sight and multiple causeways between objectives and power weapons will definitely flourish in this environment. that's not to say that symmetrical maps can't be done in the skybox, we've already seen the birth of many successful symmetrical maps in both competitive and casual gaming areas that use that show off the sky bubbles potential.
If Halo 3 had shipped with this map, Bungie would have conquered the world by now
Take a peek at what a couple of our forgers could churn out in only a few days while you imagine the possibilities this map has to offer:
RunningChron's impressive asymmetric sky bubble map (Alegra)
Cosmic Rick's inspiring successor to Kentucky Tango
Draw the Line's new mini-game Asteroids
Creep1ng De4th and LIGHTSOUT225's asymmetric collaboration, Element.
In closing, the staff consensus is that the Mythic Map Pack is most certainly the best DLC Map Pack in Halo 3 to date. It almost seems impossible to top, but we’ve learned that underestimating Bungie is never something to bet on. Once again, The ForgeHub Staff and Premiums would like to emphasize our sincere gratitude for this coveted opportunity. It’s a blessing, and just further cements Bungie as a fantastic game-developer who takes what their customers say to heart in an effort to provide the best possible product, which is exactly what they have done. Regardless if you are planning on snagging the Mythic Map Pack along with your purchase of the Limited Collector’s Edition of Halo Wars, or whether your plan is to wait it out until it becomes available via the XBOX Live Marketplace and 800 MS points, one way or another, you need to make sure you get your hands on these.
Bravo Bungie, bravo.
Read more in-depth thoughts and comments regarding the 3 Mythic maps from some of our Loyal and Premium members here.