What if Jyn Erso survived?

Looking back on Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, I don’t know of too many fans that didn’t want Jyn Erso to survive. Time and time again I have heard how people loved her character, and thought that she was the new hero of the Rebellion.

In fact, you could argue that Rogue One is the most successful Star Wars project to date, since the mouse acquired Lucasfilm. Having said that, there is an entirely different version of the movie that we most likely will never see, and in those edits Jyn Erso does in fact, survive.

This question then, bears relevance for many reasons, and it is one that I began to consider several years ago. It started me on a journey, which resulted in two years of work on the manuscript for a new Star Wars Legends novel entitled Cold Apex.

That novel is now complete and waiting to be approved by Del Rey and Lucasfilm. Though I won’t offer any spoilers on the plot of the book, what I will do is share how Jyn made it off of Scarif. In the third act of Rogue One, we see the Rebel fleet jump in system directly over Scarif, where they begin moving into position to attack the planetary shield gate.

Admiral Raddus, leading the fleet from the Mon Calamari MC-75 frigate Profundity, Orders Blue Squadron to get to the planet. General Merrick then orders the squadron to follow him through the gate, and bringing up the rear are two Incom UT-60D U-Wing gunships.

We clearly see one of them fly through the shield gate before it closes, but what about the other one? Once they fly through and hit the Blue, they begin to provide air cover for the Pathfinders on the beach below. General Merrick then orders the “U-Wings” plural, to reinforce the troops on the beach. He continues by ordering the fighters to follow him and provide air cover for “them,”plural again, referring to the U-Wings.

U-Wing dropping Rebel soldiers on the beaches of Scarif in search of Jyn Erso.

We know that one U-Wing was shot down and destroyed, but where is the other one? In Cold Apex we find the second U-Wing has landed in an outcropping of trees. A small squad of soldiers deploys from the ship, with orders to find Cassian Andor and Jyn Erso. The rebel troops fight their way through the Citadel base, only to find the missing rebels out on the beach.

They are attacked by Imperial troops as the Death Star fires on the planet, with the U-Wing dropping in and saving the squad from certain defeat. With the shield gate down, they make a blind jump into hyperspace while in the skies over Scarif. So, if Jyn survives, what happens to her next?

Well, you’ll have to wait and read the book to find out! I’ve been told that if approved for publishing, the tentative release date will be in late 2026. I’ll share more when I know more from the publisher.

Transformers Rise of the Beasts: a review

I have been a lifelong fan of the Transformers since their debut in 1984. When I first saw the trailers for the first live action movie in 2007, I was hooked.

Since that time I have eagerly sought every piece of spoilery Intel that I could find on each of the films, while hunting down every toy before the film’s release.

When I first learned of Transformers Rise of the Beasts, I was admittedly not enthusiastic about the film incorporating the Maximals.

I was not a fan of Transformers Beast Wars, and didn’t think much of the concept. As time went on however, I learned more about Rise of the Beasts, which piqued my curiosity.

I became intrigued enough to want to see the film for myself. I was to say the least, curious, and perhaps even optimistic that the movie would not be a disappointment.

So, this afternoon I had the opportunity to go and watch Transformers Rise of the Beasts in the theater; What follows is a very conservative and unbiased review of that film from a fan of the franchise.

Opening Sequence / First Act

I thought that it was very disappointing to have a different character do the voice over for the intro. The monologue by Peter Cullen has become synonymous with the Transformers franchise, and something that I really look forward to.

I was really impressed by the opening sequence, and how it introduced the Maximals, despite not being a fan of their alt mode.

Apelinq’s reference to other worlds was something of importance, in connecting it to an identical statement made by Optimus Prime in Bumblebee.

The fact that there are other worlds in the galaxy to which Autobots have fled for refuge, or otherwise have been created like Cybertron, is a key plot device for the franchise moving forward.

It gives lateral creative storytelling that hasn’t been seen before in the live action continuity. What I found shocking was the choice of music for this movie.

That is particularly disturbing in view of it being made by a toy company, that is supposed to be family oriented.

It would have been taken much differently if the music were confined to one scene, to introduce a single character, as in previous films, but that unfortunately was not the case.

The Director’s choice for music was singular to a specific part of American culture and society, and it felt as if this genre of music were being forced on us against our will.

It in my opinion detracted from the movie, and was impossible to ignore. All throughout this film was some really impressive cinematography, as well as scenes with tremendous gravity.

Unfortunately, it was all ruined by the rap music blasting away behind the action and the dialogue. It really detracts from and stands in contrast to the emotion being portrayed in some of the scenes in which it is featured.

If you go back and review the previous Bayverse movies, the score sets the tone for the scenes being depicted.

What we hear as an audience is as important as what we see. Unfortunately, the Director’s choice for the music inherently make the film appear to be a hip hop interpretation of alien robots waging a war on the Earth.

In my opinion, a franchise like this is best at telling the story through the use of instrumental scores, rather than modern day music of any genre.

Cursing is also much more prevalent in this movie than any of the previous live action movies before it, with even the robots themselves using curse words.

The unbridled use of vulgar speech implies that the Director believes it’s acceptable for children and youth to hear such vulgarity.

It presumes that their lives are inundated by it, and that their parents should accept it as normal when it is anything but that.

It really undermines the very moral foundation and principals that characters such as the Transformers have been used to portray over the decades.

It odd almost as if the director was deliberately attempting to pervert these characters and what they stand for, into a subliminal message from the woke culture.

Second Act

The battle sequence at the history museum has to be one of the best ever done in a live action film. The interaction between Optimus and Scourge was some of the best dialogue that we’ve seen yet between protagonists and antagonists in a Transformers film.

Woke Perspective

There is unfortunately an overwhelming attempt to push woke ideology in this film that depicts white people in a negative light.

This was really disheartening to see depicted in a Transformers live action movie, and it was clearly done to again promote woke ideology and racism against white people in America.

It begins with a derogatory statement made by Ms. Diaz about white people, and Is followed by Elena’s interaction with her boss, a white female.

The last attempt to push this down our throats is an interaction between Noah, and a potential employer who is also a white man.

Though the scenes may have depicted fictional events, It all had very racist undertones within its context, and should never have been included in a family friendly movie.

This alone was enough for me to decide that my son could not watch this film. It is really disappointing to me that Hasbro would allow such a move on the part of the Director.

This is in opposition to the fact eighty percent of their revenue is going to be from the sales of adult Caucasian consumers between the ages of eighteen and forty five years of age!

This isn’t to imply that only Caucasians buy and collect toys; nonsense! What it does imply, is that two thirds of their revenue comes from a group of people that are intentionally and unfairly portrayed in a negative context.

They are for all intents and purposes indoctrinating viewers of the movie with racism. This type of thing is really disappointing to see perpetrated on the impressionable minds of children and young people.

It does nothing to promote fun, peace and unity, as the Transformers themselves have done for the past forty years through storytelling. Instead, it maligns the innocent and causes a tear in the koral fabric of our society.

Third Act

Most of the scenes in the final act were good, and the introduction to the Maximals on Earth by Optimus Primal was really awesome.

The way that their backstory is explained makes them a much more plausible race of Transformers within the live action continuity.

One of the standout characters in this act is Airrazor, and throughout the movie she serves as a plot device of sorts.

Both Cheetor and Rhinox were under used in the film, but what we did see of them was very intriguing.

The final battle scene was tremendous, but once again ruined by two scenes: the first being with Bumblebee’s appearance overwhelmed by rap music, and his use of cursing.

This was completely inappropriate when considering that children would be watching this movie.

The final nail in the coffin for me on this film was the use of a mech suit for Noah from a dead Mirage.

It was the most ridiculous use of a human character in any of these movies to date, and it seriously detracted from the story.

The movie ends with a much-reduced speech for Optimus Prime, and goes on to include a speech by you guessed it, Noah! It was deplorable, and at that point I stood up and left the theater.

Final thoughts

Transformers Rise of the Beasts had tremendous potential to become a pivot point for the franchise.

Instead, it blundered its way through two hours of non stop inundation to the woke culture, while the film itself was unwatchable due to the cursing and blaring rap music.

Surprisingly the visual effects were sub par, and failed to resemble anything like the previous iterations of the Transformers.

The greatest tragedy of all with this film is that it should have done more to honor the life and legacy of Peter Cullen, whose voice over work in this film was his last as the voice of Optimus Prime.

He deserved to be honored in this film, and to have Optimus at the foreground. Instead, Optimus was relegated to a grumpy old Transformer who just wanted to go home.

It is truly disappointing to see this direction left in the hands of a racist director, who used this movie to weave bigotry and hate into its narrative.

I cannot in good conscience recommend Transformers Rise of the Beasts to fans of any age, or to parents. If anything, Transformers has stood as a foundation for ethics, morals, and values for children from all over the world, for the past forty years.

Rise of the Beasts was a missed opportunity to continue to promote family friendly fun, through a classic franchise.

Till all are one…..

Religion in Rogue One

Introduction

On December 16, 2016 Star Wars fans around the world were introduced to the newest hero within the Star Wars universe, Jyn Erso. Jyn is a battle scarred and complex woman, with a very a traumatic past. She is spartan tough, and stubborn to the core.

Orphaned at age seven, she was forced to watch her mother be executed by Imperial special forces, while her father was taken captive by them as well. Her only hope lay in the man who rescued her, Saw Gerrera. A friend of the family, Saw was Jyn’s only hope of survival, though a hope that would not last.

Throughout her young life Jyn finds herself forced to make decision upon decision which is determined by her alliance with Saw. Though he saves her, he does not give her a normal childhood or freedom. His care for her is minimal, and when it becomes too much of a risk, he too abandons Jyn alone, on a worn torn planet to fend for herself.

At age sixteen, Jyn is once again forced to make decisions in order to survive from one day to the next. When we find her in Rogue One, Jyn is a young woman imprisoned by the Empire in one of their POW camps on the planet Wobani.

She is seemingly rescued by the Rebel Alliance, who have their own agenda for her as well. There is no care for her future or well being; Jyn is simply a means to an end for them. Though she reluctantly agrees to help them, she finds herself in a dream remembering her parents before she is abruptly awaken on a flight into the ancient moon of Jedha.

Jedha is a world of many stories, with some claiming that it was on Jedha that the Jedi first discovered the Force. Jyn ventures into the holy city, and encounters a cultural soup of denizens from across the galaxy, who are adherents of many religions. Though their beliefs and practices may differ, they are all drawn to Jedha for the same reason, and that is the church of the Force.

Its existence is ancient, and its followers are many, but its message is the same: there is only the Force, and it is the Force that draws them there. Jyn being the skeptic that she is, becomes intrigued when Chirrut Imwe is able to sense the Khyber crystal necklace hanging from her neck.

She wants to know more, but time does not allow it. We later see Jyn rubbing the Khyber crystal again on her way to Scarif. This brief insight into the Force is a much more grounded aspect of it’s cultural and religious significance to peoples across the galaxy. We know from Obi-Wan Kenobi that the Force is what gives the Jedi their abilities and powers.

It is an energy field created by all living things; It surrounds us and binds the galaxy together. For those born sensitive to it, it is there, just beyond their grasp. For those like Chirrut Imwe, it is the focus of their religious experience, but not a tangible presence that they harness as the Jedi and Sith do.

For people like Jyn, it is a mystery that fascinates and intrigues. It leads her to a place of inner searching. She finds herself questioning her mother’s bedtime stories about the Force and the Jedi, and she begins to ponder if they were actually true? Her memories are in many ways her only real connection to her mother, and for whatever reason, they seem to be guiding her on her mission for the Rebel Alliance.

What if?

For the past two years I have been working on the manuscript for a Star Wars Legends novel which continues the story of Jyn Erso. In it we find that Jyn who was presumed lost, is clinging to life, and at the center of her journey is the question of religion. Is the Force real? Is it guiding her to her destiny, or is it just her experience, training, and a little luck?

The story explores how Jyn’s personal beliefs reflect the echos of an ancient past, where it was at the heart of whole races and societies. The Force is more than Jedi and Sith, it is the defining religion of a by-gone era. People like Jyn’s mother Lyra who cling to it’s ideals and teachings, are viewed as heretics and traitors to modern governments and societies.

Its origins are erased, its texts are destroyed, and its existence is taught as a myth. Where other religions are accepted or tolerated, the Force becomes a forbidden word across the galaxy, and those who speak of it are hunted down and taken into custody.

What was once at the heart of every civilization in the galaxy, has now become culturally irrelevant and outdated. As the old generations pass on, younger generations grow up in the shadow of its knowledge and presence, knowing nothing of its power and purity. Its mysteries lay hidden in plain sight, waiting for those who are brave enough to seek out answers to life’s questions and troubles in its teachings.

Conclusion

Jyn’s journey becomes one of self discovery, as she is forced to confront her mother’s beliefs, and their impact upon the here and now. We see the reality of religion in the midst of contemporary culture, and the relevance that it offers to those brave enough to search for the truth.

Ultimately the Force and religion aren’t the focus of the story, but they become an aspect of it that Jyn cannot deny, and that she cannot ignore. It is a doorway to be opened, as she seeks for answers in the midst of the chaos of war.

Andor and the use of Asymmetric Warfare in Star Wars

For more than four decades, fans of Star Wars have rallied behind the Rebel Alliance and their cause. No one can deny the emotions evoked of their victories against the evil galactic Empire, but few have stopped to consider what exactly is being depicted on screen.

More than a story of good versus evil, and heroes and villains, Star Wars is at its core the account of a group of insurgents, dedicated to overthrowing an established government. Nowhere has this been more prominently detailed than in the recent live action series, Andor.

In Andor, we learn how this character’s circumstances lead him to the doorstep of the Rebellion, in its infancy. We are given a glimpse at the founders, their plans, and how they finance their war against the Empire.

More importantly I think, is the curtain being pulled back on just how dirty warfare can be. No longer can we see the Rebellion as a righteous movement for freedom, with unsung heroes at every turn.

Now we must come face to face with the often brutal and disfigured cost of warfare, and it’s mortal toll. For us to begin to come to terms with this harsh reality, we must first learn what an insurgency is, how it is carried out, and what its objectives are.

Merriam-Webster defines an insurgency as “a condition of revolt against a government that is less than an organized revolution and that is not recognized as belligerency.” An insurgency often begins with just a handful of individuals, who come together in agreement to the fact that the established government has violated their freedoms and way of life.

This is often the case when a dictatorship initiates a planned coup, and usurps the current government with a new form of rule. That is exactly what occurred during Order 66 on Coruscant. The Emperor spent years strategically planning his rise to power, and carefully positioning himself, as well as other assets, who would do his bidding.

On a larger scale, he manipulated the Jedi Order, the Senate, and the governments of entire star systems. He orchestrated a galactic wide war, to use as both a distraction, and political tool to become chancellor. Once in power, he sealed his position with the downfall of the Jedi Knights.

In the case of the Rebel Alliance, their objective was to restore the Old Republic, and its democratic rule over the galaxy. Doing so was the only way to ensure that freedom and security for all species was returned. How that would be accomplished was a decades long endeavor.

To begin, the Alliance to restore the Republic did not start as a well-organized, equipped, and trained force. It started with just one person refusing to accept the Empire’s rule on their world. It could be witnessing innocent civilians being beaten, interrogated, or even killed, as in Andor.

It would begin with people from different backgrounds, ethnicities, and even socio-economic status. They would share a common belief and objective, and over time they would discuss and eventually plan to rebel against the Empire’s presence. Just as in Andor, common people would reach their breaking point and take action.

That would become the catalyst to build upon, and over time the insurgency which begins on one world like Ferrix, would use propaganda to spread word of their actions, and recruit others to their cause. Soon an entire world would have cells of operatives joining the movement.

What began as an isolated act of defiance, would over time evolve into a complex and organized insurgency on a galactic scale. This is what is known as Asymmetric Warfare, when a smaller, less capable force of insurgents engage a larger, established military force.

In this type of combat, the insurgents will carefully examine and exploit their enemy’s weaknesses strategically, in an effort to demoralize them, and destabilize their operations. Such conflicts are highlighted by unconventional tactics and techniques, such as hit and run missions on critical infrastructure, command, control, and communications nodes, or supply routes.

In so doing the insurgent forces are often able to infiltrate enemy installations, gain valuable intelligence, and even steal supplies and weapons. In essence, they often turn their enemy’s own resources against them, which they use to their advantage. In the case of the Rebel Alliance, they did just this, first on isolated planets, and then across the galaxy.

As more people joined their cause, the Alliance was able to exploit the access and assets which they acquired through established connections. Equipment, food, fuel, weapons, and ships are just some of the necessities that they acquired through clandestine donations, forgeries, and thefts. Their established financial network paid for what they could not steal, because in every galaxy, money talks.

The Rebellion would have established a network of informants, as well as trained assets to tie up loose ends. War is a dirty business, but the end justifies the means. This the Rebel Alliance that Cassian Andor, Jyn Erso, Luke Skywalker, and many others find themselves joining.

Over the course of decades what began as a small group of home-grown insurgents, evolved into a very capable and organized military capable of taking the fight to the Empire. As they become the foundation of a New Republic, their tactics may change, but their history remains the same.

Halo: Live Action Ambitions

Intro

The new Halo Live action series on Paramount Plus has been over a decade in the making, and its arrival on 24 March 2022 was nothing less than epic. Though this was not the first live action project to bring the Master Chief to life, it is certainly the most ambitious to date, with each episode costing the studios around ten million dollars each to produce.

Since we are through season one, and waiting for season two, I wanted to take an opportunity to talk about the show, and provide context to my perspective on key elements, as well as the overall story. I also want to discuss some of the criticism and negative feedback that it’s gotten thus far. There will be spoilers, so if you haven’t watched it yet, you’ve been warned!

Origins

The first attempt at making a live action entry into the Halo universe was back in 2005 when Peter Jackson was hired by Twentieth Century Fox and Universal Studios to produce the film, and Neil Blomkamp was hired to direct it. The movie was supposedly going to be based on the Fall of Reach storyline, but ultimately the effort was short lived, with the studios cancelling the project less than a year later. The unofficial reasons given were due to monetary concerns with the cost of production on the film.

The next real entry into the live action arena for Halo would come not as a movie, but rather as a series of commercial advertisements for Halo 3: ODST video game. The title for these webisodes were called Halo Landfall, and there were seven of them in total, with a combined run time of just over six minutes. They chronicled the events of a pair of ODST soldiers during a firefight on Earth. Bungie filmed Landfall in New Zealand and hired a company there to build a life size replica of the Warthog for use in the commercials.

More live action commercials would follow in 2010 to promote Halo Reach, but it wasn’t until 2012 that the first real Halo movie was released. Halo Forward unto Dawn was a prequel film and tie-in to Halo 4 centered around the story of cadet Thomas Lasky, in the years prior to his service onboard the UNSC Infinity. The movie was wildly popular with fans, and that was due in large part to Daniel Cudmore’s portrayal of the Master Chief. Following its success, a second live action movie entitled Halo Nightfall was released in 2014 as a tie-in and prequel story for ONI Agent Jameson Locke, and his role in Halo 5.

During this time, a live action Halo television series had already begun the initial stages of development as early as 2013, and it lingered there until 2018, before it was announced that 343 Industries and Showtime would be releasing a live action Halo series. The series first aired in March 2022 on Paramount Plus, with nine episodes. So now that we have a foundation for the live action series, let’s look at the core issues that I have observed in the show, and how that may affect it moving forward:

Nitpicking Spartan Ops

To begin, the initial action sequence on Madrigal was well choregraphed and executed. I thought that all of the actors did a great job; what wasn’t so great was the fact that the Directors failed to pay attention to the details in Halo. For starters, I don’t think that anyone would be using AK-47s five hundred years in the future! I also don’t see any plausible way a Chevy Tahoe would be around. These are just two of the many technical errors found within the show, that quite honestly should have been corrected with re-shoots and post-production but weren’t.

*117 helping the Covenant find their way on the great journey*, *with that Tahoe in the background!*

Another would be CGI weapons replacing prop weapons. At one point Master Chief throws down his MA5, when it really isn’t there to begin with. The same thing occurs with Spartan Riz throwing down a Covenant Plasma pistol, which if it was a physical prop, had no paint on it. In another episode there was no color and shading to covenant energy shields being used by the Kig-Yar. The other major issue that I have is the absence of mag changes during a firefight. It is completely unrealistic to not execute a mag change, and the only reason that I could come up with is that it was too expensive for them to integrate pop out mag pockets into the Mjolnir armor. At any rate, all of it detracts from the realism of the show.

One area that caught flak from fans, that I did not have an issue with, was the Master Chief removing his helmet. In the real world, Spartans would not go around in their armor 24/7; there would have to be periods of down time. They seem to address this logically with the armor bays while they are on Reach. One area where it is highly unplausible is on the rubble, when the Master Chief removes his own armor, then dons it again. That would be technically impossible for him to do, as Mjolnir weighs half a ton! My guess is that the in-game weight of the armor is not the same as the show, and that there is a way for them to take it off on their own.

The greatest mistake that I have seen thus far in this show is having Cortana take over the Master Chief while he is unconscious; In all honestly, I think this was absurd on every level, and it drew criticism from every fan in existence. This singular decision could make or break the franchise, depending upon how it is rectified moving forward. By the same taken, the side plot involving Kwan has seriously detracted from, and interfered with, the main plot of the show. I get that it isn’t a scene by scene re-telling of the game, but that aspect has drawn considerable criticism as well. If they don’t fix these issues, I don’t see this show going much farther down the road.

Conclusions

Halo is at a very critical juncture, with both low ratings for Halo Infinite, as well as the live action series. Both have suffered tremendous set-backs and issues due to COVID, but that is not an excuse for the issues presented in this article. With production on each show costing ten million dollars, someone, somewhere, needs to step in and take ownership of these mistakes, and re-evaluate before moving forward. I do not know if season two has begun filming yet or not, but if it has, I hope that they make a drastic course correction, before we see this show quietly shelved in favor of other projects at Paramount.

Battlestar Galactica

Lessons we should learn from the previous series

Just mentioning the name Battlestar Galactica is cause for fans to get excited, as it has been and continues to be one of the most popular science fiction franchises to date.

There’s no denying the loyalty of the fan base, but unlike any other science fiction franchise, Battlestar Galactica has always had a very linear problem, and it is the linchpin of the franchise’s failure to truly being successful.

So, In this blog I want to briefly talk about both the original and re-imagined series in the franchise, and point out what I think they got right, and what they need to change before moving forward.

Beginning in 1977, the original series followed on the success of the recent Star Wars film by George Lucas, and was no doubt in part inspired by It’s success. Obviously, ABC Studios thought that their new space series would also be a success.

From a certain point of view it was and it wasn’t successful, which the latter is certainly proved by the numbers. The series lasted just one season before being cancelled due to the poor ratings, and decline in viewers.

ABC later made a deal with the series creator, Glen A. Larson, to produce a new series, Galactica 1980. It too was short lived, and far less appealing to fans than the original. It was for all intents and purposes, a tremendous waste of talent, time, and money.

*The original* *Battlestar Galactica, 1978*

Over the years there have been various tie-in marketing through the comics, novels, games, as well as toys, but none really served to bring back Battlestar. That all changed in 2003 with the made for television movie, which opened the door for the reimagined series in 2004.

The reimagined series was a reboot to the franchise, and many elements were changed in favor of practicality and purpose, which worked surprisingly well. What didn’t work so much was the story itself, which became overly complicated.

This led to several made for television movies and webisodes that were used to backfill missing parts of the overall plot and story structure for fans to follow. In the end, ratings took a dive, and so did Galactica, as the reimagined series came to an end. The few spin-off attempts set in the same universe also failed to gain traction.

So what is it about this franchise that draws fans to it, while also leading to It’s failure? Furthermore, why would anyone attempt a reboot to a reboot? Why would they attempt a tie-in motion picture to the reboot at the same time? What the frak is really going on here?

To begin, I think that Battlestar’s original appeal to fans was that it was first a science fiction story that was different, as well as being one that offered viewers a sense of hope in a difficult time. It was unique, and yet familiar.

These are tropes that are in nearly every science fiction franchise and story that exist, and they are there because we want them to be. We want to escape from our present circumstances, but it is those same circumstances upon which we build our stories.

In both the original and re-imagined series humanity is on the run from a cybernetic race of beings that they have created, who have wiped out all but a handful of survivors. Their journey takes them towards earth, which is their final destination.

Here is the real problem with the overall plot, because we already know what the end is going to be. Great, they find earth, now what? We’ve already seen the disaster that Galactica 1980 was, so what really is there to look forward to or revisit in this universe?

Beyond that, any science fiction franchise that is successful has at It’s roots an unparalleled ability to allow the story to continue. Be it in a different character, a different path ext. There has to be room to evolve and expand beyond the show’s original plot; Star Wars is a prime example of this type of story telling.

So what direction should Battlestar take moving forward? As a writer, my first inclination is to suggest that they do the exact opposite of what everyone has done thus far, and what has been proposed for the future. That would mean looking at what worked, and changing what didn’t.

The story itself would have to change to become more dynamic and grounded. Reaching earth could no longer be the plot. The Cylons and the threat that they impose must remain, but the way that is conveyed must change and evolve if they are to keep fans engaged and interested.

So too, must the human element of the story change. The very beginnings of humanity could and should be explored, while incorporating man’s innocence in exploration, which leads to their fall from grace through pride. There has to be a very real human element for fans to connect with and relate to.

The Cylons must represent more than a physical threat, though that aspect must be clearly defined. They must become the symbol of humanity’s selfish nature which leads them to their downfall. In that, there is hope for redemption, but not in running across the stars.

*I prefer Ralph McQuarrie’s original concept art of the bridge over the re-imagined* series.

Earth must become more than a destination for the survivors, it must represent an ideal to which they must now return. If they are to have any chance at survival, it must not be in running away, or in weapons alone, but in character, ethics, and morality.

There should be a point in the very beginning where humanity recognizes what Earth stands for, and then they make the hard decision to stay and fight the Cylons to the very end. Be it an asymmetrical campaign, or an all out war, the human cost must be front and center of every episode.

Lastly, I completely disagree with the reimagined series use of polytheism, which in my opinion, detracted from the story, as it sought to replace God with an abstract construct. Grounding the series in a monotheistic belief system will simplify the story, while allowing our heroes to retain their faith to turn to in times of doubt.

The idea of a new reboot to a reboot should be anything but a cautionary idea at this point for the studios involved, because of the very things that I have listed. We seem to live in a day when creative writers and their ideas are passed over, in favor of trying to make something good, better.

Battlestar Galactica is just one example of this, and it lends itself as much as an example to be avoided, as much as one to be followed. If we’re going to revisit the twelve colonies, then it needs to be right from day one, otherwise the toasters might as well blast us all into oblivion…

Action Force vs G.I. Joe:

A collector’s comparison to the brands battling for best military action figure

I grew up in the early eighties watching the original G.I. Joe A Real American Hero cartoon, collecting and playing with the action figures, and dreaming of becoming a unit member.

I was such a fan, that my nickname became G.I. Joe! I continued to collect and play with the action figures and toys into my teens, while also reading the comics.

G.I. Joe wasn’t just a cartoon, comic, or toy line for me; it was an integral part of my life growing up.

It inspired me to want to serve my country, as it did for millions of others during that time. Each G.I. Joe episode or comic taught us ethics, morals, and patriotism.

It promoted values that at the time, were held in high regard in literally every home in America.

Forty years later, I find myself experiencing that same excitement and nostalgia, as the G.I. Joe Classified Series brings America’s heroes back to life in a larger scale.

First revealed by Hasbro in 2019, the G.I. Joe Classified Series was set to re-introduce the line to fans new and old.

The Classified Series would bring G.I. Joe back in a new, six inch scale, with revised designs that would incorporate features from the classic Real American Hero toy line.

The first wave featured five action figures, with a deluxe Snake-Eyes being a Pulse exclusive. Since that time there have been forty figures released in the past two years.

Each of the Classified Series action figures comes packaged with individual box art, and feature thirty-eight points of articulation.

Most figures also include at least two weapons, and several accessories to complete a loadout. There have also been several deluxe figures as well as exclusives released.

I’m excited that G.I. Joe is back, and I really like the scale, as it appeals to me more as an adult collector.

The level of articulation and detail make the Classified Series figures ideal for use in toy photography.

The figures are manufactured using high grade plastics, with professional paint applications, and life like head sculpts.

There are however, several areas that I do take issue with: First, these figures include soft plastic weapons, which have a tendency to warp.

Sometimes they can be fixed, and sometimes they can’t, which has often led collectors like myself to third party sources for 3D printed accessories.

They also do not include a file card or display base. These really are the only issues that I have with the line so far.

Action Force

As often happens there are companies out there whose brand becomes a competitor in a specific genre, and such is the case with military action figures.

Prior to the Classified Series, there was no six inch scale military line of figures being produced; That changed with Action Force.

Action Force is a new line of six inch scale military themed action figures created by former Hasbro toy designer, and CEO of Valaverse Bobby Vala.

Action Force is an adult oriented collector’s line, designed with attention to detail and realism at it’s core.

*Action Force Series 01 Republic Special Ops trooper*

Each Action Force figure is also based on the six inch scale, and features thirty eight points of articulation.

The Action Force line of figures seem to be made from a cheaper quality of plastic than the Classified Series, and during the first series there were issues with some figures experiencing broken joints on them.

This issue was supposedly remedied in Series Two, and each figure has life like head sculpts, detailed design, and multiple paint apps.

Unlike the Classified Series, the Action Force figures include five to six interchangeable hands, at least two weapons, and nearly a dozen accessories total.

Action Force figures also include a display base, and a file card on the back of the box. Action Force began as a kickstarter nearly two years ago, and the first series began shipping out in January 2020.

At the time of this writing Valaverse has already released twenty action figures, as well as multiple gear packs.

By the end of 2022 they will have released nearly forty figures. That is an impressive feat, considering that Valaverse is a privately owned start-up.

Their line has become wildly popular and successful with collectors around the world, which leads us to the proverbial question of which line is better?

To answer that, you have to take into consideration what each line offers the collector, their overall articulation, design, features, and included accessories.

You also have to consider who each line is made for. So let’s take a look at each aspect of these figures, and determine which one is best in each category, and see what the results are:

Packaging

To be fair, both the Classified Series as well as Action Force figures have really nicely designed packaging.

While Hasbro transitioned to the plastic free packaging in late 2022, they have recently announced plans to bring it back.

The window display box was a big selling point for the Classified Series, and fans were not happy about the change.

I personally like the plastic free packaging, as it incorporates new product art, as well as a scale on the back of the box showing the actual height of the figure.

Action Force has continued to utilize their version of the window display box, but will soon be transitioning to new packaging of their own.

In an effort to keep the packaging design appealing and cost effective, Valaverse will be moving to a blister card back for their line.

The Action Force packaging also includes a file card printed on the back which can be cut out, and inserted into the display base.

Articulation

This would be a tie in my opinion, as both Action Force and the Classified Series have thirty eight points of articulation.

Hasbro it seems has continued to improve the design of the Classified Series with each successive wave, while Action Force has only made changes where necessary.

Accessories and Weapons

There is no comparison in this category, as each of the Action Force figures include nearly a dozen accessories, display base, and at least two solid ABS plastic weapons.

In addition, the gear packs offered separately provide a complete kit for the unique Republic Guard figures.

The Classified Series figures include soft plastic weapons which are often warped inside the packaging, and which cannot be readily fixed.

This leads many G.I. Joe collectors to either use Action Force gear packs with their JOEs, or else buy 3D printed weapons from a third party retailer like Arsenal of Pew Pews.

Overall Design and Paint Apps

Both brands have given attention to detail in the design of the figure, as well as to the realism of the head sculpt.

I have seen no issues with the placement of paint applications, either.

Poseability

I would have to give this category to Action Force, as their figures tend to be more stable when standing upright on a flat surface.

They seem to be better balanced, and they also have the advantage of having an included display base, which the Classified Series figures do not.

Overall Best Figure?

After looking at all of this from a technical standpoint, the Classified Series excels with the best overall figures.

That being said, Action Force has consistently provided better accessories, with greater variety, and that has appealed to collectors.

*Action Force Republic Guard Riot Warfare Trooper*

There are many adult collectors out there who are fans of G.I. JOE, and who have gotten back into collecting because of the Classified Series.

These fans account for eighty percent or more of the revenue on this line, and that’s who they were created for.

In addition, many of these collectors are also fans of Action Force, and incorporate those figures into their G.I. JOEs.

Either way, both lines are benefiting from the fan base. In the end, I think that the Classified Series line is the winner of this battle, because G.I.JOE is such a well known and loved franchise.

There are also many new fans being introduced to the brand for the first time through this line.

*G.I. JOE Classified Series Beachhead and Duke*

Brand Longevity

One question on everyone’s mind is how long will the Classified Series continue to be produced?

Early on, one executive at Hasbro estimated that the line would be produced for at least five years.

We are coming up on 2024, and after four years the line shows no signs of slowing down. If anything Hasbro seems to be going all out with the Classified Series.

They have continued to design and produce a limited number of vehicles for the line, with the Haslab H.I.SS. tank and Dragonfly being their most ambitious projects to date.

Quarter Two of 2024 will see the mass retail release of the G.I. Joe Classified Series VAMP, which will offer stiff competition to the Valaverse Vanguard vehicle.

As for Action Force, it was created from the outset to be a line of adult collectible action figures, with a tie-in comic series also targeted to adult readers.

It has a very specific market, and by all accounts, it has more than succeeded thus far in reaching that market.

It remains to be seen if it’s success will be sustained, or if interest in the line will decline over time.

G.I. JOE was made popular through the Sunbow cartoon as well as the comics, and both helped to market the Real American Hero toy line of the eighties.

Over time, the brand would change to remain relevant, but eventually it declined in the mid nineties, which saw the end of the comics, as well as the main toy lines for a time.

The lesson here is that there has always existed a core group of dedicated collectors and fans, which are now in their mid forties or older.

Toy companies are recognizing that children have drifted away to the digital age, while middle aged adults have never lost that child like wonder.

That is what is special about G.I.JOE, and that’s why I have to say that it’s still the best there is. Action Force may do some things better, but even it has It’s roots in G.I.JOE.

Why I collect toys

This is a topic that I have wanted to share for a very long time and have tried many times to do so. In each instance I would mess up, and then give up. The anger and frustration of not being able to adequately express myself, or feelings of inadequacy, always ruined my efforts. To be fair, this is not going to be a pic laden post, but rather a very introspective and personal look at how and why I got into collecting.

I was raised by my great-grandmother, and we lived in an old two-story house that she rented. Granny had an adopted son named Robert, who was my uncle. He was deaf and disabled due to several serious health problems which negatively affected his ability to lead a normal life. He had no friends, and he felt left out by the family. Because of this he suffered with depression and stayed to himself. He would sleep for most of the day, and only come out at night to eat.

Robert’s life was very sad, but I learned at a very young age that he was an extremely talented person. He collected comics and had hundreds of them neatly organized and stored away. I have seen issue number one of many that would make him rich if he were alive today. To get them, my great-grandmother would make weekly trips to a locally owned drug store where she bought her medicine, and once a month she would have someone take her to Kmart or Roses in a neighboring town.

Robert was an extremely talented artist and could draw anyone or anything. He collected and built model cars, often kit bashing them before anyone knew what that was outside of the special effects industry. He also collected toys. Robert’s room was upstairs, and to get there you had to walk up a flight of stairs to a large landing. There was a door that led outside onto a balcony, and his room was off to the right. I remember going into his room and being amazed at what I saw.

There were toys everywhere, all neatly organized and displayed. There were action figures and vehicles from every franchise that you could imagine from the 60s, 70s, and then early eighties. Micronauts, Battlestar Galactica, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, G.I. Joe, Star Trek, and yes Star Wars, and so many more! I was not allowed to touch his toys, and granny explained to me that Robert would often take them out to play with, and then he carefully stored each one of them in boxes. He had several large appliance boxes that he kept them all in to protect them.

Often when he would come downstairs, I would run up to Robert and hug him around his leg and hold on for dear life as he attempted to walk into the kitchen. He would reach down and pick me up with one hand, smiling and shaking his head. He would sometimes bring one or two of his toys’ downstairs and allow me to play with them, and then come back and get them later. I remember one instance where he brought down the original Colonial Viper and Cylon Raider from Battlestar Galactica, and we had a mock dogfight downstairs, walking around the room.

*Battlestar Galactica* Colonial Viper toy

Robert is also the first person that I know of who could kit bash and make custom action figures. This was in the days before super articulation, and he would often disassemble figures, and then use a hobby knife to cut the hands or feet off of one, and glue them onto another. He would repaint them and make custom figures. He once did this with a Cobra figure and a Falcon from Masters of the Universe. He cut the wings off of the bird and glued them onto the back of the action figure, then repainted the figure to match the orange, blue, and white paint scheme.

I went through a very traumatic event at age six, which caused me to become introverted at a very young age. I was molested by an older male student in the bathroom of a private Christian school. I also witnessed things that scared me, and both of these events combined caused me to grow up fearing people, particularly adults, and specifically those in a position of authority. To this day I am afraid of adult men who are authority figures, because of what I went through as a child. It is just one of those things that I did not discuss until twenty-six years had passed, and by then I could not overcome the fear, despite trying to do so.

I was left traumatized, and to this day I still have flashbacks of what happened to me. I was also bullied in school, beginning in the first grade. By the time that I got into middle school, the bullying and harassment was a daily experience. I was in different classes with the same kids, who would call me names, laugh at me, throw objects at me, and spit on me. They would slap me in the back of the head while seated, or while standing in line to go to lunch. I was shoved in the bathroom frequently where I would fall into puddles of pee and beat up on the playground.

I would try to stand around teachers, and some would let me, and others would not. They would make me walk away, and when I did, I was jumped by more than one student. They would do the same thing after school while waiting on my ride, or if I had to walk home. I hated school, and I did not want friends, because I was rejected by everyone. Even the teachers and principals would laugh at me, calling me a tattle tale. They knew that was not the case, and I was afraid of them too. The only place that I felt safe was with my great-grandmother.

During this time in middle school, I came home one day after being beat up to find that my uncle had given me his entire toy collection. I was in disbelief, as I looked at the boxes in my room and dining room. Granny never told me why he chose to do that, but I believe that it was because my uncle’s depression had gotten the best of him. I was happy and excited, and I thanked him, and of course he smiled back, but I was too young to appreciate and recognize the value of what I had been given. as time passed many of them would become broken or missing parts, and others sold or thrown away.

Robert was eventually sent to a home in another city to live, and As I got into high school the bullying only continued every day. In February of 1995 granny went home to be with the Lord. It was the most devastating thing that I had experienced at that time, and I felt so lost without her. My mom and I were forced to move in with my grandmother, and everything that I had was lost. All that was familiar to me, and safe, was now gone. I had no one to turn to that I trusted, and nothing from my childhood remained but a few good memories, and many bad ones.

Over the next few years, I came across the new Star Wars Power of the Force toy line by Kenner while out at a store with my mom. Seeing them made me think of Robert, and all of the toys that he had given me and trusted me with. Mom began buying me some of the figures, and despite not having any room for anything, I had a small trunk at the foot of my bed to keep them in. I collected several of the figures and smaller vehicles, and in 1999 I got my first job. I continued to collect them for a couple of years, before giving them to a co-worker for her kids.

I wouldn’t collect any more toys again until 2007, and the first figure that I got was the 20th Anniversary Edition Optimus Prime. From that moment on I began to collect toys from every franchise that I grew up with. G.I. Joe, Halo, Star Trek, Star Wars, and Transformers were the main focus of my collection, and by 2012 I had a collection valued in excess of $5,000. That same year I got married, and I was very happy, but it would be short lived. The girl that I married was unfaithful to me from day one, and I spent a year and a half trying to save someone that didn’t want to be saved. I was abused, and beat up by ex-wife, her mother, and her stepfather whom she had been in an affair with.

She left me for someone else, and I was left in the hospital with a concussion and fear. My ex-wife hated my toy collection, and despite doing everything for her because I loved her, I thought that if I sold them, it would prove to her that I loved her, so I did. I sold my entire collection for $250, as well as selling almost everything else that I owned at the time. I was heartbroken, and sad, and at that point I had no intention of ever collecting toys again. Two years went by, and I learned of the new Star Wars film soon to be released, The Force Awakens.

Though I had not bought any more toys, I still liked to look at forums and pictures online of how others customized toys and reviewed them. It was something that I wanted to try, and so I sold some things and went out and bought the two new X-Wings from The Force Awakens toy line. I was excited, and it made me feel like a kid again. I slowly began to remember some of my childhood, and two very special Christmas’ when I was very young. How I longed to go back in time and be there again! I did not have a real smartphone at the time, or any camera equipment for that matter, but I was excited and wanted to try to do a toy review.

*The Force Awakens* Resistance X-Wing Fighter

So, I stacked some books on top of my desk, and balanced the phone on its side against more books and filmed my first review of those X-Wings. The lighting and sound were bad, and the quality of the video was poor, but I enjoyed it. Out of that came the idea for my Youtube channel, Orion’s Belt Creations. I posted videos over the next several years, until I sold my collection once more to pay a debt. I again had no intention of collecting again, but I did. Over time I have slowly began to rebuild my collection, and now I have more toys than I did before.

I started a new professional YouTube channel, Dark Horizon Creations, and got serious about improving the quality of my reviews. I also invested hundreds of hours into learning how to customize toys and take pictures of them. Two years ago, I was diagnosed with Autism. After spending six years trying to get help, I was finally able to get the answers that I needed. Having that diagnosis gave me insight into why I couldn’t keep a job, and why I had difficulty in social interactions and settings.

I have lived a life full of trauma from an early age, and throughout those experiences I could always come home to granny and my toys. They are what made me happy, and what took my mind off of what I was experiencing at school, and sometimes at home. To this day when my feelings have been hurt, and I’m crying, I can sit down and start working on a custom toy, and pour all of my energies into that. Some of my best work, be it creative writing, custom projects, or toy photography, have all been born from a place of pain and rejection.

There are many reasons why I collect toys, but of them I think that it is that connection to those years back in my childhood that mean the most. They are a thread that keeps me tied to a place that I miss every moment of every day. If time travel were possible, I would be gone in an instant, and I would choose to live forever in those years.

So now you know why I collect toys. It’s not about money, or popularity, it’s about memories, and one day when my life is said and done, it will be my love of toys that people remember me for.

My thoughts on the Jurassic World Franchise

Having recently viewed Jurassic World Dominion at home, I thought that it would be a fitting opportunity to take a look back at the franchise, and briefly share my thoughts on each movie, as well as the overall narrative of the saga.

To begin, I was introduced to Jurassic Park at a very young age. My sixth-grade science teacher required our class to write a book report on a non-fiction scientific topic, and then give a presentation on that report to the class.

Our middle school had a book fair during this time, and I purchased a copy of Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton. I read the entire book, and then wrote the report, and gave my presentation to the class. At the end of that presentation, my science teacher, Mrs. Wafer, informed the class that Jurassic Park Wars not real, and that they had not cloned Dinosaurs! I was in disbelief.

At the time I mistakenly believed that fiction was fact, and that nonfiction was not. I recalled carefully selecting the book after seeing fiction on the spine of it, and presumed it was real. Mrs. Wafer was amused, but I was not.

I stop did not accept her assertion that Jurassic Park was not a real place, and that Dinosaurs had not been cloned. Two years later in the summer of 1993, I returned home from volunteering at a Baptist youth camp, and I learned that Mrs. Wafer had called, and asked if she could take me to see Jurassic Park in the theater!

I was shocked. She came to my home with her son and picked me up and drove me twenty miles to an area theater where she paid for my ticket and a drink, and let me to watch the movie.

I was awestruck by the opening scenes, and most moving to me were the Brachiosaurus eating leaves from the tops of the trees. They looked so gentle and peaceful, as if they had existed all along. I felt a deep sense of joy at what I saw.

Needless to say, I was amazed at the movie and has a lot of fun. It was a bright spot for me during a very turbulent time in my life. I was being bullied every day at school, and I was assaulted in class, in the bathrooms, and on the playground.

I hated school, and I hated the other kids because of how they mistreated me and rejected me. I became introverted and stayed to myself. I was afraid to go to school, and during this time I developed irritable bowel syndrome.

That same summer, my seventh-grade grammar teacher Mrs. Scoles called my great- grandmother and asked for me to stop by the school at the end of the year. So, I did, and I was taken to the school library where all of the teachers were working.

Mrs. Scoles stood up and had me follow her to her classroom, where she gave me two of the toy figures from Jurassic Park. They were a Dimetrodon and Velociraptor. She smiled and laughed when she saw how amazed I was to receive those toys.

I think that Mrs. Scoles was aware of what was happening to me at school, and she also knew how much I loved science and toys. Those two small acts of kindness by two teachers have never been forgotten, and both had a tremendous impact upon my life.

I bought and read The Lost World years later and saw the movie on VHS. I was amazed at the story, and quite honestly, I was more enthralled with the novel than the movie.

I felt that it was underwhelming to a degree, and could have been better had it more closely followed the plot of the novel. Jurassic Park III was even more of a disappointment to me, as it also pulled from the plot of The Lost World.

*“Oh look everyone, the people have come back to visit us!”*

When Jurassic World was released my interest in the franchise was renewed, and I felt that same sense of awe return as I saw the new park. It seemed as if John Hammond’s dream had become a reality, and that lessons had been learned. I enjoyed the movie but was saddened by the conclusion of the film. I felt that it was a mistake to use the ideas of the original film as a soft reboot to the franchise. It left me with mixed feelings as a fan.

“Wait, wait! No one needs to get upset, because we all have a three film contract.”

Fallen Kingdom was in my opinion, a critical misstep in creativity. I felt that it too, was underwhelming, much as The Lost World had been years prior. I knew that Jurassic World Dominion was going to be used to conclude the saga, and for the most part I enjoyed the movie.The conclusion was not what I was expecting and left much wanting in the way of knowing the end of the story.

*“What do you mean I’m not supposed to eat the dog?*“

I think that it was another misstep to bring the animals out into the modern world, which reduced their significance, and relegated them to more of a nuisance than the wonder of what they are. There are some good scenes, but there were also many avenues which could have better served the stories that were not taken. The most prominent being Isla Sorna.

I always felt that the sequels would have made better use of their time by moving the story there and allowing the sage to continue to evolve, while keeping the animals isolated from the world at large. In the novel The Lost World, its conclusion makes clear that the animals will eventually die out due to a disease infecting them which was caused by prions.

It was I think the author’s way of conveying how these wonderful animals weren’t meant to continue to exist alongside mankind. If anything, I think that the Jurassic World franchise should show us how fragile life on this planet is, and how utterly irresponsible we are in our care for it. We take little concern for our actions and decisions, not realizing that they are at the root of larger problems that they create.

That I think is the real lesson from chaos theory specifically, and these movies in general. We are not responsible enough with what we have been entrusted with by God, so how could we possibly undertake reviving an extinct species that we know very little about?

In the end I still enjoyed the movies, and I still collect the toys, which I think are one of the more lasting and positive aspects of the franchise. Jurassic World represents possibilities, but it also provides us with an opportunity to glimpse something much greater, that the world will never witness again.

An amateur gamer’s review of Halo Infinite

WARNING: THIS BLOG MAY CONTAIN IN-GAME SPOILERS FROM THE HALO INFINITE CAMPAIGN, WHICH MAY FOREVER RUIN YOUR CHILDHOOD.

Introduction

The 2021 Christmas season has arrived, and with it the release of Halo Infinite. After being delayed for the past year, I have to be honest in saying that I had become concerned that the game itself, as well as the franchise, may be in trouble; thankfully that was not the case. So does the game live up to the hype, or is it a failed attempt at a soft reboot for the franchise? That’s what I am going to answer in my blog. I will say up front that I am not an expert gamer, nor will you find me live streaming on Twitch, but I am a fan of the Halo franchise, and have been since I first played Halo 3 in 2009.

I actually have not played any games for the past year, as I didn’t have a console, and I received an early Christmas present this year in the form of an Xbox Series S! I have to be honest in saying that I had no idea that I was getting one, as they were impossible to find, and I couldn’t afford one. I was also uncertain if I would get to play Halo Infinite at launch, and I did! Just being able to take part in such an awesome event is both fun and life changing in itself, and something that I have never been able to experience before now.

Campaign Overview

To begin, the campaign consists of fourteen missions for you to complete, which takes about twelve to fourteen hours depending upon the difficulty that you choose. I played with the game set on easy, so that I could enjoy the game and story as it progressed. In addition, you will find that there are a total of fifty-four additional objectives to complete, which include: twelve forward operating bases (FOBs) to liberate from the Banished, seven Banished outposts, twenty distress calls from UNSC Fireteams, and seven High Value Targets (HVTs) to eliminate.

These are present during each campaign mission, which cannot be replayed after you complete them. Once you complete the campaign itself, you can go back and complete any of these objectives that you missed. I have to say that my initial impressions of the game are that it is the best title in the franchise to date. It has superb audio and graphics, and the frame rate is seamless. Most importantly it is entertaining and fun, and has a very similar appearance and feel to Halo 3, while remaining its own unique entry into the franchise.

It took me five days to complete the campaign, and that was done playing an average of three hours a day. I really had fun playing this game, and the experience left me longing for more. I have no idea when we will see the first DLC drop, however I can tell you that a trademark has been filed already for something called Halo: The Endless. I have no idea if this is a future DLC, but I hope so! What follows is a breakdown of some of the major aspects of the game and story.

Characters

To begin, anytime that I play a video game the first thing that I look at are the characters and the story. With the Master Chief we have followed his journey since Combat Evolved made its debut back in 2001. The Master Chief has become the quintessential sci-fi hero of all time, with a very atypical background and personality. His story has been balanced and intertwined with that of Cortana from day one, and they complete and complement each other perfectly.

Knowing who the protagonists are, we next turn our attention to the banished, whom we meet in Halo Wars 2. Out of all of the adversaries that the Master Chief has faced over the years, Atriox and Escharum may prove to be more than his equal. Any adversary in the Halo franchise has been well balanced against the Master Chief and the UNSC, but these two present a threat that we have never seen prior to now, and I loved it. These characters make you feel like you are being threatened by them yourself, and it is awesome.

The Story

The second aspect of any game that I look at is the story. Anyone can draft a decent story to a game, but it takes emotion, passion, and research to craft a story that makes you feel like you are a part of it, and Halo Infinite does exactly that. From the opening battle at the beginning, to the cliffhanger at the end, I hung onto every moment of this game. I wanted to know more about the Weapon, the fate of Cortana, and how Zeta Halo fit in to the narrative. You can have all of the greatest in sound effects and visuals, but without the depth of creative storytelling, all you really have is an arcade game to pass the time.

Gameplay Physics

Next, I want to talk about the physics of the gameplay in Halo Infinite. The familiarity of the game’s controls are all present, allowing the player to jump right into the game with little to learn. I liked the ability to adjust all of the control settings, including the dead zone and the speed at which the horizontal and vertical movement is controlled, which provide a more realistic and snappy response when scanning the environment, and moving from one target to the next.

Weapons

Weapons manipulation is spot on, and the venerable MA5 has been replaced with the MA40. The M6 is out, and it’s been replaced with a much more realistic sidearm, the VK50 Sidekick. I didn’t feel like the Sidekick had the knockdown power of the M6, and that is due to the difference in caliber. The Sidekick is chambered for a ten-millimeter cartridge, whereas the M6 is chambered for the fifty-caliber pistol cartridge. The standout weapon in this game is the new VK78 Commando assault rifle, which is the first assault rifle in game that isn’t a bullpup. It fires the 6.5 Creedmoor round, and features an angled mag well, holographic sight, and it is a beast!

Audio

The game is recorded in 7.1, and I found it to be an immersive experience. The vocals are all clear and crisp, and the sound effects are among the best that I have ever heard in a video game. This is due in part to the extensive real-world recordings done by the sound team. They went out and made recordings of actual firearms, explosions, aircraft, and vehicles to incorporate into the game’s audio. No sounds that I am aware of were recycled throughout the game, and each sound is unique to a specific event or object during gameplay.

Graphics

The visuals were just as impressive, with incredible color ranges, detailing, lighting, and shading. For a sci-fi shooter, Halo Infinite is as real as it can get. The game is running at thirty frames per second on the Xbox Series S, at 1080P resolution. You can switch the game to performance mode, however it’s still going to output at 1080p, and not 4K, which is not an issue that I care about. I have a Hisense forty-three-inch 1080P LCD LED television, and that’s good enough for me. In all honesty, I don’t see what all of the fuss is really about with 4K and 8K anyway, and I don’t see where it would make any real difference in how the game looks.

Technical Issues

As for bugs or glitches I only experienced one episode of a Brute freezing in place early on during gameplay, and that was it. There was no loss of audio at all. I did however experience audio and video out of sync when recording game clips to my console, and still have not determined why it happened, or how to resolve it. To be fair, this same error has occurred when recording clips from Titanfall 2, and is not exclusive to Halo Infinite, and should not be used to reflect any criticism upon the game or its performance.

Final thoughts

Earlier this year, I stated that we would see Cortana either pretend to be the weapon, or else take over her matrix in order to have a second chance at her existence. It turns out that we see her story come to an end in Halo Infinite, and I don’t think that it was what any of us were expecting or wanted. I was really hoping that we would see the Master Chief somehow save her, but the fact is the damage is done, and there just wasn’t any way to bring her back. Her actions solidified her demise, and fans were left with a heart-breaking goodbye. I did not agree with or like this decision at all, and I believe that redeeming her would have been a more perfect ending.

*Cortana sacrifices herself to save John -117 from the Didact*

Instead, they replaced her with what is essentially a duplicate copy of Cortana, so I’m uncertain how that is going to play out in the future. The Weapon as she was called initially, was designed for the very purpose of capturing and removing Cortana if she became rampant, which is exactly what occurred. What surprised me was to see that she chooses to call herself Cortana at the end, which is only alluded to. Both characters are voiced by Jen Taylor, so it’s anyone’s guess how this all plays out in future DLCs. The Weapon is an innocent, happy character, and we see her being led in a way by the Master Chief, which we never saw happen with Cortana.

Prior to Infinite, my favorite game in the franchise was Halo 4, and I think that if I had a choice, Cortana’s story would have ended there. I think the rampancy story arc got out of hand and took the franchise in a direction that became less clear and determined. Infinite allowed them to bring a conclusion to that, while quietly resetting the course of the franchise along more familiar paths that are reminiscent of those in Halo 3. The issue that I have with that, is that keeping future gameplay confined to Zeta Halo will get old fast. No one wants to be stuck playing as the Master Chief on a ring for the next ten years.

If the franchise is going to move beyond all of the questionable events from Cortana’ s arc, then we need to see an expansive and open world gameplay that is not confined to a ring, or a single planet, but one that takes the player on a journey across the stars. Inevitably, I also think that we need to see the Master Chief retire. There is a lifetime of emotion, feelings, and memories that have gone untouched for him, and a story along those lines would help the staying power of the character if he’s around. Ultimately, I think that we need to see new characters brought in, that can take the reins from the Master Chief and move us forward beyond a singular hero.

Halo Infinite is full of action, depth, and emotion, but the real question is how will it surpass the legacy of the games that it is built upon? 343 Industries has stated that it is the last main entry into the Halo franchise for at least ten years, so how will that work? What is their plan? Not everyone plays or wants to see another Halo Wars title, and if this is the last game for at least ten years, is this the final entry of the Master Chief? If not, then what could be next for him, and why? Halo Infinite Leaves us with as many questions as we had before its release, we can only hope that the franchise doesn’t go down like the Infinity in a ball of fire.